Floating in the air - Paragliding, Billing

Billing is a beautiful adventure spot in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is rated as one of the best gliding sites in the world. Not only is it blessed by nature and beauty, it is a perfect launching pad for hang-gliding and paragliding. Adventure sports enthusiasts from all over the world flock to Billing during the month between September to November, when the winds and climatic conditions are cent percent favourable. Located at an altitude of 8, 500 feet in Kangra valley, it offers 100 kms of up and down, and cross-country flights. Billing is also famous for yet another adventure sport, that of Para Sailing. Billing also has the distinction of holding the first ever paragliding competition according to the rule of the Federation Aeronautique international, which makes this place fit to hold more paragliding championships in future. Billing Valley is based in Mcleodganj, Dharamsala, Himachal and Bir - Billing at Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. The Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Government of Himachal Pradesh organises the 'Para Gliding Pre world Cup' at Billing- Bir in the month of October.

Paragliding is the recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure.[1] The pilot sits in a harness suspended below a hollow fabric wing whose shape is formed by its suspension lines, the pressure of air entering vents in the front of the wing and the aerodynamic forces of the air flowing over the outside.
Despite not using an engine, paraglider flights can last many hours and cover many hundreds of kilometres, though flights of 1--2 hours and covering some tens of kilometres are more the norm. By skilful exploitation of sources of lift the pilot may gain height, often climbing to altitudes of a few thousand metres.

Paragliders are unique among soaring aircraft in being easily portable. The complete equipment packs into a rucksack and can be carried easily on the pilot's back, in a car, or on public transport. In comparison with other air sports this substantially simplifies travel to a suitable takeoff spot, the selection of a landing place and return travel.

Source - Wikipedia

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