Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Paragliding with Google Maps


Thermal KK7 is a map which displays thermal heat-maps across the globe. The map shows the probability of finding a usable ascending air current for a paraglider, at different times of the year and day, with the help of thermal trigger points.

The map allows you to visualize the thermal heat-maps over Google satellite and terrain views or on top of a SRTM terrain layer. It is also possible to view the heat-map on top of Google's road map layer and on top of an OpenStreetMap.


Paragliding Map is a Google Maps based app to help you plan paragliding flights.

ParaglidingMap.com takes current weather observations, and makes a rules-based decision on whether each flying site around the world is flyable or not. The decision is based on a number of factors, including current wind direction, current wind speed and gust strength and current weather observations (clouds, fog, rain, thunderstorm, föhn, etc).


XC Planner is another Google Maps based planning tool for paragliders. Using the tool you can select the location of your paragliding flight. You can then drag and drop the turning points and define a number of options and even view past thermal patterns on the map.


If you want to have a taste of paragliding but are scared to try the real thing then this awesome paragliding flight simulator from ParaglidingEarth is what you need.

Before starting your flight you can choose the colour of your glider, your take-off heading, the wind speed and direction, the thermal density, thermal height and even the thermal size. When you are ready just press 'Let's Fly!' You can then glide to your heart's delight with a little help from the Google Earth browser plug-in.

The site also includes the option to select from paragliding sites across the world. Which allows you to preview a paragliding location from the comfort of your home by using the ParaglidingEarth paragliding flight simulator.

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