Your first paraglider — the buying guide

Your first own wing is the most important gear decision of a pilot’s early years. This guide breaks it into the points that can be settled factually — with the manufacturer facts on the APCO range.

The EN class first

The EN class (EN 926-2) is the central safety indicator when buying a wing — from A (maximally forgiving) to D (competition). The system is explained in the guide EN classes explained and the glossary.

For training, EN A is the standard. APCO positions the KARISMA II exactly there: “designed for training all the way up to cross country flights … the best option to learn the basics and build skills under a canopy with the highest safety level possible.” Important: the class can vary per size — always check the certification of your own size in the datasheet.

Size and take-off weight

A wing must match the take-off weight: pilot plus complete equipment (harness, reserve, helmet, clothing, instruments). The datasheets state an approved range per size — for the KARISMA II e.g. 55–75 up to 115–140 kg across five sizes (free flight), up to 165 kg with a paramotor.

Where you sit in the range changes the behaviour: closer to the lower limit is calmer, closer to the upper limit more dynamic. For the size choice we advise concretely with the datasheet and your real take-off weight: [email protected].

New or second-hand?

The factual difference:

• New: full manufacturer warranty — at APCO 3 years / 250 flight hours on wings (Hybrid models: 1 year / 100 hours, manufacturing defects only), full size and colour choice including custom colors ex works.
• Second-hand: no or partial warranty, unknown condition. Without a workshop check (porosity measurement, line inspection, trim control) the purchase is a blind flight — we carry out such checks in Taufkirchen.

The APCO range for starting out

Three models, with the manufacturer’s positioning:

• KARISMA II (EN A) — the school wing: 20 % (1 kg) lighter than its predecessor, APP shark-nose profile (“zero deflations or momentarily pressure drops”), landing “incredibly stall resistant”, per APCO “by far our best thermalling EN A wing ever”.
• VISTA VI (EN B) — “APCO’s middle B, designed for talented beginners or pilots who wish to step up to the B category with a very calm, safe and easy wing to fly”. The step after the school wing — see KARISMA II vs VISTA VI.
• ADAMA — the 13 m² ground trainer: “it will simulate the behaviour of a full scale wing to train for the best practices without risking the equipment and the user’s safety”. Not an altitude wing but the training tool for days without flying weather — “practice makes perfect”.

What else belongs in the kit

• Harness — construction types and APCO models in the harness guide.
• Reserve — selection logic and the Mayday range in the reserve guide. Care: per the APCO manual, a repack every six months.
• Helmet — with air-sports certification; options in the accessories range.

After the purchase

1. Ground handling before the first flight — that is what the Adama is built for.
2. Keep a logbook — document flights and ground contacts.
3. Plan the periodic inspection — what happens there is in the maintenance guide.

For the concrete choice (size, colour, availability) we advise directly: [email protected] — with the datasheet and certificate for every model.