Paragliding is the most minimal (and purest) form of flight that can be achieved by man. Descended from Hang-gliding and Parachuting, a high performance parachute which is easily portable in a rucksack can be used to achieve soaring flight on hills and mountainsides for hours on end. Paragliders can also be launched from flat fields by winching and height gains of 1000s of metres and cross-country flights of 100s of kilometers have been achieved.