Whilst paragliders and hang gliders fly on the same sites and usually in the same winds, there are a number of operational differences that need to be considered.

Extend the courtesy of the launch

Paragliders! Please do not lay out on the launch unless you are ready to fly. If there is a hang glider setting up behind you, he will be ready and able to launch as soon as he is in his harness and you will not appreciate your canopy and lines being walked on.

Hang Gliders! Try to keep the area around launch clear until you are ready to fly. Paragliders need more room to lay out their wings, and if they fail to inflate properly, the canopy can end up being draped over anything within the radius of their lines.(which could be your glider!) Also, beware when walking around on launch as it's easy to step on a paragliders lines. Some of the microlines used don't take kindly to this treatment...

Whilst hang gliders take longer to set up, they are much easier to launch in moderate winds.

Paragliders - If you are having difficulty with inflation, and there's a hang glider waiting behind, why not do him the courtesy of yielding the launch. He will be gone in seconds, with very little inconvenience to you, and you will make a friend, not an enemy!

Hang gliders - If you're ready to go and it's soarable, launch. No-one likes a launch potato!

Obey the rules of the air when possible.

In particular, everybody should keep to the flight rules(see below) when scratching in light winds. This provides the other pilot with a decent chance of predicting where you will be at any given time.

Clear your turns!!!!

I cannot stress this enough. Many paragliders appear to be surprised by the difference in speed of hang gliders. They assume that the hang glider will take the same time on a beat as them, then look very surprised to see a glider heading straight for them as they make a turn without checking first. Always LOOK before turning

If you're a novice or trainee, make sure you have a streamer attached.

You will be forgiven some mistakes and be given a fair go and plenty of clearance.

Hang gliders have generally have a slightly better sink rate than most paragliders, but at a higher speed.

Paragliders, however, can fly more slowly, so can stay in areas of light lift longer, whereas the hang glider will fly through it quickly and have to turn back, thus sacrificing height.. This is the reason paragliders are generally better at flying in light airs. However, in constant light lift, assuming appropriate skill in getting up at launch, a hang glider can usually soar in the same lift as a paraglider, with roughly equivalent height.

Hang gliders have a better glide than paragliders, with the ability to fly in and penetrate quite strong winds.

Paragliders! Be cautious in following a hang glider across gaps, or in deciding to fly because there are hang gliders in the air. The conditions may not be safe for you.

Hang gliders can dive, so they can suddenly appear "like magic" - so clear your turns! They can also convert some of the dive energy back into altitude

Hang gliders need more room for a landing than paragliders.

Unfortunately, this means that the on-top landing options for hang gliders are more limited. In addition, the vertical height of the paraglider lines means that the paraglider wing remains in clear air out of ground level turbulence during an on top landing, whereas the hang glider has to contend with the wind gradient. An on-top area suitable for paragliders may not suit a hang glider.

Hang gliders are a damn sight harder to carry about than a paraglider,

So please be considerate in not forcing them down to the beach!

Rules of the Air - and some practical considerations

An aircraft should yeild to an aircraft approaching from its right

Aircraft approaching head on at the same level should both diverge to the right

Obviously this usually means that the "circulation" on a cliff site is in an anticlockwise direction viewed from above, as the pilot with the right wing to the cliff cannot veer right.

Lower glider has right of way.

Glider being overtaken has right of way.

Since hang gliders generally overtake paragliders, they need to be careful about passing in front of a paragliders canopy at low altitude. A wake induced collapse when "scratching" could have a very serious outcome.