Paragliding

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Paraglider, Parapenting, Paragliders’ Launch Site, Paragliders’ Landing Site

Category

Sports, Adventure Sports, Action Sports, Sporting Activities, Land Based Activities, Activities, Recreation, Tourism

Message / Function

For notice in general and to indicate the location of facilities for paragliding

	Source	Description
	Erco	Human figure suspended from paraglider
	Verbier 2024	Human figure suspended from paraglider
	Peru MST	Human figure suspended from paraglider
	ÖNORM A 3011	Human figure flying paraglider with longitudinally extending ribs alternating in black and white
	Aragón	Human figure suspended from paraglider with three stripes
	BS 8501:2002	Human figure flying paraglider with longitudinally extending ribs
	Ecuador	Human figure suspended from paraglider or parachute, curved line indicating cloud
	Aletsch 2024	Human figure suspended from paraglider
	CNIS	Human figure suspended from paraglider or parachute
	La Clusaz	Human figure suspended from paraglider
	Argentina SSTN	Clipped view of human figure suspended from paraglider with five ribs indicated
	NZS 8603	Human figure suspended from paraglider with three ribs indicated
	Naturparke NÖ	Seated human figure with arms raised towards arc like element

Discussion

A look at the collection above reveals the diversity of renderings used to indicate a location of facilities for paragliding. Practically all pictograms show a human figure suspended from paraglider, but there is a wide range of how designers tried to visualize this image content.

We could not find any research data concerning graphic symbols for Paragliding in our database, so we cannot present specific information concerning comprehensibility or some other parameters for one or several of the pictograms presented above.

Images available from several sources and responses from a Comprehension Test conducted in Brazil for the referent Ballooning (Fiori, 2008) indicate that care has to be taken to stress the visual differences between the three types of recreational activities Paragliding, Parachute Jumping and Ballooning.

Recommendation

Paragliding

Based on our investigations we recommend the use of a pictogram like symbol No 144 of ÖNORM A 3011, as it offers a clear contrast to Parachute Jumping and Ballooning.

Due to the fact that data from research is missing, we furthermore suggest to look into this subject in detail and start testing using the Comprehensibility Estimation procedure for eliminating poor variants and identifying the best of the set available, followed by a Comprehension Test. These studies should deliver useful data for recommending the best pictogram. Detailed information about the most frequent responses given in each of the response categories of the Comprehension Test should be provided to correctly judge comprehensibility and improve designs. Also information concerning knowledge about this kind of activity should be collected at the end of the test, as the degree of familiarity with the subject examined has a significant impact on the validity of the data collected.

Tests of pictograms of referent Paragliding

No data from research or tests is available in our database.