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Paragliding XC Data Analysis

Discover where and when pilots fly cross-country. Analysis of 11 years of XContest data showing the most reliable takeoff sites by country and season. Only sites with ≥ 2 flights scoring ≥ 100 XContest points are shown.

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Dataset Overview

Global statistics from 11 years of paragliding XC data (2015–2025).

Flights per year by points threshold

Flights per year

Pilot nationality per year (top 12)

Pilot nationalities

Takeoff country per year (top 12)

Country activity per year

Glider manufacturer per year (top 12)

Manufacturer per year

Glider model per year (top 12)

Model per year

Glider manufacturer and model breakdown

Glider usage

Interactive Takeoff Map

3,066 takeoff areas with at least 2 Paragliding XC flights ≥100 pts (2015–2025). Click any marker to view all flights from that site. Grey shade = avg flights/yr; circle size = avg XC pts; ring size = max XC pts. Two-pass clustering (2 km + 4 km) groups nearby takeoffs.

Avg flights/yr (color)
<1/yr
1–10/yr
>10/yr
Avg pts (circle size) 100 pts300 pts500 pts
Max pts (ring size) 100 pts300 pts500 pts
Open full-screen map →

Data: xcontest.org · 2015–2025 · Flights ≥ 100 XC pts · 2 km+4 km two-pass · ≥ 2 flights

Coordinates are auto-generated from flight records and may be approximate. Verify the site on the ground before visiting. No warranty.

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Best Regions by Season

Flyable days are defined as days with a minimum of 3 flights, each scoring over 100 points and registered within a 200-km-diameter zone. Averages are computed across 11 years. Data source: Xcontest 2015–2025.

Where to fly paragliding - regions by season (1/5)Where to fly paragliding - regions by season (2/5)Where to fly paragliding - regions by season (3/5)Where to fly paragliding - regions by season (4/5)Where to fly paragliding - regions by season (5/5)
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Where Do High-Scoring Paragliding XC Flights Start?

Average number of XC flights per week per takeoff (2 km+4 km two-pass cluster), 11-year average (2015–2025). Data source: Xcontest.

XC flights >200 points
XC flights >200 points (1)XC flights >200 points (2)XC flights >200 points (3)XC flights >200 points (4)XC flights >200 points (5)XC flights >200 points (6)XC flights >200 points (7)XC flights >200 points (8)XC flights >200 points (9)
XC flights >300 points
XC flights >300 points (1)XC flights >300 points (2)XC flights >300 points (3)
XC flights >400 points
XC flights >400 points

Most Frequented XC Takeoffs by Country

Average number of XC flights (>100 points) per week per takeoff (2 km+4 km two-pass cluster), 11-year average (2015–2025). Click on any chart to view full size. Data source: Xcontest.

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Built by an engineer

This analysis was built with Python, data science & automation — the same skills I apply to industrial process control.

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Engineering Services

Beyond paragliding data, I'm a freelance engineer specializing in paraglider-wing-based systems. Formerly at SkySails, working on Airborne Wind Energy (energy generation using tethered wing/kite systems). I offer:

  • Data analysis & visualization: Custom statistical analysis, dashboards, and interactive reports from flight or sensor data.
  • Modelling & simulation: Dynamic models for aerodynamic, mechanical, and energy systems.
  • Control systems & MPC: Advanced process control, model predictive control, and optimization-based control design.
  • Trajectory optimization: Optimal flight paths, setpoint generation, and constraint-aware planning.
  • Sensor fusion & state estimation: EKF/UKF, observer design for robust real-time estimation.

Learn more at noga.es

Powered Paragliding (PPG) XC Map

Also flying with a motor? Explore 1,684 powered paragliding takeoff areas worldwide — an interactive map based on 11 years of Xcontest PPG data (2014–2024).

PPG XC Takeoff Map →

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