Sol Paragliders
Brazilian manufacturer of paragliders, paramotor wings, harnesses, rescue parachutes, and related equipment.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Sol Paragliders is a Brazilian aircraft manufacturer headquartered in Jaraguá do Sul, Santa Catarina. The company develops and manufactures paragliders and paramotor wings supplied as ready-to-fly aircraft, along with harnesses, rescue parachutes, and accessories for free flight and powered paragliding. Its business is rooted in the Brazilian hang-gliding and paragliding scene but has developed an international export orientation. The company was established in 1979 by Ary Carlos Pradi as a hang-glider manufacturer. It entered the paraglider market in 1991 under the name FUN Gliders, reflecting the rapid development of paragliding as a distinct recreational and sporting aviation discipline. By 1993, approximately 70 percent of its business was exported, indicating that international distribution had become important at an early stage. In 1996, the company adopted the Sol Paragliders name. It subsequently formed a partnership with Austria's Nova Performance Paragliders, but by 1999 it had assembled its own design and certification staff and decided to develop the Sol brand globally without relying on partners. Sol's product activity spans wings for different pilot experience levels and flight purposes, including general recreational flying, cross-country use, paramotoring, and aerobatics. Its portfolio has included models such as Super Sonic, Tracer, One, and a large number of other named glider families. The Super Sonic, introduced in 2005, became associated with high-level paraglider aerobatics. The Sol One received an Innovation Award of the Year in 2011, while Sol designs were also used in record-setting and championship flying. Sporting performance has been an important part of the brand's public profile. According to the referenced company history, pilots flying Sol gliders established 15 world records between 2000 and 2010. In 2009, Kamira Pereira set four women's world records on Sol gliders, and Horacio Llorens achieved a reported world record for spins in Nepal with 281 spins. Sol models were also used by Brazilian champions Frank Brown and Kamira Pereira, and four additional world records were set on Sol gliders in 2012. These achievements helped position the company as a performance-oriented manufacturer rather than solely a recreational equipment supplier. The company received certification from Germany's Deutscher Hängegleiterverband, commonly abbreviated DHV, in 2004. Its workforce reportedly numbered about 50 people in 2004 and approximately 120 by 2010, including 22 paraglider pilots. Sol also operates a museum opened on February 18, 2011, connecting the brand's manufacturing activities with the history of free-flight aviation. The available reference material does not provide current ownership, revenue, leadership, website, or detailed present-day product availability.
History
Sol Paragliders traces its origins to 1979, when Ary Carlos Pradi founded the Brazilian company as a manufacturer of hang gliders. The business later followed the emergence of paragliding, beginning production of paragliders in 1991 under the name FUN Gliders. The shift broadened the company's role from hang-gliding equipment into the manufacture of flexible-wing aircraft used for recreational, sporting, and powered flight. International sales developed quickly. By 1993, exports represented approximately 70 percent of the company's business. In 1996, the company changed its name to Sol Paragliders, adopting the identity under which it became known internationally. Soon afterward, Sol entered a partnership with Nova Performance Paragliders of Austria. The partnership was part of the company's international development, but Sol later chose to establish its own design and certification capability. By 1999, it had its own technical staff and pursued worldwide brand development without partners. During the 2000s, Sol expanded both its product range and its presence in competitive flying. The company manufactured wings for different levels and uses, including general paragliding, paramotoring, cross-country activity, and aerobatics. Its aircraft catalogue included models such as Atmus, Auster, Axion, Balance, Caesar, Classic, Cyclone, Dynamic, Eclipse, Ellus, Flexus, Hercules, Hoops, Impulse, Jumbo, Kangaroo, Koala, Kuat, Lotus, Magic Fun, Neon, Onyx, Pero, Prymus, Quasar, One, Sonic, Faly Stabilis, Start, Super Sonic, Syncross, Synergy, Taxi, Torck, Tornado, TR2, Tracer, Unno, Vello, Yaris, Yess, Sycross, Auster GT, and Runner. The available reference does not establish launch dates or current status for each model. Technical certification and sporting achievements were central to the company's reputation. Sol received certification from Germany's Deutscher Hängegleiterverband in 2004. The Super Sonic, introduced in 2005, became recognized as a leading design for paraglider aerobatics. The referenced history states that pilots flying Sol gliders set 15 world records between 2000 and 2010. In 2009, Kamira Pereira established four women's world records on Sol equipment, while Horacio Llorens achieved a reported 281-spin world record in Nepal. The Sol Tracer was also associated with strong Brazilian competition results, including championships won by Frank Brown and Kamira Pereira. Sol continued to emphasize product innovation and the public culture of free flight. The Sol One won an Innovation Award of the Year in 2011. On February 18 of the same year, the company opened a museum. Four further world records were set on Sol gliders in 2012. The company's reported workforce grew from around 50 employees in 2004 to approximately 120 in 2010, including 22 paraglider pilots, suggesting that pilot expertise was integrated into product development and testing. Sol's current ownership, leadership structure, website, financial performance, and detailed present-day model range are not established by the supplied reference material.
- 2011
Sol One receives innovation recognition
[1]The Sol One won an Innovation Award of the Year.
- 2011
Sol museum opens
[1]The company opened a museum on February 18.
- 2005
Super Sonic introduced
[1]The Super Sonic entered the market and became associated with high-level paraglider aerobatics.
- 2004
DHV certification
[1]Sol received certification from Germany's Deutscher Hängegleiterverband.
- 1999
Sol establishes independent design and certification capability
[1]After its partnership period, Sol developed its own design and certification staff and pursued global brand development independently.
- 1996
Company renamed Sol Paragliders
[1]The company adopted the Sol Paragliders name.
- 1993
Exports become the majority of business
[1]Exports accounted for approximately 70 percent of the company's business.
- 1991
Paraglider production begins under the FUN Gliders name
[1]The company began manufacturing paragliders under the FUN Gliders name.
- 1979
Company founded as a hang-glider manufacturer
[1]Ary Carlos Pradi founded the Brazilian company, initially focused on hang gliders.
Products and positioning
A specialist Brazilian free-flight aviation brand combining certified paraglider manufacturing with performance, competition, aerobatics, paramotoring, and pilot-oriented product development.
Free-flight aircraft · 1991
Paragliders
Sol's core products are flexible-wing paragliders supplied as ready-to-fly aircraft. The range has included designs for recreational pilots, sport and cross-country flying, competition, and aerobatics. The company's named aircraft catalogue includes models such as Super Sonic, Tracer, One, Sonic, Synergy, Tornado, and many earlier or specialized designs. Individual launch dates and current availability are not established in the supplied material.
Powered paragliding aircraft
Paramotor wings
The company manufactures paramotor wings in ready-to-fly aircraft form. These products adapt the paraglider format for powered flight and form part of Sol's broader free-flight aviation portfolio. The supplied reference does not identify particular current paramotor models or their technical specifications.
Flight equipment
Paragliding harnesses
Sol produces harnesses used by paraglider pilots. They complement the company's wings and support its position as a supplier of integrated free-flight equipment rather than a wing-only manufacturer. Detailed model names, launch dates, and current range information are not provided in the reference.
Aviation safety equipment
Rescue parachutes
The product portfolio includes rescue parachutes for paraglider pilots. These are safety components used alongside the primary wing and harness system. The supplied material does not provide model-level specifications or certification details for individual rescue products.
Aerobatic paraglider · 2005
Sol Super Sonic
Introduced in 2005, the Super Sonic became associated with advanced paraglider aerobatics and helped establish Sol as a performance-focused design house. The reference describes it as a leading aerobatic design but does not provide technical specifications, later generations, or current availability.
Performance paraglider
Sol Tracer
The Tracer was described as a highly competitive Sol design. It was used in Brazilian championship flying, including performances associated with Frank Brown and Kamira Pereira. The supplied source does not specify its technical class, launch date, or current status.
Paraglider · 2011
Sol One
Sol One is a Sol paraglider design that received an Innovation Award of the Year in 2011. The award made it one of the company's publicly highlighted product developments. No further technical or commercial details are provided in the reference.
Brand decisions
2005
Launch the Super SonicProduct launchBackground
Sol was expanding its performance and specialist paraglider portfolio.
Action taken
It introduced the Super Sonic design for the aerobatics segment.
Aftermath
The model established itself as a leading design for paraglider aerobatics.
1999
Pursue global growth independentlyStrategyBackground
Following a partnership with Nova Performance Paragliders of Austria, Sol had developed its own design and certification staff.
Action taken
The company decided to take its brand global without partners.
Aftermath
Sol continued international brand development using its own technical and certification capabilities.
1996
Adopt the Sol Paragliders brand nameStrategyBackground
The company had begun paraglider production under the FUN Gliders name and was developing an export-oriented business.
Action taken
It changed its name to Sol Paragliders and subsequently developed the new identity internationally.
Aftermath
Sol became the company's enduring international brand name.
Recent events
- 2012
Additional world records set on Sol gliders[1]
Other
Four additional world records were set using Sol gliders, extending the brand's record-oriented sporting history.
- 2011
Sol opens its museum[1]
Other
Sol opened a museum on February 18, documenting the company's relationship with hang gliding, paragliding, and free-flight aviation.
- 2011
Sol One receives an Innovation Award of the Year[1]
Product launch · Other
The Sol One design received an Innovation Award of the Year, reinforcing the brand's emphasis on product development.
- 2009
Sol pilots achieve multiple records and competition results[1]
Other
Kamira Pereira set four women's world records on Sol gliders, while Horacio Llorens set a reported world record for spins in Nepal. Sol Tracer pilots also achieved notable Brazilian championship results.
- 2005
Super Sonic strengthens Sol's aerobatics profile[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The introduction of the Sol Super Sonic established the model as a leading design associated with paraglider aerobatics.
- 2004
Sol Paragliders receives DHV certification[1]
Other
The company was certified by Germany's Deutscher Hängegleiterverband, an important technical and market credential for paraglider equipment.
Sources1 sources
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