Glossary
The XC performance metrics to check after every flight
After a cross-country the numbers are not there to grade yourself, but to inform the next decision. Here are the metrics that genuinely matter in paragliding XC, explained simply.
The metrics that matter
- XC distance: kilometres of free distance or triangle. It is the result, not the explanation.
- Glide ratio (efficiency): ratio between distance and altitude lost on transition. A higher L/D means more rewarding glides.
- Climb rate: average climb in m/s in the thermals. It measures how well you centre and use the lift.
- Altitude and gain: maximum altitude, average base and total metres gained summing the climbs.
- Average XC speed: how much you advance over time, balancing time spent climbing and gliding.
- Time in thermals: the share of the flight spent climbing; often the lower it is, the more efficient the flight was.
Use the trend, not the single number
A single metric says little: glide ratio depends on the air of the day, climb rate on the thermals available. The value comes from comparison over time, under similar conditions.
Watching how your average glide or climb rate evolves across the season says far more than one exceptional flight. That is where real progress shows.
Where to find them in RSFly
RSFly computes these metrics from every IGC you upload and keeps them together in the logbook and profile, so the seasonal trend updates itself. The leaderboard uses the same signals to compare real flights between pilots.
In short
- Distance is the result; glide ratio and climb rate explain how you got there.
- Read metrics in the trend, under similar conditions, not on a single flight.
- A lower time in thermals, for the same distance, usually means a more efficient flight.