This topic for discussion is  about one certain category of gliding kites (paragliders). There are many categories of paragliders. One group of categories of paragliders can be developed by the count of tethers from the wing set bridle point(s) to the bridle points of the resistive set.  A category of count of zero tethers from those two bridle points is not the topic here. A category where there is exactly one tether from the two types of bridle points is the topic open for discussion here. More refined, this topic thread will not face the first of the two branches that will be described further in this introduction.

Let kite be an assembly of wing parts, tether parts, and resistive parts.
Let the three types of parts be symbolized as sets with symbols w, t, and r respectively. In general, allow any number of elements of each of these three sets.

When such kite is with the r freely falling in an atmosphere of a planet, then almost always a gliding kite (paraglider) will result as the resistive parts falling will set up a tension (being coupled to the dynamics of the elements of the wing set w that will allow the kiting principle to occur for the full arrangement of wing parts.

As paragliders are members of the family hang gliders, then this topic is a hang gliding topic as well as a paragliding topic.  Readers are invited to discuss the possibilities of a paraglider having exactly one tether from the wing bridle point to the bridle point of the resistive set.

It is invited to distinguish two branches of such systems of this topic.

1. One branch has a robot or a human person or several of such be in the r at a distance that is short enough to allow the robots or humans directly to manipulate the airframe of the wing set. Example of such: Wills Wing Falcon 3.    This branch will not be the matter of this topic.

2. The other branch has the robots or humans in the resistive set at a distance away from w where direct manipulation of the elements of w cannot occur. In such arrangements other control methods are invited. Examples: System by Dale C. Kramer.   Another example: The Cage.    This branch will be the topic of this discussion thread.

All are invited to send discussion notes on the topic described.

Some teasing leading questions and some clarifications:

• A wing alone cannot be kite; a wing alone might be one type of glider.  A kite needs all of its parts which includes elements of t and of r. Same then for gliding kites (paraglider).
   
• Paragliders are Gliding Kites Part001
   
• A non-gliding kite is not a paraglider.
   
• Wills Wing Falcon 3 is a paraglider often covered by default term "hang glider." Since the pilot of this paraglider is on a very short single tether allowing control by manipulation of the airframe directly, then this paraglider is in the branch that is outside the present topic of discussion.  See image of r hung by one tether to w of the paraglider Falcon 3: HERE.
   
• A paraglider is a gliding kite; so, a paraglider is a kite. Keep in focus that a gliding kite has its resistive set in a free-falling mode; that resistive set still gives mooring to the wing set through the tether set in order for the kiting principle to be active. Paragliding is thus a kite activity: the flying and using of the kites that are paragliders.   Again, a wing alone does not make kite.  A wing alone might make glider; there are gliders that are not paragliders, that is, that are not gliding kites.
   
• A paraglider may have an airframe. We use in this topic discussion the mechanical and historical allowances of what a paraglider is. Indeed any gliding kite is a paraglider. Manned or unmanned. Wing set of one or more wing elements. Tether set of one or more tethers. The mooring or resistive set may move in many ways despite moving in concert with the motion of ambient soil; the resistive set or mooring may moving in a falling manner through an atmosphere.
   
• Distinguish a gliding kite from a non-gliding kite.   This topic is about part of the gliding-kite world, and not about non-gliding kites (except as resource; i.e., non-gliding kites can be seen as a huge resource and opportunity).
   
• The resistive set could be minimal mass without much aerodynamic controls on itself; or the resistive set may be highly winged itself with robust aerodynamic controls.
   
• The main tether between the bridle point of r and bridle point of w  need not be of fixed length. Indeed changing the length of the tether during flight is an opportunity inviting discussion. Rapid shortening of the main tether's length could be opportunity for control. Rapid lengthening of the main tether could also be part of control.  And applications into special missions of the system might be served by changing the length of the main tether during flight. Discussion is open for these concerns.
   
• Discussion is invited concerning control challenges. We invite radio experts. We invite aerodynamic controls over the tether.  And aerodynamic control over the resistive set.  Explore passive and active controls. And matters relating to air traffic. Control challenges during launch?  Control challenges during landing.
   
• Discussion is invited over stark morphing of the system. For instance, separation from wing set is a stark shape changer. Rapid shortening to zero length of main tether?   Rapid reduction of the resistive set?  Rapid change of the character of the wings in the wing set? Etc.
   
• Not on topic are paragliders of more than one tether from w bridle point to bridle point of r. Example or a multiple-tether paraglider: 

• Not on topic are potential paragliders of single main tether. That is, that which is not yet a paraglider but has the potential of becoming a paraglider in not in the domain of this topic. For example, self before birth was a water glider and then at implantation a paravane or water kite; such self in womb is not a paraglider as the paravane or water kite is not gliding; but the self may later in life after birth become a gliding kite (paraglider) of one or more main tether. The image here illustrate an off-topic matter.
   
• Paragliders that have r holding two or more bridle points of w are not having a single tether between a bridle point of w and a bridle point of r; such paragliders are very much used in sport paragliding. These are not in the domain of this discussion topic. Sample image show four risers on each side of r.  
   
• Hybrid cross-fluid single-tether item is interesting in this realm:

  Seaglider the best way to fly !   Here the r is in water and in air at the upper bridle point.   And Seaglider Naussac 2 test Filght.     [~~from note by Mitja   ]

•  

There is evidence of a spectacularly wide opportunity; we in this forum over time may play a part in unfolding that opportunity. Have fun doing so; but also play your technical best, and your highest imagination.

LLW: long live Woglom

Partial response: 
I do not see the "space" position of the wing set; I've noted the topic to be in atmospheres. Very high wing set elements are a matter of mission and physics; certainly, some records of altitude will be set for the highest wing element of paraglider.   Of course, some may explore a different topic of space tethered systems that are not gliding, but are sustained by other mechanisms.     

The reason the topic was started on the paragliding forum was because the topic is solidly about a paragliding matter.   That the topic is focused on a corner of the paragliding universe will permit some focus on a corner, not the whole, of paragliding.       The too-narrow definitions of paraglider in some places does not rule this topic discussion; rather, the full mechanical and historical definition of paraglider is being the guide for this discussion; we would be limited by those narrow definitions.  

Your scenario of traffic and possible challenges of having many systems that have very long single tether is very much on topic. That is an important concern you introduce.  You are encouraged to advance some attention on that matter.   Communicating airspace use would be important for all other aircraft in the concerned environment.

Launching will be solidly part of this discussion.   I will put up some launching  ideas.  Others are invited to look at the launching and landing of paragliders having one tether from wing set bridle point to the brindle point of the resistive set.       ~JpF

Partial response:  There are no restrictions about where humans may sit or be placed. Depending on mission and size of the system, humans may be in any or all places in the system.  That is, some humans might remain in the resistive set; some might be on the tether set which in this case is the one tether between r bridle point and the bridle point of w. Humans may move about the system; the humans might go up or down the outside of the main tether or the inside of the tether, if the tether is hollow.  Humans might be on one or several of the wing-set wings.  Sleeping quarters may be equipped with items to meet long stays in the air.  Humans may be part of the control system and take shifts while others play or sleep aboard, especially during transcontinental flights.    JpF

Response: Crew placement options: in r or mid t or in w; some in each part or all in w, etc., mission dependent. Risks in r differ from those in w.   JpF

Want clarity :: key to getting goals; the tether in this topic may be any length from very short to very long; a wide adventure is open.

Trans-continent #t=1: crew enough to allow sleep periods.

Response: There are ways to fly pilot pod winged for orienting and avoiding twirling. Active flying for the resistive set r is a realm inviting design exploration.   Indeed, when the r is in a different strata of the air, there is control opportunity for r by controlling its own deflections; indeed r is a wing itself with a potential to be controlled for changes in its lift and drag.  Controlling the attitude and motions of r may increase or decrease the tension in the main tether and thus the interplay with w occurs.  Such actions will play a part in transcontinental systems of the type we are discussing.    But further, deliberate twirling or autorotation may be just the desired dynamic for all or part of r in a flight system.  Pitch control of rotating blades may be part of some solutions here; recall, humans may be beaded in the r or beaded on the main tether or be situated in w elements.  Rapid deliberate autorotation of the r might be with g forces or dizzy-causing motions that are not fit for humans.  All these aspects invite creative exploration. Continue sending in your discussion notes on this topic.

Some gliding leaves are not paragliders. Some gliding leaves with stems are not paragliders. But some  falling leaves are paragliders. The image here over speaks and an adjustment is needed; some of the fall leaves remain non-paraglider gliders; but some get into the paraglider mode; e. g. curled or torn leaves or leaves with long-enough stem parts get into paraglider mode. 

A stiff short tether on a fall leaf which leaf is stiff and flat and large will be a non-paraglider glider. But if the stem is long enough and massive enough and the leaf form is small enough or curled enough or broken enough, then often a paraglider will result; such will be part of this topic's discussion. Nature provides billions of such paragliders from deciduous trees each year.

Response: The Cage is on topic. The one tether from bridle cage to resistive set (pilot and harness and other carried item) is very short. The control is done by direct manipulation of the cage that holds bridle and wing-former lines. Twirling of r is not occurring in the case of The Cage.  

To PeterJ: For sure:  Yes, The Cage is a short tether example on topic, as are the short-tether stiffened wings; and more to come with boned PG, stuffed PGs, solid PGs; and the dynamic-soaring ULL single-tether systems (Ultra-Long-Line). The Cage "control unit" could be replaced with a KSU or KCU on the ULL PG for exploring trans-continental flight. An activity sector just for La Cage welcomes further input.

JpF