Feel Like Flying Sky High? Take Paramotor Lessons!

Introduction to Paramotor or Powered Paragliding by Paramotor Association

Need:

• No fear of heights
• At least $15,000 for new equipment (second-hands can be cheaper)
• Training cost depends on local paramotor school
• Flying Suit
• Boots
• Helmet
• Fit & Active
• Good coordination & an alert, reasoning mind
• Good Health

Flying courses:
Usually around 7-10 days long (aspiring paramotor pilots with no paragliding experience)

Full Flying Course covers:

• Launching a canopy
• Airspeed control
• Turning
• Approaching
• Landing

Once learnt, instructor will turn to:

• Power unit
• Assembly & Disassembly
• Starting
• Throttle Control
• Fuel Mixing
• Maintenance
• Torque
• Thrust Effects
• Essential Cautions

Will also be taught on:

• Basic Principles of flying
• Meteorology
• Aviation Law
• Navigation

What is Paramotor:

• Simplest of all powered aircrafts
• Consists of small 2-stroke petrol engine to drive a propeller, worn like a backpack under a paraglider wing
• Relatively easy to learn to fly with a paramotor
• Can be flown from an open field with no need for a hill site & strong wind
• Also easily rigged and de-rigged and once dismantled, can be place in the trunk of a car
• Engine can be stopped & restarted in air so pilot can adapt his flight to prevailing conditions
• With paramotor disconnected before take-off, the wing becomes just another paraglider thus offering the freedom & excitement of engine-less flight!

Information extracted from BB, Saturday 30th Sept 2006 (Article written by Muhammad Abdullah)