Skybolt designer Jeff Baumgartner developed a retrofit that
could help save body parts from prop strikes. It
increases strength exactly where its needed most—just forward of the prop
tips and in front of the radial arms and will work on many different
brands. His design, based on the "Better
Paramotor" safety ring, was improved after witnessing a pilot suffer a prop
strike injury. As the video below shows, he has succeeded.
In the accident that spawned this, the pilot's quick action prevented
a catastrophe that still cost him several days in the hospital and a large
scar on his arm. Thankfully, he'll have full movement of his arm and
hand when it all heals up.
The retrofit puts a hoop around the most vulnerable section of
cage, where the netting would otherwise be easily pushed into the prop.
The idea of this design is that by putting on a solid hoop forward of
the prop tips, you provide both rigid strength there, at the closest
spot to the prop tips, but also keep the netting farther away. Quite a
few prop injury accidents would have been prevented by this design.
It is still critical for the pilot to exercise intelligent starting
technique—insuring that the throttle is at idle before attempting to start and bracing
yourself in a way to handle unexpected thrust.
it's always safest to start the motor on your back so, if you don't
have electric start, and there's a willing someone around, use them.
These accidents happen in a lightening quick flash of inattention.
Treat the motor with enormous care when starting.
I've also created a 3D model of the "Better Paramotor" design that's
intended to show more accurately how some changes could be made to
existing (and future) designs that keep the paramotor's general
character while dramatically improving safety. A screenshot is shown at
right but it will be done as a quick video with narration highlighting
each of the suggestions. There are many other ideas listed on Better
Paramotor web page but these will be the most important. The model will
be included in parts of the Master Powered Paragliding series.
Note: This was done for testing only,
never use the cage to hold your paramotor for starting or runup.
1 & 2. Computer model of a paramotor with safety ring
and other features that could dramatically improve prop safety.
2. The PPGPlans.com
Skybolt with safety cage designed by Jeff Baumgartner.
