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 Here
are some things I've seen in my travels or in my inbox that are positive
developments for paramotor safety. I believe every machine should
reasonably protect against certain likely events, such as falling. You
can see the range of safety ideas on
A Better Paramotor.
Here is a celebration of improvements actually made by manufacturers or
individuals.
Olympic Powered
Paragliding
2008-04-05 In an effort to reduce the propeller strike risk
associated with starting a paramotor, Tom Scott of OlympicPPG has
implemented a safety shutoff switch. The tilt-sensitive (mercury in this
case) switch is placed such that any tipping beyond about 25° in any
direction will activate the kill circuit and shut off the motor. It
protects against a tipping motor during start or if the pilot falls.
A manual toggle switch
bypasses the tilt circuit so human action can still defeat it or leave
the protection bypassed. It must be bypassed to stand up although he's
considering trying a momentary switch that the pilot pressed to bypass
the protection circuit. That would allow the pilot to bend over to pick
up the risers, for example.
Tom has one mounted on one of
his paramotors and continues to test it. Hopefully, if it proves to be
practical, other makers will implement the idea.
For more information contact
Tom Scott at Olympic Paragliding, Forks, WA or phone 360-374-9247 or
visit www.olympicppg.com or
phone Forks, WA or eMail him at
olympicppg@centurytel.net.
Paratoys
 2008-04-05
Another step in the right direction of pilot protection is found on the
newest Paratoys "Rhino" cage. Very stout netting covers the entire top
half of the motor so that it would prevent an open human hand from
hitting the prop, even at full rated thrust. The second hoop completely
encloses the prop to provide further protection and lessen the chance
that lines will get chopped on a biffed launch.
Like nearly all double hoop
designs, the area between the inner hoop and outer hoop does not have
netting, so pilots must still be careful about reaching back, as always.
For more information, visit
www.Paratoys.com.
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