by Jeff Goin | Aug 10, 2024 | Entertainment, Recent
That was painful. Our website went down for a couple days. Uggh. Technology is great when it works. As to what happened? The statis field voltage dropped below minimum slag and we had to shut off the power to reboot our shields. It was scary! Thankfully, when...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 17, 2020 | Entertainment
Yup, COVID-19 almost killed my laptop. It’s a bit convoluted, but here goes. As most know, I fly airliners for my day job, and during the great COVID-induced airline drawdown of 2020, I’m doing a lot of “deadheading,” riding in the back to my...
by Jeff Goin | Aug 11, 2019 | Competitions & Records, Entertainment, News
Edition 6 is coming out in August 2020. We ran a photo contest and got some great submissions, but wanted to have another craft, especially with wheels, on the cover this time. Marty Hathaway was kind enough to follow me close enough to make it work on a jaunt over...
by Jeff Goin | May 15, 2019 | Entertainment, Log: Life
Talk about squirrels. Have you ever looked at Google maps in satellite view and noticed the “3D” button? Push it and marvel. In even moderately sized metro areas it brings up gorgeous 3D renditions of everything. Everything! Trees, cars, houses, huts,...
by Jeff Goin | May 13, 2019 | Entertainment
An adventure. A beautifully rendered story that happens to involve powered paragliding. No longer available: preserved for historical value. Bound For Glory 70 minutes, DVD in Slimline Case It had never been done before. Against the advice of experts, a team of...
by Jeff Goin | May 12, 2019 | Entertainment
This 2002, action packed expose shows what the late Bob Armond was able to pull off on a very public beach in Southern California. See some of the stalwarts of our then-young sport having a ball at one of the country’s first large beach gatherings. See rebel hot...
by Jeff Goin | May 12, 2019 | Entertainment
An adventure. A beautifully rendered story that happens to involve powered paragliding. Currently out of Print Why We Fly 75 Minutes DVD NTSC Widescreen You will be mesmerized. Your non-flying compatriots will finally get it. They will feel what motivates you. Why We...
by Jeff Goin | May 12, 2019 | Entertainment
Finding someone near you, Google Maps Here is a great place to find where other paramotor pilots live. There is no verification and they’re all self-reporting so don’t be surprised if they’re not all current. But it’s a great place to start....
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment
It’s extremely satisfying to see others achieve their dreams. We’re all fortunate to have popped out in a place and time when such fulfillment is possible. I suspect that many humans around the globe would love to pursue theirs as this goes to show. South...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment
Submitted by Wally Hines Tower: “Delta 351, you have traffic at 10 o’clock, 6 miles!” Delta 351: “Give us another hint! We have digital watches!” Tower: “TWA 2341, for noise abatement turn right 45 Degrees.” TWA 2341:...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment
P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement. S: Almost replaced left inside main tire. P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough. S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft. P: Something loose in cockpit. S: Something tightened in cockpit. P: Dead bugs on...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment
Aviation humor that requires a few more lines. Submitted by Pat Barton, John Fetz. Priest and the Pilot A priest dies and is waiting in line at the Pearly Gates. Ahead of him is a guy dressed in sunglasses and leather jacket. Saint Peter asks him “Who are you,...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment
Submitted by John Fetz, Gary Brown, Others Both optimists and pessimists contribute to society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute. Death is nature’s motivation to mind your airspeed (or rotor RPM, or brake pressure, etc.). You can...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment
I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. We have just finalized plans and begun early construction on the first dedicated PPG cruise ship. Expected competition date is August of 2009 with her maiden voyage to follow immediately. This is not simply a 60 ft. luxury...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment
Submitted by an instructor of flying things including paramotors and aerobatic airplanes. Most expert pilots are humble masters of their craft, not prone to arrogance, as this demonstrates. Oh so refreshing. I’ll protect his identity but this humorous...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment
Greg (right) has many things wrong with him, not the least of which is strapping on a butt-fan and leaping aloft. Even worse is his propensity to create weird songs. Here’s an example. And keep listening for the PPG references. Greg lives near Albuquerque and...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment
Botox Doctors Furious? 2012-Nov-08 by Jeff Goin OK, the video is done and I’m kicking back for a moment, relaxing, perusing the interewebs. While reading an ABC story on airlines and marveling at the wisdom of Spirit Airlines’ punishing carry-on bag fee...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment
I don’t want life to become a journey to the grave, arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather a broadside skid with a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and hooting “What a Ride!” Paraphrased from Hunter S. Thomspons,...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Critical Thinking, Entertainment
Look at her. They say Romans were ahead of their time. I guess so. OK, I wasn’t actually in rome. As of 2019 I’ve never been. but when a friend, Micah Escobedo, posted this picture on his social media and I couldn’t resist. Given how much we hear...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment
You know it’s a bad day in computerville when this message appears. The frustrometer had pegged after losing work so I took a picture with my phone and let loose on Photoshop. A small piece of revenge, with no real effect, but it’s my tiny little scream at...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment
Someone commented on the little list of sayings and, when I took another look, this image came to mind so I went about putting something together. Yes, of course I should be doing something else, namely finishing up marketing materials for the next PPG Bible edition....
by Glen Boyd | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment
Canadian Paramotor pilot Glen Boyd serves as the answer man This past weekend I had my first opportunity to attend a hot-air balloon festival (Sussex, N.B., Canada) as part of a PPG group. It was a small field, so only the local PPG instructor, Frank Savignac, and...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment
As of version of Google Earth 7.2 there is a Flight Simulator. It may not be apparent if you’ve never used it but read on. If under the “Tools” menu there is no “Enter Flight Simulator” selection, enter “Lilienthal” in the...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Critical Thinking, Entertainment
Compiled by Bob Schroeck, Modified by Others Agnosticism – What is this shit? Agnosticism – May be shit but, then again, maybe not. Altruism – Want some shit? Altruism – Let me give you my shit. Americanism – Who gives a shit?...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment, Log: Helicopter
Submitted by fellow helo pilot John Phillips In 1998 I set out to satisfy my long suppressed desire fly a helicopter. That “discovery flight” went so well that I wound signing up for and then earning my private helicopter license. Bad move. Within 6 months...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | Entertainment
Here are images just for the hell of it. Noncommercial use is OK, otherwise please ask permission via email at contact. Graphic Illustration Paramotor...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 21, 2019 | 34: Cool Places to Fly, Entertainment
People love to have fun everywhere and PPG certainly qualifies My impression of Iran, coming from the general news media, wasn’t one of people playing and having fun. In my head I knew better—that people are basically the same everywhere, and that most...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 19, 2019 | Entertainment, Political
Critical look at paragliding vs smoking For the users, it’s fun. But it increases your risk of health problems, costs money, and there’s a small chance others can be affected. Of course I’m talking about powered paragliding. But I could also be...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 17, 2019 | About, Entertainment
So you want to fly, not ride in a tube? You want to be free, not tethered to an airport? You want to control, not be a passenger. You want to really fly! From sandy beaches to desert reaches, this craft can take you places never imagined, places whose beauty only...
by Tim Kaiser | Apr 4, 2019 | Entertainment
This is where we enter the twilight zone of editing web content. 0915 was the time when I added this and it took me several attempts to get...
by Jeff Goin | Jun 11, 2015 | 20: Competition, Entertainment
Sent by Glen Boyd, Spreadsheet whiz and scoremaster at recent USPPA Competitions One day after a prolonged wait in, appropriately enough, a waiting-room, the magazines strewn across the table took on an undeserved appeal. Don’t misunderstand, the wall-mounted fish...
by Jeff Goin | Mar 1, 2014 | Entertainment, Log: Life
This was written some time ago but is even more applicable today Sitting here in the Enterprise, overlooking San Diego’s gorgeous Mission Bay, I’m enjoying writing and listening to my favorite music. It seems I’ve already lived more than I ever...
by Jeff Goin | Nov 2, 2013 | Entertainment, Log: Enterprise
This series is what I wish were available after I learned the basics of flying PPG. There are many specific techniques that can be learned far quicker if only they were clearly explained. It is intended for pilots who have already learned the basics, and are PPG2...
by Jeff Goin | Sep 6, 2013 | Entertainment, Log: Enterprise
2012 Nov 8 Let the process begin. Most of the shooting is actually along with some of the animation but I’ve got several animations yet to build so that’s where it starts. These will be invaluable for showing what goes into a spot landing. Visible flight...
by Jeff Goin | May 2, 2013 | Entertainment, Log: Enterprise
Jan 24, 2011 Work Begins Master PPG 1 is now selling. Finally, money is going the other way, and thankfully way more than we expected. For the last few years I’ve just spent, spent, spent–pouring time and money into these projects without any return. Of...
by Jeff Goin | Nov 7, 2012 | Entertainment, Log: Enterprise
The arduous route to a distant goal It’s off for production! After updating a bunch of stuff from the review process, including some new voice-overs and animations, the Master DVD was sent off from the Zebulon Road Post Office Branch (pictured below) in Macon,...
by Jeff Goin | Aug 4, 2012 | Entertainment
Thanks to Jeff Burrill. OK, these aren’t powered paragliding specifically but I’ll bet most people get most of them just fine! AIRSPEED – Speed of an airplane. (Deduct 25% when listening to a retired fighter pilot.) BANK – The folks who hold...
by Jeff Goin | May 2, 2012 | Entertainment, Log: Enterprise
The arduous route to a distant goal | Master PPG Page This is a log of Master Powered Paragliding 1’s production progress, an undertaking of larger proportions than the book, involving dozens of pilots, dozens of sites, hundreds of hours spent on animations and...
by Jeff Goin | Sep 24, 2010 | Entertainment
It’s gonna hurt, but this should reduce the pain a bit. OpenOffice v3.1.1 I help run a nonprofit and, up until it contracted out membership services, Tim and I printed membership cards and other documents that went out as members joined, renewed, and earned...
by Jeff Goin | May 13, 2010 | 32: Photography, Entertainment
Video from ground and air. Making of Master Powered Paragliding I’m working on a series of four training videos to help pilots learn the finer points of powered paragliding. They’re what I wish I would have had to speed up the learning process. The script...
by Jeff Goin | Nov 7, 2007 | Entertainment, Log: Life
I was rolling on the floor with Paul Anthem’s latest video creation (see below). If only warranties could be this permissive. Yes, a computer was harmed in the making of the video. And harmed is an understatement—you’ll see what I mean. Feb 27, 2007 Every...
by Jeff Goin | Jul 5, 2007 | Advanced Launching, Entertainment, Log: Enterprise
Sometimes you just gotta go for it. My other favorite sport is in-line skating which I do a lot in the summertime, more often in fact, than paramotoring. I’ve PPG launched on skates once before but wanted to do it with light winds and a hard packed surface...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2007 | Entertainment, Log: Enterprise
Life is entertaining for those who don’t mind glancing at it askew. little challenges, once accepted, provide some of our most entertaining moments. As long as nobody gets hurt. Oshkosh Radio Station Interview May 28, 2009 WOSH Radio Interview conducted at OSH...
by Jeff Goin | Mar 12, 2007 | Advanced Launching, Entertainment, Log: Enterprise
Can you ever have too many wheels? 8 is enough. Photos by Kevin Kanarski I also got to try something I’ve wanted to do for years but was never willing: the roller blade launch. There’s plenty of video and Kevin’s still shots are featured below. The...
by Jeff Goin | May 16, 2004 | Entertainment, Reviews: Other
Glen Boyd purchased his PPG helmet, including a push-to-talk (PTT) in 2004. He offered up this humorous treatment of radio use during his training. It was funny enough to land in “Entertainment but is sufficiently informative to include in reviews. He wrote: The...
