by Jeff Goin | Jul 22, 2024 | 09: Airspace, Accident Reports, Recent
To my knowledge, this is a first. [Originally published Dec 21, 2021 at 0608] Dec 21 at around 9am a single-engine Cessna 208 (Caravan) flying as a UPS contract carrier, collided with a powered paraglider, killing both pilots. According to this source the aircraft was...
by Jeff Goin | Feb 25, 2022 | 08: the Law, 09: Airspace, 19: Risk & Safety, 28: Accessories, Safety
Good news. The test was a resounding success! See also: ADS-B Equipment Sales | ADS-B Out Overview | ADS-B Portable We did two flights. On the first, I went up in the paramotor while Tim watched on an aircraft’s traffic display in the hangar. During the entire flight...
by Jeff Goin | Feb 21, 2022 | 09: Airspace, 19: Risk & Safety, 28: Accessories, Recent, Safety
Colliding with an aircraft while paramotoring is obviously disastrous. Avoiding airplane flight paths, and keeping up a good scan are currently our best defenses, but that’s hopefully about to change. Most aircraft have cockpit devices — ADS-B¹ — that warn about...
by Jeff Goin | Jun 6, 2021 | 19: Risk & Safety, 26: The Wing, Recent
We’ve covered small wings, because that’s been a trend for some years, but what about larger wings? Is it dangerous to fly big wings? This is really about wing loading: all-up weight per square meter of flat wing are. The chart in that article shows the...
by Jeff Goin | Dec 26, 2020 | 19: Risk & Safety
This question was posed on a forum that I was included on. The short answer is “yes,” but there’s a lot more to it. A few years ago I was offered this immensely powerful machine to try out. It was normally used for tandems, weighed nearly 100 pounds,...
by Jeff Goin | Nov 2, 2020 | Accident Reports, Log: Hang Glider, Recent
There I was, enjoying a little cruise about the countryside, visiting many of my local haunts, including a flyby of runway 4 at Kermit Week’s Fantasy of Flight. Just before reaching the intersection of Fantasy’s two runways, I throttled up to climb. ...
by Jeff Goin | Oct 14, 2020 | 19: Risk & Safety, Covid-19 Coronavirus, Parapinions, Recent
There’s a raging pandemic going on. I get it. Covid-19 is deadly and must be taken very seriously. Once you’re confirmed to have it, you have between a 1-in-50 and 1-in-1000 chance of dying depending on a bunch of things. Those are not great odds. But...
by Mee Too | Oct 11, 2020 | 04: First Flight Prep, Accident Reports, Propeller Safety, Recent
This was a first to me. Thanks to Sam for sharing his experience so we all can learn. After mounting a motor on a frame, he started it on the ground, is the most common practice. At idle and half power it was fine but when he went to full power the prop flexed into...
by Jeff Goin | May 9, 2020 | 18: Advanced Maneuvers, 19: Risk & Safety, Reserve Parachute
I’m a huge fan of evidence-based understanding of reality. Evidence comes in levels of quality and knowledge in degrees of certainty. In science, we go where the evidence leads–a trait that has led to the most reliable knowledge in every endeavor. That...
by Jeff Goin | May 2, 2020 | 19: Risk & Safety, Parapinions
Paramotor pilots talk about doing barrel rolls at low altitude as being stupid. Airplane pilots talk about how strapping a spinning prop to your back with 2 gallons of gasoline below a hot exhaust is nuts. Desk jocks talk about flying single-engine, single-pilot...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2020 | Accident Reports
Launches near center of field, heading ACROSS it. Doesn’t keep turning left. Wire strike immediately shorts lines, which cut off power, saving his life. The video makes it look like he just launched into wires. Was it just a severe misjudgment? Or was there...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2020 | Accident Reports
This poor fellow was alive when they got a rope to him, but the paramotor likely progressively soaked up water, the tubes filled, and he couldn’t get out of the harness and/or lines that were wrapping around him. He had the rope. He was HOLDING the rope but got...
by Jeff Goin | Dec 3, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety
Drowning has been among the most lethal events in paramotor flying up until 2017 when flotation became common. But there’s more to it. This video includes testing where a bunch of pilots actually go into the water with sometimes surprising outcomes. Statistics...
by Jeff Goin | Nov 28, 2019 | Accident Reports
Most accidents happen for predictable and preventable causes: Poor training, steep maneuvering, especially near the ground, water and turbulence are big risks in that order. If water landing is a possibility, have an auto-inflating device in your paramotor. If...
by Jeff Goin | Jul 3, 2019 | Accident Reports
Someone sent me a link to this crash, apparently in Thailand but I’m not sure. It graphically exposes something that I’ve covered a lot: the extraordinary risk of doing steep maneuvering low to the ground. I’ve lost two friends from this. Much like...
by Jeff Goin | Jul 2, 2019 | 04: First Flight Prep, Accident Reports
Big kudos to this pilot for sharing his video. If only we could all be so selfless. Also, check out his composure while lying there on the ground with broken things—that’s one tough dude. I got a question from a student learning to paramotor who is having second...
by Jeff Goin | Jun 24, 2019 | Accident Reports, Propeller Safety
I read this on social media and cringed. The pilot was doing everything right—his machine was on a rack for starting that wasn’t enough. What happened next was unexpected and terrifying. Either he throttled up or it went to power and it lunged toward him....
by Jeff Goin | Jun 23, 2019 | Accident Reports
A pilot participating in the UK Icarus X Series paramotor race has died. It’s a tragedy on many levels but mostly for the family, of course. These are nearly always vibrant people in prime condition who love life. As one who competed for years in more...
by Jeff Goin | Jun 15, 2019 | Accident Reports
This was asking for it. A paramotor tandem was launching in a crowded area with people all around, including at the end of his “runway.” He barely gets airborne then, just a few feet above the ground, and barely climbing, he turns. The turn may have felt...
by Jeff Goin | Jun 5, 2019 | Accident Reports
A recent fatality in South Florida appears to have been structural failure. According to the accident report on USPPA.org all indications point to a riser failure. One riser broke and the pilot plummeted to his death. A reserve was tossed but not in time to open. So...
by Jeff Goin | May 14, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety
Getting caught in the rain while paramotoring has a rightfully bad rap. It increases your chance of entering parachutal stall and may worsen the paraglider’s ability to recover from a collapse. Ehats worse is that, when combined with airflow degradation on the...
by Jeff Goin | May 12, 2019 | 01 Training, 19: Risk & Safety, 36: Instructors & Tandem
General towing is covered in Chapter 1 but this explains what peculiar risks come with using a turn-around pulley system. Like all risks, they can be managed, but the first step is understanding. Also, this is about towing for training, not for soaring. See the...
by Jeff Goin | May 12, 2019 | Propeller Safety
Body contact with a spinning prop remains the most likely cause of serious paramotor injury and it can happen in unexpected ways. Here are some examples. Reducing these accidents starts with awareness, and it’s is a good sign that you care enough to learn. Limbs...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | 16: Precision Flying, 18: Advanced Maneuvers, 19: Risk & Safety
When the “ship” hist the fan, don’t have a cow. Lest say you’re flying along in light chop when, out of nowhere, wham! You get whacked by some nasty piece of wild air. Feeling like a helpless marionette under a mischievous puppeteer, you...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety, Advanced Landings
What a useful skill it is to be able to land where you want without power. Pilots of all craft recognize the importance being able to put it down after thrust stops thrusting. We PPGers are lucky in just how small of a place we can alight, even landing on tiny targets...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety, Log: Enterprise
Click here for Stretching Glide to Shore, Road or Point While planning the Panama Canal flight an interesting subject came up regarding selection of altitude. We all know that the higher you go, the farther you can glide. This flight had one portion that followed a...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | 13: Flying Cross Country, 19: Risk & Safety, Advanced Landings
Chapter 19 Situational Emergencies | Stretching Glide Story Having the motor quit is no big deal if you’ve got a good landing option. Sometimes, though, even the best plans leave you needing to stretch your glide. The PPG bible covers this in nicely but...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety
“I’ve been in the water several times, it’s not so bad” is like saying “I played Russian Roulette several times, it wasn’t that bad.” The reality is that going into the water, even shallow water, without automatic flotation...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | Propeller Safety
Passive starting safety for paramotor pilots, thanks to Randy Bridge It’s inspiring to see pilots making this sport safer while realizing that choices will be made. Such was the case of Randy Bridge who implemented an idea that will work with essentially any...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | 28: Accessories, Propeller Safety
Pap has a cool idea for their clutched machines. It was probably made to prevent the prop from free spinning during transport, but it can also provide some protection during start. Just like the “Rope Trick,” leave the prop cover on while starting. If the...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | Propeller Safety
This is a variation of the original “Prop Stopper” by Francesco DeSantis. Hands, limbs, and heads get mutilated at an depressing rate and experienced pilots seem to be the most at risk, probably because of complacency. Clutched machines are no safer than...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | Accident Reports, Propeller Safety
A horrible accident happened while a pilot was walking with his paramotor. It was idling but, at some point, possibly after powering up to warm it up, the throttle stuck at a high power and he lost his footing, falling mostly sideways then face down. It went to nearly...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | Propeller Safety
For clutch equipped machines | Rope Trick II another version As we’ve covered, props eat body parts on a regular basis. Clutched machines are no better since, although the prop may not spin at idle, it sure spins up fast at throttle-up. Further, the fact that a...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | 18: Advanced Maneuvers, 19: Risk & Safety
It looks dangerous for a reason! Phil Russman and I fly powered paragliders (and just paragliders) together a lot. We’ve become rather comfortable working in close proximity—to the point where we can do it consistently and smoothly. It started with camera work...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | Accident Reports
Thermally conditions dump experienced PPG pilot A mid-day sojourn in moderate winds went sour for one high-time paramotorist resulting in a nearly disastrous impact. Surprisingly, the pilot walked (probably limped) away. At 20 feet or so while landing, a quick...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | Accident Reports
On Friday evening, several hours after I had left, tragedy struck when Richard Biggerstaff (right) was, according to two witnesses, doing a spiral from which he hit the ground. There was a small post-impact fire that was extinguished almost right away. Another pilot...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | Accident Reports
This enforces how surprisingly dangerous tree “landings” can be Sherburne Country Sheriff, 45°25’10.16″N – 94° 1’6.58″W. It was covered in Brainerd Dispatch CLEAR LAKE — A 54-year-old Brainerd man died Saturday after he...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety
How Safety relates to Experience Experience gives you the potential for greater safety. You can either spend that margin on flying more often, or in a wider variety of conditions, or spend it on safety—flying in the same conditions but with wider margins. It’s...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | Accident Reports
The lessons in this captivating and sad story could save my life, maybe yours, too. A hiker got lost in the woods and faced a cold night in deteriorating weather. This is the story of a helicopter rescue gone horribly wrong. It is a powerful reminder of forces that...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | Accident Reports
One of the sport’s more common control-related accident types See also Understanding Paramotor Torque, Fixing Torque By Hand At this point he has twisted 90 degrees to the wing, looking towards his right hand, and still under power. This is the natural torque...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | 15: Advanced Ground Handling, Accident Reports
Playing around cost me my first-ever hospital admission After 2 days of flying my brains out at Glammis Dunes we headed down to Pilot Knob, the Dune’s southern reach and site of a single mountain protruding unnaturally through the dust. It also has some...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | Accident Reports, Propeller Safety
It happens to even the most conscientious. Thanks to this pilot who had the balls to share his horrific experience so that others will hopefully avoid a similar fate. The pilot writes: I would like to begin with a little history of my background to help emphasize...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | Accident Reports
Rapid wind change ensnares PPG Pilot. Thanks to the submitter for his willingness to share. The evening started with little wind and clear skies. A friend and I launched at 7:20pm from our favorite flying field just east of Colorado Springs. The first half hour of...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | 27: The Motor Unit, Mx: Motor, Propeller Safety
Simple, effective alternative ways to shut off a motor Being able to quickly shut off a motor is critical for several reasons, yet kill switches are easily disabled at their multiple connection points. So it’s good to have a back up. Here are some ideas. Spark...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | 18: Advanced Maneuvers, 19: Risk & Safety
Second only to water, doing steep maneuvering, especially low to the ground, is our sports most dangerous engagement. For many pilots, once they get some time under their belts, it’s fun to explore what’s possible with a powered paraglider. But the risk...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | Propeller Safety
You wouldn’t think this could happen. During launch the pilot somehow got his calf muscle into the prop while making large strides. As of Sept, 2007, I know of two similar incidents. The only solution to this is make sure your machine doesn’t allow it. Is...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | Accident Reports
by Phil Hyland, submitted by Jerry Starbuck. Thanks to USUA Club#1 It’s insidious. You look down for just a moment to take care of some problem and lose focus on your primary task: aviating. Jets crash due to it, too. Plus, focusing on distractions frequently...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | 01 Training, 19: Risk & Safety, 26: The Wing
Wanna Learn Powered Paragliding Safely? Get a wing that won’t kill you. After analyzing student accidents, including two fatalities, I’ve changed the way I look at beginner wings. This is important: the wrong wing can kill you (here are tips to the perfect...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 29, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety, 22: Aerodynamics, 23: Motor & Propeller, 26: The Wing, Advanced Launching
Some wings, when combined with some motors, will oscillate. You swing back and forth in shallow little banks with no pilot input. It’s caused by a variation of Loaded Riser Twist where one riser has more load than the other–a fleeting condition that...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 29, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety
Notes from users, observers and/or manufacturers about potentially unsafe conditions Paramotors, wings, harnesses, risers, helmets and other gear are subject to failure. This section is an effort to share knowledge of known maladies that could impair flight safety....
by Jeff Goin | Apr 21, 2019 | 01 Training, 19: Risk & Safety
See also “Free Training In 50 States: Kurt Fister” It’s well established that skimping on training is a bad trade, especially the “Free Training” offers. Some may succeed but many more fail afterwards due to frustration, equipment damage...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 21, 2019 | 16: Precision Flying, 18: Advanced Maneuvers, 19: Risk & Safety, 26: The Wing
It seems that wings are getting smaller so I thought it might time to explore their behaviors, risks and benefits. I, too, have come to love flying smaller sizes but there are, as always, tradeoffs. What we’re really talking about is flying heavily loaded. After...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 21, 2019 | 04: First Flight Prep, 19: Risk & Safety
Chapter 19 covers emergencies that involve analysis, Chapter 4 covers emergencies that requiring more immediate, essentially automatic, action. Feeling unwanted wing turn just as you lift off, for example, is a Chapter 4 type immediate action emergency. Students...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 20, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety
Is paramotoring safe? By learning from others’ mistakes we can make this sport safer by not repeating the causes of past tragedies. Its prevention through anticipation–what the airlines have done so incredibly successfully. These accounts and articles dig...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 20, 2019 | 07: Weather Basics, 19: Risk & Safety
If you’re ever tempted to take on mid-day flying consider what these two pilots experienced in the video below. It grants appreciation of Mother Nature’s forces at play and how they don’t always play nice. Fly within the first couple and last couple...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 16, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety, 27: The Motor Unit
See also A Better Paramotor | A Better Cart | A Better Throttle There have been at least three accidents resulting in pilot paralysis. In one, a reserve parachute may have saved the day but in the other two it would not have since they were doing low level...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 14, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety, Accident Reports
See also Statistics: is our sport truly dangerous? | Is Equipment Safer? When an onlooker says “aren’t those things dangerous?” We should really think about our response. For a statistical look, go here. Are they? Although the article below is about...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 14, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety, 26: The Wing, 27: The Motor Unit
I get questions. They are commonly about equipment—what’s the best, what’s the most reliable, etc., but recently one had a twist that made me think. It was essentially: “I’m looking into paramotoring but want to know what the best, safest motor...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 14, 2019 | Accident Reports
Being committed has limits A dozen little variables affect e ach launch decision. Some are settled when we plop our wing down and lay it out. Others get processed quickly and almost automatically during the precarious initial inflation until the wing is overhead and...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 14, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety, 26: The Wing
I love small wings and it’s tempting to keep going smaller but know the risks and tradeoffs. I’ve flown an 11 meter wing which was, not surprisingly, remarkably responsive. What happens after a motor failure? If it happens just after takeoff, you’ll...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 14, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety, 22: Aerodynamics
Does it take more power to fly downwind? Of course not! Your wing doesn’t care which way the air is moving. Or does it? You can verify that wind makes no difference by going up high on a windy day and doing a level 360. It’s the same power required all the...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 14, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety, Accident Reports
We’re given enormous freedom to risk our own necks—not others. Our rules are written to lust us risk ourselves when we fly—we must work to keep it that way. Continued self regulation depends on it. The incidents below shows what’s possible and what’s...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 13, 2019 | 16: Precision Flying, 19: Risk & Safety
“Collapse” is one of the most-cited fears of inquiring minds. “But can’t that paraglider wing collapse?” they ask. Of course it can. But it turns out that the dreaded collapse has more bark than bite and most are easily avoidable. Even...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 13, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety, Accident Reports
Thankfully this is as rare as it is fearsome In about March 2011, a pilot with 50 flights under his belt was foot launching. After a good inflation and run he stumbled, hitting the ground hard enough that his propeller flexed into the fuel tank, slicing through and...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 13, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety, Accident Reports
It’s insidious. You look down for just a moment to take care of some problem and lose focus on your primary task: aviating. Jets crash because of this, too. Plus, focusing on distractions frequently breaks the all-important routine. Surprisingly simple little...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 13, 2019 | 07: Weather Basics, 19: Risk & Safety
So majestic from afar, so nasty when approached. Some pilots get lulled into thinking they can fly near these because frequently nothing happens when they do. But on those occasions when a storm reaches out to touch, it won’t have a happy ending. Choosing...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 13, 2019 | 27: The Motor Unit, Propeller Safety
Safer machines for the real world. Updated Mar 10, 2020 to add illustration. Yes, they have to be fun, comfortable, light, powerful, look cool and be convenient. The most talented designers will accomplish all that and provide decent protection. No, they won’t...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 13, 2019 | Propeller Safety
Hardware Improvements Here is a centralized location to learn all about the causes and cures of our sport’s most likely serious injuries: body contact with spinning prop. It is broken down into several sections to ease the search. There are a number of hardware...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 12, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety, Reserve Parachute
See also Reserve Parachute: Safety Considerations & Repack Video Emotions run high regarding the decision to carry a reserve, or rescue parachute. It’s a safety device, like many others, that has benefit with some tradeoffs. If you do choose to carry...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 12, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety, Reserve Parachute
The Good and the Bad | See also Chapter 28 On Reserve Pros and Cons If you have a reserve parachute, there are some things to know in order for it to do any good. Our two primary concerns here are that the reserve deploy properly when needed and that it not deploy...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 12, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety
Is paramotoring safe? How does it compare to other types of flying? Driving? Motorcycle riding? Skydiving? Numerical Analysis is tough but I suspect that we can get within an order of magnitude. Yes, yes, it’s as safe as you make it but lets take an objective...
by Jeff Goin | Oct 16, 2017 | 16: Precision Flying, 19: Risk & Safety
see also Handling Paraglider Collapses Active piloting is the fine control inputs that keep your wing overhead and open with minimum input during turbulence or while maneuvering. The book details how to practice, what to practice and how to know when you’ve...
by Jeff Goin | Jul 21, 2017 | Accident Reports
Read is a paramotor pilot who doesn’t do much free flight but launched from the base of a well known free flight site, Point of the Mountain. He was man enough to post what happened on Facebook and agreed to let me share it. Here is his story. Action and...
by Jeff Goin | Jun 21, 2017 | Accident Reports
Power lines are a common cause of paramotor accidents. They frequently incur serious injuries but, strangely, are rarely fatal, possibly because the altitude is very low and the lines touch each other causing the power to shut off before the victim becomes a filament....
by Jeff Goin | Jun 11, 2017 | 18: Advanced Maneuvers, 19: Risk & Safety
Fatalities | Steep Maneuvering Risk Article | Condolences to the family and friends of a fallen pilot. For the third time this year, a paramotorist has died doing steep maneuvering, making paramotoring as risky as paragliding. This reminds me of the effect speedflying...
by Jeff Goin | Jan 23, 2017 | 13: Flying Cross Country, 19: Risk & Safety
It seems innocuous. We find a nice flying site, maybe not easily visible from the road, and launch into the coolness. This is one of powered paragliding’s great draws–how easily we can just head off from the most unlikely of sites and be independent. But...
by Jeff Goin | Jul 12, 2016 | Accident Reports
Jupiter, FL, young pilot jumps from Powered Paraglider Video and news reports showed a pilot in a shallow right descending turn. He is seen coming out of a riser twist then hanging from his harness for a few seconds before letting go and falling from his paramotor,...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 29, 2013 | Tributes
We’re reminded again how fleeting life is. And how some people make it so much better. And how we can take them for granted. Powered Paragliding lost one of its great contributors, Scott Adair, to a gyrocopter crash April 29th in Valkaria, FL. Our hearts go out...
by Jeff Goin | Mar 29, 2013 | Propeller Safety
Passive starting safety for paramotor pilots I mounted it to my Miniplane Top 80 and it’s working. Unfortunately, the motor’s idle must stay below 2700 RPM which may be a problem for pilots who frequently have their motors go above that RPM causing false...
by Jeff Goin | Feb 20, 2013 | 19: Risk & Safety, 20: Competition
Wrong Place at the Wrong Time | Titanium Balls & Judgment The weather was clear but had become quite turbulent. Enough so that two highly experienced competitors had decided not to fly but a number of others continued including Michael Mixer. You watch this fellow...
by Jeff Goin | Feb 14, 2013 | 19: Risk & Safety, 20: Competition
Knowing When To Stop | Salton Sea Collapse and Crash Competitions exude a can-do attitude that easily clouds judgment. You’re already confident in your flying ability or you wouldn’t be there. Everybody else is flying so it must not be that bad—an effect...
by Jeff Goin | May 13, 2012 | Accident Reports
Michael Mixer’s 2012 Recon Collapse during competition This one was a surprise to us. Conditions were good, the pilot competent, and his flying wasn’t overly aggressive. During the second run of the 2012 U.S. Pylon qualifier, Michael Mixer was making good...
by Jeff Goin | May 10, 2012 | 18: Advanced Maneuvers, 19: Risk & Safety, 22: Aerodynamics, 26: The Wing, Accident Reports
A Skilled Pilot Piles In, What Can We Learn For more on wings, see Chapter 26: Choosing A Wing | and Overview of Reflex Wings | Pylon Race Collapse Accident All wings are more dangerous with the speedbar fully engaged. Reflex wings, however, are only dangerous in that...
by Jeff Goin | Jun 18, 2011 | Tributes
One of my early memories of Bob Armond was in Mexico. He had just started instructing and decided to have a casual just-for-fun gathering at Baja Seasons resort in La Salinas, Baja California, Mexico. A lot off his students showed up but so did a lot of other with...
by Jeff Goin | Nov 30, 2010 | Accident Reports
It’s easier than you think | Updated 2010-Nov 30 to add EAA’s article. It’s easy to dismiss the risk of midair collisions because they’re so rare. But they’re also severe and, tragically, seem to happen to conscientious pilots with the...
by Jeff Goin | Jun 16, 2010 | Accident Reports
Thoughts on a Fatal Powered Paragliding Accident One of our own is gone. Even though I did not know Andrew personally, undoubtedly he would have been an instant friend–a lover of life and of flight. He died while launching his paramotor after being hit by a...
by Jeff Goin | Mar 2, 2010 | 19: Risk & Safety
Not Ticking People Off with our paramotoring takes on a new Twist. Thanks to Ken Morrison I’ve had a guy walk out of his house with a shotgun once. He leaned against an out building and just stood there watching me fly (legally and with permission) from an...
by Jeff Goin | Dec 11, 2009 | Accident Reports
Analysis of fatal paramotor crash involving turbulence and its improper handling. A fellow lover of flight went out one day to pursue his passion. He did not return—an incredible tragedy for the loved ones he leaves behind. We can only hope to learn from this tragedy...
by Jeff Goin | Sep 17, 2009 | 19: Risk & Safety, Log: Enterprise, Log: Helicopter
Unwelcome invader on Paramotor retrieval of Helicopter I had paramotored up to retrieve the helicopter and was now thwapping home. On final approach to our ramp, about 300 feet high, something caught my attention. Just above me and to the left was an enormous venomous...
by Jeff Goin | Aug 29, 2009 | 27: The Motor Unit, Propeller Safety
Safer gear is an important element to reducing injuries. | A Better Paramotor | Safety Ring Retrofit | A Better Cart Another major improvement to safety can likely be realized with a simple throttle change. Most of the injuries happen while a pilot, facing his motor,...
by Jeff Goin | Aug 26, 2009 | 19: Risk & Safety, 27: The Motor Unit, Propeller Safety
Jeff Baumgartner Safety Ring Modification You can now buy a safety ring, suitable for many brands, from Skycruiser Manufacturing for $65. Thanks to Leon Wacker for working with me on this and making it available. Shipping adds approximately $15. It comes in 3 segments...
by Jeff Goin | Aug 20, 2009 | 19: Risk & Safety, 20: Competition
Photos by Stan Kasica | See WAG 2009 Log Writeup What an adventure! Three pilots and two crew members represented U.S. paramotorists in international competition—a first. This was a big deal and felt like it, with extravagant ceremonies, paid hotels, meals and local...
by Jeff Goin | Jul 25, 2009 | Accident Reports, Propeller Safety
It’s never when you think about it | See also “A Better Paramotor” | See also Types of Prop Strike Injuries While standing there running my motor, I reflected on the number of hand injuries and how easily they happen. And how quickly. The thought...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2008 | Accident Reports
A good one for analysis because the pilot hass been willing to talk about it. First, we are happy that the pilot is able to discuss his brush with death and, secondly, that he is willing. In fact, he offered up the video, recorded by his brother-in-law, so the world...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 5, 2008 | 27: The Motor Unit, Propeller Safety
Here are some things observations of positive developments in paramotor safety. It would be cool for every machine to provide basic protections against the inevitable: falling, unexpected thrusting, and others. Check out A Better Paramotor. Here is a celebration of...
by Jeff Goin | Feb 19, 2008 | 26: The Wing, Accident Reports
Thermally conditions combine with large wing Preliminary reports are frequently wrong. This is a preliminary report. We certainly hope the pilot recovers from this. This report was received 02/18/2008 and updated 2/19. An experienced paramotor instructor was seriously...
by Jeff Goin | Dec 5, 2007 | Tributes
Longtime light flyer and supporter passes I was saddened to hear of Bob High’s passing. The last time I saw Bob was when I snapped these pictures as he took his quicksilver aloft. Bob High Quicksilver taxiing Bob High putting helmet on Bob High airborne in his...
by Jeff Goin | Jul 2, 2007 | Tributes
I lost a friend. Its always sad to hear of a loss, especially when it happens doing what we all love, and to someone we’ve spent time with. I’m sorry mostly for his family and close friends, my pain pales in comparison with theirs. Mike leaves behind two...
by Jeff Goin | Jun 30, 2007 | 19: Risk & Safety, Log: Enterprise
How do you know if your paramotor is about to quit? It’s running. Elburn, IL Saturday was one busy day with paramotor flyin g early and late and a hang glider trike adventure in the middle. That became my very first engine out landing in corn. Well, touchdown...
by Jeff Goin | May 30, 2007 | 18: Advanced Maneuvers, Accident Reports
Wires claim a paragliding pilot after a wind increase In May, 2007, a pilot died in a paragliding accident during a maneuvers clinic. She flew into high tension wires after increasing winds prevented a return to the planned LZ. This tragedy falls heaviest on the...
