by Jeff Goin | Jun 5, 2021 | 01 Training, 02 Gearing Up
See also Choosing a First Wing I hate to say this, but paramotor training is surprisingly dangerous. Thankfully, there are ways to hugely reduce the risk. Use instructors who use embrace best practices. A big one is insistence on benign-handling beginner wings flown...
by Mee Too | Oct 10, 2020 | 01 Training, Recent
I was 39 years old when paramotor consumed me. Nearly took over my life is more accurate. Little did I know how deep the dive would be, and boy has it been a fun run. At first it was mostly older people then some youngsters (to me) started joining in, probably the...
by Jeff Goin | Oct 9, 2020 | 01 Training, Educational, Recent
I recently got a question about whether bruising on the arm was to be expected since it concerned him about training safety. After all, we learn in airplanes all the time and it never involves getting bruised. I had no idea. It happened to me and I always assumed it...
by Jeff Goin | May 9, 2020 | 01 Training
Learning to paramotor appears to be the riskiest time of flying paramotor. Thankfully, there are some distinctive ways to improve your odds, starting with an experienced, certified instructor who commits to the practices below. One thing I’ve noticed is that...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2020 | 01 Training, 08: the Law
Currently, foot-launch tandems ARE allowed in the U.S. with a certification by USPPA.org and two other orgs. There is no cost from the organization beyond annual membership dues of around $40 / month. In fact, anyone who gets their instructor rating is entitled to...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 29, 2020 | 01 Training
Towing is valuable for training, especially in areas without hills, but carries extreme risk if not done properly. Here are some tips on what to look for in a towing operation. Solo tow operators are common, but even they acknowledge that the safest arrangement is for...
by Jeff Goin | Dec 3, 2019 | 01 Training
This was introduced in PPG Bible edition 6, but here is the latest advice on before-training exercise. Thanks to Andrew Polidano, Australia, Chief Flight Instructor These flexibility and strength exercises will help prepare for foot launch training. Shoulders get sore...
by Jeff Goin | Sep 7, 2019 | 01 Training, 36: Instructors & Tandem
There is a lot to it, and Instructors are the sports most important asset, but they’re still humans. The loudest mouths are more likely to be the worst choices. What Makes a Good Instructor? The single most important attribute of a good instructor is the ability...
by Jeff Goin | Jun 18, 2019 | 01 Training, 27: The Motor Unit
I get questions about paramotors that sometimes include the comment: “I’d like to have extra power in case of emergencies.” It’s a common and sensible desire, but is it a good idea? And if so, how important is it? Before throwing in my 2 cents,...
by Jeff Goin | Jun 6, 2019 | 01 Training, 02 Gearing Up
The perfect beginner paramotor looks a lot like the perfect paramotor (tips on the perfect beginner WING). But given how risky training is, some traits are way more important than others–as in the difference between success and serious injury. These traits are:...
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 | 01 Training, Parapinions
Click here for the reality of “Free” Powered Paraglider Training & Kurt Fister (or Pfister) Think about it for a moment. How much value will an instructor put on something they’re giving away? More likely you’ll be treated like...
by Jeff Goin | May 12, 2019 | 01 Training, 08: the Law, 36: Instructors & Tandem
As of July, 2019 tandem footlaunch and wheel launch *IS* allowed in the U.S.A. That’s huge. If you are looking to get training, don’t consider any school that will not insure you get at least 3 tandem flights before you go solo. You should understand and...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | 01 Training
Anyone can declare themselves an instructor so make sure they are at least certified by the USPPA or USHPA. Even better is that they come recommended by a responsible, trusted pilot. There are a few great instructors that aren’t yet certified but it is up to you...
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 | 01 Training, 26: The Wing
This question comes up frequently, especially when someone buys a wing that claims to be certified but later finds out it’s not. If there’s no label describing its certification, it’s almost certainly not certified in that size. Some wing sellers say...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 27, 2019 | 01 Training, 08: the Law
I sometimes get this question about paramotor ratings and thought it would be good to answer it here. Voluntary efforts at recognizing accomplishments have been around for many, many years, the best example being Red Cross’s, and other certification programs for...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 27, 2019 | 01 Training, 36: Instructors & Tandem
Any paramotor or paraglider school worth using should have a quality simulator that lets students learn the basics before going aloft on their first flight. Of course they must also become extremely competent with ground handling (kiting) the paraglider which is the...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 27, 2019 | 01 Training, 36: Instructors & Tandem
This valuable training tool has some dark corners of its own. There have been a number of serious injuries and at least one fatality during towing operations. As a training aid it is valuable and widely used to introduce new students to flight without the risk of...
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 | 01 Training, 26: The Wing
I get frequent questions about what glider is best for beginners. Training accidents show this to be a critical choice. Several trainees have died in accidents that would not have happened had they been flying benign, appropriately sized school wings. A good...
by Jeff Goin | Mar 30, 2014 | 01 Training
THOROUGH training is your most important expenditure. Sometimes “free” is way more expensive (aka Kurt Pfister) Calling a capable instructor and threatening him was the last straw. Kurt Fister (aka Kurt Pfister) needs to be exposed for his horrifically...
by Jeff Goin | Jan 5, 2013 | 01 Training
Ask these questions before starting any training program—your life may depend on it. Training and the first few flights are risk intensive, your school should minimize it. See how they stack up. There are recommended practices that have been developed from watching...
