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 | 35: Preserving the Sport
It’s the hidden cost of going rogue. Besides ruining it for future generations of pilots, a rogue or thoughtless pilot can feel the wrath of society, too. As the case below reveals, authorities do sometimes intervene. Some interventions aren’t always even...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 20, 2019 | 35: Preserving the Sport
There are a number of ways to put powered paragliding in a good light. These can do a lot to counter the bad press that is, unfortunately, what the media tends to focus on. Here are some suggestions of things you can do although some may not be likely depending on...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 20, 2019 | 35: Preserving the Sport
Most pilots who put us in a bad light don’t want to. They may not even be aware of how they are being perceived. Simply talking with them will reveal if that’s the case. Don’t be intimidating or threatening, just let them know that what they’re...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 20, 2019 | 35: Preserving the Sport, Paramotor Pariahs
It turns out that paramotors and skittish prey don’t mix. Given that hunters gravitate to the same times of day as we do and frequently at the same times, it might be good to learn where they’re likely to be. Bullets fly. We fly. We’d rather not meet...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 20, 2019 | 06: Adding Wheels, 36: Instructors & Tandem
After the long process of obtaining an FAA tandem training exemption for USPPA, it seemed appropriate for me become a tandem footlaunch instructor myself. See also: My Perfect Tandem Cart | Cart Reviews The first clinic was with our sport’s most prolific, and...
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 20, 2019 | 20: Competition
Competition and Records in the US | Setting PPG Records | World Air Games 2015 2015-Dec-15 A well played spectacle came to Dubai in December, 2015. Matt Minyard represented the U.S. after Ryan Shaw had to drop out due to an injury unrelated to paramotoring. It was...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 20, 2019 | 12: Maintenance, 26: The Wing
A brake toggle entangling the prop can be fatal. Two fatalities have been caused by it, one captured on video. It’s most likely to happen right after launch, when thrust is pushing the motor towards the riser, and you let go of the brakes. It’s far more...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 20, 2019 | 12: Maintenance, First Flights: Launching
Do your lines catch on the cage hoop? Do the slide up easily? If not, this may help, especially for machines with cloth cage rim covering. It’s extremely helpful to put smooth tubing around the hoop. Tubing allows the lines to come up cleanly around the cage...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 20, 2019 | 38: Insurance
Individual and Liability insurance for Powered Paragliding It is the bane of many paramotor pilots—insurance, or lack thereof. Most pilots don’t notice the problem since they fly from places where it doesn’t matter, but for those who aspire to alight from...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 20, 2019 | 06: Adding Wheels, 08: the Law, 36: Instructors & Tandem
Can we legally do wheel launched tandems using the USPPA Exemption? | Exemptions & Sport Pilot Yes! As of November 2018, the limitation for footlaunch was removed. The text below is retained to remember the history of it. Here is the 2018 USPPA 9751 exemption...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 20, 2019 | 08: the Law, 30: Other Uses
Can law enforcement use a paramotor in spite of FAR 103’s limitation to sport or recreational use? There is a blanket exemption that makes this legal under certain conditions. Mark Renkens of the Palm Bay Police department has experience with it and these are...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 19, 2019 | 08: the Law
FAR 103 | AC 103 | Preamble to 103 | FAR 91 for Ultralights FAR 103.20 requires ultralight pilots to comply with these FAR 91 rules, mostly to address security concerns in the aftermath of Sept 11, 2001. Note that the NOTAMs referred to in this regulation can be found...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 19, 2019 | 08: the Law, 09: Airspace
FAR 103 | AC 103 | Preamble to 103 | FAR 91 for Ultralights Secs. 307, 313(a), 601(a), 602, and 603, Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (49 U.S.C. 1348, 1354(a), 1421(a), 1422, and 1423); sec. 6(c), Department of Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 1655(c). Source: Docket No....
by Jeff Goin | Apr 19, 2019 | First Flights: Launching
Crosswind launch | Nailing Every Landing | Analyzing the Reverse Launch This style of photography along with some Photoshop work allows close analysis of a light-wind launch. Chapter 4 contains many tidbits for trouble shooting such launches but this may help. A full...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 19, 2019 | 26: The Wing, Reviews: Paragliders
More than any other purchase, you should consult with a qualified instructor about a wing. It is probably your most important decision, right behind picking a good instructor. Also, there is a very good reason for choosing a beginner glider, it’s safer! The...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 19, 2019 | 08: the Law, 34: Cool Places to Fly
We enjoy immense freedom in the U.S. No certification is required and we can fly just about anywhere. Most other countries either don’t have laws about paramotor or are far more restrictive. Traveling imposes the need to know their rules. No Law for Paramotor?...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 19, 2019 | 08: the Law, Political
Do we have too many regulations in aviation? It depends on your perspective. If you’re trying to pilot aircraft or profit from them, than you will think we do. If you’re a passenger or ground pounder wanting not to get killed by airplanes, you probably...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 19, 2019 | First Flights: Landing
I get questions about running out of brakes on landing and touching down firmly.That’s common, especially in the beginning, but there are techniques to improve your odds. Big caveat: done aggressively or with bad timing you can break a leg employing this...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 19, 2019 | First Flights: Launching
When Tim snapped this series of pictures it went crying for a quick treatment of reverse inflations, where you start by facing the wing. Most pilots prefer these since you can see exactly what’s going on. But they present their own difficulties. The first step...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 19, 2019 | 15: Advanced Ground Handling, Advanced Launching
Your site is a driveway. It’s long, there are no obstructions except line snagging beans to your left and right. But it’s crosswind. What to do? This situation has come up in my flying a lot, especially since I deplore taking off over water at beaches. If...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 19, 2019 | 15: Advanced Ground Handling, Advanced Launching
As we’ve said many times, if the wind is too light to kite, do a forward launch. But experienced launchers like the occasional challenge and this no exception. The details of the launch are covered in Chapter 15 although no mention was made of the motor assist...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 18, 2019 | 09: Airspace, 11: Controlled Airports
From Jeff Goin’s 2006 USHPA Magazine Article Our sweetly simple FAR 103 grants enormous flexibility. It gives equally ambiguous restrictions—leaving a lot up to us. The sharp edge of this freedom is how easy we can cause problems or get “violated” by the Federal...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 18, 2019 | 09: Airspace
Exploring new areas by PPG is an experience in freedom seldom even imagined just a few short years ago. As with most freedoms it carries responsibility…which includes making sure you’re in allowable airspace. See also: Finding Legal Sites With Google The PPG Bible has...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 18, 2019 | 15: Advanced Ground Handling
Chapter 15, Advanced Ground Handling, covers The Alan Method of reverse kiting. This method can also allow you to fly backwards. Recently, we set out to get pictures of this technique and others from one of our motor haunts near Chicago. The chosen hill, a dirt pile,...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 18, 2019 | 27: The Motor Unit, Mx: Harness Setup
I hear the darndest things sometimes. One frequent misconception regards paramotor harnesses. Over zealous sellers try to sucker people in to their gear using misinformation that requires a lack of understanding. If you ever “this is the only _____, and...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 17, 2019 | 08: the Law, 09: Airspace, 10: Flying Anywhere
Section III Mastering The Sport | Chapter 17 | See also Airspace for Paramotor Pilots These instructions show how to overlay a sectional chart onto a Google Earth map. This allows you to pinpoint your launch site with Google Earth then overlay the sectional chart to...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 17, 2019 | 17: Challenging Sites, First Flights: Launching
“Should I fly here?” is a better question than “Can I fly here?” Suitability has tripped up lots of us so here are some tips to help. You must already have some idea of how long your launch run is, especially in dead calm conditions. Use the...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 17, 2019 | 28: Accessories, Communications
This test gets updated on a periodic basis. Search “Technician class ham license test questions” for a source with the latest question and answer pool. This is a sample of what you’ll find but will almost certainly be outdated. It was current as of...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 17, 2019 | 28: Accessories, Communications
Getting the Technician Class Amateur Radio License for Paramotor Pilots Why a Ham License? The best powered paragliding communications I’ve ever had came through 2-meter radios and the lowly, ancient, M101 microphone system. But 2-meter radios require an Amateur...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 17, 2019 | 12: Maintenance, 27: The Motor Unit
Getting the most from gas station pumps With fuel prices high, Shane Banquer, a helicopter pilot who has been in the petroleum industry for 31 years, offered some tricks on how to get more of your money’s worth for every gallon. Thanks to Eric Dufour for sharing...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 17, 2019 | 02 Gearing Up, About
Frequently Asked Questions about paramotor flying Click here on Educational for much more Ten minutes after putting your car in park, everything is ready. It’s just you perfect air, at the perfect place, ready to fly. Lay it out, ready yourself, throttle up, and...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 17, 2019 | 22: Aerodynamics, 26: The Wing
Wing Loading See also Surviving Training: Beginner Wing, Weight & Speed, Flying Large Wings, Flying Small Wings, Risk of Small Wings Wing loading is a key metric for many reasons. It is how much weight is carried per square meter of wing. By convention, it’s...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 17, 2019 | 02 Gearing Up, Ultralights
So many choices! Do I want convenience? Do I want to go places? How much will it cost? How hard is it to fly? These and many other questions usually come to those choosing an ultralight. It’s not easy and the sales people for each one knows, for a fact, that...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 17, 2019 | 12: Maintenance, About, Ultralights
The draw of man’s simplest way aloft and answering the common question “Are paramotors Reliable?” Paramotors aren’t fast, they take a lot of effort to launch, they require an associate degree in two stroke mechanics and don’t allow you to...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 17, 2019 | 08: the Law, 36: Instructors & Tandem, Ultralights
Powered Parachutes (PPC) are normally thought of as large, powerful craft that carries two people and is steered inflight by foot. While Powered Paragliders are lightweight, can be carried on the pilot’s back, requires an efficient elliptical wing and are...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 17, 2019 | 08: the Law, 36: Instructors & Tandem, Ultralights
For single-place powered paragliders, the answer is simple, they do not fall under Sport Pilot. If it weighs less than 254 pounds, it’s an ultralight and falls under part FAR 103. Even with wheels, it just has to meet the requirements of weight, speed and fuel...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 17, 2019 | 06: Adding Wheels, 08: the Law, 36: Instructors & Tandem
Chapter 6 on flying with wheels, Tandem Setup | More on: Exemption For Wheels, Too? As of Sept. 2008, the USPPA has a new tandem exemption for training with Foot Launch tandems. As of Nov 2018 they also have one allowing for wheeled tandems. I applied for this in...
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 | 12: Maintenance, Reviews: Safety Gear
After manual or automatic activation you must replace 3 parts, the bobbin, indicator tab and CO2 cartridge. The bobbin, which contains some type of paper, has a 3 year shelf life. You’re not allowed to carry CO2 cartridges on airliners so, if you travel, the...
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 | 22: Aerodynamics
This came up when I was considering adding a second ring to our single-hoop paramotor for hugely better hand protection. So I asked Dana Hague for an assessment of the Safety Ring’s drag, assuming that airflow would be much faster at full power due to the prop....
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 | 22: Aerodynamics, 26: The Wing
Given the same wing size, heavier pilots go faster, how much faster? We all know that more weight means more speed but how much? My wing reviews are obviously done with my 150 pound self so I’m unable to see what happens at real high wing loadings since they...
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 | 22: Aerodynamics, 26: The Wing
Differences between reflex paragliders and “regular” paragliders | See also Origins & Understanding of Reflex Gliders There are some basic differences between reflex and “regular” paragliders that revolve around their airfoil shape (right)...
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 | 05: First Flights
The Bump Scale was developed so pilots could objectively communicate what turbulence they’re feeling or felt. When used properly, an experienced pilot’s 5 will be a new pilot’s 5. That is why it is tied to specific tip collapses. Acro Ace’s 5...
by Tim Kaiser | Apr 13, 2019 | 07: Weather Basics, 09: Airspace
Calling a Flight Service Station (FSS) We have an amazing resource only a toll-free dial away—Flight Service. It’s easy to be informed so don’t slough off the call. I know, you look out, winds are light, gear is ready, you’re running late, and you...
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 | 02 Gearing Up, 27: The Motor Unit
Harness Terminology: How the Harness and frame interact to provide a hook-in point. See Also Harness Adjusting | Hang Points: High or Low? | Harness Myths | Understanding Paramotor Torque | Tandem Paramotor harness systems can be categorized by their in-flight hang...
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 | Apr 12, 2019 | Educational
Click on the chapter to see related articles in order of Chapter like the book. Additional material not in the book is in Section VII. Go here to buy the Powered Paragliding Bible Go here to buy Paraglider and Paramotor Instructor Section I: First Flight Chapters...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 5, 2019 | 02 Gearing Up
The more you fly, the cheaper it gets. But paramotor may not be as low-cost as we think, although it’s still cheap relative to other forms of flight. I fly other things and find that even at these costs, paramotor delivers more fun-per-dollar than any other form...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 28, 2018 | 07: Weather Basics, 24: Weather in Depth
Thanks to John Blair, Dayton Powered Paragliding. It’s now super easy to get the local weather forecast using the web, 800-WX-BRIEF, TV, radio or even your VHF radio. Even so, at certain times of the year weather can change rapidly and you should continually...
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 | Aug 11, 2017 | 08: the Law, 09: Airspace
If you have a U.S. event, or do training, or towing where there will be a lot of paramotor or paraglider flights, it’s helpful to give general aviation pilots the opportunity to know about it. That’s done by filing a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). It starts by...
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 26, 2017 | 08: the Law, 09: Airspace
Pictures don’t do it justice: airflow on exposed skin, the immediate smells, feeling temperature changes, and yes, playing near the clouds like this make open-air flying irresistible for some of us. But is it legal? Can we fly this close to clouds? For sure we...
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 | Oct 6, 2016 | 36: Instructors & Tandem, Log: Enterprise
Earning the USHPA Basic Instructor Certification In support of the new book project I decided to go through USHPA’s Instructor Certification Program. I’m writing a book on teaching paragliding, this would be a powerful addition to my experience and improve...
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 21, 2016 | 31: Traveling with Gear
Every time I hear someone tell of their success at taking a paramotor on the airlines it makes me cringe just a bit. Kind of like when someone says they stalled their wing and “it wasn’t that bad.” Maybe THAT time it wasn’t, but in fact,...
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 | May 16, 2015 | 20: Competition, News, Ultralights
Sadly, this no longer applies since USUA is no longer the air sport rep for ultralights (there is none as of July 2019). This article is preserved as a record of how it was. Wanna break a world record? Here’s how. Also, there is a great FAQ available...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 20, 2014 | 20: Competition, About, Log: Enterprise
Brief flight history: I started flying gliders at age 13, soloed at 14, got my private license at 17, commercial license at 20, airline transport rating at 26 when I became captain on a commuter airline and got hired by Southwest Airlines in 1993, becoming a captain 4...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 13, 2014 | 08: the Law
Story of possible Ultralight discrimination and resolution | See also Ultralights at Airports In 1975 I flew my first aircraft, a glider, at Marion, Ohio. Malcom Green took me up in a Schweizzer 2-33 sailplane and soon after releasing from tow, said the magic words...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 7, 2014 | 22: Aerodynamics, 23: Motor & Propeller, Log: Paramotor-Ultralight, Reviews: Paramotors
Florida’s relentless weather perfection lured us aloft again. I got to try Parajet’s newest offering, a Thor 250, water cooled, behemoth with thrust galore. It’s ideally suited for trikes or competition pilots powering their tiny little steeds to...
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 7, 2014 | 31: Traveling with Gear
It’s always been a crap shoot to check paramotors on airliners but even I didn’t realize how bad it could be. A pilot had shipped his paramotor for an overseas adventure and when he got back the paramotor arrived sans its engine. Then, some weeks later a...
by Jeff Goin | May 4, 2013 | 06: Adding Wheels
Updated 2013-May-4 Suggestions Powered Paraglider Trike/Quad (Cart) | See A Better Paramotor After watching wheels take off, literally and figuratively, I’ve noticed some areas of strength and weakness with some potential for improvement. None of this is new,...
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 | Jan 28, 2013 | 08: the Law, Recent
Related: Who Owns the Air | Pilot Gets Criminal Violation for Flying OVER Park | When Courts & Judges Get it Wrong The vast majority of police officers are conscientious people doing a good job. But occasionally they get carried away which can make a pilot’s...
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...
by Jeff Goin | Jul 10, 2012 | 02 Gearing Up
See also Cost of Powered Paragliding Broken Down One Pilot’s Actual Costs To Paramotor: Tom Zoner Tom Zoner is meticulous with records, logging both his flying and expenses related to PPG. Like other analysis, it shows that, when all costs are figured in,...
by Jeff Goin | May 16, 2012 | 20: Competition
This pylon race was cancelled to a serious accident and the risk to pilots, spectators, and the Beach Blast Event. This year’s competition was to be on the beach using pylons where one pilot at a time flies the course while being timed. John Black has gotten the...
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 | Feb 16, 2012 | 20: Competition
Congratulations to Ryan Shaw, flying a Dudek Hadron 20, for winning the February Salton Sea Competition with a world-class time on his second round cloverleaf of 43.8 seconds. That’s fast. Mathieu Roaunet, flying an Ozone Speedster 19, also turned in his usual...
by Jeff Goin | Jan 18, 2012 | Instruments, News
A dedicated phone application for paramotor pilots. Stephane Nicole has created what looks like a cool app for Android Users who fly PPG. I haven’t gotten to try it yet but will offer a review after I do. There is a basic version that’s free and a paid...
by Jeff Goin | Jan 15, 2012 | 03 Handling the Wing
Newer gliders with weed-wacker leading edge reinforcements don’t like those reinforcement folded over so most pilots use some form of concertina or accordian fold. The book has an example, as does this video, but you see plenty of videos on the subject just by...
by Jeff Goin | Dec 11, 2011 | Mx: Motor
For those in frigid climes, hibernation is fact of life; preparing your motor will avoid problems next spring. These tips, from long-time two-stroke expert Alex Varv (www.Aerocorsair.com) will help. This is like “Pickling” but of shorter duration. Here is...
by Jeff Goin | Oct 14, 2011 | Mx: Motor
Thanks to Rick Cavallaro for explaining and taking pictures (see PDF) Disclaimer: I am NOT an expert mechanic. If something looks or sounds wrong in these directions, it probably is. I’d be happy to receive any tips or feedback on how to improve this...
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...
