by Jeff Goin | May 22, 2019 | Reviews: Carts, Reviews: Paramotors
At the Bad Apples fly-in I got to try London Ivey’s tandem trike. I flew it solo on a 16 m² Doberman. THAT was fast, but the flight did give me an idea about how the trike. There’s a lot to like. Its Bullmax 250 was powerful enough to give me decent climb...
by Jeff Goin | May 16, 2019 | Reviews: Paramotors
Bailey Aviation has been tweaking their 4-stroke paramotor for at least 5 years and has made some noticeable improvements. Addressing some shortcomings that arose on their previous engine, this one has a number of innovations that affect thrust but, even more, reduce...
by Jeff Goin | May 16, 2019 | Reviews: Carts, Reviews: Paramotors
Wheel Options for powered paragliders: walk and roll! Adding wheels to a paramotor can make it a whole different craft and there are many flavors. My experience suggests that transitioning to wheels is easy provided the pilot heeds some simple advice as covered in the...
by Jeff Goin | May 12, 2019 | 26: The Wing, Reviews
All about the care and feeding of your lift-giving wing. Longtime paramotor instructor Michelle Daniele retired from teaching in 2007. She now devotes time to do paraglider inspections and simple repairs. Both during teaching and now doing glider inspections, she has...
by Jeff Goin | May 12, 2019 | Reviews
Be forewarned, there is carnage. No blood, but some props do go back to the dust from whence they came. Phoenix pilot Adam Bell does an admirable job capturing the highlights and a few lowlights during this 40 minute DVD. Unfortunately, this is no longer available....
by Jeff Goin | May 12, 2019 | Reviews
Lord of the Winds puts you in the heart of a paramotor adventure across incredible New Zealand. Eight powered paraglider pilot start for one very ambitious journey. Unfortunately, they don’t all finish. This is their story. The pacing, music and narration are...
by Jeff Goin | May 10, 2019 | Reviews: Engines
In 2008 this was one of the most popular powerplants in the 25 hp class. It has earned a reputation for reliability, plentiful thrust and good support. It can be be a bit challenging to start without doing things just right. Fortunately there is enormous expertise...
by Jeff Goin | May 10, 2019 | Reviews: Engines
This motor was based on the RDM 100 and so shares most of the same characteristics. My experience is that it has slightly less thrust although that was from some time ago (2003) and the motor has enjoyed numerous improvements over time. Specs: by Compact Radial...
by Jeff Goin | May 10, 2019 | Reviews: Engines
This elegant clutched motor has only slightly more thrust than the Top 80 but is easier to work on in most regards. The tradeoff is that it’s heavier, by maybe 3 pounds. Instructors seem to have slightly better results with maintenance issues. It behaves much...
by Jeff Goin | May 10, 2019 | Reviews: Engines
This tiny, lightweight motor first became popular in Europe, especially with competition pilots. It’s light weight and low fuel burn for the power produced made it perfect for competition pilots and everyone else. It can get over 100 lbs of thrust with a...
by Jeff Goin | May 8, 2019 | 26: The Wing, Reviews: Paragliders
It was a sad day when this easy database of paragliders, Para2000.org, went dark. I don’t know the story but the owner just let it die. At this point the best we have is an archived version of it as it was in September, 2018 which, for now at least, is...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 28, 2019 | Reviews: Other
Walk and roll! Adding wheels to a paramotor can make it a whole different craft and there are many flavors. My experience suggests that transitioning to wheels is easy provided the pilot heeds some simple advice as covered in the Powered Paragliding Bible and your...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 27, 2019 | 29: Home Building, Reviews: Paramotors
Note: this post is kept for historical reasons. As of 2019 the only Kit that I’m aware of is an electric machine at OpenPPG.com. As of 2010, if you were looking for Kit Paramotors, there were two that I’m familiar with. Neither of them is still around....
by Jeff Goin | Apr 27, 2019 | Reviews: Paramotors
This is the plans-built machine featured in the Powered Paragliding Bible. It is one of 3 viable paramotor kits that I’ve seen for someone wanting to start from scratch. It comes with excellent support and there are numerous machines flying out in the field....
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 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 12, 2019 | Reviews: Other
Rescue systems are now available from both the air and the water. Auto Inflation Auto-Inflation Device: About Agama | Resetting the Agama I put the Agama system to a realistic test (see the results here) and it passed with floating colors. Don’t bet your life on...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 6, 2019 | Reviews
Whenever possible, gear is reviewed while the manufacturer or dealer is present so they can make adjustments or explanations to help ensure a fair trial. I want to know for my own benefit. Gear can be uncomfortable, or even dangerous if these adjustments aren’t...
by Jeff Goin | May 10, 2018 | Reviews: Paramotors
Miniplane has been building PPG engines (Top 80) and frames since maybe 1996. They make Owner Diego Cecchetto made his niche in the lightweight arena, an increasingly crowded field. It is heavily engineered to be lightweight and quiet. ABM is their weightshift version...
by Tim Kaiser | Mar 17, 2017 | Reviews: Paragliders
Paramania came out with the GTS in 2015 and I test flew it at Beach Blast. But the tips fluttered during certain phases of flight, namely power off, so I didn’t review it. A fix was devised and has been applied, at least to the models imported to the U.S. and...
by Jeff Goin | May 7, 2016 | Reviews: Paragliders
Reviewed 2016-03-19, Written 2016-04-24 Gin is one of the more mature paraglider makers with much experience in reflex gliders since they used to make wings for Paramania. I’m 147 pounds and flew a 24 during mellow conditions on an overcast FL morning with a...
by Jeff Goin | May 7, 2016 | Reviews: Paragliders
Flown 2016-03-18, reviewed 2016-04-19 I had owned and competed with an Ozone Viper 1 for at least 4 years before doing this review. I bought the Viper 1 even though a later model was out because Mathieu Rouanet had been competing on it successfully, without...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 8, 2016 | Reviews: Paragliders
Air Design is a long time maker of paragliders, mostly for free flying (like most). The UFO is their first foray into hike-and-fly single surface gliders and they have done a nice job but I got to try it out on a motor thanks to Marco Bowles. It’s a well-behaved...
by Jeff Goin | Mar 27, 2016 | Reviews: Paragliders
Sun Gliders is a South Korean wing maker that has been imported in the US for the past several years by David Batton of Florida. This is a competition type reflex wing that carries all the caveats that entails. It provides very good performance for less money. I flew...
by Jeff Goin | Mar 24, 2016 | Reviews: Paramotors
MacFly ariose when World champ Alex Mateos helped design a paramotor. It’s what he would want to fly so it reflects his values: good thrust, smoothly tapped, with reliable launching and presumably able to handle high G’s. It’s not the lightest...
by Jeff Goin | Mar 22, 2016 | Reviews: Paramotors
French Paramotor maker Air Conception specializes in making lightweight paramotors of which the Nitro, at 200 cc’s, is their biggest as of 2016 The machine I flew was Eric Dufour’s trainer at Valkaria Airport in light turbulence on a 24 meter Axis. I was...
by Jeff Goin | Mar 18, 2016 | Reviews: Paragliders
This is an updated design on a wing that that’s been around for many years. I flew this on a mellow morning in FL, about 80 degrees, on a Miniplane Top 80 for a clip in weight of about 205. This is about the right size for me and my flying style although I...
by Jeff Goin | Mar 17, 2016 | Reviews: Paragliders
Sun Gliders is a South Korean wing maker that has been imported in the US for the past several years by David Batton of Florida. This is a competition type reflex wing that carries all the caveats that entails. It provides very good performance for less money. I flew...
by Jeff Goin | Jul 8, 2015 | Reviews: Paragliders
From the July 2015 issue of Cross Country Magazine, updated May 2019 Efficiency is what sets this wing apart. For any pilot, whether competing or cruising, that’s like getting free horsepower. Spend it how you like—on distance, speed, climb rate, or maybe...
by Jeff Goin | Nov 14, 2014 | Reviews: Paramotors
Air Conception has been focusing on lightweight powerhouses but this is a new high, or low, depending on your perspective. As best I can tell, this is the highest power-to-weight machine available. The example I flew was Eric Dufour’s demonstrator at Wings Over...
by Jeff Goin | Nov 8, 2014 | Reviews: Paramotors
Nirvana strives for refined, good looking performers in the premium price arena. I’ve flown this machine before (at the Endless Footdrag) but didn’t do a write-up. It’s time. This flight, in November, 2014 at Wings Over Winter near Orlando, was on...
by Jeff Goin | Nov 8, 2014 | Reviews: Paramotors
PAP has been a stalwart of paramotor manufacturers, building machines popular in Europe for many years. They strive to, among other things, make the experience more like free flight with lower hook-in points that more closely resemble free flight harnesses. I flew...
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 | Nov 20, 2013 | Reviews: Paragliders
Dudek has been producing top competition wings for a number of years. The Snake is aimed squarely at the Slalom set which may seem like a tiny group, but the performance will appeal to skilled pilots of many stripes. I’m interested in this class of wings for...
by Jeff Goin | Nov 16, 2013 | Reviews: Paramotors
Flown May 2013, Reviewed from notes Parajet is a well established innovator that continues to refine its line with the Zenith series. It’s made for travel with possibly the best breakdown and shipping capability I’ve yet seen. The smallest piece is a back...
by Jeff Goin | May 16, 2013 | Reviews: Paramotors
Air Conception has been building the Ultra line for at least 4 years as of this writing and is imported to the USA by Paratour USA. They have updated the super lightweight Ventor motor to make powerful yet lightweight paramotors and accessories. Liberal use of...
by Jeff Goin | May 13, 2013 | Reviews: Paramotors
Here is video 1 about the Scout mostly. Here is video 2, a romp in FL that’s just plain fun. It’s mostly showing the scout but that’s not the mission. Scout is a new entrant on the paramotor market but with great innovation on several fronts. It is...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 20, 2013 | Reviews: Other
Since our props are fixed pitch the tachometer is a direct measurement of power. Of course you don’t know the absolute hp (have to know torque) but if you’re putting out a higher RPM, you’re pushing harder. So if you’re gonna have only one...
by Jeff Goin | Mar 21, 2013 | Reviews: Paramotors
Ray McMahon is known mostly for importing Dudek wings but he also imports the Minari 180 F1-AE engine and offers it on his own Skybolt-based paramotor frame. The Skybolt is a plans-built paramotor that he has modified slightly. The frame buys buildability with a extra...
by Jeff Goin | Mar 9, 2013 | Reviews: Paragliders
AirDesign is a somewhat new company owned by Stephan Stieglair, a former world champion and former designer for Pro Design, UP and Airwave. The Rama Flex is their first entry into paramotoring. I’m told that it has been certified by DHV to the EN 926 standard...
by Jeff Goin | Mar 5, 2013 | Reviews: Other
2013-Mar-05 This is a multi-purpose device that, besides offering the usual RPM/CHT/EGT/Time, it most uniquely, adds a fuel level indicator system. The fuel tank pickup gives fine level measurements using an ingenious tube-in-tube sensor that goes in through the top...
by Jeff Goin | Jan 10, 2013 | Reviews: Engines
This motor’s claim to fame is lightweight power. It is of average loudness and vibration but is remarkably lightweight. Early on it was tainted by its connection to Dell Schanze but it is now also available from Rick Hunts and a wide variety other machines. In...
by Jeff Goin | Jan 1, 2013 | Reviews: Paragliders
I don’t normally review school wings but I’m making an exception. More on why below. There are, no doubt, a number of good choices out there in this category but this is the one I tested. Also, I have to point out one to avoid: the “Power...
by Jeff Goin | Dec 27, 2012 | Reviews: Other
A cool new way to see your actual fuel flow has been on the market now for at least a year and I got to try it out a few months ago. Here are my observations. The Tiggy Fuel Monitor gives the pilot a direct read of the fuel actually flowing to his motor. It is, to my...
by Jeff Goin | Nov 12, 2012 | Reviews: Paragliders
Gin has been a long time respected maker of wings and has even made models for other companies. The Vantage is a beginner/intermediate paramotor wing with modern features to improve inflation and efficiency. I flew it in August, 2012 at about 10:30 am. They call it...
by Jeff Goin | Sep 9, 2012 | Reviews: Paragliders
Video with Eric Dufour flying the 18. He was about 30 pounds heavier than I 2012 Sept 09 During Indy Air Hogs’ fly-in I got to try out the GTR 18 again with the intent to sample a different brake configuration and, more importantly see what the speed range is...
by Jeff Goin | Jul 10, 2012 | Reviews: Paramotors
Rick Hunts, creator of the Renegade, is better known for creating (and still manufactures) Flowbee hair cutters. But after becoming a paramotor pilot he applied his intimate knowledge of plastics and production to create an inexpensive, yet quality paramotor. I was a...
by Jeff Goin | May 11, 2012 | Reviews: Paramotors
Fresh Breeze continues to innovation, in this case through updates to their Sportix line. This model has the Pollini Thor 100 engine with an integrated clutch and gearbox. This unit has been reviewed before but they have tweaked the design. My flight was at Beach...
by Jeff Goin | Feb 21, 2012 | Reviews: Paragliders
Stalwart Paraglider Maker Ozone has added another glider to its quiver of competitors. The Speedster is a “semi-reflex” model that I flew at Glamis, CA and the Salton Sea. Thanks to Mathieu Roaunet for letting me give it a try. My flying was all within 300...
by Jeff Goin | Feb 17, 2012 | Reviews: Paragliders
Ozone is a long-time paraglider maker that is pressing harder into paramotoring with several models targeted at powered flight. The Viper 1 – 18m is a special wing made for their sponsored pilots to compete with and I was lucky enough to get my hands on Emilia...
by Jeff Goin | Feb 12, 2012 | Reviews: Paragliders
Paratoys has been selling paragliders for probably 10 years, starting with the eponymous Paratoys wing, a beginner model based on the MacPara Muse. Their latest offering, under the brand name Velocity, is the Recon–a reflex model intended for experienced pilots...
by Jeff Goin | Feb 4, 2012 | Reviews: Other, Reviews: Paramotors
Leon Wacker of Paracruiser has been building machines for others for years along with offering a variety of packages through his own company. He is a tinkerer, too, and enjoys coming up with clever solutions to common problems. In this case, the problem of an easily...
by Jeff Goin | May 9, 2011 | Reviews: Paragliders
MacPara has a solid reputation for building easy inflating wings with good handling and the tradition continues. Like many manufacturers they haven’t made really small sizes for general sales but the Chronos changes that. An number of pilots like to fly more...
by Jeff Goin | May 9, 2011 | Reviews: Paragliders
Dudek has come up with another innovative Reflex wing, the Hadron, to entice competition pilots and anyone wanting speed with good handling. I’ve heard several pilots say it wasn’t intended to be fast but, as you’ll see from the results, it’s...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2011 | Reviews: Paragliders
Paramania has tweaked its popular Action series to come up with the Action GTR, a speedy reflex wing optimized for competition. It has some really cool innovations in the riser system that will appeal to competition pilots and others that will be appreciated by...
by Jeff Goin | Feb 26, 2011 | Electric Paramotor, Reviews: Electric Paramotors
I got a bunch of letters about this one—a home-grown wheeled PPG by Pierre Beney. It’s built with off-the-shelf Radio Control model motors. Looking at the video doesn’t say much about it beyond the search for improvements. It doesn’t appear to have...
by Jeff Goin | Feb 10, 2011 | Reviews: Paramotors
Courtesy www.Paratoys.com & SkyBiker Aviation Thrust tests are one data point for comparing the thrust of motors. On two different days you’ll get different results, probably up to 10%. Plus, some manufacturers may use different props than the machines are...
by Jeff Goin | Feb 7, 2011 | Reviews: Paragliders
Dudek has come up with another innovative Reflex wing, the Hadron, to entice competition pilots and anyone wanting speed with good handling. I’ve heard several pilots say it wasn’t intended to be fast but, as you’ll see from the results, it’s...
by Jeff Goin | Feb 3, 2011 | Reviews: Carts, Reviews: Paramotors
Paratoys has made its name on building decent quality machines at an affordable price. This new machine marks a departure from that succesful formula by virtue of being at the high end of its market in both price and quality. There are several decent 4-stroke...
by Jeff Goin | Feb 1, 2011 | Reviews: Paramotors
Canadian based RSUltra makes Kangook paramotors among other things. They’ve been building paramotors out of Canada for at least 4 years that I’m aware of and may be longer. I’ll leave you to check out the specifics and will give a cursery review of...
by Jeff Goin | Jan 12, 2011 | 15: Advanced Ground Handling, Reviews: Other
This is a compilation of the early reviews from when the video first came out. All the videos have been done to the same quality but we didn’t bother collecting comments from them. From Paramotor Magazine: Several years in the making, Jeff Goin’s latest...
by Jeff Goin | Nov 10, 2010 | Reviews: Paragliders
The Power X is Pegas’ targeted entry into motoring wings, specifically the realm of small, fun wings. Like many in this class, they’re intended for experienced pilots. At 19.5 m² flat (16.9 m² projected) it’s a hotrod even for my 150 pounds. I flew...
by Jeff Goin | Oct 4, 2010 | Reviews: Paragliders
I’ve flown the Velvet before but never this size and boy what a difference size makes. in this case, great things come in small packages, I loved the handling. For anyone that likes carving about in 3-D, the Velvet is a good choice. Conditions were: Miniplane...
by Jeff Goin | Aug 10, 2010 | Reviews: Paragliders
The Gin Airflex is Gin’s entry into the Reflex realm, with full trimmers and an effective speed system. I’ve flown the wing twice, once at Glamis Dunes and again at Beach Blast but only one time with a Speedbar and I didn’t get to make GPS speed...
by Jeff Goin | Jul 10, 2010 | Reviews: Paragliders
The Force is Apco’s entry into the high-end Reflex category and they’ve done a good job. I’ll admit to having found previous Apco wings a bit more difficult to inflate and not terribly sporty handling, so I didn’t have high expectations. The...
by Jeff Goin | May 30, 2010 | Reviews: Paramotors
Bruce Brown of FlyOhio.com has updated his Free Spirit and I got to fly it at Beach Blast 2010. This review comes from notes recorded after the flight. I made very few notes, probably because it flew and ground handled much like the 2007 model I reviewed in 2009. The...
by Jeff Goin | May 10, 2010 | Reviews: Paragliders
MacPara has a reputation for making gliders for motoring so it’s fitting that jumped into a more standard Reflex model with the MacJet. Unfortunately I didn’t have a GPS so I couldn’t do speed tests. I’ve ordered a Garmin Foretrex 401 that...
by Jeff Goin | May 10, 2010 | Reviews: Paragliders
At the time I flew this wing, first in Feb of this year then again in May at Beach Blast, I said it would be my next purchase if I bought another wing on those days. My only trepidation was how easily I could get myself in trouble with it, given the incredibly dynamic...
by Jeff Goin | May 9, 2010 | Reviews: Paragliders
I tried this glider in Florida and loved it. I liked it as much as the Katana but have a lot of experience on small Pluto’s larger sibling, the Pluto XS (20 m flat, 16.8 m projected), which is what I competed with at the 2009 World Air Games. It treated me...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 8, 2010 | Reviews
These are reviews from a pilot’s perspective. They are not certification tests since I don’t do any significant SIV-type maneuvers with them. I try hard to be unbiased and do NOT accept sponsorships or other remuneration for reviews or put advertisements...
by Jeff Goin | Mar 7, 2010 | Reviews: Electric Paramotors
2019 Note: This unit is no longer under development at least by this name. They’re not allowed to fly paramotors in Switzerland. And now that I’ve been there, it’s almost (not quite, but almost) understandable. A noisy motor would reverberate through...
by Jeff Goin | Mar 6, 2010 | Reviews: Electric Paramotors
These guys have been quietly building an electric machine for the past four years–work that has paid off by creating a salable drive train that can be used by other makers. After seeing pictures, I inquired with the usual questions and the lead developer,...
by Jeff Goin | Feb 1, 2010 | Reviews: Paramotors
Photos by Nick Parajet continues to come up with new, innovative gear and the Rotron is a prime example. Their new flagship is easily the most powerful paramotor I’ve yet flown and also the first one I was unwilling to go full power on. They’ve done a...
by Jeff Goin | Jan 1, 2010 | 27: The Motor Unit, 29: Home Building, Reviews: Paramotors
As of 2019 the “Easy-up” paramotor appears to no longer be available (thankfully). This is the real deal. The world’s most affordable ultralight plans and, once built, a very nice flying machine. My goal in having this page up is to preclude pilots...
by Jeff Goin | Nov 5, 2009 | Reviews: Paragliders
Just a quick note about a solid Beginner wing that I tried last month. Jaro Krupa brought a Pegas Aile 24 for demo at our local haunt and I took it up for a few flights. There are sooo many choices of good wings now that it’s frequently hard to differentiate...
by Jeff Goin | Aug 21, 2009 | Reviews: Carts, Reviews: Paramotors
The Cheap Trike (Now called Falcon) is powered by a 4-stroke generator motor spinning a huge prop. inside of an appropriately sized cage. I’ve flown a number of wheeled craft including the Blackhawk Quad, Paracruiser Quad, Paratour PPCg, Fresh Breeze, Green...
by Jeff Goin | Aug 16, 2009 | Reviews: Paragliders
The Nucleon 27 (flat size) is an intermediate level reflex glider that is good for tooling around and maneuvering. It’s certainly less perky in handling than the smaller racing wings (plasma, viper or fusion) but will have better endurance owing to the larger...
by Jeff Goin | Aug 13, 2009 | Reviews: Paragliders
See the newer Viper 2 Review The Ozone Viper is among a new breed in high performance reflex technology. Like the Dudek Plasma and Paramania Fusion, it mates an efficient, high aspect ratio wing with a reflexed profile for speed. The Viper is not quite as reflexed as...
by Jeff Goin | Aug 13, 2009 | Reviews: Paragliders
See the earlier Viper Custom review. 2002-Dec-2 Added Performance & Speed Numbers The Ozone Viper 2 is an update of their original Viper 1. My original plan was to simply update the review but, when I got the Viper 2, I realized that several significant changes...
by Jeff Goin | May 16, 2009 | Communications, Reviews: Other
There are over a dozen aviation radios on the market and the beauty is, if your headset or helmet uses the standard aviation plugs, it will probably work all aviation radios as described below. If it uses a proprietary plug then it will only work with that one radio....
by Jeff Goin | May 16, 2009 | Reviews: Paragliders
The Plasma 22 (flat size) is among a new breed in high performance reflex technology. It mates an efficient, high aspect ratio wing with a full reflex profile. Similar wings in this class are the Paramania Fusion and Ozone Viper although the Viper has less reflex but...
by Jeff Goin | May 10, 2009 | Reviews: Paragliders
The Axis Venus is a high performance glider intended for those wanting maximum efficiency. It delivered nicely in that category. My time with this glider was only one day, with only had a few flights in November, 2009. It was the small size, 23 sq meters and I flew it...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 12, 2008 | Reviews: Paramotors
The real measure of paramotor power: how hard does it push. Understanding Paramotor Suspension (Harness) Systems Thrust testing numbers are always relative and should only be compared when the testing was done at the same time on the same tester. Those are the only...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 8, 2008 | Reviews: Electric Paramotors, Reviews: Paramotors
This is a revolutionary machine could a part of the future. Forgive my enthusiasm, I realize its not becoming of a reporter and admit to being a huge fan of electric paramotors. I’ve wanted to see them succeed since Csaba’s machine (first practical...
by Jeff Goin | Aug 30, 2007 | Reviews: Other
Robin Rumbolt is an electronics engineer and paramotor pilot. He offers this information up to a sport that struggles to communicate effectively while airborne. First of all, I have to admit to you that I am an ICOM junkie. I own six of their radios, five handheld�s...
by Jeff Goin | May 16, 2007 | Reviews: Other
Helmets protect both brains and ears. They should be comfortable and provide good sound attenuation while allowing radio communications. The latter grieves the designers more than anything, it seems, since there are so many radios with equally varied connectors....
by Jeff Goin | May 16, 2007 | Reviews: Carts
The American Built Trike Buggy is being built by American Paragliding. It is based on the Flexifoil frame which gives it great strength and a very low center of gravity (CG). That adds stability. The unit tested had a Fresh Breeze Simonini but it also mounts a...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 23, 2007 | Reviews: Safety Gear
Don’t be fooled—ditching with a paramotor can be fatal. Success stories may lead some to think it’s trivial but it’s not—about 1 in 30 pilot’s have died after going in, including one who made it out his paramotor only to die while swimming to...
by Jeff Goin | May 16, 2006 | Reviews: Paragliders
The Muse is a very popular beginner wing for good reason. It is easy to inflate and has very good handling, a marked improvement over earlier beginner wings that students quickly tired of. The model I flew was probably an original Muse and they’ve come out with...
by Jeff Goin | May 16, 2006 | Reviews: Paragliders
The Eden is a beginner/intermediate glider that I consider appropriate for a raw beginner wing. Plus, great handling and high efficiency make it one that a pilot can fly until it wears out. I’ve flown this wing using a number of machines but this test was on...
by Jeff Goin | May 16, 2006 | Reviews: Paragliders
The Eden is a beginner/intermediate glider that I consider appropriate for a raw beginner wing. Plus, great handling and high efficiency make it one that a pilot can fly until it wears out. I’ve flown this wing using a number of machines but this test was on...
by Jeff Goin | May 10, 2005 | Reviews: Engines
Even when this review was done the Solo was a dated powerplant. It started life as an agricultural pump engine and by 2005 was used on more paramotors than any other. It’s older technology does not give huge thrust but it was enough for our application and...
by Jeff Goin | May 10, 2005 | Reviews: Paragliders
Click here to see the Spice 22 go through a maneuvers clinic. This is the most fun glider I’ve ever flown. The reason is a combination of super nice handling and high efficiency. After playing with Alex Varv’s loaner in 2004, I was hooked and, in spite of...
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...
by Jeff Goin | Sep 10, 2003 | Reviews: Paragliders
2003 Fresh Breeze Silex 25 This is a great overall wing for intermediate pilots. It was my favorite for several years, a wonderful compromise of safety and great handling. I bought this wing in about 2002 after a test flight when I fell in love with its handling. I...
by Jeff Goin | Sep 20, 1999 | Reviews: Paragliders
A medium (29.5 sq m flat, 85-105 kg) Swing Arcus was my second wing, purchased for soaring and . Handling was better than the Santana as was the glide. It was slower than the Santana and noticeably easier to launch. I put about 50 hours on this wing, about 30 of which...
by Jeff Goin | Sep 9, 1999 | Reviews: Paragliders
This was my first wing. It was intended for soaring and, as such, served yeoman duty. The fact that it was difficult to inflate in no wind only meant something when I had to demonstrate forward launches for my USHPA P2 rating and then when I added a motor. I had an...
by Jeff Goin | Jan 24, 1999 | Reviews: Paragliders
The symphony was a common beginner wing that was sold with the early DK motors. I only flew it about 10 times and don’t remember the sizes. Handling (2): This is a beginner wing in handling and, as such, is very forgiving. It takes a lot of brake pull to turn....
