by Jeff Goin | Jun 11, 2020 | 31: Traveling with Gear
The ability to shipping or travel with a paramotor is one if it’s greatest assets. But there are dark corners. Traveling by Airline Airline travel with paramotors is fraught with risk. Traveling by Car This is where the craft shines most brightly. There are lots...
by Jeff Goin | May 29, 2020 | 08: the Law, 09: Airspace, 28: Accessories, Instruments
See also: ADS-B Test | ADS-B Out Overview | ADS-B Equipment Status Collision avoidance would sure be nice to have, especially for those of us who fly in airplane-infested skies like near airports. It’s our obligation as FAR 103 pilots to avoid other traffic but...
by Jeff Goin | May 25, 2020 | 08: the Law, 32: Photography
Drones rock for capturing stills and video of paramotors, but laws have been enacted to limit their use and require certification. Interestingly, it takes more FAA involvement to fly a drone (unmanned aerial system or USA) than an ultralight. In the U.S., if your...
by Jeff Goin | May 24, 2020 | 32: Photography
Dana Denny may have the best Chase Cam pictures ever. They come from putting well-designed gear to its best use. One of his shots adorns PPG Bible 6 Chapter 32 on Photography. He was kind enough to provide information on what was involved in the process which is shown...
by Jeff Goin | May 21, 2020 | 07: Weather Basics, 08: the Law
Flying ultralights is quite permissive in the U.S. There is no list of approved medications for ultralights (us paramotorists) and no medical certification is required, even for tandem training. FAR 103 doesn’t mention fitness for flight at all, expecting that...
by Jeff Goin | May 14, 2020 | Log: Life
There I was, trying to update an article on airline pilots, FAA violations, and ultralight flying. Things were going swimmingly until suddenly, out of nowhere, it stopped letting me update. What? I don’t know where it went south, but at some point, after hitting...
by Jeff Goin | May 14, 2020 | 08: the Law
You’re a professional pilot considering flying paramotors, or other ultralights. What’s the risk to your license? FAR 103 regulates ultralight flying and requires no pilot license or aircraft certification, but it’s still an FAA regulation. Violating...
by Jeff Goin | May 10, 2020 | 12: Maintenance
Fuel line degradation causes lots of problems. Depending on what fuel and fuel line you use it can fail in unsavory ways after only a year. Some types commonly found on paramotors degrade internally releasing gunk into the fuel filter and carb. Namely the piece past...
by Jeff Goin | May 10, 2020 | 27: The Motor Unit, Mx: Motor
The 60+ year old marvel of technology that powers our flight is a nearly perfect match. Finicky, yes, but given the power, we get out of it’s few pounds, we can’t be terribly surprised. Tuned Pipe When the piston moving upward, it’s expelling...
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 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 9, 2020 | 03 Handling the Wing, 26: The Wing, Mx: Paraglider
Nearly all newer paragliders have nylon rods in their leading edges to improve inflation characteristics and hold shape better during low-pressure events (near collapses). Some have them in the trailing edge. Those rods don’t handle sharp bends so special...
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 | 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 | Apr 30, 2020 | 07: Weather Basics, 13: Flying Cross Country, 28: Accessories, Instruments
Here are some paramotor/ultralight apps and websites for weather, flight briefing, NOTAMS, flight planning, and inflight use. Weather In the U.S. you can use your phone (requires dialing, remember?) to call Flight Service (800-WxBrief, 800-992-7433). Instructions to...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2020 | 07: Weather Basics, 09: Airspace
Flight Service Stations (FSS) are funded for pilots by the FAA, might as well use ’em. Here is a quick guide. You do need to use the phone part of your device to call–you know, using the dialer and voice. The number is 1-800-WX-BRIEF (U.S. only) or...
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 | Apr 22, 2020 | Mx: Motor
This can be quite the rabbit hole. For starters, two-stroke oil is like religion: people believe their particular oil is the best because, well, either they’ve been told or they’ve been using that oil and their engine hasn’t seized. Thankfully, there...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 18, 2020 | 12: Maintenance, Mx: Motor, Mx: Troubleshooting
Walbro WG8 Carb used on nearly all 80cc paramotor engines out there and others I’ve had this problem many times, even on brand new carbs. You blow in the tank vent tube while pressing the needle release (for priming), and fuel doesn’t flow. What the suck?...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 17, 2020 | Entertainment
Yup, COVID-19 almost killed my laptop. It’s a bit convoluted, but here goes. As most know, I fly airliners for my day job, and during the great COVID-induced airline drawdown of 2020, I’m doing a lot of “deadheading,” riding in the back to my...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 2, 2020 | For Sale, Log: Enterprise, Recent
Update: Sold! A new chapter for at least a while. We’re selling “Enterprise C”, and have created a description (with some nostalgia) video. I know, I probably shouldn’t have included the kiting a paraglider on it (see video), but it’s a...
by Jeff Goin | Mar 2, 2020 | 08: the Law
In early May 2012, a wing suited “BASE” jumper died after leaping from a tandem paramotor. His parachute never opened (we think our sport is unforgiving). It’s a calamity for the jumper, his family, and the paramotor pilot who was, no doubt, a...
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 | 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 | Nov 23, 2019 | 02 Gearing Up, 23: Motor & Propeller, 27: The Motor Unit
See Paraglider Certification There is no paramotor certification. That’s too bad because there is a lot of room for improvement, especially regarding prop-strike protection and torque mitigation. I can imagine a fairly simple set of tests that result in a safety...
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 | Aug 11, 2019 | Competitions & Records, Entertainment, News
Edition 6 is coming out in August 2020. We ran a photo contest and got some great submissions, but wanted to have another craft, especially with wheels, on the cover this time. Marty Hathaway was kind enough to follow me close enough to make it work on a jaunt over...
by Jeff Goin | Jul 4, 2019 | Log: Paramotor-Ultralight
Happy 4th of July! Freedom of flight may be more extensive in the USA than in any other country. That’s not bias because I live here: I’m always looking for examples of countries that have similar freedoms to compare notes on. As best I can tell, there are...
by Jeff Goin | Jul 3, 2019 | 26: The Wing, Mx: Paraglider
Lightweight gliders area a dream to launch. What started out as gear for “hike and fly” free flyers has migrated into every niche of paragliding including paramotor. Over the past few years, they’ve entered nearly every maker’s lineup,...
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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmZ9x5KopO4&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR39QB3NxUimDW_pye8D-SCysVe2yo4_waGyNUdHFSlCk9qYsIuxPft-iXM Big kudos to this pilot for sharing his video. If only we could all be so selfless. Also, check out his composure while lying...
by Jeff Goin | Jul 2, 2019 | Log: Enterprise
Tim & I went to look at the boat today. For one thing, it’s way more classy than what’s “needed,” but its upper deck *is* perfect. I’m a bit premature but will still refer to it as the “flight deck.” At 16′ wide...
by Jeff Goin | Jul 1, 2019 | Log: Enterprise
This was Jeff Hamann’s idea. It’s a long shot, but a fun one. The idea is to buy and modify a houseboat for use as a paramotor launch and landing pad. Our own little aircraft carrier. We’d spend a couple summers, in week-long stints, exploring parts...
by Jeff Goin | Jun 30, 2019 | 26: The Wing, Mx: Paraglider
I talked with a representative from line maker cousin-trestec, asking for tips on paraglider line care. Here was his response. Avoid getting the lines wet. If they do, allow air drying as quickly as possible out of sunlight to the degree possible. Avoid high heat. As...
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 22, 2019 | Log: Enterprise
This place is my proverbial back yard and I knew nothing about it. Five miles south of Plant City, FL, just south of George Farkas’ slice of heaven, are rough rolling hills carved by long-done mining that left a delectable playground for paramotor tree...
