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 16, 2019 | Log: Airline, Log: Enterprise
Before starting a 3-day work trip, I couldn’t resist the misty calm that called from outside. It would be a fine time to experience sunrise over Polk County and a welcome refresh. Not only because I hadn’t flown in a while, but because ground fog conspired...
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 11, 2019 | 07: Weather Basics, 24: Weather in Depth, Log: Airline
This afternoon, flying into Nashville, TN, I noticed these clouds. A quick look at the local weather showed strong, gusty winds out of the northwest–perpendincular to this band of clouds. Ahaa, this is a relatively mellow, dry cold front; there’s no...
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 | 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 22, 2019 | 06: Adding Wheels
After getting my tandem wheel launch rating in Feb, 2019, I’m looking for a rig. My primary goal is introducing prospective pilots to paramotoring, or to show interested pilots the finer points of control–both how much is there and then how to use it....
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 22, 2019 | 31: Traveling with Gear
This was at our hotel during the Bad Apples fly-in. It’s clever, well-implemented and seemed worthy of sharing. Of course it requires welding and steel cutting but capable humans without those abilities may be able to come up with clever substitutes. One caution...
by Jeff Goin | May 21, 2019 | Events
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to launch from a putting green? This fly-in is your answer. Owner Mac Hodges made his mark in Radio Controlville with one of the world’s largest hobby shops and flight parks. As one R/Cer put it, where else could you...
by Jeff Goin | May 17, 2019 | News
These are some of the media reports on our little sport. One interesting phenom of the last few years is the popularity of Tucker Gott’s Youtube channel. It’s not a general media outlet, but judging from his view counts, he reaches more eyeballs. The video...
by Jeff Goin | May 17, 2019 | Parapinions
My brother asked this question, “If you could do anything you want regarding education, what would you do?” This is a subject on which I’m passionate about given how I spend copious amounts of time trying to make really effective training products....
by Jeff Goin | May 17, 2019 | Political
This sucks. Phil at Lite Touch Films reports that someone stole a wing through nefarious means. If you’re selling a wing, just because a credit card order goes through, it doesn’t mean all is well. Be careful. To make matters worse, it appears that the...
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 15, 2019 | Communications
Besides being a former PPG instructor, Robin Rumbolt is an electronics guru who used to do helmet repairs and has worked with several different radios. He has offered a few tips while acknowledging there are other good systems out there that he simply hasn’t had...
by Jeff Goin | May 15, 2019 | Mx: Motor, Mx: Troubleshooting
Notes and references to this specific engine. There is a wealth of information on Black Devil motors at AeroCorsair.com. Links are listed here for convenience. See also the Chapter 12 article on Getting Parts. Carburetor | Redrive Bearing Replacement | Overall List...
by Jeff Goin | May 15, 2019 | Mx: Motor
While in Panama, far away from spare heads and helicoils, my spark plug came partially unscrewed. I found out when I went to remove it and encountered enormous resistance. Thankfully it didn’t blow all the way out but id did damage the threads. I could neither...
by Jeff Goin | May 15, 2019 | Mx: Motor
Thanks to Dan Clarke, Contraphioneer I’ve had the kill switch fail to stop the motor on more than one occasion after the motor had been running hard. Judging from the response I got from asking about it on the internet groups, many people have this problem with...
by Jeff Goin | May 15, 2019 | Mx: Troubleshooting
Resources for some common Simonini paramotor engines 2011 Mar 31 Thanks to Dan Clarke for information on correcting some Simonini issues and general information. 2007 Oct 2 Thanks to Adam Bell for the genesis and initial information on this page. This information is...
by Jeff Goin | May 15, 2019 | Entertainment, Log: Life
Talk about squirrels. Have you ever looked at Google maps in satellite view and noticed the “3D” button? Push it and marvel. In even moderately sized metro areas it brings up gorgeous 3D renditions of everything. Everything! Trees, cars, houses, huts,...
by Jeff Goin | May 15, 2019 | 09: Airspace, 10: Flying Anywhere, Events
If you’re flying an ultralight into OSH it is mandatory to consult the current year’s NOTAM. This is merely an aid that overlays the 2017 procedures onto Google maps. Consider calling the NOTAM-listed phone number for ultralights before committing to find...
by Jeff Goin | May 15, 2019 | 08: the Law
FAR 103 | AC 103 | Preamble to 103 | FAR 91 for Ultralights U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Circular Administration Subject: THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE Date: 1/30/84 AC No: AC 103-7 Initiated by: AF0-820 |Titles have been altered slightly for clarity...
by Jeff Goin | May 15, 2019 | 08: the Law
Be Careful Who You Buzz or Chase. Thanks to Ken Morrison Who hasn’t followed an animal for at least a brief time. For one thing, it’s almost surreal to fly with other birds but we have to admit that it’s not likely they reciprocate those feelings....
by Jeff Goin | May 14, 2019 | 08: the Law, 09: Airspace, Recent
Related: Criminal Violation for Flying Over Park? | Law Enforcement Run Amok: Glider Pilot Detained for “Loitering” | When Courts & Judges Get it Wrong Air may be everywhere, but like most aspects of life, it gets regulated. Sometimes municipalities or...
by Jeff Goin | May 14, 2019 | 08: the Law, 10: Flying Anywhere
Unfortunately, no, it’s Probably Not Legal To Fly From There Even if you have permission from the landowner, it may well not be legal for you to fly. Nobody will likely care, but if they do, there is probably a law. Many counties prohibit flying from anything...
by Jeff Goin | May 14, 2019 | 08: the Law, 09: Airspace
Hang Gliding or Paragliding Near Airliners at Burbank Airport Questions were raised by a long time hang glider pilot about increased sightings of jets crossing their popular soaring site, Sylmar. It’s about 12 miles northwest of Burbank Airport in CA and has...
by Jeff Goin | May 14, 2019 | 09: Airspace, 10: Flying Anywhere
At airports with Class E Surface area like the one depicted above, you need permission to fly there and inside the dashed magenta lines. These phone numbers may help although the best way is to call Flight Service (1800wxBrief) who will have the correct number or...
by Jeff Goin | May 14, 2019 | 23: Motor & Propeller, 27: The Motor Unit, Mx: Harness Setup
To fully understand the many harness permutations and terminology, check out Harness Systems. Of many harness and motor adjustments, setting the proper motor hang angle affects far more than comfort. As covered in Chapter 12, correct setup can make or break launches...
by Jeff Goin | May 14, 2019 | 27: The Motor Unit, Mx: Motor
When troubleshooting motor problems it’s handy to understand how the various systems work. Fortunately ignition is quite reliable and rarely causes problems beyond the spark plug. This may help when it does. Basic Coil Description A correctly timed spark is the...
by Jeff Goin | May 14, 2019 | Mx: Motor
How to tell your motor’s condition through it’s most tortured moving part The piston can reveal much about your motor’s condition. Besides showing how well the motor is “tuned,” it can show whether a catastrophic failure is imminent....
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 13, 2019 | 27: The Motor Unit, Electric Paramotor, News
The latest happenings in the world of Electrics OpenPPG.com is the latest in electric paramotors. And it’s a completely different animal with a completely different method of distribution. I flew Rob Catto’s and talked with one of the two brothers who...
by Jeff Goin | May 13, 2019 | 34: Cool Places to Fly
Location: East of Syracuse, NY. Check out full details here on AirNav. N42°59’35” W075°54’42” | Elevation 1301′ MSL Basic Description: Large grassy field with mowed runway. Weather: Warm in the summer, snowy and cold in the winter....
by Jeff Goin | May 13, 2019 | Resources
These shops advertise inspection and repair for any model wing they can get lines and dimensions for. Generally, wing manuals with line lengths are available online. If your wing model is old enough, and they can’t find line lengths, they may not be able to do a...
by Jeff Goin | May 13, 2019 | Log: Hang Glider
Beautiful weather lured me aloft for a quickie around home. As usual, I checked out Fantasy of Flight and the nearby expanse. The Hang Glider So I had just finished flying a POWERED hang glider. While driving just past Fantasy of Flight, I noticed something in the sky...
by Jeff Goin | May 13, 2019 | Mx: Motor, Resources
These shops or individuals work on paramotors for pay. Some extremely helpful folks, like Lance Marczak, do it for the sheer pleasure of helping people, but they can only do so in their spare time when it’s convenient. If you know of a shop that works on...
by Jeff Goin | May 13, 2019 | Entertainment
An adventure. A beautifully rendered story that happens to involve powered paragliding. No longer available: preserved for historical value. Bound For Glory 70 minutes, DVD in Slimline Case It had never been done before. Against the advice of experts, a team of...
by Jeff Goin | May 12, 2019 | Business & Website
Policy for shipping outside the United States We are very grateful for your international business! Unfortunately, since everything goes out via the US Post Office (including International Priority), we’re at their mercy. About 1 in 25 international orders gets...
by Jeff Goin | May 12, 2019 | Entertainment
This 2002, action packed expose shows what the late Bob Armond was able to pull off on a very public beach in Southern California. See some of the stalwarts of our then-young sport having a ball at one of the country’s first large beach gatherings. See rebel hot...
