by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment
I don’t want life to become a journey to the grave, arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather a broadside skid with a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and hooting “What a Ride!” Paraphrased from Hunter S. Thomspons,...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Critical Thinking, Entertainment
Look at her. They say Romans were ahead of their time. I guess so. OK, I wasn’t actually in rome. As of 2019 I’ve never been. but when a friend, Micah Escobedo, posted this picture on his social media and I couldn’t resist. Given how much we hear...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment
You know it’s a bad day in computerville when this message appears. The frustrometer had pegged after losing work so I took a picture with my phone and let loose on Photoshop. A small piece of revenge, with no real effect, but it’s my tiny little scream at...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment
Someone commented on the little list of sayings and, when I took another look, this image came to mind so I went about putting something together. Yes, of course I should be doing something else, namely finishing up marketing materials for the next PPG Bible edition....
by Glen Boyd | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment
Canadian Paramotor pilot Glen Boyd serves as the answer man This past weekend I had my first opportunity to attend a hot-air balloon festival (Sussex, N.B., Canada) as part of a PPG group. It was a small field, so only the local PPG instructor, Frank Savignac, and...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment
As of version of Google Earth 7.2 there is a Flight Simulator. It may not be apparent if you’ve never used it but read on. If under the “Tools” menu there is no “Enter Flight Simulator” selection, enter “Lilienthal” in the...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Critical Thinking, Entertainment
Compiled by Bob Schroeck, Modified by Others Agnosticism – What is this shit? Agnosticism – May be shit but, then again, maybe not. Altruism – Want some shit? Altruism – Let me give you my shit. Americanism – Who gives a shit?...
by Jeff Goin | May 5, 2019 | Entertainment, Log: Helicopter
Submitted by fellow helo pilot John Phillips In 1998 I set out to satisfy my long suppressed desire fly a helicopter. That “discovery flight” went so well that I wound signing up for and then earning my private helicopter license. Bad move. Within 6 months...
by Jeff Goin | May 4, 2019 | 06: Adding Wheels
Wheels are great for conquering the still-air launch blues, but what about once you’re airborne? They don’t do much good there and, for some, get in the way. So Jack Woods decided to do something about it. We don’t have the details but it’s...
by Jeff Goin | May 4, 2019 | 23: Motor & Propeller, Mx: Motor
Estimate the percentage of ethanol in pump gas, courtesy Conoco, Inc and EAA.org. See also All About Fuel. Most paramotor pilots use pump gas as opposed to avgas. In all likelihood, that means you’re getting alcohol, specifically ethanol, in your fuel. How much...
by Jeff Goin | May 4, 2019 | 23: Motor & Propeller, Mx: Motor
Extracting this much power from such tiny, lightweight motors, requires great care. The following will help you to make the most intelligent fuel choices for your favorite propulsion. Excerpted from Group K Technical Documents. See also Alcohol in Fuel, Does AvGas...
by Jeff Goin | May 4, 2019 | 20: Competition
Here are just some ideas for fun competitions created to decrease risk if the event is flown over land. The following requirements are meant to keep using pilot’s bodies. This would be tough for most competition pilots who fly uncertified wings at super high...
by Jeff Goin | May 3, 2019 | 08: the Law, 09: Airspace
Is It Legal to fly in Charted Wilderness Areas? Related: Who Owns the Air? | Criminal Violation Flying Over Park I was working on the airspace video section that deals with wilderness areas — those lines with blue dots as shown at right — and thought it...
by Jeff Goin | May 3, 2019 | 08: the Law, 09: Airspace
When Airport Managers Don’t Want Us by Scott Adair | Banning at Marion, OH? Yes and no. No if they are private and the owner says so, Yes if they have accepted federal grant money but with caveats. The basic tenet is, “you’re accepting federal money...
by Jeff Goin | May 2, 2019 | Log: Enterprise
Enterprise A – Enterprise B – Enterprise C These are the various “Enterprise” paramotorhomes. Life’s short, live high, leave people better than you found ’em! Powered paragliding has provided a life-changing interest in flying with...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | 16: Precision Flying, 18: Advanced Maneuvers, 19: Risk & Safety
When the “ship” hist the fan, don’t have a cow. Lest say you’re flying along in light chop when, out of nowhere, wham! You get whacked by some nasty piece of wild air. Feeling like a helpless marionette under a mischievous puppeteer, you...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | Advanced Landings, Advanced Launching
Sometimes, they just look bad A tight, even curvy launch area can look daunting but, for someone able to steer their launch run, it’s no more dangerous than a wide-open site. The key is being able to steer your launch run and know that the area is wide enough....
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety, Advanced Landings
What a useful skill it is to be able to land where you want without power. Pilots of all craft recognize the importance being able to put it down after thrust stops thrusting. We PPGers are lucky in just how small of a place we can alight, even landing on tiny targets...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety, Log: Enterprise
Click here for Stretching Glide to Shore, Road or Point While planning the Panama Canal flight an interesting subject came up regarding selection of altitude. We all know that the higher you go, the farther you can glide. This flight had one portion that followed a...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | 13: Flying Cross Country, 19: Risk & Safety, Advanced Landings
Chapter 19 Situational Emergencies | Stretching Glide Story Having the motor quit is no big deal if you’ve got a good landing option. Sometimes, though, even the best plans leave you needing to stretch your glide. The PPG bible covers this in nicely but...
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 | May 1, 2019 | Entertainment
Here are images just for the hell of it. Noncommercial use is OK, otherwise please ask permission via email at contact. Graphic Illustration Paramotor...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety
“I’ve been in the water several times, it’s not so bad” is like saying “I played Russian Roulette several times, it wasn’t that bad.” The reality is that going into the water, even shallow water, without automatic flotation...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | Propeller Safety
Passive starting safety for paramotor pilots, thanks to Randy Bridge It’s inspiring to see pilots making this sport safer while realizing that choices will be made. Such was the case of Randy Bridge who implemented an idea that will work with essentially any...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | 28: Accessories, Propeller Safety
Pap has a cool idea for their clutched machines. It was probably made to prevent the prop from free spinning during transport, but it can also provide some protection during start. Just like the “Rope Trick,” leave the prop cover on while starting. If the...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | Propeller Safety
This is a variation of the original “Prop Stopper” by Francesco DeSantis. Hands, limbs, and heads get mutilated at an depressing rate and experienced pilots seem to be the most at risk, probably because of complacency. Clutched machines are no safer than...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | Accident Reports, Propeller Safety
A horrible accident happened while a pilot was walking with his paramotor. It was idling but, at some point, possibly after powering up to warm it up, the throttle stuck at a high power and he lost his footing, falling mostly sideways then face down. It went to nearly...
by Jeff Goin | May 1, 2019 | Propeller Safety
For clutch equipped machines | Rope Trick II another version As we’ve covered, props eat body parts on a regular basis. Clutched machines are no better since, although the prop may not spin at idle, it sure spins up fast at throttle-up. Further, the fact that a...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | 18: Advanced Maneuvers, 19: Risk & Safety
It looks dangerous for a reason! Phil Russman and I fly powered paragliders (and just paragliders) together a lot. We’ve become rather comfortable working in close proximity—to the point where we can do it consistently and smoothly. It started with camera work...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | Accident Reports
Thermally conditions dump experienced PPG pilot A mid-day sojourn in moderate winds went sour for one high-time paramotorist resulting in a nearly disastrous impact. Surprisingly, the pilot walked (probably limped) away. At 20 feet or so while landing, a quick...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | Accident Reports
On Friday evening, several hours after I had left, tragedy struck when Richard Biggerstaff (right) was, according to two witnesses, doing a spiral from which he hit the ground. There was a small post-impact fire that was extinguished almost right away. Another pilot...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | Accident Reports
This enforces how surprisingly dangerous tree “landings” can be Sherburne Country Sheriff, 45°25’10.16″N – 94° 1’6.58″W. It was covered in Brainerd Dispatch CLEAR LAKE — A 54-year-old Brainerd man died Saturday after he...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | 19: Risk & Safety
How Safety relates to Experience Experience gives you the potential for greater safety. You can either spend that margin on flying more often, or in a wider variety of conditions, or spend it on safety—flying in the same conditions but with wider margins. It’s...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | Accident Reports
The lessons in this captivating and sad story could save my life, maybe yours, too. A hiker got lost in the woods and faced a cold night in deteriorating weather. This is the story of a helicopter rescue gone horribly wrong. It is a powerful reminder of forces that...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | 23: Motor & Propeller
This is one of the most confusing aspects of paramotor dynamics. Here are the basics: Various torque effects conspire to twist your body left (belt drive), redirecting thrust that now pushes your body left, which causes the wing to bank right like in the illustration...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | 05: First Flights, 22: Aerodynamics, 23: Motor & Propeller
If you remember one thing about Loaded Riser Twist, it should be: At liftoff, if the wing is leaning right, your body will tend to twist left. Thrust will push your body more left, aggravating torque twisting effects It isn’t related to torque directly but it...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | 04: First Flight Prep
One of the more common paramotor crashes happens because of torque twist. At least one has been fatal. So what to do? First and foremost practice what to do if it starts: Reduce power, reduce brakes. It’s better to land straight ahead or with minor turns than it...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | Accident Reports
One of the sport’s more common control-related accident types See also Understanding Paramotor Torque, Fixing Torque By Hand At this point he has twisted 90 degrees to the wing, looking towards his right hand, and still under power. This is the natural torque...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | 15: Advanced Ground Handling, Accident Reports
Playing around cost me my first-ever hospital admission After 2 days of flying my brains out at Glammis Dunes we headed down to Pilot Knob, the Dune’s southern reach and site of a single mountain protruding unnaturally through the dust. It also has some...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | Accident Reports, Propeller Safety
It happens to even the most conscientious. Thanks to this pilot who had the balls to share his horrific experience so that others will hopefully avoid a similar fate. The pilot writes: I would like to begin with a little history of my background to help emphasize...
