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 | About
The long and winding road to writing a book Ever since I’ve been able, I’ve enjoyed finding solutions to problems rather than just complaining about them. If something had room for improvement, I would rather suggest or build the solution than whine about its...
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 | Political
Humans have made their mark. How much, how bad will it get and how irreversible is it? It’s a bummer this has to be categorized under “Political” but that’s our reality. Evidence is clear that our planet is warming. It’s also pretty clear...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 19, 2019 | Political
Are there too many humans? Will there soon be? Overpopulation is a hot topic among many and it could have dire consequences. But is it possible that more humans may also be the only hope earthly life has? Human population has exploded, to be sure. Peace is one of our...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 19, 2019 | Critical Thinking, Political
The top 20 Logical Fallacies in Alphabetical order. Courtesy TheSkepticsGuide.com | See also Wikipedia 1. Ad hominem An ad hominem argument attempts to counter another’s claims or conclusions by attacking the person rather than addressing the argument itself....
by Jeff Goin | Apr 19, 2019 | Political
Article from the Wall Street Journal: June 23, 2007 by Sadanand Dhume Another Friday in Peshawar, Quetta and Karachi — and as if on cue, the hoarse, bearded and pyromaniacal pour out of mosques into the streets armed with Union Jacks and effigies of Queen Elizabeth...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 19, 2019 | Critical Thinking
So how do we know anything? Really KNOW? First, we realize that all knowledge comes in degrees of certainty. The highest certainty comes from using the best evidence. That’s number one for reliable knowledge: quality evidence. The best evidence is replicable...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 19, 2019 | Entertainment, Political
Critical look at paragliding vs smoking For the users, it’s fun. But it increases your risk of health problems, costs money, and there’s a small chance others can be affected. Of course I’m talking about powered paragliding. But I could also be...
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 | Political
The System Is Broke, What to do? Sorry for this digression from paramotoring—every now and then I feel the need to vent. Regardless of your health care leaning, there are some things that most people will probably agree on with a little thought. For starters, too...
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 18, 2019 | Political
Originally published Feb 2004 in Powered Sport Flying Magazine Do you need to be rich to fly? Unfortunately, by most measures, yes. By world standards, just having a warm place to sleep, clean water, food and electricity qualifies for being rich, and car ownership is...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 18, 2019 | Political
Powered Paraglider Marketers throw ethics to the wind and appeal to the gullible. Beware! While looking for information on products that are getting reviewed I came across something that made me laugh. A sad laugh, though. It highlights why internet claims are so...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 18, 2019 | Critical Thinking, Political
Science-based medicine looks at Artificial Sweeteners Anybody who knows me knows that I drink copious amounts of diet soda (now caffeine free). I’ve had people give me grief about how bad it was so I did some quick research. Turns out that there is probably no...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 18, 2019 | Political
This topic gets so politicized that it’s hard to discuss intelligently with some people. Don’t be those people. Listen. Think. Consider. Good arguments can be made for the responsible carrying of firearms. If I was in a mall when some lunatic came in...
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...
