What is powered paragliding?
Powered paragliding also called paramotoring or PPG is exciting new sport
that allows people to fly with the least amount of training, equipment and money
required. If you want to fly like a bird this type of aviation is for you .
Is powered paragliding safe?
Just like any other sport, there is some risk involved. The amount of risk
associated with PPG is about as much a one takes riding motorcycle. Proper
instruction and training will ensure safe and pleasurable flights.
Do I need a license to fly powered paragliders?
Yes, in Canada a license is necessary. Only 5 hours of flight time is
required along with 30 take offs and landings.
How long does it take to get PPG trained?
The average student will complete the practical requirements in 7-10 days of
powered paragliding training.
Can I take-off on a flat surface or do I need hill or
mountain?
No need for hill or mountain. Any large grass field will do for powered
paragliding flights.
Can I take-off on my own?
Yes.
What distance do I need to take-off and land?
Usually between 20 -50 feet for take-off and about 20-30 feet for spot
landing.
At what altitude can I fly?
You can fly you powered paraglider 10 feet off the ground or at 12.000 feet. It
is up to you, but make sure you comply with local air traffic regulations.
How fast powered paraglider flies?
From 25 – 60 km/h.
What is the maximum winds I can fly in?
Winds should not exceed 20 km/h when flying powered paragliders.
How far can I go on powered paraglider?
It depends on your paramotor model. Approximately 100 km if you have to land
back where you took off. Much more if you fly down wind.
What do I do if the motor stops?
You glide down for landing. Most landings are done without power for safety
reasons anyway.
What if I am not strong enough to carry paramotor on my
back?
You can attach the paramotor to light weight trike (chassis with 3 wheels)
and instead of carrying the weight you will sit in the aircraft on take off.
Can I fly powered paraglider during winter months?
Yes you can, but you better bundle up. It is cold.
Is the paramotor easy to transport?
Our propeller cages are designed to be dismantled into 4 parts in
approximately 5 minutes. You can easily transport your paramotor in the trunk or
back seat of your car.
Do I need airport to store my personal aircraft?
No.... garage, shed, room closet will do.
Powered paragliding also called paramotoring or PPG is exciting new sport
that allows people to fly with the least amount of training, equipment and money
required. If you want to fly like a bird this type of aviation is for you .
Is powered paragliding safe?
Just like any other sport, there is some risk involved. The amount of risk
associated with PPG is about as much a one takes riding motorcycle. Proper
instruction and training will ensure safe and pleasurable flights.
Do I need a license to fly powered paragliders?
Yes, in Canada a license is necessary. Only 5 hours of flight time is
required along with 30 take offs and landings.
How long does it take to get PPG trained?
The average student will complete the practical requirements in 7-10 days of
powered paragliding training.
Can I take-off on a flat surface or do I need hill or
mountain?
No need for hill or mountain. Any large grass field will do for powered
paragliding flights.
Can I take-off on my own?
Yes.
What distance do I need to take-off and land?
Usually between 20 -50 feet for take-off and about 20-30 feet for spot
landing.
At what altitude can I fly?
You can fly you powered paraglider 10 feet off the ground or at 12.000 feet. It
is up to you, but make sure you comply with local air traffic regulations.
How fast powered paraglider flies?
From 25 – 60 km/h.
What is the maximum winds I can fly in?
Winds should not exceed 20 km/h when flying powered paragliders.
How far can I go on powered paraglider?
It depends on your paramotor model. Approximately 100 km if you have to land
back where you took off. Much more if you fly down wind.
What do I do if the motor stops?
You glide down for landing. Most landings are done without power for safety
reasons anyway.
What if I am not strong enough to carry paramotor on my
back?
You can attach the paramotor to light weight trike (chassis with 3 wheels)
and instead of carrying the weight you will sit in the aircraft on take off.
Can I fly powered paraglider during winter months?
Yes you can, but you better bundle up. It is cold.
Is the paramotor easy to transport?
Our propeller cages are designed to be dismantled into 4 parts in
approximately 5 minutes. You can easily transport your paramotor in the trunk or
back seat of your car.
Do I need airport to store my personal aircraft?
No.... garage, shed, room closet will do.
PPG your personal aircraft
Paramotoring is the newest and latest development in ultralight foot-launched air sports. The entire aircraft will actually fit in the trunk of your car! This is an exhilarating yet simple way to aviate, also being the easiest powered aircraft you can learn to fly. With minimal training by aviation standards, you can enjoy the incredible experience of flying anytime the weather is calm.
The small, lightweight engine drives a propeller and the entire unit is strapped to your back with a harness that allows you to fly beneath a standard paragliding wing. Combining a paraglider with a backpack engine allows you to fly from level ground, without the need for hills, mountains, wind, thermals or a tow rope. Foot-launching and landing also allows you to operate on virtually any type of terrain, such as wet sand, tall grassy fields, bumpy and rocky slopes, or anywhere else that using a wheeled aircraft would be impossible.
Paragliding itself has developed into a popular aviation sport in the last 12 years. It has its roots in hang gliding, but without the rigid structure, being easier to learn, lighter in weight, and most importantly can be carried in a backpack. Canopy design over the last couple of years has seen an amazing amount of progress, combining higher performance with increased safety.
Paragliders are typically flown from a hill or mountain, with the pilot seeking lift to stay aloft for a 'soaring' flight. Without the rising air produced by thermals or wind deflecting off the ridge, the glider and pilot simply descend slowly until reaching theground. Towing with a winch will also allow pilots to gain altitude briefly, but the lift must still be found to maintain altitude for an extended period. With the paramotor disconnected, you can use your wing with a standard harness to fly from hills, ridges or mountains, joining the thousands of people who already enjoy this unique sport throughout the world.
With a paramotor, the flight can be extended for as long as your fuel lasts! A paramotor is a fair weather machine, and flying in strong or gusty winds or other bad weather conditions is not recommended. On a mild weather day, you can step into flight, gain altitude and cover incredible distances with your paramotor. Climb away from the ground to a couple thousand feet, switch the motor off, and enjoy the glide. Your paramotor can be restarted in flight when needed to continue flying.
Paramotoring, or powered paragliding (PPG) is absolutely the most accessible form of aviation available to the public.These motors are the most powerful, yet low maintenance aircraft engines you will find. They are rugged, reliable and easy to use. There is no easier way to fly than paragliding, and with the addition of the paramotor, well, the sky is not the limit ,is your playground !
Which size paramotor?
The maximum glide ratio (lift/drag) of your glider is the same ratio of weight/thrust needed to fly level. Remember the cage will reduce your paraglider's maximum glide ratio. So a typical total flying weight of 120 kg with a 6:1 paraglider requires 20 kg of thrust to maintain flight. Obviously temperature, pressure, altitude, humidity and optimistic manufacturers' figures affect this theoretical equation.
Manufacturers will certainly carry on developing the impossible compromise of weight/power/cost/fuel economy to the limit. However it is prudent to settle for a well-proven, well-tested system. Some manufacturers will experiment with new ideas or components directly into their production lines, without a test program, waiting for the phone to ring to see which idea works and which doesn't.
Which paraglider?
Most paragliders are suitable for paramotoring, with a few notable exceptions. However, a canopy which is easy to inflate is essential.
The biggest misconception is that you need a larger paraglider. Traditionally, paragliders have a very narrow certified weight range as sink rate is dictated by canopy size. AFNOR load tests allow a weight range with a ratio of 1.3 max/min, which would for instance be: 100 to 130 kg all up weight. The glider must then resist 8G, 8 x 130 kg = 1040 kg. Often the tested paragliders go well over the required load.
If your paramotor took you 20 kg over the weight limit, you would have come down to 7G giving plenty of reserve. When winching with a 100 kg pull , you could come down to 4.5G, and yet winching is accepted as safe on these terms. All these theoretical measurements apply to a brand new canopy. Ageing materials must have an effect on overall strength.
Another argument to demonstrate how one can fly safely well over the recommended weight range: some manufacturers use extrapolation between the various canopy sizes, meaning the larger size is an exact model of the smaller size but with every part larger, as opposed to adding more cells. With extrapolated models, manufacturers use the same number of cells and lines of same thickness, whichever the size.
Like in all powered activities, speed is everything and a smaller canopy will not only facilitate ground handling but also increase ground speed and range. In practise, the paraglider which you use for paragliding is the one you should use for paramotoring.
The maximum glide ratio (lift/drag) of your glider is the same ratio of weight/thrust needed to fly level. Remember the cage will reduce your paraglider's maximum glide ratio. So a typical total flying weight of 120 kg with a 6:1 paraglider requires 20 kg of thrust to maintain flight. Obviously temperature, pressure, altitude, humidity and optimistic manufacturers' figures affect this theoretical equation.
Manufacturers will certainly carry on developing the impossible compromise of weight/power/cost/fuel economy to the limit. However it is prudent to settle for a well-proven, well-tested system. Some manufacturers will experiment with new ideas or components directly into their production lines, without a test program, waiting for the phone to ring to see which idea works and which doesn't.
Which paraglider?
Most paragliders are suitable for paramotoring, with a few notable exceptions. However, a canopy which is easy to inflate is essential.
The biggest misconception is that you need a larger paraglider. Traditionally, paragliders have a very narrow certified weight range as sink rate is dictated by canopy size. AFNOR load tests allow a weight range with a ratio of 1.3 max/min, which would for instance be: 100 to 130 kg all up weight. The glider must then resist 8G, 8 x 130 kg = 1040 kg. Often the tested paragliders go well over the required load.
If your paramotor took you 20 kg over the weight limit, you would have come down to 7G giving plenty of reserve. When winching with a 100 kg pull , you could come down to 4.5G, and yet winching is accepted as safe on these terms. All these theoretical measurements apply to a brand new canopy. Ageing materials must have an effect on overall strength.
Another argument to demonstrate how one can fly safely well over the recommended weight range: some manufacturers use extrapolation between the various canopy sizes, meaning the larger size is an exact model of the smaller size but with every part larger, as opposed to adding more cells. With extrapolated models, manufacturers use the same number of cells and lines of same thickness, whichever the size.
Like in all powered activities, speed is everything and a smaller canopy will not only facilitate ground handling but also increase ground speed and range. In practise, the paraglider which you use for paragliding is the one you should use for paramotoring.
