Disclaimer & Warning About Paramotoring, Paramotor Equipment, and Training:
Powered Paragliding, as with any form of flight, carries potential risks including personal injury, property damage, or death. This sport can be as safe or as dangerous as you choose to make it. All Equipment is not intended for acrobatic or competitive use, in any way, shape or form. Do not purchase equipment or participate in this sport unless you are prepared to personally assume ALL risks. We require you receive professional training from a QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR before you attempt to assemble, start, use or fly your Paramotor / Powered Paragliding equipment. Self-training greatly increases your chances of equipment and physical damage or death. Beware of purchasing used equipment, Do it Yourself kits, PPG Plans, or anything for sale on online auction sites at under market prices. ALL participation in this sport is at your own risk.
I’ve only been flying since April of 2009. Before then I had been collecting information on all the paramotors out there, and I still have that folder. Just to be clear, I had been looking at powered paragliders for 7 freaking years. That gave me more than enough time to look all things over. Your right, I could have bought this one or I could have bought that one. Why did I go with ParaToys and BlackHawk? My decision rested on the fact that their engines have a 2 year warrantee, they stand by their product, the engine is perfect on both takeoffs and landings. Why? At every level possible the engine runs smooth as can be. When I want power, it’s there to respond quickly and I’m a big guy at 240 pounds. I haven’t had a single problem yet in the over 30 flights that I’ve logged so far. Recently I added an additional 2 gal tank, cross countries are a blast, especially when you can trust your engine. I opted to go with the quad unit known as the, BlackHawk LowBoy II. I’m just one that doesn’t want to do that running around crap, especially when it’s dead calm. You would have to work a lot hard to tip this unit over. The fact that it’s light weight combined with the MZ-34 makes gaining altitude a breeze. Not all my landings have been perfect. In fact some of them have been down right ugly. the stability of the LowBoy II quad is unreal. OK, here it is, at one of the fly-ins I crash landed in a wood pile, bad judgment on my part. What damage was done to me and the cage or quad? none! Hope to see ya in the air, if not, maybe you should consider a BlackHawk.
Scott Daniels Sacramento, California
August 14, 2015
I’m sure my BlackHawk experience began similar to so many – I kept seeing a guy flying by my office window each week (over the ocean), and said to myself “that looks so easy, and so fun, I have to do this”!!! – so I started seriously looking into the sport.
My research kept leading me to BlackHawk Paramotors, as they seemed to meet (my) essentials requirements.
Training Facility – the BlackHawk Ranch is 100+ acres of beautiful pasture, surrounded by mountains and Hogan Lake – it’s a vacation experience just to be at their facility. Minimum distractions allow students to completely focus on the training program.
I would highly encourage new students to either rent a motor home or camp at the Ranch – maximize your training experience!
Dedicated (Qualified) Staff – I have led service organizations for 20+ years – and have very high standards for Customer Service. Mike, Heidi, Joe, Luis, Edwyn, these folks truly personify “world class customer service”.
Telephone calls (pre-sales) were promptly returned – my endless questions were patiently answered; every email and inquiry was answered to my satisfaction.
During the training process, Joe sensed my challenges and was calm and was very reassuring throughout.
I did solo on my 3rd day of training, and the 1st flight experience is one I’ll never forget, especially when you consider I flew straight up to 800’, then accidently killed the engine getting in my seat (common newbie mistake) – fortunately the BlackHawk 125 easily re-started, and I was allowed to continue the flight!
Service After the Sale. This is critical. The BlackHawk Team has been awesome in providing post-sales service. I’ve worked with them on several different wings, had a minor (engine) service issue that Luis and Edwyn worked diligently to resolve and get me back in the air. The service team is reliable, available, and totally professional – simply could not ask for more!
Additionally, BlackHawk maintains a (continuously updated) “Tips and Tricks” video library online – this material is comprehensive and very useful in refreshing my training and maintaining my equipment.
Product Performance.THE most critical aspect of our sport, “can I count on my gear”? The answer better be “YES”, your life depends on it!
I frequently fly with a small group (who fly larger, more costly non-BlackHawk gear) – and the running joke is “how many pulls will it take”? Everyone is amazed that my BlackHawk 125 tends to start on 1st or 2nd pull, time after time – while their engines take 6-8 pulls! Additionally, my BlackHawk 125 runs very cool – 335 degrees is common, while other engines exceed 400!
I have completed 61 flights, 18 of those being >20 mile over ocean cross-country – and not a single engine out!
Not once has my engine quit – in all that time – not a single blown launch (from equipment anyway) – this gear is ROCK SOLID!!!
One thing you’ll quickly discover when you take up this sport – is the constant attention and inquiries from bystanders – when you think about it, who among us hasn’t fantasized about personal flight – BlackHawk provides a solid, safe pathway from fantasy to reality.
I am often asked, “where do I begin”? My answer is “call Heidi Lee at BlackHawk, you won’t be sorry”!!!
