A Message From BlackHawk’s CEO:
Mike Robinson – Owner
USPPA FL & WL Instructor #2301
“Training is where your Powered Paragliding adventure begins! We have hand-selected all our Staff and hold them to the highest standards in the industry. Our highly-qualified team of Certified Powered Paragliding Instructors provide the safest and most inclusive training environment available. If you would like an Instructor to contact you directly, please visit our contact page to get started.
Meet BlackHawk’s INSTRUCTION TEAM
Mike Gambrill
(541) 999-1396
Heidi Lee
(209) 481-0493
HEAD INSTRUCTOR MIKE GAMBRILL:
Mike Gambrill has dedicated much of his life to the pursuit of flight and sharing his extensive knowledge with others. In fact, he has over 30 years of Aviation experience. He is undeniably one of the most knowledgeable and skilled Paramotor Mechanics in the business. His unwavering commitment to safety and total attention to detail makes him very a valuable to asset to BlackHawk’s Team. We are very lucky to have him here. Our customers love him too! Mike is a natural teacher and has a gift for explaining things in a memorable, easy-to-understand way. This makes him a phenomenal Powered Paragliding Instructor too. He is certified with the United States Powered Paragliding Associatioon (USPPA) as a Tandem Wheel-Launch Instructor and Foot-Launch Instroctor. He’s also holds a P4 Certification through the United States Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association. Mike’s background includes a career of Military service in the US Army. During his time in the Military, he has earned an A&P License, a EASA Maintenance License, and has serviced some of the most exciting aircraft in the sky today. Mike Gambrill’s eclectic experience as a Certified Instructor AND Mechanic allows him to guide Paramotor students through the most comprehensive training course the sport has to offer. If you are looking for the very best training out there, you just found it.
“The look on a student’s face after their first flight is a constant reminder for me of how important this experience is to others. It’s rewarding to be a part of something so profound in people’s lives and to know they will never forget this experience. BlackHawk’s dedication to the sport is aligned with mine and it’s a great fit.”
-Mike Gambrill-
—P4 Advanced Certification Through the USHPA
—Tandem Wheel-Launch Instructor Through the USPPA
—Foot-Launch Instructor Through the USPPA
—A & P License / EASA License / Maintenance (EU)
Phone: 541-999-1396
Email: Team@BlackHawkParamotor.com
PPG INSTRUCTOR HEIDI LEE:
Heidi Lee, or “Fly-In Heidi,” brings over 15 years coaching experience to the table. Her knack for connecting with students and easy-to-understand teaching methods have produced some amazingly skilled pilots over the years. Heidi has become a well-known and accomplished pilot in the Powered Paragliding Community. Her undying dedication and love for the sport has motivated many women to venture into the sport. After gaining skills as a Paramotor pilot, Heidi went on to learn Free-Flight in an effort to expand her knowledge and teaching experience. One of her most recent students commented: “There are many great “practitioners” out there, but finding a “true teacher of the way” is far and few between in any sport. Heidi made me feel comfortable, confident, and I came out of the training with an amazing new friend!” Heidi spends much of her time traveling the States and challenging herself by flying in a variety of conditions. She has helped organize some of the largest Powered Paragliding events in the US and manages the office at BlackHawk Paramotors USA. Her intimate involvement in the industry and extensive product knowledge make her an encyclopedia of Paramotor information.
The team of Instructors at BlackHawk all work together to produce the best student possible. Heidi takes students through the ropes of ground-handling the glider (or kiting), and the majority of the syllabus. She has logged hundreds of hours doing so. Once a student has reached a certain level of skill and ready for such things like the tow machine or their first flight, she teams up with the other Instructors for a “group-effort first flight.” This kind of personal, one-on-one approach to training, has become a signature characteristic of the BlackHawk training model and a big reason why students chose us over other schools.
“Teaching in any type of capacity has been a part of my nature since I was younger… There’s something about teaching people to fly that is unlike anything else. I get to be a part of fulfilling people’s dream of flight, and that’s a wonderful feeling. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else!”
-Heidi Lee-