Tandem Paramotor Exemptions 2019!

TANDEM PARAMOTOR EXEMPTIONS 2019

We’ve had countless Paramotor Instructors ask us about TANDEM EXEMPTIONS for Paramotors. The USPPA and BlackHawk Paramotors USA are excited to announce the availability of a new Tandem Exemption. To learn more, click the links below. If you have any questions about this life-changing sport, BlackHawk is always here to help. Visit our contact page to get in touch with us right now!

TANDEM EXEMPTION DETAILS (Click Here)

FAA LETTER OF APPROVAL FOR USPPA (Click Here)

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Paramotor Spark Plug Color: What Does it Mean?

About This Guide:

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

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BlackHawk Represents PPG at International Aviation Industry Forum!

Over the past few years, BlackHawk Paramotors USA has been working hard with the Chinese Government to bring civil aviation / sport aviation to China! This could be a huge opportunity for the entire sport as a whole and allow thousands of additional people to realize their dream of becoming a Pilot! Up until recently, many different popular types of sport aircraft (including Powered Paragliders) weren’t available to the general public in China. After several trips to China and a very successful International Sports Aviation Industry Forum at EAA 2018, the project is moving forward! Over 250 flight clubs & flight centers have been given the green light to start operating in China.

The Chinese Government has taken great interest in BlackHawk’s products for two primary reasons: (1) They “want the reputation of quality associated with products MADE IN THE USA,” and (2) they want to work with an established company who has the best track-record of success, growth, and experience in this Industry.

FROM THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE:  “The theme of this forum is “Airworthiness Management of Experimental Aircraft” and “Operation Management of Aviation Sports Industry”. The forum focused on these two major themes, the first to speak was Secretary Ren Hongguo. Secretary first thanked the organizing committee for the invitation and fully affirmed the China-US aviation industry leaders to jointly exchange the development concepts and ideas of the China-US aviation movement. Secretary Li said that the Aero Sports Federation of China has been committed to promoting the development of China’s aviation sports industry and is committed to promoting exchanges and cooperation between aviation sports countries.”

“In 2017, China Aviation Association held the first World Flying Conference in Wuhan. WFE has created a number of firsts in terms of size, flight volume, and participation. Chairman Dan Johnson has high hopes for the development of China’s general aviation and aviation movements. Dan Johnson pointed out that “the cultivation of China’s aviation market should start with aviation education and training.” He raised a challenge to China’s aviation market. “I hope China can train 1 million pilots in the next five years”. Director Xu Chaoqun and Director Chen Hao introduced the procedure of China’s airworthiness certification to the guests in the fluent English and answered the questions about the opening of the US airspace to the Chinese airspace. The forum had frequent interactions and a warm atmosphere. It also involved many sensitive topics in the development of the general aviation and aviation sports industry in China and the United States. The chairman of the conference, Li Shudong pointed out that “this forum provides a rare opportunity for the leaders of the general aviation and aerospace industry in China and the United States to gather together for face-to-face exchanges. Through this forum, the international aviation sports companies will further understand the relevant policies and management measures of China’s general aviation and aviation movements, strengthen the confidence in the development of China’s general aviation and aviation sports industry, and understand the steps and paths to enter the Chinese market.”

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Where Are Velocity / BlackHawk Paragliders Made? (SOLVED)

So, where are Velocity Paragliders like the Edge, Core, Elektra, and Nitro made? Let’s settle an ongoing and somewhat ridiculous debate in the Powered Paragliding Community once and for all! Velocity Paragliders are (and have always been) made to the highest-standards in SOUTH KOREA! South Korea is well known (like Japan) for producing QUALITY products. For example, large companies like Samsung and LG are produced in South Korea. Sure, we pay quite a bit more to have our gliders made in South Korea, however, the unmatched quality of the final product and the ETHICAL treatment of the factory workers are important to us. Although we’ve been approached many times to have our products made elsewhere, BlackHawk owner Mike Robinson unequivocally refuses to go that route. Velocity gliders will never be made in a “sweatshop” where corners are cut to reduce price.

As many Pilots and beginners have noticed, this isn’t your average sport. There is a lot of information in the PPG Community that starts off as a “myth” and somehow gets blurred into the “truth” – especially on Social Media. Beginners will often read something opinionated or downright inaccurate, and without having a basis for comparison (fact checking), it’s easy to assume that the information is accurate. You might have heard the iconic humorous expression: “I read it on the internet so it must be true.” Over the years, we’ve seen countless competing Dealers and even Pilots who were under the assumption that our Paragliders were made in China. At first we thought this was a little funny, however, when potential customers started asking us about this when they called, we realized that this is a problem that needs addressed.

Where is YOUR Paramotor equipment made? You might be surprised to know that around 80% of glider Manufacturers DO in fact have their products made in countries like China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Sri Lanka! As we all know, where a product is manufactured makes a huge difference in overall quality. When you are researching the various options out there, make sure to ask the Manufacturer where all the components are made.

Why did BlackHawk and Velocity choose this specific company to make our gliders? BlackHawk has been in business for almost 2 decades now. As Manufacturers come and go in this sport, we wanted to make sure we went with a company who planned on sticking around to grow with us! The company that makes Velocity Paragliders is one of the largest, most established “Parachute Manufacturers” in the world. They were in the business of making Parachutes for many different applications when Powered Paragliding was still in its infancy. Their attention to detail, safety, and innovation was perfectly aligned with BlackHawk’s business model, so many years ago we flew the owners of the company out to our Headquarters in California. The relationship we established still thrives today and we couldn’t be happier with the quality of our Velocity products!

BlackHawk Paramotors USA takes a lot of pride in being a Domestic Powered Paragliding company. We go to great lengths to ensure ALL BlackHawk components are made to the highest standards. This includes our fully CNC’d engines from Spain, our Industry-leading gliders from South Korea, and many additional components which are made right here in the USA. Of course it would be a lot cheaper to have these components made in places like China, however, while other Manufacturers may go this route, BlackHawk refuses to cut corners. Quality always has, and always will take precedence over compromising our unwavering commitment to quality. This is one of the many reasons why BlackHawk sells more Paramotors than any other domestic Importer or Manufacturer!

We hope this article helps clear up some of the confusion as to where our gliders are made and why. If you are new to the sport, we highly recommend that you take your time doing your product research. We also recommend contacting Manufacturers directly to ensure the most accurate, up-to-date information. To help with this, BlackHawk has made several “Buyer’s Guide” videos which discuss some important considerations – regardless of which brand Paramotor you are interested in. You can find these videos below. Thanks for taking the time to learn more about BlackHawk and Velocity Paragliders USA. If you have any questions about this life-changing sport, BlackHawk is always here to help. CLICK HERE to contact us and remember: “Don’t believe everything you read online!”

(209) 786-7899

Stuck in Another Country With a Paramotor?

Last year, our Head Instructor Joe Cruz headed down to Panama to train a group of students. When this vehicle got stuck in the sand, it only made sense to put the Paramotor on the back of it and try to push it out right? Well, that didn’t work out quite as well as we wanted (lol)!

All joking aside, this was an amazing place for students to take their first flights! BlackHawk has one of the largest Dealer & Training Center networks in the world. If you live in another country and want to get a group of people together who are interested in Paramotor Lessons, our Instructors might be able to come to you! For more information please contact our Headquarters in California by calling (209) 786-7899. You can also reach our Head Instructor Joe directly by calling (707) 688-1100. “Blue skies” from all of us at Team BlackHawk!

(209) 786-7899

The Lost Coast of California… FOUND!

If you’ve never visited the Lost Coast of California, you are in for some of the most “unbelievably phenomenal rugged beauty the Country has to offer!” This area is a little too rugged for paved roads, making it the perfect area to explore with a BlackHawk Paramotor.

When the Pacific Coast Highway System was being build, engineers decided to go around this 100-mile section of the coastline – unable to tame the wild landscape. For those who dare to explore the Lost Coast, they will be rewarded with some of the most spectacular (and untouched) scenery in the US. Worth every bit of the effort!

One of our most-watched “Award-Winning Paramotor Adventure Videos” documents our Team Pilots as they explore this very area! Click the link below to see what their adventure was like!

EXPLORING THE LOST COAST VIDEO:

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Rise & Shine… It’s Time to Fly PPG!

Paramotor Training is where the whole adventure begins. Our students put in some serious hours each day to ensure they maximize their time with our Instructors. This isn’t just “a few hours a day.” This is a complete and comprehensive Training Program where every hour counts. We want to make sure that when a student leaves our supervision, they have all the skills to fly safely and with confidence!

As Head Instructor Joe Cruz puts it: “At the BlackHawk Ranch in California, the rooster doesn’t wake us up… We wake up the rooster with the sounds of motors warming up! We’re up early to start lessons and we finish when the sun goes down.”

Our Instructors work year-round to help people realize their dream of flight. If you are ready to start your next great adventure with us or have any questions about the sport, please contact our office by calling (209) 786-7899.

(209) 786-7899

10 Ways to FLY BEFORE YOU BUY a Paramotor With BlackHawk!

We understand that getting into the sport is a BIG investment for most people. We’ve seen quite a few posts on Social Media lately from people expressing their frustration with being “required to invest thousands into something they haven’t even tried yet.” Purchasing an entire Paramotor Package before getting the chance to explore the sport is (and should be) a concern for potential Pilots. At BlackHawk, we want to make sure that everyone can experience this life-changing form of flight without the “pressure to buy now.” We’ve even seen Dealers offer “free lessons,” while the price of training just gets rolled into the cost of purchasing gear (which is “required” to get the “free” lessons). This just isn’t the way BlackHawk does business. In fact, here’s 10 examples of ways people can get into the sport on their own terms:

1. Day Rate Lessons: If someone wants to just take lessons for a day, we have day-rates available and supply all the equipment at our Headquarters. Then, if someone decides to continue the class, we can just apply the day-rate funds into a full course. It’s a good way to get your feet wet and explore the sport before you commit.

2. Tandem Introductory Flights: If anyone wants to go for a ride to ensure they are comfortable before they invest, we can take care of them. Any money they spend on a Tandem flight will be credited towards the purchase of lessons or equipment if they think the sport is right for them.

3. We provide all the equipment during lessons! We know that not all of our Dealers have the equipment or facilities to provide this, but at our Headquarters or larger Training Centers, BlackHawk provides all the gear needed to train – included in the price of lessons. This means people don’t need to buy equipment prior to learning – OR, they don’t even need to by a BlackHawk if they want something else. As long as they are flying and safe, that’s all we care about =)

4. We offer huge Training Specials throughout the year. The discount is often large enough to cover airfare from anywhere in the Continental US! We can’t offer that all the time out of respect for our Dealers who have set Training prices and who rely on Training as a big part of their livelihood.

5. It’s FREE to stay at the BlackHawk Ranch… We have many students who will bring an RV, or just camp out at our California facility. There’s still a Hotel in town (that offers discounts to our students) in case people want that, but a lot of people will just stay right on the Flight Field.

6. Yes, we offer a large discount on lessons if the student purchases gear, but they don’t have to buy everything BEFORE they train. In fact, as long as a student buys gear within a few months of taking lessons, we still apply that discount to their equipment! This is again to ensure that people can take their time deciding, trying out gear, or saving up. Additionally, we have many students who will start out by purchasing a Paraglider, a Kiting Harness, and lessons so they can practice their ground-handling skills at home before they invest in a motor. Again, as long as they purchase the rest of the equipment in a reasonable time, we can still apply the discount given to those who purchase a Package Deal and lessons at the same time!

7. Supply and demand: The sport is still growing, and fast. As it grows, more Dealerships (of all brands) are starting to build up enough inventory to provide gear for lessons. We know it’s a huge investment for a startup Dealer to get several Foot-Launch units to accommodate all Pilot sizes, several gliders and sizes for people to demo, a Quad setup, a Trike setup, and a 4-Stroke for larger / tandem applications. Dealers could be looking at a $50,000+ investment on just gear to provide it to students during lessons. This is why we still see a lot of Dealers (of all brands) who still require students to purchase their equipment prior to Training. As a Manufacturer, we have a big advantage here, but we are seeing Dealers every day who invest in their business – taking things to the next level. The sport is growing exponentially, so we’re confident more people will provide what we already do =)

8. Breaking up the lessons into several trips… We know that a lot of people can’t take a whole week off of work to do this. We also allow Students to come and go until they complete the course. If they can only train on the weekends, or once a month, we can work that out… As long as it’s a “reasonable” amount of time in between lessons (for example, we don’t want students waiting 6 months or a year in between a day of lessons because they can forget things / get rusty).

9. BlackHawk does have financing available if people want to go that route, and here’s a great article that talks about some “creative ways to pay for a Paramotor” if people are interested: http://blackhawkparamotor.com/6697-2/

10. We also offer discounts to Military, Law Enforcement, Life Savers, or groups that want to take lessons together. BlackHawk Instructors can even travel to another country to train groups of students (which we’ve done many times), if the group is large enough to cover travel costs. We really do everything we can to bring people together in the name of Aviation, and to make this form of flight more accessible to everyone.

I hope this addresses some of the concerns you (and many other people getting into the sport) have. We are very easy-going at BlackHawk and just want people to fly. If you or anyone has suggestions that could make the Industry better, we’d LOVE to hear them. You can comment through Facebook or YouTube, call our office, email us, etc. We can all work together to help more people realize their lifelong dream of flight. It’s “all about the flying”… Nothing more, nothing less. We know some people have lost sight of that, but we really try to make it as easy as possible for our customers to experience the world of PPG =)

-Rob Whittaker, Team BlackHawk

OFFICE: (209) 786-7899
SALES: (209) 481-0493
LESSONS: (707) 688-1100
EMAIL: Team@BlackHawkParamotor.com

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Make Paraglider Kiting Fun… AGAIN!

Remember how exciting it was to kite your Glider for the first time? We’ve all had that “ah-ha! moment” when the glider finally starts doing exactly what we want it to! There’s also nothing like opening up a brand new glider and kiting it for the first time.

The next time the winds aren’t optimal, consider practicing your ground handling skills. Try sitting on the ground and kite (like Mike Robinson pictured above) and see if you can keep the glider hovering a few feet above the ground. Or, try it one-handed (like our Instructor Joe Cruz in the picture above). You can always organize a friendly “kiting war” competition (like we did at Salton Sea in the picture above) or design a “kiting obstacle course” to make it interesting! For many of our Pilots, kiting is like a form of meditation in a way – as it keeps us in the present moment.

Let us know what YOU do with your kite for fun on our Facebook Page by CLICKING HERE! If you don’t have a Kiting Harness yet, mention this article for FREE SHIPPING on the purchase of one. Blue skies!

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BlackHawk Dealer Highlight: Shawn & Tiffany Elder!

Hey everyone, my name is Shawn and here is a little bit about me. I have a beautiful wife Tiffany and we have a 10 year old daughter Haley Mae. We love being outdoors and hanging out with family and friends. We currently live in Keokuk, Ia and will be moving to Durant, Ok in December 2017. I am a USPPA certified powered paragliding instructor and will be training come January 2018. I received excellent training from Michael Mixed from Discovered Powered Paragliding and obtained my instructor certification and tandem rating from Francisco De Santis. During and after this time, I was assisting Mike with training at his facility where I learned a great deal of knowledge. I have traveled to Salt Lake City to do a SIV/maneuver course with Chris Santacroce to strengthen my skills which was a great experience. I absolutely love flying, it has been a dream since I was a child and would love to help others achieve their dreams as well. Let’s get you started, come train with me so we can get you in the sky!

Paramotor Flyers:

Authorized BlackHawk Dealer & School
-Shawn & Tiffany Elder

Serving Durant Oklahoma
(Durant – CLICK HERE FOR MAP)

(319) 470-0790 (OR) (319) 795-4278
ParamotorFlyers@Gmail.com

(209) 786-7899