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!”

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BlackHawk & Velocity Announce NEW Tandem Paraglider Design!

BlackHawk Paramotors & Velocity Paragliders are proud to announce the BRAND NEW 42m Velocity Edge Tandem Paraglider! Not only does the Glider come in a new color (the vibrant purple you see in the video)… We have made some performance-enhancing modifications & additions to the glider as well!

Did you know that it takes approximately 94 hours to make ONE Velocity Edge Tandem Paraglider?! They are not mass produced on an assembly line. This Paragliders are hand-stitched by experts and great concern goes into every aspect of quality control. Velocity Tandem Paragliders are trusted by Pilots all over the world to safely take friends and family on enjoyable adventures. Tandem gliders must be build to withstand the high demands and loading put on them by Pilots. Businesses that regularly take passengers for leisure flights must have the most reliable equipment available to avoid down time and safety issues.

SO WHAT’S NEW? The NEW Tandem 42 comes with Leading-Edge Battens made from DELRIN… Also known as “acetal”, Delrin is an engineering thermoplastic used in precision parts requiring high stiffness, low friction and excellent dimensional stability. With a newly engineered riser system and the very latest materials, this glider inflates easier & faster than all previous Tandem Paragliders. We’ve also adjusted the pressure required for brake input to a “medium-light pressure,” unlike most Tandem Paragliders which are known for a “stiff, heavy-pressure response.” Test flights of the new design revealed that we were achieving 900 less RPM on average at straight-&-level flight! That’s a huge improvement and means much less strain on the motor.

IT GETS BETTER! There are actually (2) different models of Tandem Velocity Edge Paragliders now! We have designed a Quad or Trike-specific version of the Glider, as well as an ultra lightweight version for Tandem Free-Flight Pilots! The Paramotor version of the Tandem Edge was designed to handle the demands and loading of motored flight. The lighter Free-Flight version has thinner “racing lines,” thinner risers, and a lighter material on the underside of the glider. Many Free-Flight Pilots are venturing into Powered Paragliding due to being able to fly anywhere instead of a ridge site. Now, BlackHawk & Velocity are providing the very best of both worlds – part of our ongoing commitment to making the sport accessible to all!

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Paramotor Kiting Harness Review!

NOTE: The gun used in this video was not loaded and has no clip in it. Always check with your Paramotor Dealer or Powered Paragliding Instructor prior to kiting any Paraglider.

About BlackHawk Paramotor Kiting Harnesses: Paramotor Kiting Harnesses are one of the most recommended accessories for pilots to have. There are many different types of Kiting Harnesses on the market to choose from. BlackHawk’s Delux Kiting Harnesses are manufactured from the highest-quality materials, to exacting standards. We want to make sure your Kiting Harness lasts a lifetime. These harnesses were designed with comfort and functionality in mind. We have added additional padding (compared to most other harnesses on the market) where you need it the most – in the shoulder and leg straps. This will allow you to “kite” your glider for many hours in a comfortable and safe way. Weather you have purchased a Powered Paraglider or not, there are many reasons to have a Kiting Harness:

Why You Should Have a Kiting Harness: If you are one of the many people “saving up” to get into the sport of Powered Paragliding, you can get a head start on your skills NOW. We offer many instructional tools like DVD’s and The Powered Paragliding Bible to help guide beginners through their first steps. This does NOT replace the value of having a Certified Instructor work with you on your kiting skills, however, you can familiarize yourself with the controls and behavior of your glider prior to meeting your Instructor. If this is of interest to you, please contact BlackHawk and speak with a Powered Paragliding Expert. We can recommend the perfect Paraglider to suit your personal needs and send it to you with a Kiting Harness. This way, you can get closer to realizing your dream of personal flight!

Paragliding and Powered Paragliding are “perishable skills.” This means if you are not regularly practicing, you can get a little rusty on your skills and reaction time. Sometimes poor weather conditions or even a busy lifestyle can prevent pilots from flying for months at a time. We can’t stress how important is is to keep your ground-handling skills up-to-par. This isn’t just for personal safety… It can prevent you from having a failed launch or hard landing and damaging your Powered Paragliding equipment.

MANY pilots purchase a new type of Paraglider and start flying it right away. Every Paraglider is a little different in the way it responds to the pilot’s input. Especially if the pilot is going from a beginner-glider to an intermediate or advanced-glider. We recommend spending as much time as possible getting to know your new Paraglider before flying it. This means several hours or even days kiting the Paraglider in a variety of conditions. Again, this comes down to personal safety, which is paramount to BlackHawk.

Kiting with a motor on your back can get exhausting – especially if you are doing it for long periods of time. To maximize your time and effort, using a Kiting Harness from BlackHawk can greatly increase the amount of time you can physically practice. When students get tired, they may respond slower or start using “lazy-techniques.” If you are an Instructor (all Instructors should utilize Kiting Harnesses) you will want a harness that is comfortable to your student. If you haven’t used a BlackHawk Delux Kiting Harness, try one out! You will “feel” the difference right away!

Kiting Should be FUN: Practicing kiting a Paraglider is a wonderful way to get exercise! If you make an effort to kite in a variety of conditions, your skills as a pilot will increase exponentially! Try taking your glider to the beach on a low-wind day (3-5mph). Just remember to keep your glider out of the salt water and try not to drag it in the sand. If you live inland, take your Paraglider to your favorite park for some practice. If you go on vacation or travel, take advantage of kiting in new areas by taking your gear with you. The more you practice, the safer you will be!

Want a BlackHawk Kiting Harness? Let’s get you one! Just give BlackHawk a call at (209) 786-7899. We normally can ship your NEW Kiting Harness the same day you order it! You can get your harness fast and start improving your skills as a Paramotor Pilot today!

What do YOU Want to See: We hope you enjoyed our Kiting Harness review. If there is a specific BlackHawk Paramotor product you would like to see highlighted in one of our videos, please CONTACT US with your suggestions. For many more reviews, discussions, and Tips & Tricks videos, please visit our dedicated “Tips & Tricks” webpage by CLICKING HERE.

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ULTIMATE Paraglider Review & Discussion Video

Recently, BlackHawk Paramotors USA Inc and Velocity Paragliders tried something different… A “discussion-style” video format, instead of the typical flying or “Tips & Tricks” videos. We received such a tremendous response from customers when our first discussion-style video was published. Our first video discussed Paramotor Quads and Trikes on the market. It can be found on our YouTube channel by clicking HERE. This next 2-part discussion-style video covers all the most frequently asked questions when it comes to Paragliders.

This is an extremely important topic. Selecting the proper glider depends on MANY factors including your body weight, style of flight, launching elevation, and more. In this video, Mike Robinson (Owner of BlackHawk Paramotors USA Inc) and Heidi Lee (Team Pilot & Sales Director) discuss a variety of glider topics in a straight-forward, no BS format. It doesn’t mater weather you are just discovering this sport and considering equipment, or have been flying for years… This video will provide valuable information to consider before you purchase your next glider. Velocity Paragliders USA offers gliders to suit the needs of all pilots and flying styles.

As always, our team is very open to customer suggestions. It is our goal to provide the pilots in this growing community with the information and gear they desire. If you have a suggestion for a discussion video or for our “Tips & Tricks” video series, please CONTACT US. Please remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss out on future discussion videos.

Ultimate Paraglider Review (PART 1 OF 2)

Ultimate Paraglider Review (PART 2 OF 2)

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FIRST EVER Base Jump With Velocity Edge 28m Paraglider!

A Velocity Paragliders USA FIRST!

FIRST EVER “hand-held Cliff Base Jump” with a Velocity Edge 28m Paraglider! This amazing stunt was performed by Spencer “Biz McTangles” Bisley in Moab Utah. For more information on Velocity Paragliders, please visit http://blackhawkparamotor.com/paragliders/

Spencer is an experienced Base Jumper and Paragliding Pilot, who recently got into the sport of Powered Paragliding. He purchased a BlackHawk AirMax 220 Paramotor and a 28m Velocity Edge Paraglider. Spencer has spent the last 5 years “combining the sports of Base Jumping and Paragliding.” His first attempt at Base Jumping with a 28m Paraglider was five years ago from the Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls Idaho. Footage of this jump is included in this video. After multiple jumps with many different gliders, Spencer was finally ready to attempt the cliff jump in Utah.

“The only problem was the wings I was using at the bridge were either too heavy or too high-performance. I recently got into Paramotoring and I got a BlackHawk AirMax 220, along with a Velocity Edge Wing. I realized that the wing would be perfect for the cliff jump. It has mellow handling characteristics, well-built, very lightweight, and I practiced from the bridge with it a few times. I was very happy with the performance, so I was ready to move to the cliff.”

This carefully-planned “stunt” took much practice, experience, and preparation. That being said, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME! Velocity Paragliders are not designed or intended to be used for “acro” or stunts. This video was submitted by an experienced customer and is not sponsored or endorsed by Velocity Paragliders USA – a division of BlackHawk Paramotors USA Inc.

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How to Replace a Paraglider Line NEW VIDEO

In this Paramotor Tips & Tricks Video, BlackHawk’s Head Flight Instructor Joe Cruz demonstrates how to replace a broken or damaged Paraglider line. As part of a normal pre-flight inspection, this should ALWAYS include examining all glider lines. If you find a line has been frayed, the outer sheath is damaged, or the line is broken, this video will provide a visual aid in replacing the line. If you have any questions about this process, make sure to talk to a Certified Flight Instructor or glider repair expert. Replacing a line must be done correctly and match the original standards set by the glider manufacturer. Repairing or replacing a line improperly can cause the glider to not perform as intended, or can cause serious injury and even death.

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions. To access our CONTACT FORM – CLICK HERE. You can also use this contact form to suggest the next Tips & Tricks video you would like to see. Thanks for watching and FLY SAFE, from all of us here at BlackHawk Paramotors USA.

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New Paraglider Repair Kit Included With All Velocity Gliders!

All Velocity Paragliders now come with a NEW glider repair kit. This kit includes high-quality large-size patches of materials which match the color of the specific glider you ordered. In addition to the basic repair field kit (which comes with the purchase of a Paramotor package), you will now have a heavy-duty kit for longer-term repairs. This kit also includes (2) additional lines for line-repair if needed. PLEASE NOTE: You should always have your glider inspected by a Certified Flight Instructor before and after any repair is made. A Flight Instructor can determine weather or not the glider is in perfect working order, and/or make arrangements to have it repaired professionally should they deem this necessary.

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Velocity’s NEW Reserve Chute Mount in 3D!

Pilot awareness on the importance of flying with a reserve parachute is growing. With the increased demand for Velocity’s Ultra-Lite Reserve products, Velocity is finalizing the prototype of a new reserve mounting system. This sleek, sporty design was engineered with strength, functionality, and versatility in mind. One of BlackHawk Paramotor’s Manufacturing Engineers created the above 3D prototype image so customers can get a “sneak-peak” at the new design. Mike Robinson of BlackHawk commented “We are excited about the new design. Not only does it look fantastic, it was custom-designed to function perfectly with the Velocity Reserve Chutes, the BlackHawk LowBoy II Quad, and is easily adaptable to all other types of quads / trikes. This mount fits 1 1/8″ tubing – vinyl tubing can simply be used to make up a difference in size with frames other than BlackHawk’s standard size.

TO SEE IN 3D:

Simply CLICK HERE to download the PDF. When the image opens, right-click the image & save it to your computer. Open the file with Adobe Reader. Hover your mouse over the image and (click to activate) 3D viewing.

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Not Just a Paramotor, But a Just Paramotor!

Man, What a Ride…

Richard Welch

(209) 786-7899