Are there AGE or WEIGHT restrictions?

AGE: There are many pilots in their 70’s and up who fly quite regularly. That being said, there isn’t an age cap on this sport. There are also young teens who fly with their parents. It really comes down to common sense… If you can’t drive a car safely, you should probably not be flying any type of aircraft. If there is any question, just ask a Certified Flight Instructor or Dealer if this sport is right for you. WEIGHT: There are no pilot weight restrictions in this sport. The only weight regulated is the total weight of the actual Paramotor. That being said, any machine

How much room do I need to takeoff & land?

Hardly any! Many pilots will pull their motor out of the garage and takeoff right there from their yard! You don’t need a formal runway for Powered Paragliding. On average, Foot-Launch pilots can be airborne by running ONLY 10-50 feet. Many factors can effect takeoff distances like wind conditions, wind direction, type or size of glider, size of motor, pilot weight, and especially a pilot’s level of skill. For Quad Paramotor Flight, most pilots are airborne within 30-125 feet. Much less distance is needed for landing. Foot-Launch Paramotor pilots can touch down, literally take a couple small steps, and be completely grounded. For Quads, the

How do the controls work? Is it EASY to fly?

It doesn’t get easier! There are only 4 inputs. You have up, down, left, and right. That’s it! The throttle controls how fast you go up or down, and the glider has two handles or “toggles” which direct the left-right steering. There is no clutch, gauges, signals, or anything else to worry about. I guess you could say “it’s much easier than driving a stick-shift car” once you get the hang of controlling the glider.

Is it SAFE? What happens if the motor quits?

Yes… In fact, it’s the safest form of personal aviation bar-none. You are basically “flying a parachute.” People frequently ask “what happens if the motor dies,” and then catch themselves, saying “oh yeah, it’s a parachute! You just glide down.” Efficient gliders (like a Velocity Elektra for example) have a phenomenal “glide ratio” of 9.4:1. This means the glider will travel 9.4 feet forward, for every 1 foot down. If the motor shuts off, this will give the pilot plenty of time to locate an alternate landing site. For comparison, and to get an idea of how efficient these “Paragliders” are, standard modern “parachutes” have glide ratios

Do you need a Pilot’s License?

No... There is no license needed whatsoever to become a Paramotor Pilot! There are also NO insurance requirements, NO annual inspections, and NO hanger fees! This alone saves aviation enthusiasts thousands of dollars. You won’t find a more affordable way to have your very own personal flying machine. CAUTION: Not needing a license has it’s benefits, however, no license means no regulating body. Unfortunately, anyone can open up a flight school, claim to be a expert, and start teaching people how to fly. To address this very concern, several of the industry’s TOP experts got together to create “The United States Powered Paragliding Association or USPPA.

How long does it take to learn how to fly?

On average, it takes most people 3-5 days to learn how to operate a Quad safely, and approximately 5-7 days to learn Foot-Launch Paramotor flight. Companies like BlackHawk Paramotors USA have National Training Centers throughout the United States, and have instructed thousands of people over the years. To learn more about Powered Paragliding lessons, or to locate an authorized National Training Center near you, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

What is a “Paramotor” or “Powered Paragliding?”

Powered Paragliding is the safest, cheapest, and most convenient way to have your own personal flying machine. You don’t even need a pilot’s license, and it takes less than a week to learn how to fly one! To sum it up, it’s basically a “parachute with a backpack motor” or a “motorized version of Paragliding.” There are two different types of Powered Paragliders or “Paramotors.” The most common is called a “Foot-Launch” unit, where the pilot wears a backpack-style 2-stroke motor, and has to physically run to become airborne. The second type is called a “Quad” or “Trike” unit, where the motor is mounted to a

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