Powered paragliding

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Launch of a Powered Paraglider

Two PPGs in flight

A Powered Paraglider in flight

Tandem flight in Malibu California with Claude Fiset

Powered paragliding, also known as paramotoring, is a form of ultralight aviation where the pilot wears a small motor on his/her back (a paramotor) and runs into the air with lift from a paraglider wing. In many countries, including the United States, it is minimally regulated and requires no license. The low and slow flying capability, 'open' feel, portability, low equipment and maintenance costs, and safety aspects for this type of flying are considered its greatest merits.^[1]

The craft are capable of flying between 15 and 45 mph (25 and 70 km/h) at altitudes ranging up to 18,000 ft (5400 m), although most flying is done under 500 ft (150 m) AGL (above ground level).^[2]

The paramotor, weighing from 45 to 80 pounds (20 to 36 kg) is supported by the pilot during takeoff but, after a brief run, the wing lifts the motor then its harnessed pilot. After takeoff, the pilot gets into the seat, that was folded for takeoff, and sits back comfortably suspended beneath the inflated paraglider wing. Fine control is available using brake toggles in each hand and a hand-held throttle.

1 License and training
2 Safety
3 Other
4 World records
5 Community
6 See also
7 References
8 External links

[edit] License and training

Neither a license nor specific training is required in the U.S., U.K. or many other countries. But getting thorough instruction is still very important. Countries that require formal certification frequently do so through non-government ultralight organizations.

For a pilot to get through most organization's full pilot syllabus requires from one to four weeks. A number of techniques are employed for teaching although most include getting the student familiar with handling the wing either on small hills or on tandem flights.

With special gear it is possible to take a second person but most countries, including the U.S., require some form of certification to do so.

[edit] Safety

Research done by the USPPA estimates that the activity is statistically safer than riding motorcycles and more dangerous than riding in cars. The most likely cause of serious injury is body contact with a spinning propeller. The next most likely cause is flying perfectly good gear into something other than the landing zone. Some pilots carry a reserve parachute designed to open in as little as 50 ft.

The lack of established design criteria for these aircraft led the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch to conclude in 2007^[3] that

Only when precise reserve factors have been established for individual harness/wing combinations carrying realistic suspended masses, at load factors appropriate to the manoeuvres to be carried out, can these aircraft be considered to be structurally safe.

[edit] Other

In the USA, the sport is represented by the US Powered Paragliding Association (USPPA) & US Ultralight Association (USUA), and also the ASC. Unpowered paragliders are represented in the U.S. by the U.S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA) but in 2006 the USHPA decided to distance itself from any motorized aircraft. Two place tandem flying is not currently legal in the United States after the exemptions allowing it expired. The USPPA and other organizations are trying to obtain authorization to perform tandem training.

In the U.K., the sport is represented by the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA).

A powered paraglider differs from a powered parachute because the powered paraglider uses a highly efficient, but more difficult to manage, wing (paraglider). That allows for a light-enough motor to be carried on the pilot's back for footlaunching. Powered parachutes use less efficient wings that are easier to manage but require more power. Light-weight carts or "trikes" can be mounted on powered paragliders for those who prefer not to, or are unable to, foot launch.

[edit] World records

Determined by the FAI, RPF1 category.^[4]

The current world altitude record for powered paragliders (RPF1) is 6,102m (20,019 ft). It was set by Ramon Morillas Salmeron (Granada, Spain) on 06/10/2006 while flying an Advance Omega 7 paraglider and a PAP 1400 Ross power unit.

A highly publicized altitude record attempt was made by Bear Grylls on 14 May 2007 at 0933 local time over the Himalayas using a parajet engine invented by Giles Cardozo who also flew in the attempt. Giles had engine problems that ended his climb 300m short of the record. Bear went on to 8,990m (29,494ft) which, if validated by the FAI, will become the new world altitude record for this aircraft class. ^[5]

Distance in a straight line without landing : 1105 km (686 miles) set on 23/04/2007 by Ramon Morillas Salmeron flying from Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz (Spain) to Lanzarote, Canary Islands (Spain) with an Advance Omega 7 paraglider.

[edit] Community

Many forums exist online that support the powered paragliding sport. A forum can be a good place to connect with other pilots and enthusiasts, ask questions, and find an instructor.