Paramotor

structors also fly with you throughout completing the training syllabus. Paramotors (also known as a Powered Paragliders) combine the easy flying characteristics of a paraglider with the autonomy and range of powered flight. Paramotors are relatively easy to learn to fly, and being foot launched, they can take-off from almost any open space, flat fields, hills, beaches, tracks & roads. You should obtain permission to use private land such as farmers fields, and as long as there no hazards such as trees, livestock or bystanders other than those in your group the rest is flying. (Airfields are of course ideal) There is no need to find a hill site facing into wind, or even to wait for the wind to blow. They are quickly and easily rigged and de-rigged, and once dismantled can be put in the boot of a car or taken to exotic locations as hand baggage. What exactly is a paramotor? This simplest of all powered aircraft consists of a small motor driving a propeller, worn like a backpack under a paraglider wing and providing thrust to take off, climb and maintain level flight. Once airborne, the paramotor can be used to motor along and watch the world go by beneath you or, if conditions permit, soared in thermal lift or to make long cross-country flights. Typically a paramotor is governed on fuel capacity & averages 12litres which can provide upto 4 hours of thrust, the engine can be turned off & you can glide & land slowly & safely. The motor can be stopped and restarted in the air, with many having electric starters, enabling the pilot to adapt his or her flight to the prevailing conditions. Many paramotor pilots are paraglider pilots looking for more flexibility in their flying; many others are new to flying but become interested in paramotoring. Between the two Parmotoring offers more flying options as the bonus of added power can be flown like an airplane as opposed to following winds to fly any distance without power. Is it expensive? New power units cost around £3,500 - £7,500, to which you need to add the cost of a new or second hand paraglider. You'll also need a flying suit, flying boots and a helmet, and will need to consider purchasing other equipment as you progress. Running costs are minimal, making paramotoring the cheapest form of powered flying available. Learning to fly a paramotor

Before making your initial flights under power, you'll first need to learn to fly the wing. Once this is mastered your instructor will turn to the power unit, and you will learn how to assemble and disassemble it (this is for easy transport, not a major stripdown!), start the paramotor, control the throttle, and undertake basic routine maintenance. Your instructor will also explain torque and thrust effects, and discuss safety issues. The two elements will then be put together to teach you powered flight. The same degree of knowledge of flight theory and meteorology is required as for paragliding, and because with an engine you have the ability to roam at will, considerable emphasis is placed on teaching you airlaw and navigation. No CAA licence is required to fly a paramotor – but you still have to know and obey the rules and regulations applying to UK Airspace – of which there are many! The UK is a small island, and much of the airspace above it is reserved for commercial air traffic, weapons testing etc.. Being in the wrong place and height on your paramotor could be catastrophic – and at best could land you with a huge fine. Learning to read an Aeronautical Chart and how to navigate is not difficult – your Instructor will guide you through this. Today a simple navigator with air maps does the job of keeping you in the right Air space. Heres a list of Common Dangers with the sport;
Travelling to & from the take off
1. Untrained pilots
2. Injury from contact with propeller on the ground.
4. Forgetting to buckle up
5. Drowning (applies to untrained pilots)
6. Flying unserviceable equipment

You are more likely to have a road related incident than anything Paramotoring once trained. What can I learn? You will learn from the ground up the basics, equipments, inspection, ratings, aviation law, ground handling / Kiting expertise take off and landing on a paraglider. Our weather cycle, understanding the winds and the variety of clouds towards selecting the most enjoyable flight experience, expert control, safety systems such as reserve parachute & last but not least how to fly solo & enjoy the sky flying like a bird, you will become one of the privileged. You will also learn how to setup, stow & maintain the equipment, master kiting, mastering take off techniques for both zero wind & windier days.