What should you do if you want to begin power paragliding? What equipment should you have to begin this hobby? Here’s what you should know to get started.
Power paragliding is also known as paramotoring and its done using a motor to keep your glider airborne while you sit in a seat suspended from a parachute-like device. It can be a lot of fun for anyone seeking adventure and the wonderful adrenaline rush that comes with going into the sky.
Before you rush out and buy your first set of equipment, there are a few things you should know about this activity.
It’s not for everyone
Some people will buy all the gear they need before ever getting off the ground or taking any lessons. Many times, experts will allow you to use some of their equipment during lessons, which means you don’t need to have the gear before learning to fly a paramotor. This can be an expensive hobby and can be nerve-racking for new pilots. You might find that you don’t enjoy being in the sky on this device, which means you shouldn’t buy your gear before you try power paragliding.
Learn during lessons
If you’ve never experienced the fun of flying a paramotor, you won’t know what to look for when buying one. Thankfully, during your training, you’ll learn a lot about the equipment and what to look for. You’ll also learn what works best for you, which will be different from someone else. Wait until you’ve spent time in training before you commit to any gear. There are significant differences between equipment, making it more than just a harness and an engine.
Take a tandem flight first
One of the scariest parts of power paragliding for anyone is being off the ground. It’s not like being inside an airplane that has a floor. When you’re in the air, your feet are dangling, and you expect the wing to keep you safe and aloft. Before you try to take on the challenge of working the equipment yourself, take a tandem flight with an expert and let them take you up in the air. This is a great way to experience what it feels like to be in a paramotor setup and allows you to have a better understanding of the procedures.
Find a good school
You want to take instruction from the best instructors you can find. This hobby takes you into the air and allows you to fly around, but the risk is possibly falling to your death. Understanding this risk should give you the motivation required to choose the best school and instructors to help you with the lessons and fundamentals required to be as safe and secure as possible. You’ll learn a lot about flight, air law, and basic meteorology during your instruction.
Get the right equipment
Once you’ve taken the training courses and learned how to enjoy power paragliding, its time to get your own equipment. During our training you should ask for advice regarding the right equipment for you to use. This equipment will have a lot to do with your size and requirements, each person needs equipment that works for them. Buy the newest paramotor setup that you can afford; they have changed immensely over the past few years.
Practice ground handling
A ground-handling harness can be an excellent item and makes launching much easier. Even after you’ve completed your training, you should practice ground-handling techniques at every opportunity to make sure you feel comfortable. It’s also good to make sure you have a helmet and ear protection; the motors can be extremely loud. Before any launches, set up a windsock and pole to help you know the wind direction. This will help you make landings much easier because the wind direction can change quickly, which makes downwind landings difficult.
Have fun
Power paragliding could be your new favorite hobby and an activity you love to participate in every chance you get. The early flights are some of the most exhilarating, but you can continue to challenge yourself to get better with practice and experience. Get out there and enjoy the skies from a completely different angle than you would if you spent all of your time inside an airplane.
Power paragliding isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you’ve always had the desire to go into the sky in a one-person contraption, this is a great hobby that can be a lot of fun and bring you years of joy and satisfaction.