Powered paragliding is without a doubt the best sport I've participated in so far in my life.
I've always been an outdoors kind of a guy who enjoyed an active lifestyle. If fun was to be had, you could count me in.
The first time I saw a guy flying around solo with nothing more than a wing and a motor on his back, I knew I had to find a way to try it, too.
I was back in the States and had a few weeks up my sleeve to put in some time getting a bit of one-on-one training with a friend who'd been flying for several years. He took me out to a big field and I started learning how to handle a wing.
I picked that part of the powered paragliding training up pretty quickly, but I have to admit, the first time I attempted to take off on my own with a motor on my back, I was full of nerves. What goes up, must come down. :) I wanted to be sure I went up and came down all in one piece!
Needless to say, after my first successful flight, I was hooked! I couldn't wait to get up in the air again. I've been flying a powered paraglider for about 12 years now. I've had a few minor crashes, particularly starting out, but nothing serious. Thankfully, the only damage I've ever done has been to my machine rather than my body.
Over the years I studied more and more about weather, tides, clouds, aerodynamics and flying in general. I'm completely fascinated with the wonder of individual flight.
"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will always long to return." - Leonardo DaVinci |
In spite of the fact that you have a small engine rumbling away on your back, there's nothing like the peace and serenity of flying above the earth on a cool spring morning or just before dusk on an autumn night. Soaring with the eagles is a reality that very few people have ever enjoyed. Wouldn't you like to be one of them? |
Over the coming weeks and months, I'd like to share with you some of my paramotor adventures. I'll let you in on a few of the tips and tricks I've learned over the years, let you laugh at (and hopefully learn from) some of my mistakes, and point you in the direction of some of the best paragliding resources I've found.
I'm also going to show off a bunch of my powered paragliding photos. Once you see some of my ppg pics, I think you're going to be even more determined to get in the air.
If you're a fellow pilot already, I'd love to hear about some of your favorite powered paragliding experiences. I'll be adding a place for you to submit your own photos and stories. I don't want to be the only one who's bragging around here. :)