been waiting 5 years after finding Tucker...Tried to get training in Florida a few years back, but life took over and I had to cancel....heading to Kyle O's place in 20 days to finally train. So excited to finally get to it.
@matthewdavis8316 Kyle O was great. Super chill. Easy to learn from. Camped at the LZ, and learned a shit load. Lots of ground handling of course, and that sweet sweet Louisiana accent had a nice calming effect for those first flights. I never fealt nervous. Hes good at making you feel comfortable. Either way. I'm so happy i went there instead of anywhere else. It was perfect for the way i learn. I got home, though, and my truck shit the bed, so I had to put a hold on gear. Almost saved up enough again....when i get it, I'll go back for a refresher.
As a teen I would buy private airplane and motorcycle magazines at the used bookstore near my house, I'd even ride my bike there to see what they had. I'd dream of flying just like I'd dream of riding, but all I had was my little 4 HP Tecumseh engined minibike. That lead to a dirt bike, eventually a Honda Shadow 500, VF500C Magna, Ninja 750, VFR800 Interceptor, even a fun Elite 150 scooter. But about 10 or 15 years ago I went to a bike & car night (hundreds of cars, dozens of bikes) and this machine flew overhead, couple weeks later they were back. I was fascinated. I believe now they were a powered parachute (PPC) but I still had young kids and no way to justify anything beyond my motorcycles. Fast forward to a few months ago, I found a video of a guy in the UK on a trike, talking about his unexpected engine outage and semi-crash landing. A little searching and I found Tucker, Anthony Vella, Kyle-O, PPG Grandpa, Dell (oops!) and so many more. I can just run into the sky? And it's probably safer than riding a motorcycle (sharing roads with people texting and taking selfies!) So I'm on my way to becoming a beginner PPG pilot. Joined all the Fb groups, got the bible, watching and learning as much as I can. Appreciate all the people sharing their experiences and knowledge online!
I became aware of paramotoring from Tuckers Mcdonald videos and other like it. But it was your videos with the calm and realistic attitude to the sport that made me decide I could and wanted to get involved in the sport myself. I have been flying paramotors for over two years now, I started when I was 61 years old. Your recommendations are spot on ! Great meeting you at Bad Apples, hoping to make it again this year.
I was about to buy a wing and engine tomorrow, start alone, no training just hooked. I think ill wait and get some training first. Thanks for sensible advice.
Self training: You dont know...what you dont know. Pretty much sums it up. Its like handing your keys to a kid with no driving experience who watched youtube racecar videos and some Fast and Furious episodes then goes down a one way street, sees a cop coming, yanks the ebrake handle then slides into an old lady crossing the street who does not expect your car to be coming the wrong way.
I'm doing it! Training this spring. Got the PPG Bible Over Christmas. Bought my wing in January with a loan from the credit union. Just paid it off. Buying my motor March 1st... Talked to a LOT of schools and instructors, even motor manufacturers. Already working on my wing handling so I can get a head start on instruction. I AM getting helpful hints on my kiting BY the instructors I'm going to use, so I minimize creating bad habits.
@@shanesplanetshane3795 Thank you! Yeah in my area near Bishopville there aren't many controlled airports. Basically a LOT of flat farmland. Boring to look at but great training and engine outs. Withing 30 miles of my LZ, from 1000 feet I doubt there's a BAD place to land unless you're over a lake.
It's been so long but I am finally at a point in my life where I have funds to be able to do this without hurting myself in any way. Going for my first tandem in May. Super excited.
I've always wanted to do this since the late 80's when I first came over to the US. I see these for sale on CL all the time. I would probably get the trike attachment with my knee injury.
I watched Tucker fly to McDonalds and it inspired me to want to try it. I looked on the internet for Paramotoring Panama City Beach. It wasn't long and I called a number. They had a Tandem Trike for me to try. I was 74 years old then and everyone that knew me was laughing at me because of my age. At $100.00 a piece, each flight was better. I did it for 3 weeks and stopped because of peer pressure. But I have the memory of each Flight. That's more than a lot of armchair beer drinking old men.
Great video! I was one of the guys that bought a wing prior to training. I had no intention to fly PPG with it. I think I spent 300$ as a "kiting wing only" and at the time it was 4 years old with 200+ hrs on it. I read a ton, and watched many, many of kiting videos. I likely spent 50-60 hours working with that wing in the wind down in FL. I got the the place where I felt comfortable in laminar winds up to 18-20 mph wing (pretty sure Ryan still doesn't believe me lol). I will say I took my fair share of bumps and bruises, but I really do think it was very helpful now that I fly PPG (with Mojos too). I sold that wing for the same price I paid for it with the same disclaimer so I was out nothing. I will say I really think it takes the right type of person to do that. However, I would NEVER consider PPG without an instructor looking back. The motor adds SO MUCH more complication, and the consequences for error are much higher. It took me a while before I wasn't afraid of the motor. I think the idea situation would be to take training in FL with constant wind to really learn the wings behavior in wind, AND train in a place like NC where we have no wind and only do forwards. This just isn't possible for most ppl however.
I'm just did my 8th skydive but unfortunately my ears/head can't handle the constant altitude changes over and over again. After that 8th jump in 3 days I had a bloody nose, my head hurt like hell and it took 3.5 days for my ears to finally open up again. I was worried I caused permanent damage for a while. I only got into this sport for the canopy flight. I was starting to get used to the jumping out part lol but was still terrified. Sounds like paramotoring is perfect for me.
i think a major portion of the video you left out in paramotoring is what are the requirements and weight limit n stuff. i dont think i would be able to do paramotoring since i weight 310-315lb which is over the limit for indoor and outdoor sky diving so i kinda assume it the same for paramotors
You can fly at any weight. You just get a bigger wing for a heavier pilot. Remember, they even fly tandem flights when instructing. If you have trouble running, you may want wheels.
I'm in NC and I've trained and bought equipment, but I'm still looking for a place to launch and people to fly with. My parents live there near you in the Matthews-Indian Trail area just inside Union County. I'm at the coast now. I'd love to get together with some of you guys sometime and fly.
Good question. If you have already checked the list of school on the USPPA.org site. Then the next step would be to join the online forum called Paramotor for Beginners in Facebook and pose the question there. You will get the best real time advise from ppg pilots and instructors.
Thank you, that was some good info. Yes, the money is the only issue holding me back but I'll look into the one day thing. Where are you in NC? I'm in Winston-Salem :)
Thanks I will. I looked up Mojo flight school, they are only an hour from me. I plan to do their Intro day course some time in the spring. Thanks again for all the good info. :) @@ParamotorNC
I’m “afraid of heights” which is why I flew planes 😂😂 this video has me wanting to do this. I’m in Rhode Island. Is this a thing that folks do in the Newport area alone the coast or western MA?
Hi Tim, consider reaching out to these guys for information, www.YouCanFlyPPG.com . Also, there is a Paramotor for Beginners group on Facebook where you can create a posting inquiring about anything related to Paramotors including local flying sites and tips.
The areas you fly are they designated so as to not come into conflict with aviation/airport and so the areas have no air traffic. can you fly on your property given its large enough like 200 acres or something?
It is my responsibility to see and avoid other aircraft. It’s helpful to know the airspace in my flying region. For example, there may be commercial jets over 5000 feet above my property and there may be generally aviation aircraft doing pattern work at 1000 feet above my property, so I tend to be safe if I fly at 400 feet above the ground.
Ive been to two paramotor schools to check them out. Neither charged me anything. They were welcoming and offered me coffee. Showed me around and BS’ed for a couple of hours. Charging a potential client $250.00 to show them around, watch and ask questions is rude🙄. Which one was that, so I know not to go there.
@@ParamotorNC ; Maybe you can describe that course better then? Because, what you described is nearly the same as what I did. The only things different from your description is, they sat me in the paramotor that was attached to the A-Frame(the other place put a motor on my back), showed me a twenty-minute video and gave me some reading pamphlets. I didn't kite a wing, but both places offered it. I was running out of time, since I'd been there for hours already and had to run. But, they both told me to come back at a later date.
@crazypinata Why is it rude or unreasonable for them to charge you for wasting their time with you when they could be making money showwing a real student? Would YOU work for free with someone who is just ' kicking the tires '? Probably not. You would send them to talk to the newbie who will give them the level of service they are paying for.
@@UpcomingJedi ; I guess some people know how to apply customer service and some do not. When a realtor is showing a house, does she charge people? No, because that would be stupid. When a car dealer is showing people cars on his lot, does he charge people? No, because that would be stupid. I worked as a Scuba Diving Instructor for ten years, we showed new people the facilty. Did we charge them? No, because that would be stupid. We offered free ‘Try Scuba’ classes. To charge potential cystomers a fee to “show them around”, is moronic and you are probably one that does so.
Kiting is SIMPLE!!! If you can't do it yourself, you haven't studied near enough yet to do it safely let alone know which size to buy. That's not rocket science either "the manufacturers list weight ratings on wings" if you don't know that before you buy then its not sad you just cost yourself money by not doing your research first. Watch mark leavesly or fly with greg, tgey will actuallyteach you the most important thing you need to know before kiting! How to kill the wing if the wind gets the glider or you feeling unmanageable!
That video is what keeps me doubting about paramotoring. It is such a stupid things I have seen on a ppg. With all the great places and things to fly over, that is the most american. thing in the world.
Lol i can only imagine if motorcycles were recently invented how everyone would treat them just like this. It's super dangerous, very a super expensive trainer. Thanks but no thank you
been waiting 5 years after finding Tucker...Tried to get training in Florida a few years back, but life took over and I had to cancel....heading to Kyle O's place in 20 days to finally train. So excited to finally get to it.
Congrats! Happy for you. All the best.
How'd training go? We want answers. Hope it was amazing!!!
@matthewdavis8316 Kyle O was great. Super chill. Easy to learn from. Camped at the LZ, and learned a shit load. Lots of ground handling of course, and that sweet sweet Louisiana accent had a nice calming effect for those first flights. I never fealt nervous. Hes good at making you feel comfortable. Either way. I'm so happy i went there instead of anywhere else. It was perfect for the way i learn. I got home, though, and my truck shit the bed, so I had to put a hold on gear. Almost saved up enough again....when i get it, I'll go back for a refresher.
@@matthewdavis8316 thanks for asking!
@@TravistheFoolhow’s the paramotoring training/adventure going? It seems like so much fun
As a teen I would buy private airplane and motorcycle magazines at the used bookstore near my house, I'd even ride my bike there to see what they had. I'd dream of flying just like I'd dream of riding, but all I had was my little 4 HP Tecumseh engined minibike. That lead to a dirt bike, eventually a Honda Shadow 500, VF500C Magna, Ninja 750, VFR800 Interceptor, even a fun Elite 150 scooter. But about 10 or 15 years ago I went to a bike & car night (hundreds of cars, dozens of bikes) and this machine flew overhead, couple weeks later they were back. I was fascinated. I believe now they were a powered parachute (PPC) but I still had young kids and no way to justify anything beyond my motorcycles.
Fast forward to a few months ago, I found a video of a guy in the UK on a trike, talking about his unexpected engine outage and semi-crash landing. A little searching and I found Tucker, Anthony Vella, Kyle-O, PPG Grandpa, Dell (oops!) and so many more. I can just run into the sky? And it's probably safer than riding a motorcycle (sharing roads with people texting and taking selfies!) So I'm on my way to becoming a beginner PPG pilot. Joined all the Fb groups, got the bible, watching and learning as much as I can. Appreciate all the people sharing their experiences and knowledge online!
Excellent! It sounds like you are on you way... what a journey. All the best to you.
I became aware of paramotoring from Tuckers Mcdonald videos and other like it. But it was your videos with the calm and realistic attitude to the sport that made me decide I could and wanted to get involved in the sport myself. I have been flying paramotors for over two years now, I started when I was 61 years old.
Your recommendations are spot on !
Great meeting you at Bad Apples, hoping to make it again this year.
Thank you! Hope to see you at Bad Apples in 2023.
I came from that McDonald's video too
God, I have never wanted to do something so bad in my LIFE as I do this. This is my dream!
I was about to buy a wing and engine tomorrow, start alone, no training just hooked. I think ill wait and get some training first. Thanks for sensible advice.
They are great trainers all around the country. Let me know if you have trouble finding one.
Excellent advices! Thank you for sharing!
Self training: You dont know...what you dont know. Pretty much sums it up. Its like handing your keys to a kid with no driving experience who watched youtube racecar videos and some Fast and Furious episodes then goes down a one way street, sees a cop coming, yanks the ebrake handle then slides into an old lady crossing the street who does not expect your car to be coming the wrong way.
Ben this was your best most informative video yet. Great job.
I appreciate that!
Excellent information. Thanks for the shout out!
One of the best intro discussions I've seen.. thanks Ben!
Thank you kind sir. Hope you are well!
I'm just now seeing this one. One of the best! It was great to meet you at Bad Apples!
I'm doing it! Training this spring. Got the PPG Bible Over Christmas. Bought my wing in January with a loan from the credit union. Just paid it off. Buying my motor March 1st... Talked to a LOT of schools and instructors, even motor manufacturers. Already working on my wing handling so I can get a head start on instruction. I AM getting helpful hints on my kiting BY the instructors I'm going to use, so I minimize creating bad habits.
Congrats on beginning your journey. All the best to you.
@@ParamotorNC Thanks! I'm in SC but Indian trail is potentially within driving/paramotor distance I think.
@@rule1dontgosplat Lotsa good open spots in a lot of SC. Best of luck to you!
@@shanesplanetshane3795 Thank you! Yeah in my area near Bishopville there aren't many controlled airports. Basically a LOT of flat farmland. Boring to look at but great training and engine outs. Withing 30 miles of my LZ, from 1000 feet I doubt there's a BAD place to land unless you're over a lake.
It's been so long but I am finally at a point in my life where I have funds to be able to do this without hurting myself in any way. Going for my first tandem in May. Super excited.
Stoked for you!
@@ParamotorNC thanks i am extremely excited!
I've always wanted to do this since the late 80's when I first came over to the US. I see these for sale on CL all the time. I would probably get the trike attachment with my knee injury.
I watched Tucker fly to McDonalds and it inspired me to want to try it. I looked on the internet for Paramotoring Panama City Beach. It wasn't long and I called a number. They had a Tandem Trike for me to try. I was 74 years old then and everyone that knew me was laughing at me because of my age. At $100.00 a piece, each flight was better. I did it for 3 weeks and stopped because of peer pressure. But I have the memory of each Flight. That's more than a lot of armchair beer drinking old men.
You're never too old to try something new!
Nicely done Ben. Great advice to the would-be pilot on the fence.
Thanks 👍
Great video! I was one of the guys that bought a wing prior to training. I had no intention to fly PPG with it. I think I spent 300$ as a "kiting wing only" and at the time it was 4 years old with 200+ hrs on it. I read a ton, and watched many, many of kiting videos. I likely spent 50-60 hours working with that wing in the wind down in FL. I got the the place where I felt comfortable in laminar winds up to 18-20 mph wing (pretty sure Ryan still doesn't believe me lol). I will say I took my fair share of bumps and bruises, but I really do think it was very helpful now that I fly PPG (with Mojos too). I sold that wing for the same price I paid for it with the same disclaimer so I was out nothing. I will say I really think it takes the right type of person to do that. However, I would NEVER consider PPG without an instructor looking back. The motor adds SO MUCH more complication, and the consequences for error are much higher. It took me a while before I wasn't afraid of the motor. I think the idea situation would be to take training in FL with constant wind to really learn the wings behavior in wind, AND train in a place like NC where we have no wind and only do forwards. This just isn't possible for most ppl however.
I'm glad that you found the right path for you. See you in the sky!
I'm just did my 8th skydive but unfortunately my ears/head can't handle the constant altitude changes over and over again. After that 8th jump in 3 days I had a bloody nose, my head hurt like hell and it took 3.5 days for my ears to finally open up again. I was worried I caused permanent damage for a while. I only got into this sport for the canopy flight. I was starting to get used to the jumping out part lol but was still terrified. Sounds like paramotoring is perfect for me.
Great advice!! Go get around the stuff, most instructors are happy to show you what it’s about if they are a reputable school to learn from. 💪🏼
BEAUTIFUL FLY
I'm just starting my training at Mojos, hope to see you out there someday.
Congrats on beginning you journey. See you around!
Nice and informative video!!
Love the landscape where is this brother?
North Carolina!
i think a major portion of the video you left out in paramotoring is what are the requirements and weight limit n stuff. i dont think i would be able to do paramotoring since i weight 310-315lb which is over the limit for indoor and outdoor sky diving so i kinda assume it the same for paramotors
You can fly at any weight. You just get a bigger wing for a heavier pilot. Remember, they even fly tandem flights when instructing. If you have trouble running, you may want wheels.
bravo! really cool
Thank you!
Great video Ben.
Thank you my friend!
Good Info. Hope people listen.
Thank you Dana.
I am watching from Nepal. I like your video very much
Thank you so much 😀
Great recommendations 👍. Might need to upgrade your running sneakers 👟 for cold weather flying 😅
Yes, I need boots for my next winter flight.
I live in washington and was wondering if you knew of any schools there? great video!
I'm in NC and I've trained and bought equipment, but I'm still looking for a place to launch and people to fly with. My parents live there near you in the Matthews-Indian Trail area just inside Union County. I'm at the coast now. I'd love to get together with some of you guys sometime and fly.
Shoot me a note at paramotornc@gmail.com
My first and only thought when I first learned about this was, “I want that.”
If I can do this affordably, I'm just gonna teach myself. I've got space and time.
I’m about an hour north of atlanta, Georgia and I’m having a tough time finding a school
Good question. If you have already checked the list of school on the USPPA.org site. Then the next step would be to join the online forum called Paramotor for Beginners in Facebook and pose the question there. You will get the best real time advise from ppg pilots and instructors.
Thank you, that was some good info. Yes, the money is the only issue holding me back but I'll look into the one day thing. Where are you in NC? I'm in Winston-Salem :)
Hey, I am in Indian Trail NC.... near Charlotte. You can do this. Set the goal, and take your time.
Thanks I will. I looked up Mojo flight school, they are only an hour from me. I plan to do their Intro day course some time in the spring. Thanks again for all the good info. :) @@ParamotorNC
I’m “afraid of heights” which is why I flew planes 😂😂 this video has me wanting to do this.
I’m in Rhode Island. Is this a thing that folks do in the Newport area alone the coast or western MA?
Hi Tim, consider reaching out to these guys for information, www.YouCanFlyPPG.com . Also, there is a Paramotor for Beginners group on Facebook where you can create a posting inquiring about anything related to Paramotors including local flying sites and tips.
Hang on a minute, you launched with no GoPro and pole on your foot, then in the next scene its there...talk to me about how you did this sorcery
th-cam.com/video/coHjfCs_-wo/w-d-xo.htmlsi=WpfoRWgaIHgXP1SQ
@@ParamotorNC Thanks dude! ✌🏻🇬🇧
I’m in Hickory, what part of NC are you? Looks flat lol.. I’m looking to get into this for a while now. Thanks
I fly from Indian Trail, NC near Charlotte.
The areas you fly are they designated so as to not come into conflict with aviation/airport and so the areas have no air traffic. can you fly on your property given its large enough like 200 acres or something?
It is my responsibility to see and avoid other aircraft. It’s helpful to know the airspace in my flying region. For example, there may be commercial jets over 5000 feet above my property and there may be generally aviation aircraft doing pattern work at 1000 feet above my property, so I tend to be safe if I fly at 400 feet above the ground.
MM sure can fly, but I regretted traveling to train with him on day 1.
@@chase3253 yeah, you want to find the right teaching style and personality fit.
This is is dumb question but do you need to be able to skydive before training on a paramotor?
No, the paramotor training will cover everything you need.
Ive been to two paramotor schools to check them out. Neither charged me anything. They were welcoming and offered me coffee. Showed me around and BS’ed for a couple of hours. Charging a potential client $250.00 to show them around, watch and ask questions is rude🙄. Which one was that, so I know not to go there.
You are confused, an intro day class is not 'showing people around'.
@@ParamotorNC ; Maybe you can describe that course better then? Because, what you described is nearly the same as what I did. The only things different from your description is, they sat me in the paramotor that was attached to the A-Frame(the other place put a motor on my back), showed me a twenty-minute video and gave me some reading pamphlets. I didn't kite a wing, but both places offered it. I was running out of time, since I'd been there for hours already and had to run. But, they both told me to come back at a later date.
@@ThePriceIsRising I’m glad that you had a good experience.
@crazypinata Why is it rude or unreasonable for them to charge you for wasting their time with you when they could be making money showwing a real student? Would YOU work for free with someone who is just ' kicking the tires '? Probably not. You would send them to talk to the newbie who will give them the level of service they are paying for.
@@UpcomingJedi ; I guess some people know how to apply customer service and some do not. When a realtor is showing a house, does she charge people? No, because that would be stupid. When a car dealer is showing people cars on his lot, does he charge people? No, because that would be stupid. I worked as a Scuba Diving Instructor for ten years, we showed new people the facilty. Did we charge them? No, because that would be stupid. We offered free ‘Try Scuba’ classes. To charge potential cystomers a fee to “show them around”, is moronic and you are probably one that does so.
In all paramoters are just a perfect example of how reaching for the skies is not impossible
👇
Yes!
most passive way to Paraglide
IM NOT DOING IT BRO lolololololollol
You’ll do it and you’ll love it. Ha
Kiting is SIMPLE!!! If you can't do it yourself, you haven't studied near enough yet to do it safely let alone know which size to buy. That's not rocket science either "the manufacturers list weight ratings on wings" if you don't know that before you buy then its not sad you just cost yourself money by not doing your research first. Watch mark leavesly or fly with greg, tgey will actuallyteach you the most important thing you need to know before kiting! How to kill the wing if the wind gets the glider or you feeling unmanageable!
Okay, I will check out the channels for Mark Leavesley and Fly With Greg. Thank you.
@@ParamotorNC That was meant more to help newbies wanting to learn. But great channels for sure! As is yours!
Do you know anyone toronto area?
Check out torontopoweredparagliding.com
Just buy learn
Y'all keep on calling this a "Sport" it's a hobby. One that you make money off on TH-cam 😁
@@redwemette5942 💵
You kinda look like Vince McMahon if he wasn't such an asshole
That video is what keeps me doubting about paramotoring. It is such a stupid things I have seen on a ppg. With all the great places and things to fly over, that is the most american. thing in the world.
Lol i can only imagine if motorcycles were recently invented how everyone would treat them just like this.
It's super dangerous, very a super expensive trainer.
Thanks but no thank you
Simple. Just like pilots license. People are scared
Not everyone has thousands of dollars to spend on a sport.