Powered paragliding
Encyclopedia
Powered paragliding
, also known as paramotoring, is a form of ultralight aviation
where the pilot wears a motor on his or her back (a paramotor
) which provides enough thrust to take off using an adapted paraglider or paramotor wing. It can be launched in still air, and on level ground, by the pilot alone — no assistance is required.
In many countries, including the United States
, powered paragliding is minimally regulated and requires no license. The ability to fly both low and slow safely, the 'open' feel, the minimal equipment and maintenance costs, and the portability are claimed to be this type of flying's greatest merits.
Powered paragliders usually fly between 15 and 45 mph (25 and 70 km/h) at altitudes from 'foot-dragging in the grass' up to 18,000 ft (5400 m) although most flying is done under 500 ft (150 m) AGL (above ground level).
Due to the paramotors slow forward speed it must not be flown in high wind conditions. Paramotors can be flown during any season of the year any where on the planet so long as you avoid flying during the turbulent (thermic) times of the day, and not in high wind conditions. This typically means at low Sun azimuths, so in the morning or in the late afternoon depending ,of course, on weather conditions.
The paramotor, weighing from 45 to 80 pounds (20 to 36 kg) is supported by the pilot during takeoff, after a brief run (typically 10 feet or 3 metres) the wing lifts the motor and its harnessed pilot off the ground. After takeoff, the pilot gets into the seat and sits suspended beneath the inflated paraglider wing. Control is available using brake toggles for roll
and a hand-held throttle for pitch
.
Prices for a complete package (wing, harness, and motor) vary from approximately $6000 USD to $9500 USD.
Regardless of regulations, powered paragliding can be dangerous when practiced without proper training.
For a pilot to get through most organizations' full pilot syllabus requires around four weeks. A number of techniques are employed for teaching, although most include getting the student familiar with handling the wing either on the ground, small hills or on tandem flights.
With special gear it is possible to take a passenger (tandem), but most countries, including the U.S., require some form of certification to do so.
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 of injury is flying into something other than the landing zone. Some pilots carry a reserve parachute designed to open in as little as 50 ft (15.2 m)
The lack of established design criteria for these aircraft led the British Air Accidents Investigation Branch
to conclude in 2007 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"
)Unpowered paragliders are represented by the U.S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA
) which distanced itself from any motorized flying in 2006 which also holds an exemption allowing two-place training using foot-launched paramotors. The US Ultralight Association (USUA
) and ASC also offer some support. .
In Britain the sport is officially represented by the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association
and unofficially by the Paramotor Club
s, hovercraft
and aircraft
are only ways to travel in such conditions. Furthermore, if the landscape is fractured by small and shallow lakes and bays, as in swamplands, it may be difficult to navigate even in good conditions. Observation and counting of protected species, e.g. Saimaa ringed seal
, in such conditions has been conducted using a powered paraglider.
Another use that has been demonstrated is the herding of reindeer
. Although the tundra is open terrain, there are no roads and the terrain is still uneven. A powered parachute can be used instead of a snowmobile
or a motorcycle
.
In some countries, such as the UK,the legal position is unclear. In the United States, if the aircraft meets the ultralight definitions, no license is required. The same is true in the UK under SSDR rules (Single Seat De-Regulated). However, even in these countries, if the machine has two seats it is no longer an ultralight. In the US such a craft would be governed under the Sport Pilot rules and regulated as a light sport aircraft powered parachute which requires an aircraft N-number and pilots must be licensed.
A powered paraglider differs from a powered parachute
(PPC) primarily in size, power, control method, and number of occupants. Powered paragliders are smaller, use more efficient (but more difficult to manage) paraglider wings, and steer with brake toggles like sport parachutists. Powered parachutes typically use easier-to-manage but less efficient wings, have larger engines, steer with their feet, and may be able to take along passengers. There are exceptions; a growing number of powered parachutes use elliptical wings, some use hand controls, and many are light single seat aircraft that meet FAA Part 103 requirements.
, RPF1 category.
Paragliding
Paragliding is the recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure...
, also known as paramotoring, is a form of ultralight aviation
Ultralight aviation
The term "ultralight aviation" refers to light-weight, 1- or 2-person airplanes., also called microlight aircraft in the UK, India and New Zealand...
where the pilot wears a motor on his or her back (a paramotor
Paramotor
Paramotor is a generic name for the propulsive portion of a powered paraglider . It consists of a frame that combines the motor, propeller, harness and cage...
) which provides enough thrust to take off using an adapted paraglider or paramotor wing. It can be launched in still air, and on level ground, by the pilot alone — no assistance is required.
In many countries, including the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, powered paragliding is minimally regulated and requires no license. The ability to fly both low and slow safely, the 'open' feel, the minimal equipment and maintenance costs, and the portability are claimed to be this type of flying's greatest merits.
Powered paragliders usually fly between 15 and 45 mph (25 and 70 km/h) at altitudes from 'foot-dragging in the grass' up to 18,000 ft (5400 m) although most flying is done under 500 ft (150 m) AGL (above ground level).
Due to the paramotors slow forward speed it must not be flown in high wind conditions. Paramotors can be flown during any season of the year any where on the planet so long as you avoid flying during the turbulent (thermic) times of the day, and not in high wind conditions. This typically means at low Sun azimuths, so in the morning or in the late afternoon depending ,of course, on weather conditions.
The paramotor, weighing from 45 to 80 pounds (20 to 36 kg) is supported by the pilot during takeoff, after a brief run (typically 10 feet or 3 metres) the wing lifts the motor and its harnessed pilot off the ground. After takeoff, the pilot gets into the seat and sits suspended beneath the inflated paraglider wing. Control is available using brake toggles for roll
Flight dynamics
Flight dynamics is the science of air vehicle orientation and control in three dimensions. The three critical flight dynamics parameters are the angles of rotation in three dimensions about the vehicle's center of mass, known as pitch, roll and yaw .Aerospace engineers develop control systems for...
and a hand-held throttle for pitch
Flight dynamics
Flight dynamics is the science of air vehicle orientation and control in three dimensions. The three critical flight dynamics parameters are the angles of rotation in three dimensions about the vehicle's center of mass, known as pitch, roll and yaw .Aerospace engineers develop control systems for...
.
Prices for a complete package (wing, harness, and motor) vary from approximately $6000 USD to $9500 USD.
License and training
Neither a license nor specific training is required in the U.S., U.K. or many other countries. Where there is no specific regulation (e.g. Mexico) paramotor flying is tolerated provided the pilots cooperate with local officials when appropriate. In countries where specific regulation exists, such as France,Italy and South Africa, pilots must be trained, both in flying theory and practice, by licensed instructors. Some countries that require formal certification frequently do so through non-government ultralight aviation organizations.Regardless of regulations, powered paragliding can be dangerous when practiced without proper training.
For a pilot to get through most organizations' full pilot syllabus requires around four weeks. A number of techniques are employed for teaching, although most include getting the student familiar with handling the wing either on the ground, small hills or on tandem flights.
With special gear it is possible to take a passenger (tandem), but most countries, including the U.S., require some form of certification to do so.
Regulation
In most countries, paramotor pilots operate under simple rules that spare them certification requirements for pilot and gear. Those laws, however, limit where they can fly—specifying that pilots remain in sparsely populated areas where risk to other people or aircraft is limited. U.S. pilots operate under Federal Aviation Administration regulation Part 103.Safety
Research done by the USPPAUSPPA
The United States Powered Paragliding Association , is a non-profit organization based in the United States that endeavors to support a segment of ultralight aviation known as powered paragliding....
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 of injury is flying into something other than the landing zone. Some pilots carry a reserve parachute designed to open in as little as 50 ft (15.2 m)
The lack of established design criteria for these aircraft led the British Air Accidents Investigation Branch
Air Accidents Investigation Branch
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch investigates air accidents in the United Kingdom. It is a branch of the Department for Transport and is based on the grounds of Farnborough Airport near Aldershot, Rushmoor, Hampshire.-History:...
to conclude in 2007 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"
Associations
In the USA, the sport is represented primarily by the US Powered Paragliding Association (USPPAUSPPA
The United States Powered Paragliding Association , is a non-profit organization based in the United States that endeavors to support a segment of ultralight aviation known as powered paragliding....
)Unpowered paragliders are represented by the U.S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA
USHPA
The United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association is a non-profit organization supporting foot-launched soaring flight in the United States. It began in 1971 as the Southern California Hang Gliding Association and became national in scope by the mid-1970s. When paragliding became popular...
) which distanced itself from any motorized flying in 2006 which also holds an exemption allowing two-place training using foot-launched paramotors. The US Ultralight Association (USUA
USUA
The United States Ultralight Association is a non-profit organization that endeavors to support ultralight aviation and ultralight aircraft...
) and ASC also offer some support. .
In Britain the sport is officially represented by the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association
British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association
The British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association is the governing body in the UK for hang gliding and paragliding and is based in Leicester....
and unofficially by the Paramotor Club
Military use
In some armies, powered paragliding is used to insert special forces soldiers into specific areas. The Lebanese Airborne regiment adopted this technique in 2008.Civilian uses
Powered paragliders are useful as replacements to terrestrial vehicles in difficult terrain. In the spring, when the sea or lakes are still frozen, but the ice has begun melting, it cannot be walked, skied, or driven on, and neither navigated by boat. HydrocopterHydrocopter
A hydrocopter is an amphibious aircraft-propelled catamaran. The vehicle has a boat-like hull, small wheels and pontoon skids . An aircraft engine with aircraft propeller and air rudder pushes the hydrocopter across water, ice, snow and land.It is very useful in arctic coastal regions during...
s, hovercraft
Hovercraft
A hovercraft is a craft capable of traveling over surfaces while supported by a cushion of slow moving, high-pressure air which is ejected against the surface below and contained within a "skirt." Although supported by air, a hovercraft is not considered an aircraft.Hovercraft are used throughout...
and aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
are only ways to travel in such conditions. Furthermore, if the landscape is fractured by small and shallow lakes and bays, as in swamplands, it may be difficult to navigate even in good conditions. Observation and counting of protected species, e.g. Saimaa ringed seal
Saimaa Ringed Seal
The Saimaa ringed seal The Saimaa ringed seal The Saimaa ringed seal (Pusa hispida saimensis, is a subspecies of ringed seal (Pusa hispida). They are among the most endangered seals in the world, having a total population of only about 260 individuals. The only existing population of these seals is...
, in such conditions has been conducted using a powered paraglider.
Another use that has been demonstrated is the herding of reindeer
Reindeer
The reindeer , also known as the caribou in North America, is a deer from the Arctic and Subarctic, including both resident and migratory populations. While overall widespread and numerous, some of its subspecies are rare and one has already gone extinct.Reindeer vary considerably in color and size...
. Although the tundra is open terrain, there are no roads and the terrain is still uneven. A powered parachute can be used instead of a snowmobile
Snowmobile
A snowmobile, also known in some places as a snowmachine, or sled,is a land vehicle for winter travel on snow. Designed to be operated on snow and ice, they require no road or trail. Design variations enable some machines to operate in deep snow or forests; most are used on open terrain, including...
or a motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
.
Trikes and powered parachutes
Light-weight carts or "trikes" (called "quads" if they have four wheels) can also be mounted on powered paragliders for those who prefer not to, or are unable to, foot launch. Some are permanent units.In some countries, such as the UK,the legal position is unclear. In the United States, if the aircraft meets the ultralight definitions, no license is required. The same is true in the UK under SSDR rules (Single Seat De-Regulated). However, even in these countries, if the machine has two seats it is no longer an ultralight. In the US such a craft would be governed under the Sport Pilot rules and regulated as a light sport aircraft powered parachute which requires an aircraft N-number and pilots must be licensed.
A powered paraglider differs from a powered parachute
Powered parachute
A powered parachute is a parachute with motor and wheels. The aircraft's airspeed is typically about 25–35 mph . PPCs operate safely at heights ranging from a few feet off the ground to altitudes as high as 18,000+ feet...
(PPC) primarily in size, power, control method, and number of occupants. Powered paragliders are smaller, use more efficient (but more difficult to manage) paraglider wings, and steer with brake toggles like sport parachutists. Powered parachutes typically use easier-to-manage but less efficient wings, have larger engines, steer with their feet, and may be able to take along passengers. There are exceptions; a growing number of powered parachutes use elliptical wings, some use hand controls, and many are light single seat aircraft that meet FAA Part 103 requirements.
World records
Determined by the FAIFédération Aéronautique Internationale
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale is the world governing body for air sports and aeronautics and astronautics world records. Its head office is in Lausanne, Switzerland. This includes man-carrying aerospace vehicles from balloons to spacecraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles...
, RPF1 category.
- 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 GryllsBear GryllsEdward Michael "Bear" Grylls is an English adventurer, writer and television presenter. He is best known for his television series Man vs. Wild, known as Born Survivor in the United Kingdom...
on 14 May 2007 at 0933 local time over the Himalayas using a parajet engine invented by Gilo Cardozo and a specifically designed Reflex paraglider wing invented by Mike Campbell-Jones of Paramania. Gilo who also flew in the attempt had engine problems that ended his climb 300m short of the record. Bear went on to claim an altitude of 8,990m (29,494 ft) though satisfactory evidence of this claim was not submitted to FAIFédération Aéronautique InternationaleThe Fédération Aéronautique Internationale is the world governing body for air sports and aeronautics and astronautics world records. Its head office is in Lausanne, Switzerland. This includes man-carrying aerospace vehicles from balloons to spacecraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles...
and therefore was not ratified as a world record for this aircraft class.
- Distance in a straight line without landing : 1105 km (686.6 mi) 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.
See also
- ParamotorParamotorParamotor is a generic name for the propulsive portion of a powered paraglider . It consists of a frame that combines the motor, propeller, harness and cage...
- Hang glidingHang glidingHang gliding is an air sport in which a pilot flies a light and unmotorized foot-launchable aircraft called a hang glider ....
- Powered hang gliderPowered Hang GliderA foot-launched powered hang glider , also called powered harness, nanolight, or hangmotor, is a powered hang glider harness with a motor and propeller in pusher configuration...
- Powered parachutePowered parachuteA powered parachute is a parachute with motor and wheels. The aircraft's airspeed is typically about 25–35 mph . PPCs operate safely at heights ranging from a few feet off the ground to altitudes as high as 18,000+ feet...
- Powered skydivingPowered skydivingPowered skydiving is an activity where a skydiver jumps from some height wearing propulson and small wings to fly their bodies...
, where the man jumps out of an aircraft - KiteKiteA kite is a tethered aircraft. The necessary lift that makes the kite wing fly is generated when air flows over and under the kite's wing, producing low pressure above the wing and high pressure below it. This deflection also generates horizontal drag along the direction of the wind...
- Kite applicationsKite applicationsThe kite is used to do certain things; one kite or many kites are applied to achieve certain purposes, objectives, or tasks, that is: applications. Humans have applied the kite to bring perceived benefits during peace and war alike. New applications for the kite continue to be found...
- Kite lineKite lineKites have a wing and a kite line , or sometimes more than one line. Kite systems may have more than one kite and more than one kite line....
- Kite typesKite typesKites are tethered flying objects which fly by using aerodynamic lift, requiring wind, , for generation of airflow over the lifting surfaces.-Kite types:...
- Ultralight trike
External links
- Learn PPG - Powered Paragliding Tutorial
- USPPA - United States Powered Paragliding Association
- Talk PPG - Powered Paragliding Forum
- ParamotorsUK - UK Paramotoring Resource & Training
- Paramotor Magazine - International Paramotoring magazine
- www.ppghub.com - The social network for Powered Paragliding Pilots