Paragliding is the simplest form of flight: no plane, no windows, just you - floating on air with your knees in the breeze!

A paraglider is a foot-launched inflatable wing. It is easy to transport, easy to launch, and easy to land. The paraglider itself has no rigid structure and the pilot is suspended by lines. The pilot is clipped into a harness, which is quite comfortable. The motor is a backpack unit with propeller to give thrust allowing you to climb and fly level at your own will.

What happens it the motor quits?
It's a glider, and it will continue to glide! The loss of power only limits your ability to maintain altitude. The glider flies about 6 feet forward for every foot lost (a 6 to 1 glide ratio). With even moderate skill, a paraglider (powered or not) can be landed in quite a small space. A motor failure is rarely more than an inconvenience.

How long does it take to learn?
Industry experts recommend 7-10 full days of training from a certified trainer to really become a proficient pilot. However add in good/bad weather, training on just weekends and other facts of life, it can take many months. Some students come to learn all at once, immersing themselves in the training while others like to spread it out over the course of many months.

Paramotoring is probably the safest form of private aviation ever devised.

It is safer than flying in small planes or riding motorcycles but not as safe as driving. One reason for the good safety record is that most problems will prevent the pilot from successfully taking off.

Like most adventure sports, it's as safe or dangerous as you make it. Powered Paragliding has a very good safety record amongst pilots that have been properly trained by a professional. It is of course crucial that you receive instruction from a certified professional and use safe equipment. 

Paragliding is an outdoor sport and the weather is unpredictable. A thorough understanding of the air, and the dynamics of flight makes a trained pilot much safer than an untrained pilot. The primary safety factors are personal judgment and attitude. You must be willing to learn gradually and to think with your head not with your ego. If you do not, then you can get injured or killed; if you do, then you can paraglide well into your life.

You will need a backpack  Motor Unit (PPG), a Paraglider (wing), and a helmet.  Most pilots also fly with radios for communicating with other pilots on the ground or in the air.

Do I need to get certified or get a license?

Paragliding is a self-regulated sport, so technically you are not required by law to be a certified pilot. Getting good training is, however, paramount to personal safety as well as avoiding blundering into restricted airspace. However, not getting proper training is a sure way to trouble.

The USA regards Motorized Paragliders, powered paragliders, or Paramotors as Ultralight Aircraft, and are subject to the rules and regulations of ultralights in FAR Part 103.

What is the best way to start?

Make sure you get training from a USPPA or USHGA certified instructor. These pilots have generally made the largest commitment in skills and time to get where they are. They also have a standardized and very thorough training syllabus to insure complete training.

It is more important to get with a good instructor than it is to choose equipment. History has shown that success doesn't depend on the type of gear as much as the choice of instructor.

Call and make a reservation! You'll never forget your first day of flight in a paraglider.

You can email American Powered Paragliding at info@americanppg.com or call us at 805-966-5900.

Look here to see what you would do on your First Day Lesson, or if you have a high speed internet connection, you can watch our video about Learning To Fly. Find out more about the costs of Powered Paragliding Instruction.