What's this? Another expensive hobby!? - Paramotoring

[JustRidin]

So I've recently come across several videos around "paramotoring", or "powered paragliding". Essentially flying a paraglider with a 2 stroke motor and fan on your back. The slow speeds and powered takeoff allow launches from a soccer field and the ability to fly low enough to skim your feet in water or along corn fields.

Acrobatic and slalom styles exist for the adrenaline junkies or cross country for explorers.


Listening to an instructor speak generally on paramotoring and its risks he mentioned approximately 75% of his students already ride motorcycles. This makes sense as most of us likely have a higher than usual risk tolerance.


Thought I might share what could be an incredibly enjoyable sport for my fellow riders.

I'm thinking of attending a week long training next spring to learn to fly and sink the ~$10k into buying my own setup. It's still by far the cheapest way to fly and makes this the first time I ever thought it was possible for me to do so. Plus, no tires to replace!

****If anyone is interested in this I'd recommend you take a course to get you started, similar to the MSF in purpose. In the USA you can find a directory of certified schools and instructors at www.usppa.org the most prominent paramotoring organization in the country.

Link to original page on YouTube.

Paramotoring over Alaskan Range: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxVQ25ld0s8&t=171s
Acrobatic Paramotoring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWovi-RL4c4&t=6s

[jrshooter]

i would do that , looks like fun

[CaliGrrl]

I've seen a few of those around. We see more of the regular paragliders, but there's some powered ones around.

[VaFish]

Like I need another expensive hobby.

Looks like lots of fun.

[cbinker]

I stick to hookers, blow and motorcycle racing.

[CynicalC]

I wonder if you could commute on one of those.

[JohnnyBravo]

I think it's cool, but count me out today

[Aggrotech]

No idea if you watch any motovloggers but doitwithdan and jakethegardensnake attended some paramotor training not tooo long ago. they both have videos up of them at the training and since then i believe only jakethegardensnake has flown around his area since the training. iirc they both stated once you do the training they give you the paramotor setup....idk if thats true or if its because of who they are and what they do, but i think id much prefer to just fly a plane myself

[Zaph42]

I wonder if you need the full parachute training for that. If so, forget it. I hate the tandem jumps. The last thing I'm going to do is spoon with another guy in the sky.

[VaFish]

Originally Posted by Zaph42

I wonder if you need the full parachute training for that. If so, forget it. I hate the tandem jumps. The last thing I'm going to do is spoon with another guy in the sky.

You don't have to do tandem jumps do you? When I did my jump training I just did my first jumps static line.

[CaliGrrl]

The instructors here use a training hill, and it's just you on the kite. When you get good, they take you to the mountains, and have you on radio to give advice but as far as I know, you're still solo, no tandems unless you want it.

[Brother Michigan]

A few people in my area fly these pretty often; looks like a lot of fun!

[JustRidin]

Originally Posted by CynicalC

I wonder if you could commute on one of those.

If you work in a relatively rural area you can. FAA regulations won't allow flights over densely populated areas or gatherings.

[JustRidin]

Originally Posted by Aggrotech

No idea if you watch any motovloggers but doitwithdan and jakethegardensnake attended some paramotor training not tooo long ago. they both have videos up of them at the training and since then i believe only jakethegardensnake has flown around his area since the training. iirc they both stated once you do the training they give you the paramotor setup....idk if thats true or if its because of who they are and what they do, but i think id much prefer to just fly a plane myself

I could only imagine they were given setups as part of an effort to advertise through their channels. Otherwise training is ~$1,500 -$2,500 for ~10 days and equipment use during that time. Afterwards many people purchase a setup from the place they trained at for additional money though.