Frequently Asked Questions:

How high?
18,000 feet is the legal limit. Dress warmly and bring oxygen if you go that high. Above 10,000 feet, climb rate starts to slow.

How low?
Flying low is one of the best parts of this sport! You can safely fly inches above the ground, like a magic carpet.

How fast?
Between 17 and 28 mph, depending on the glider. However, speed is not as important as you may think.

How far?
Cross country flights are typically 50 miles or less. Depending on equipment and winds, you could go up to 100 miles.

Where?
You can fly anywhere except over populated areas, and within 5 miles of an airport with an operating control tower.

Taking passengers?
Taking a passenger or "tandem" fliying is possible with the correct equipment and training. A special license is required.

Getting started?
Purchase the correct equipment and sign up for instruction. Lite Touch Films will guide you through this process.

Need a License?
No. Powered paragliders are ultralights, operating under FAA rules Part 103. No age, medical, or training requirements.

Equipment Cost?
Equipment new averages $7500.00. Used equipment can be up to 40% less. However, beware of those heavy units on Ebay.

What's my size?
You want a motor and wing that's right for your weight and location. See the Paramotor Guide and Wing Guide.

How long to learn?
Most students solo in a few days. Learning to control the glider on the ground or "kiting" is key. Flying a PPG is easy. More...

Set up time?
Set up takes 3 to 10 minutes, depending upon your equipment. Some units fit into a suitcase for travel or storage.

Inflating the glider?
During the Forward inflation, you run facing forward, pulling the wing up behind you. During the Reverse inflation, you face the wing, lean back, and use your weight to pull the wing up.

Take off distance?
In light winds (0 to 4 mph), you'll run 5 to 15 feet. In stronger winds (5 to 10 mph) you have to run 1 to 5 feet

Paramotor weight?
Paramotors weight 45 lbs to 65 lbs. During take off, you carry the weight only for a few seconds until the wing is inflated. Then the weight is carried by the paraglider.

Steering control?
Control is very easy. Simply pull the right handle to turn right, the left handle to turn left. During landing, you'll pull both at five feet above the ground for a gentle landing. Squeeze the throttle to climb, and release it to glide back down. It's so easy!

How maneuverable?
In the right winds, this airplane can fly sideways, backwards, turn on it's own axis. You can take off on a dime, and land on dime. You can do this in a helicopter, but not as safely.

Type of gas?
The same gas you use in your car mixed with 2 stroke oil, usually at a ratio of 50 to 1. Mixing bottles available at most motorcycle shops make this super easy.

If the engine stops?
The engine is only used to go up and maintain altitude. At any time, you can shut off the motor and land safely. You are flying an open parachute that can glide up to 7 feet forward with only one foot down (7 to 1 glide ratio).

Can I restart?
Yes, the newer engines come with very high energy ignitions that make starting very easy with a small tug on the starter rope. Some motors have electric starters. Either way, you can stop the engine, soar, and then restart anytime you like.

Are paragliders safe?
The modern paraglider is built and tested with loads up to 15 times greater than can be exerted during flight. Almost all paragliders will continue to fly perfectly without pilot input.

Is PPG safe?
As in all forms of aviation, there are risks. However, these risks are very small when you operate within the guidelines outlined in Risk and Reward DVD. In general, you are hanging from an open parachute, making it inherently the safest powered aircraft on the planet.

When not to fly?
Yes, the fact that you are flying a very light airplane means that you are limited to lighter wind conditions, and morning and late afternoon flying. The mid-day skys are generally too rough to enjoy this type of flying. The exception to this is beach flying where you can fly all day long. On the beach, the air is not disturbed by the ocean as much as it is by land.

Transporting the PPG?
Most ppg's break down into very small packages and fit in your car trunk. This break down takes 5 minutes and can be reassembled in just a few minutes. Some pilots carry their units on racks that plug into a receiver hitch. These racks can be purchased for as little as $50. Some units actually fit in a suitcase.

PPG's on the airlines?
Checking your PPG as baggage isn't as easy as it used to be since 9/11. However, some airlines still allow you to take them. It appears that international flights for some reason are usually more receptive to taking your PPG. You must clean it up and remove all gas and oil.