Paramotor Pilot Training and Licencing

Learning to paramotor is one of the most exciting aviation journeys you can take. There’s nothing quite like the freedom of walking out to a field, starting your motor, and taking off under your wing into wide-open sky. 

At High Adventure, we offer two clear pathways to help you become a safe, confident, and fully licenced PPG (powered paragliding) pilot.

Whether you want to jump straight into paramotoring or build a foundation through paragliding first, this guide will help you understand your options, what you can do with your licence, and how the different training routes work.

Training Routes: What’s the Best Way to Get Your Paramotor Licence?

Future paramotor pilots generally take one of two pathways:

Option A: Go Straight Into the 14-Day Learn To Paramotor Course

This is the most direct pathway and the one we recommend for anyone whose ultimate goal is paramotoring.

Our 14-Day Learn To Paramotor course takes you from absolute beginner to confident, licenced PPG pilot, covering:

• ground handling
• paragliding fundamentals
• powered flight
• safety procedures
• flight planning
• and plenty of airtime

It’s the fastest and most streamlined way to get your PPG licence and start paramotoring sooner.

Option B: Do the 9-Day Learn To Paraglide Course First

Some students prefer to get their paragliding licence first by completing our 9-Day Learn To Paraglide course, and then add paramotoring later. 

This pathway works, but the timing of when you can paramotor depends on which PPG route you choose after getting your paragliding licence.

Upon completing the 9-day paragliding course, you receive your SAFA PG2 licence. From there, you have two options:

1) Reach PG4 Then Complete The 3-Day Paramotor Endorsement

To be eligible for the 3-Day Paramotor Endorsement, you must be a PG4-level paraglider pilot.

Reaching PG4 can take several years of flying, experience, and progression (you can read more about the PG licence levels and progression here). Only once you reach PG4 can you do the 3-day endorsement to get your PPG licence.

This is ideal for those who are happy to focus on paragliding first and want to add paramotoring later in their flying career.

2) Complete The 14-Day Learn To Paramotor Course

If you want to paramotor sooner while you're a PG2 or PG3 licenced pilot, you would need to do the full 14-day Learn To Paramotor course.

This means paying for and completing both the 9-day paragliding course and the full paramotor course.

So Which Route Should You Choose?

If your dream is to paramotor as soon as possible, we usually recommend going straight into the 14-Day Learn To Paramotor course.

This avoids:

• waiting several years to reach PG4
• paying for two full courses
• repeating overlapping training

However, the choice is entirely yours and depends on your goals, budget, and how soon you’d like to start your powered flying journey.

PPG Licence: What Can You Do With It?

Once you successfully complete your paramotor course or endorsement and receive your SAFA PPG licence, here’s what flying looks like:

Your First 10 Hours - Supervised Flying

After the course, you’ll need to complete your first 10 hours of flying under the supervision of a certified PPG Safety Officer. We can connect you with someone local to your area.

After 10 Hours - Solo Flying

Once your supervised hours are completed, you can fly solo without needing oversight.

Distance Considerations

Your PPG licence initially allows you to fly up to 25 nautical miles. 

When you reach 25 hours of flight time, you can complete a 2-Day Cross-Country Endorsement, which removes distance limits entirely.

Flying Areas and Restrictions

Australia has several important rules for PPG pilots:

• You must follow all controlled and restricted airspace regulations.
• Flying over high-density or built-up areas has specific guidelines.
• Outside controlled airspace, you can fly freely wherever you like.
• There is a maximum legal PPG flying height of 12,500 feet.

FAQ: Do I Get a Paragliding Licence and a Paramotor Licence in the 14-Day Paramotor Course?

This is one of the most common questions we receive, so here’s how it works:

PPG Licence

The licence you earn on successful completion of the 14-Day Learn To Paramotor course is the SAFA PPG (Powered Paragliding) Licence - this is for paramotoring only.

Paragliding Licence

The licence you earn on successful completion of the 9-Day Learn To Paraglide course. is the SAFA PG2 (paragliding) licence - this is for paragliding only.

Can You Earn PG2 During the Paramotor Course?

Possibly.

Because the first part of the 14-day paramotor course covers paragliding fundamentals, some PPG students may meet the PG2 requirements during training.

However, we cannot guarantee that our PPG students will receive a PG2 licence because:

• Some requirements for the PG2 licence are not required for the PPG licence
• The focus of the 14-day paramotor course is meeting the PPG requirements
• Weather conditions may limit time available for extra PG2 requirements

If achieving the PG2 licence is important to you, let us know and we’ll support you where possible - but it depends on weather conditions and individual progress.

If You Get Your PPG Licence but Not PG2

Once you have your PPG licence you can complete a 3-Day Paramotoring to Paragliding Endorsement later to earn your PG2 paragliding licence. This can be done with us and allows you to expand your skills into free-flying in addition to paramotoring.

Ready to Start Your Paramotoring Journey?

Whether you’re excited to explore new landscapes, dream of having epic cross-country adventures, or simply want the freedom to launch almost anywhere, paramotoring is an incredibly rewarding way to take to the sky.

If you're unsure which training route is right for you, get in touch - we’d be happy to chat through the options and help you choose the pathway that best suits your goals.

Or if you're ready to start your paramotoring adventure, book your paramotor course now!