You're a Newly Qualified Paramotor Pilot... What's Next?
Completing a beginner paramotoring course like High Adventure's 14-Day Learn To Paramotor course is a huge achievement. You’ve been signed off as a safe and competent PPG pilot, capable of launching, flying, and landing confidently, and you now hold your PPG licence.
But finishing the course isn’t the end of the journey - it’s the beginning.
Now that you’re a newly qualified PPG pilot, the focus shifts to gaining experience, refining your skills, and progressing safely as a pilot. Here’s what you should focus on next.
1. Apply for Your SAFA Membership
If you want to paramotor in Australia, you must be a member of the Sports Aviation Federation of Australia (SAFA).
SAFA administers paramotoring under CASA regulations, meaning membership is required to legally fly a paramotor. It’s also how your licence, skills, and flight hours are officially recognised.
For new pilots, SAFA membership provides:
- Certification and recognition of your PPG rating
- Essential insurance coverage
- Official recording of your skills and qualifications
- Support for clubs and flying sites around Australia
- Advocacy for pilots and the sport
Once your instructor has signed you off as a licensed PPG pilot, applying for SAFA membership is the most important next step - without it, you cannot legally paramotor in Australia. You can apply for your SAFA membership here.
2. Purchase the Right Gear (With Expert Guidance)
Many new pilots are eager to purchase their own paramotor equipment - and that’s exciting - but choosing the right gear is critical.
You’ll need:
This is where experience really counts. High Adventure can provide guidance, and it’s strongly recommended that you speak with your course instructor before buying anything. They understand:
- Your flying ability
- Your learning speed
- Your weight range and wing loading
- Your future goals
High Adventure students receive a $700 discount on the purchase of a new paramotoring gear set (motor, wing and reserve). If you’d like advice, recommendations, or pricing, just reach out - we’re always happy to help.
It’s also essential to consult an expert before purchasing second-hand gear, as it’s easy to buy the wrong equipment. For example:
- An incorrect size
- A motor that’s too heavy
- Wrong hang point setup
- Older engines no longer supported
The right gear will make your progression smoother, safer, and more enjoyable. The wrong gear can slow your development or increase risk. High Adventure instructors can guide you to select equipment suited to your skill level and flying goals.
3. Join a Local PPG Club
Connecting with other pilots is one of the best ways to grow in the sport.
PPG pilots should join a local paramotoring club where possible. If there isn’t a dedicated PPG club in your area, joining a local paragliding club is still valuable. Many PG clubs have active paramotor pilots who can offer advice and mentorship.
Clubs provide:
- Local site knowledge
- Weather guidance
- Mentorship
- A community of experienced pilots
High Adventure instructors can help connect you with local pilots and clubs after your course.
4. Complete Your Supervised Flying Hours
As a newly licensed PPG pilot, your first 10 hours of flight time must be completed under the supervision of a certified PPG Safety Officer.
This supervision:
- Builds safe habits early
- Reinforces good decision-making
- Provides valuable feedback
- Helps you gain confidence in a controlled way
High Adventure can connect you with a certified PPG Safety Officer in your area to complete your supervised hours. Once these are completed, you are able to fly solo without ongoing oversight.
5. Gain as Much Experience as Possible
Progress in paramotoring comes from regular, consistent flying.
As a new PPG pilot, it’s essential to fly only within your current skill level and in conditions you can safely manage. Avoid flying in challenging conditions or attempting advanced manoeuvres too early.
Tips for building experience safely:
- Focus on smooth, controlled launches and landings
- Practice ground handling regularly
- Log every flight and reflect on what you learned
- Gradually expand your skills and confidence
Strong ground handling skills improve launches, control, and decision-making and remain one of the most valuable abilities you can develop as a pilot.
Consistency, reflection, and safe progression are the most effective ways to continue to develop as a competent and confident pilot.
6. Do a Refresher Day
Even after completing your course, it’s normal to feel a little rusty or want to refine specific skills.
High Adventure offers Refresher Days for pilots who haven’t flown for a while or who want to brush up on specific techniques.
During a Refresher Day, you can:
- Revisit launch techniques
- Refine landing accuracy
- Improve ground handling
- Correct bad habits before they become big ones
- Review weather and flight planning
- Receive guidance to fly safely and confidently
Refresher Days are a fantastic way to maintain and improve your skills while building confidence for your next flights. Many pilots are surprised how much they improve in a single guided day.
As a bonus, all High Adventure students receive one free Refresher Day within 12 months of course completion.
7. Do a Cross-Country Endorsement
When you first receive your PPG licence, you’re permitted to fly up to 25 nautical miles from launch.
Once you reach 20+ hours of total flight time over a minimum of 25 flying days, you can complete a Cross-Country Endorsement, which removes distance limits entirely.
This endorsement develops skills in:
- Navigation
- Airspace awareness
- Flight planning
- Fuel and engine management
- Weather assessment over distance
For many pilots, this opens up a whole new level of freedom in paramotoring.
8. Attend a Fly-In
Fly-ins are a fantastic way to meet other paramotor pilots from around Australia, share experiences, and learn from one another.
Popular fly-ins include:
- Prop Fest – Australia’s largest annual paramotor gathering with demos, workshops, and social flying
- Pico Fly-Ins – Regional gatherings to network, learn, and enjoy group flying
Fly-Ins are great for:
- Meeting experienced pilots and mentors
- Learning new techniques
- Discovering new flying sites
- Building friendships and support networks
9. Do a Free Fly Endorsement
Many paramotor pilots choose to complete a Paramotor to Paragliding Endorsement, allowing them to free fly without a motor.
Free flying builds valuable skills:
- Improved wing control
- Better understanding of lift and air movement
- Stronger active piloting skills
- Greater overall confidence
Flying both paramotors and paragliders accelerates learning and develops a more well-rounded pilot.
10. Join a Paragliding Tour
If you are also a licenced paragliding pilot, one of the best ways to gain experience is by joining a paragliding tour.
High Adventure’s annual Bali paragliding tours provide:
- Supervised flying
- Consistent conditions
- Skill development opportunities
- A supportive learning environment
Tours are excellent for building hours, developing skills, and enjoying unforgettable flying experiences with like-minded pilots.
The Big Picture
Paramotoring is not a race - it’s a journey.
The pilots who continue to grow into highly skilled and versatile flyers are the ones who:
- Fly consistently and safely within their skill level
- Practice ground handling regularly
- Seek guidance and mentorship
- Take advantage of opportunities to refine skills and gain supervised experience
- Log flights and reflect on experiences
- Gradually expand skills while maintaining safe progression
- Stay humble, seek feedback, and keep learning
At High Adventure, we don’t just train pilots - we help build lifelong aviators. If you ever need guidance on gear, endorsements, refresher training, tours, or next steps, we’re always here to help.
Welcome to the next chapter of your paramotoring adventure!
