Learn to Paramotor | Live-in Courses

MAKE 2018 ABOUT ADVENTURE

PARAMOTOR TRAINING

All Paramotoring Courses at High Adventure are run by David Wainwright, current Australian Paramotoring Champion (2015 and 2016) and two-time winner of the Endurance Adventure Paramotor Race – The Icarus Trophy which is held in the US (2015 and 2016).

Paramotoring is incredibly easy to master and one of the safest forms of aviation. At High Adventure, our paramotoring courses cater for pilot’s who want to learn both Paragliding and Paramotoring, any pilot who just wants to focus on paramotoring and paragliding pilots of an Intermediate level who can undertake the HGFA Paramotoring Endorsement.

The HGFA Training Syllabus is through, and our extensive training programs are considered one of the best in Australia, taking you well beyond the minimum requirements giving all pilots a solid foundation.

Our Paramotoring course starts out learning the techniques and skills involved in Paragliding. After several hours of ground handling, you can expect to take your first solo flights at our private training field. When you have mastered your launching, landing and basic glider skills, you will progress to your motor training.

Review of Equipment
Through understanding of the equipment and how it works
Mastering the Paraglider
Ground handling fundamentals glider inflation and break control
Launching Techniques
Forward launch techniques for low-wind conditions and reverse launch for higher wind conditions
Paramotor Simulator Training
Introduction to motor using simulator ground training with and without power
Landing and Launch Practice
Receptive launching and landing practice to build confidence. Assessing clearance, ground conditions and safe landing options

Pre-Flight Checks
Learn how to conduct a paramotor and gear pre-flight safety check
Radio Instructed Guided Flights
You will conduct countless radio assisted instructional flights during your training, they will range from multiple touch and go flights, shorter 20 min flights and end with some spectacular cross-country flight – usually exceeding 30kms
Emergency procedures
Emergency procedures overview theory, outcomes, and prevention
Classroom Theory
Some of the topics covered in the extensive classroom theory include airspace rules and regulations, drag and thrust, torque effects, principals of flight, meteorology, and navigation

GROUND HANDLING

Mastering the art of ground handling is a fundamental skill in learning to fly a paramotor and widely recognised as the most important of all skills a proficient paramotoring pilot can have. At High Adventure, we put great emphasis on developing confident ‘kiting,’ control and launching skill techniques that teach pilots how to respond to their glider and understand its reaction.

ADDING POWER

With your ground handling skills now well practiced and your paragliding skills mastered, you are now ready to discover what powered flight is all about. After spending some time kiting your glider with the new additional weight of the motor and getting acquainted with the throttle, you will practice applying some power. Getting a feel for the engine and what it’s like to apply power is a new technique for you to master.

TAKING TO THE SKY

With the culmination of all your skills learnt over the past few days you are now ready for your first powered flight. You will perform the same launch sequences you learned in the paragliding fundamentals and now simply add some power. Within a few short steps, you will now be airborne. You will practice your launching, landing, and turns. Lots of flights, touch and go’s and some stunning cross country flights are ahead of you. There are unlimited experiences and exciting challenges with this new sport.

COURSE OPTIONS

FULL PARAMOTOR TRAINING

– 12-14 Days training for the complete beginner
– Straight through PPG Paramotor Licence
– Paragliding Free Flight Endorsement (no cost)
– VHF Radio Operators Licence
– Minimum 20 Hours Supervised Flying
– All equipment supplied (motor, glider, helmet + radio)

$3500 own gear/$4500 our gear

FULL COURSE DATES

27th December – 9th January (FULL)
1st February – 14th February
15th February – 28th February
22nd March – 4th April
26th April – 9th May
17th May – 30th May

HGFA PARAMOTOR ENDORSEMENT

– 2-4 Days to complete
– HGFA Paramotor Endorsement
– All equipment supplied (motor, glider, helmet + radio)
– VHF Radio Endorsement
– Discounted if you train on your own gear
– Must have Intermediate PG Rating

$350/Day own gear – $450/day our gear

ENDORSEMENT DATES

1st December – 6th December
9th February – 14th February 23rd
23rd February – 28th February
16th March – 21st March
30th March – 4th April
13th April – 18th April

What is Paramotoring?

Powered Paragliding PPG and Paramotoring are the same thing. We like to call it Paramotoring in Australia, however, in the US and Europe, it’s commonly referred to as Powered Paragliding. The sport of paramotoring was popularised in France in the late 80s.

Paramotoring has evolved from the popular sports of hang gliding and paragliding. While a paraglider is reliant on uplift and thermals, and launching must be done from a hill or by winch tow, by adding a motor, take off can be done in a few short steps on any suitable flat area.

How long can I fly for?

On average a pilot can get 45-60 minutes of flight time for 3.5 litres of fuel. A standard tank of fuel at speeds up to 60kms an hour can get you 2.5-4hrs of flying. This, of course, can be dependent on the gear you are flying, overall weight, headwind, throttle-use, the size of the engine, fuel efficiency and glide ratio.

Flying time can be extended for hours by cutting off the motor and using thermals, soaring and ridge lift to gain altitude. Switching back on as you need.

Age + Weight + Fitness

From the young to the old – paramotoring is a sport that is easily picked up and you’ll see yourself mastering the motor in no time.

There is no upper age limit, however, Paramotoring does require a certain amount of physical activity. Anyone with a moderate level of fitness should more than able to carry out the training. Please let us know if you have any pre-existing injuries.

The current minimum age restriction set by the HGFA for Paramotoring is 15 years.

Can the equipment fail?

The paramotor is used to get you off the ground and into the air, helping you maintain your altitude. At any given time, you can shut the engine off and fly the glider as you would a paraglider and safely glide back down to a safe landing option.

Motors that you will train on have both manual and electric start options. Learning how to safely stop your engine mid-flight and then restart again is an integral part of your training.

Superior designed Paramotoring Wings such as the APCO Lift EZ have an impressive Glide ratio of 8:1. This means the glider will travel 8 metres forward for every 1 metre down. Beginner Gliders such as Niviuk Link and APCO Lift EZ are designed with safety and training in mind. They stay fully pressurised and have a natural tendency in the design to fly straight. They are also considered to be forgiving on pilot input.

Buying 2nd Hand Equipment

ADVICE ON BUYING USED OR SECOND-HAND MOTORS AND GLIDERS:

Paramotors are not cheap (or if you find one that is, perhaps question it!) but they do represent the most inexpensive way to get airborne.
When looking to buy new or used, it will benefit you to know what to look for within your budget. If you are looking to save some money, buying a used paramotor can be a good option. You won’t get the latest and greatest, but is that what important?

Buying equipment off the internet or from another pilot could end up costing you more money in the long run if you don’t ask the right questions. We always (and that’s always) offer unbiased advice on used motor options. Most are great, and represent excellent value for money and can save you a lot of money, others not so, so if you’re thinking of buying a used motor, please ask for our advice or the advice of a very experienced motor pilot that knows that particular motor.

Use your instructor to help you pick the most suitable equipment for your weight and experience level, whether it’s new or 2nd hand.

Is Paramotoring safe?

Powered Paragliding Pilots (PPG) are essentially light aircraft pilots. The equipment used in PPG flying has advanced at an incredible speed since it was developed in the late 80s. As with all forms of aviation, there are risks involved. These risk should be considered very small if you operate your equipment as you have been taught and inline with the guidelines of operation under the HGFA/CASA regulations.

The HGFA has spent years creating a quality control system that encompasses pilot rating systems and their thorough and in-depth progressive training syllabus for HGFA Certified Instructors and students to follow. A skilled trainer and advanced training techniques are what will keep you safe in this sport.

Who can I fly with?

As Australia takes hold of this great sport, the community grows larger and larger every year and more and more ‘Clubs’ are popping up throughout Australia. The Australian Paramotoring community is full of some very friendly, welcoming and approachable people.

Once you are off and flying there are lots of things happening in the Paramotoring community. There are Paramotoring ‘Fly-Ins’ for all levels of motoring pilots throughout the year – all the way up to championship level competitions and international pursuits.

High Adventure regularly organises weekend get-togethers, maintenance weekends and in-depth ‘How to’ instructional courses for Pilots of High Adventure.

How does a Paramotor work?

A paramotor is a light-aircraft frame consisting of a motor weighing between 20-30kgs, a propeller, a harness with an integrated seat, and a cage. It’s then attached to the riser points of the wing.

A paramotor can be assembled and dissembled in a matter of minutes fitting into even the smallest of motor vehicles. It is this ease of transportation, size and quick set-up that makes Paramotoring one of the easiest and most compact aircraft’s available.

Unlike a paraglider, you can take off with a motor in both light and nil wind. The pilot walks or runs holding the brake handles or toggles to steer the wing and the throttle in one hand. The forward motion created from the motor will inflate the wing as you walk or run forward.

The throttle controls how fast you go up or down, and the brake handles to control the left-right direction. A paramotor has no clutch, only four inputs that you need to worry about. Left, right or up and down. Once the canopy takes the weight, and with a bit of throttle, the wing lifts off the ground, and you are flying!

How high can I fly?

Australia has restricted airspace rulings that any PPG pilot must follow and guidelines for flying in high-density areas. Outside of controlled airspace, you are free to fly anywhere you like. Currently, Australia has a legal height limit for flying PPG which is 10,000 feet.

Can I take up passengers?

Once you have mastered the techniques, it is also possible to share the sport and your experiences by flying tandem with friends and family. Taking a passenger or “tandem” flying is possible with the correct equipment and training.

A special licence is required to be able to perform tandem paramotor flights.

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