Paramotoring, or Powered Paragliding, is an amazing sport — the cheapest way to fly! The gear is also very compact and there’s no licensing in the United States (although training is strongly recommended).
There’s a nice brochure here with some of the more frequently asked questions. But also please feel free to ask below and I (or someone else) will try to answer! :)
Note: I realize this is a niche community, so feel free to ask even if this post is old!
Cutting to the chase: Cost (New): $4500-$12,000 Motor, $1700-$4500 Wing, $1200-$2500 Training, $1000-2500 cart (optional)
Yeah, that checks out!
Also worth noting that renting gear is sometimes included in training fees. So you don’t have to buy outright, and your instructor can help you choose safe, appropriate gear when the time comes.
And also if you’re on a budget, your instructor will be able to help you find safe used gear (there’s a lot of 💩 gear people are trying to unload online).
Whatever you do, do not buy gear before starting instruction! I’ve seen many time people buy gear online that’s completely inappropriate for them before seeking training.
I really want to get into paramotoring. I feel like I saw a class for like $10k and decided I wasn’t rich enough for it.
Yeah. It’s not cheap. But class should definitely be much cheaper than $10k… http://www.madcityparagliding.com/prices.html is $2.9k for example. That is about typical.
Of course gear is extra, but you don’t need to consider purchasing until after training is done. Rental gear should be included with training.
Also places like Mad City allow paying in increments, and renting gear after graduating while you save up! And if they know you’re on a budget they should be able to help hook you up with some used, cheaper but SAFE/modern gear.
Lastly any reputable instructor should encourage you to come out for introductions, watch people fly, show you the gear and what the sport is about, totally free. :)
I find all of this impossibly interesting and very tempting, but I gotta ask; ballpark figure, what’s the likelihood of an idiot like me killing myself doing this?
I’d say quite low if you get good training.
The main way people die in this sport is doing completely avoidable things such as flying over water (drowning) without taking proper precautions (floatation and boat support).
Another large source of injuries is by starting the paramotor on the ground, instead of on your back. If you start it on the ground, it can be hard to keep the propeller away from body parts with a runaway throttle. But if you start it on your back, the issue is a mere annoyance and not dangerous at all. Again, completely avoidable problem!
With good training, you’ll know the risks and how to be a conservative, safe pilot.
Do they have a regulated flight ceiling? Or are you just limited by the motor? (Restricted air space not withstanding.)
Effectively no. I think you can technically fly up to 18,000 ft (class E airspace), but pretty much all paramotor pilots will never fly anywhere close to that high.
Besides, it’s pretty boring and cold. All the fun is flying down low by the trees, fields, outcroppings etc :-)
Is that I assume that is 18,000 MSL not AGL right?
That makes sense. Though it seems kinda fun to do once just to see how high they will go. I might have to see if there is a school near me. I might be able to pull off affording one.
Yeah MSL. I think all airspace is MSL, except for class G
You should check it out. I know instructors often are happy to let you come out and watch, even do an introductory class for free, so there’s no commitment.
Hey just found this community! How expensive is the cheapest way to fly? I’m sure there’s many price points but maybe just an on average? And is the fan powered via motor or battery?
I’d love to get into this hobby!
Hey, awesome!
How expensive is the cheapest way to fly?
Probably about $10,000 US to get training and initial gear. However depending on your instructor you can pay as you go, for example pay training in chunks, then afterwards rent gear from your instructor, save and buy wing, then save and buy motor.
And is the fan powered via motor or battery?
Most motors are two stroke. However there are some electric motors. For example, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWU6Mqi6GTw
If you want to get in to the hobby, check out what instructors are in your area, if they are any good they would be happy to have you come out and show you around, answer your questions etc.
That is a great brochure.
How can you know if you are allowed to fly at a certain location? When I was getting started with drone piloting, the regulatory aspects of it were incredibly frustrating, and overlapping jurisdictions make it seem like nobody knows what is and is not legal.
Good question. :) I can only speak for the United States, other countries have different laws-
The FAA was created in part to solve the problem of overlapping jurisdictions and laws for flight. Before the FAA it would depend on what state you were on and perhaps even municipality. But with the creation of the FAA, all enforcement is done federally, and local and states have zero enforcement over airspace.
This is nice because all you have to do is look at an airspace chart to see where you can and can’t fly in the United States. Typically if you’re an inch of the ground (in uncontrolled airspace), you’re in class G airspace, which is FAA jurisdiction.
That being said that’s during flight. Where you take off and land is enforced by land owners, municipalities, states etc.
I have another question. Do you have to be part 107 certified to make money from work you do on a paramotor? Like if you go take photos or video, can you sell them without being part 107 certified?
It’s a grey area. You can’t get paid to fly or do specific things (like take pics of someone’s property), but you could get a free wing for a sponsorship. Or you could sell the pics you take from the air of beautiful scenery, as long as they were taken recreationally and not for a specific customer. Or you could make money from YouTube videos of flying recreationally. Part 103 has some clarifying materials on the specifics :)