Frequently Asked Questions about Powered Paragliding
Q. Is it safe?
A. All forms of aviation have some risk. However, powered paragliding is probably the safest form of sport aviation. The risks can be minimized by training, good judgment, and awareness of conditions.
Q. Isn’t this one of those “extreme” sports?
A. It depends on what you mean by “extreme”. Certainly it’s not a mainstream sport (yet). But if by “extreme” you mean adrenaline and extreme danger, then no. Extreme enjoyment… yes!
Q. How fast does it go?
A. Typical flight airspeed is 20-25 mph, depending on wing size, pilot weight, etc. Landing speed depends on the wind, and is anywhere from a fast walking speed down to zero with a little wind.
Q. Can’t I use a bigger engine and go faster?
A. No. More power has no effect on your speed, which is fixed by the design of the wing. More power will increase your climb rate, but a properly sized motor is more than adequate, and too much power could make the machine unmanageable (not to mention heavy).
Q. What are the laws about powered paragliding?
A. A Powered Paraglider is considered an "ultralight vehicle", governed by Federal Aviation Regulations Part 103. For a Federal regulation, this is an incredibly simple document of only a few pages, compared to the hundreds of pages governing standard category aircraft. Ultralights include any powered aircraft weighing less than 254 lbs., or any unpowered aircraft under 155 lbs, with some other requirements.
Q. How high can I fly?
A. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations require you to stay below 18,000 feet. However, most pilots prefer to fly at altitudes ranging from a few feet above the ground to no more than a few thousand feet. The view's better from up close, anyway!
Q. Where can I fly?
A. For takeoff and landing, anyplace big enough to launch and land with enough room to safely clear any obstacles. In flight, almost anywhere away from major airports. FAA regulations prohibit flight over "congested areas" or any "open air assembly of persons", and unless you get permission from the local control tower, you must stay out of controlled airspace (the area around larger airports).
Q. What happens if the engine quits?
A. The paraglider wing is the same as used for unpowered paragliding, so gliding to a safe landing is no problem. In fact, most landings are made with the engine shut off. However, it's always wise to stay within gliding distance of a safe landing spot.
Q. Do I need a license?
A. No license is required to fly a PPG in the U.S.
Q. What about training?
A. Training, while not legally required, is a necessity for safe flying. There are powered paragliding instructors all around the U.S. and worldwide.
Click here for more information about training.
Q. Can I take my wife (girlfriend, boyfriend, kids, friends) for a ride?
A. In general, no. FAA regulations specify that ultralight aircraft (including powered paragliders) are for a single occupant only. Tandem machines do exist; these machines may be flown by a qualified instructor for instructional purposes only. However, they can fly their own PPG!
Q. Who can fly a PPG?
A. Anybody in reasonably good physical shape can fly. Men and women of all ages fly powered paragliders, from 12 year old girls to grandparents in their 70’s.
Q. Is it the same thing as a powered parachute, hang glider, or parasail?
A. No. Although some people consider powered paragliders to be a type of powered parachute, a powered parachute is a PPG's big brother, weighing hundreds of pounds, mounted on wheels, with a 40-60hp engine. No foot launching or car trunk storage there! A hang glider (powered or unpowered) has a bulky rigid or semi rigid wing of aluminum tubing. Parasailing is what you do at a beach, in a modified parachute tied to a boat, often in Mexico after you've had one too many cocktails. You get dragged around the harbor as a passenger, not a pilot. (If you want to offend a paragliding pilot, refer to their sport as "parasailing".)
Q. Is the PPG a “Paramotor”?
A. “Paramotor” is another generic term for powered paraglider. However, the word “Paramotor” has been trademarked in the U.S. by Paramotor, Inc., of New York, a manufacturer of well made but heavy, expensive powered paragliders of rather dated design (a powered paragliding industry group is currently challenging the validity of the trademark issuance).