Powered Paraglider

Beginner Pilot Training

Congratulations on commencing your

Formalities

• Sign Waiver & Release Form before practical training begins.• If you are not prepared to accept responsibility for your own actions,

this sport is not for you.• You will be Pilot in command, Navigator, Mechanic, Ground Crew

etc. etc… everything is YOUR responsibility in this sport.• You must follow your instructors directions to be safe, and to

complete your training effectively. If you do not follow our directions, or represent a danger to yourself or others, we have the option to expel you from training with no refund. We only train & develop SAFE pilots.

• You must practice in your own time: physically practice techniques, rehearsing in your mind, and reviewing the DVD’s and printed material provided.

What we don’t include• Paradrenalin is responsible for your PPG Solo Flight Training ONLY• Basic Training covers 3 supervised solo flights. The USPPA Training

course covers 10 supervised solo flights. We recommend the USPPA PPG2 course.

• We do not guarantee ratings, only that purchased course content is covered. Ratings will be recommended based on your abilities.

• We do not guarantee your equipment or you will not be damaged during training, and provide no warranties.

• We are not responsible for optimal tuning of your engine, break-in of your engine, maintenance or repair of your equipment, although we will assist where we can & provide free advice or direct you to someone who can help.

• Additional personalized Training by the hour, Equipment maintenance & repairs and other services are available from Paradrenalin for additional competitive fees.

What we will cover at the Shop

• Classroom environment covering basic theory, answering questions.

• Review of DVD’s and Training Manual• Setup and Break-in your paramotor (we assist)• Flight Simulator Training• All other practical training, and Solo Flights are

conducted in the field• Paraglider ground handling at a local park• Most Paramotor training and Solo Flights at a

desert flying site

Be Prepared• Your training is physically demanding!• Stretch your legs, back & neck before classes• Work on cardio-vascular fitness• Extra work for Foot Launch:

– Walk backward up stairs– Buy a bag of cement, put into a backpack & carry on

your back, running for 50 yards with hands reaching to the sky (high as possible), looking up at the sky

• Stay hydrated during training• It gets easier with practice & experience!

About Safety• Safety starts with the Pilot’s mental attitude• Be conservative and live to fly another day• Only fly within 2 hours of Sunrise or Sunset when the

weather & wind are suitable• Do not fly if you can’t comfortably ground handle the

Paraglider, if wind is over 10mph, or if storms are approaching or leaving

• Follow the FAR Part 103 Rules and Airspace rules• Don’t fly alone until you are very experienced• Gradually push yourself to try more maneuvers over time,

not until you gain plenty of basic experience• Fly only equipment sized & setup correctly for your weight• Look after your equipment with pre & post-flight checks,

regular maintenance & inspections

Biggest risk in PPG

• Statistically the most injuries to PPG pilots happen on the ground

• Propeller contact incidents result from not checking the throttle/carb for free & clear movement before starting

• Injuries from not bracing the paramotor correctly before starting.

• Never strap the throttle to your hand when starting, or brace the paramotor frame so the thrust can push the paramotor against the throttle lever and increase thrust more

• Be vigilant – a spinning propeller will hurt you badly

Main Rules for Ground Handling

• Always setup and launch directly into wind• Keep moving at all times to load the paraglider

lines• Stay under the center of the Paraglider at all times

to stabilize the glider• Look up at the Paraglider – so you know you’re in

the center & to straighten your back ready for the paramotor thrust

Paraglider overview

Paraglider detail

Risers & Harness

Why it Flies

Why it Flies

Angle of Attack

The Wind

Mechanical Turbulence

Rotors

Thermals

Sink

• On the outer edges of all lifting air is sinking air• Sink can be very strong and dangerous

Wing Vortices

Clouds

Water & Dangerous Obstacles

• Do not fly over water unless you have enough altitude to glide without power to land. Carry a hook knife. Unbuckle from harness and prepare to jump at 6ft from water.

• Beware of Power Lines. Look for the poles and fly at least 1.5 times higher than the pole and over the pole

• Don’t fly over anything you aren’t prepared to land on! Assume the motor will die at any second

Glide Ratios

• Without paramotor approx 8:1• With paramotor approx 6:1 due to extra drag• Use feet in V shape to gauge movement over the

ground and resulting glide relative to wind/ground• Worst case work on a 45 degree angle for glide

(unless extremely strong wind)

Wind Gradient

• Wind at different heights above the ground can be different speeds and directions

• If wind is very strong up high, descend closer to ground which is normally calmer wind

• Remember to maintain your heading and not drift unintentionally due to wind gradient

Flying Backwards

• Fly low and close to the ground• Release your trimmer buckles on the “D” risers• Find a suitable landing spot immediately. Don’t try to

return to your launch site unless it’s close• Turn into wind• Use enough throttle only to keep penetrating, without

climbing• Land and immediately with little/no brake. Hands UP with

no brake pressure. Be prepare to be dragged backward• Pull only one brake on one side to bring the glider down at

an angle to the wind

Maximum Glide

• Hands up, no brake pressure• Will climb fastest and descend at highest angle of

attack with most energy in the glider for flare.• Will reach the maximum glide distance of the

paraglider in any given conditions• Used in final 50’ approach prior to landing to

store energy in the glider & overcome any wind gradient/turbulence effects close to the ground

FAR Part-103• Federal Aviation Rules for Ultralights (PPG)• Main points:

– Do not fly over a congested area (buildings, people etc.)– Stay outside 5 miles from a Controlled Airport

• Read & know complete rules• Know your airspace – get a current Sectional Chart for

your area• Don’t annoy people or make excessive noise. Complaints

from residents can result in a ban of a flying site for EVERYONE

• Most people are interested and curious, but there are always complainers!

The flying pattern (Circuit)

Hand Signals