Apparently the guy who runs this school near me is #1 in the US and flew competitively and broke many world records - his name is Ryan Shaw.
Got great feedback about Ryan as a PPG instructor. Sounds like a great guy...just do your homework and research on the gear he recommends to make sure it is right for you before committing to purchase, especially the wing...as you should research any purchase from an instructor that is pushing a specific brand. I have a guy in my class that pre-oreded gear and already changed his mind to another rig after actually flying, lucky the school has others waiting that will pick up that pre-oreded motor. The sport is booming and the good guys are in high demand and getting booked solid through next year...if you can lock in which him, do it!
Anyways...I might have to get out to this paradrenalin school sometime and do a discovery flight.
So, unlike flight schools there is not really the equivalent to a "discovery flight" option available like when getting your PPL for PPG schools. You can go check out schools and observe, but it is a commit or not kinda deal. Most have rental gear so not like you have to buy BEFORE you train (and if you do HAVE to, run). There is a tandem option but if you have been up in a small plane, it is really of no benefit as you are just hanging there for a ride and not experiencing any of the controls or piloting. It works for those that have never been up in a anything but commercial, but for a GA pilot to would be worthless doing a tandem flight.
I'm curious as to whether my fear of heights will keep me from enjoying it before I sign up for a full training course and buy some equipment. I'm fine in an airplane, but did NOT like skydiving (got talked into trying it and won't be doing it again).
No one seems to have that fear materialize generally although many have expressed it. Totally different sensations from skydiving. You are piloting a wing and the harness feels like you are cradled in a giant camping chair once you are up in your seat. You are extremely strapped in. Once launched and relaxed, none of the straps are even tight to your body but you could not get out the harness if you tried. If GA does not freak you out, paramotors will not.
DO NOT buy gear till you train...the old saying is you don't know what you don't know. Go learn THEN figure out what is right for you. I had my pre conceived notions as to what I wanted walking in the door and my mind is rapidly changing as I go through this process. It is like asking POA what plane you should buy before you even take your first student pilot flight...don't do it.
Shawn, looks like a blast! What school are you training with?
I wound up with Midwest Powered Paragliders out in Indiana...and they are now booked solid through April and have been getting 8 calls a day from new prospects wanting to fly. They are part of the Aviator Alliance started by Aviator PPG in Florida who is one of the top outfits in the country...and those guys are booked now 18 months out...but if you wanna fly, call them an they will get ya hooked up with one of their affilaite partners that may have room. Imagine the best flight school around then this alliance pools all their collective resources and knowledge of other existing top schools to build on their established training techniques and syllabus all togher vs a single independent CFI working outta a podunk airstrip on his own. That is what you get with these guys.
http://www.aviatorppg.com
Two incredible Youtube channels whose content in part is driving the current boom and interest in the sport:
Tucker Gott
https://www.youtube.com/user/J3Cub2009
Aviator PPG
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheAv8tqr
Today was day five for my training. We spent days one and two working our arses off as we had great kitting weather. Was expecting a lot of ground school, but nope, day one we were flying the kites up for two straight days with occasional ground school sessions for breaks. I got my first solo flight in Monday night which was end of day three. Only got one flight in as we ran outta daylight trying to get everyone up. We were 50/50 success rate...three did it, three blew their first launches which is common. After 3-4 blown succesive launches you are done as your a physically fried when you are learning. Day Four...I blew my next set of launches that night...frustrating but we were all physically fried and it was zero wind which is the most difficult to launch in as a noob. A 7 mph wind and your are up with little effort, no wind you are running like a mule trying to power a giant kite up while patting your head and rubbing your stomach while juggling chain saws at the same time all while scared out of your mind! By the this morning we were all able to get in the air which was sweet....then two more flights tonight.
It is freaking awesome but at the same time the learning process is bar none the most terrifying thing I have ever tried to attempt. Imaging getting your PPL and having never been airborne yet and your CFI running each individual step in a simulator only one piece at a time then he tosses you in a plane and says..."now put it all together" and launches you into the air for your first solo without the CFI next to you and add in very real possibility of damage and injury cuz the motor and prop are screaming on your back if you screw up.
In this case it is opposite of GA, landing and flying is absolutely a piece of cake...the take off is terrifying as you are learning!
Damage while not regular is not uncommon...one guy crashed on takeoff, slammed the cage back into the ground and the prop flexed and punctured the fuel tank sending a blast of fuel everywhere (luckily no fire and that is apparently VERY rare to happen...but it did)...about a $700 oops in new prop and a gas tank. I ripped a harness strap on an abort sliding in on my knees...but luckily was an easy re-sew. Prop strikes and damage is a regular occurrence during training, there are a pile of damaged props sitting in the corner...you just hope it is only just the gear that breaks and not the pilots!
