What Is Paragliding With a Motor Like?

If you’ve ever watched someone cruising silently across a sunrise sky with a small propeller on their back, you’ve witnessed paramotoring — also known as powered paragliding (PPG).

It combines the freedom of paragliding with the independence of having your own lightweight motor. No mountain launch, no tow line — just pure flight wherever it’s safe and legal to take off.

Let’s explore what powered paragliding really feels like, what’s required, and how it differs from free-flight paragliding and parakiting.

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What Exactly Is Powered Paragliding?

Powered paragliding (PPG) uses a paraglider wing and a motorised harness unit (called a paramotor). The motor is usually a small 2-stroke or 4-stroke engine with a propeller, providing enough thrust to allow level flight and climb.

Key Components

1. Paraglider Wing
   Usually a certified “reflex” wing designed to handle the additional speed and stability demands of powered flight.

2. Paramotor Unit

   • Frame with engine and propeller

   • Harness attached to risers

   • Fuel tank (typically 8–15 L)

   • Throttle trigger on one hand

3. Safety Gear
   Helmet, radio, reserve parachute, and often GPS/flight instrumentation.

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What It Feels Like to Fly a Paramotor

Take-Off

Unlike free-flight paragliding, where you run down a hill into rising air, paramotor pilots launch from flat ground. You inflate the wing, run into the wind and apply throttle — the thrust lifts you smoothly off the ground after just a few steps.

With modern lightweight motors, it feels surprisingly effortless once airborne.

In Flight

The sensation is often described as freedom multiplied:

• You can climb at will, using the throttle instead of searching for thermals.

• You can cruise low over landscapes or gain altitude for calm aerial photography.

• The airspeed is higher (around 40–60 km/h), so you cover distance faster.

• There’s an enjoyable hum of the engine and a vibration through your harness — it feels mechanical but still natural.

Landing

Cut the engine, glide down, and land like a normal paraglider. Because you can choose your landing zone (fields, beaches, or approved paddocks), you’re not dependent on specific launch sites.

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⚙️ How It Differs From Paragliding and Parakiting

Paramotoring sits between paragliding and microlight aviation — more independence than soaring, less complexity than aircraft.

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🧠 What You Can Do With a Paramotor

1. Explore and Travel

You can launch from flat paddocks, farms, or beaches (where legal). Many pilots use paramotors for exploration flights, following rivers or coasts at low level.

2. Photography and Filming

Because you control altitude and position precisely, it’s perfect for aerial photography, mapping, and video.

3. Cross-Country Flights

Reflex paramotor wings like the Dudek Hadron, Ozone Spyder 3, or Niviuk Qubik are designed for distance. Pilots can fly 100 km+ in one session depending on conditions.

4. Formation or Club Flying

Many clubs organise group flights — it’s social, spectacular, and easier to coordinate than mountain paragliding.

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Training and Endorsements (Australia)

In Australia, powered paragliding falls under the Sports Aviation Federation of Australia (SAFA).

To fly legally you must:

1. Hold current SAFA membership.

2. Complete a Paramotor (PPG) endorsement course through a SAFA-approved school.

3. Use certified equipment appropriate for your rating.

4. Fly only in approved airspace and maintain separation from controlled zones.

Official training covers:

• Wing handling, inflation and launch techniques

• Engine operation and maintenance

• Air law and radio use

• Emergency procedures and power-off landings

👉 For full details, visit https://safa.asn.au/

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🪶 Wing Choices for Paramotoring

Reflex Wings

Most powered pilots use reflex-profile paragliders that remain stable under power and at higher speeds.

Examples:

• Ozone Spyder 3 – lightweight reflex wing for recreational PPG and XC.

• Dudek Nucleon 4 – stable all-round wing for intermediate pilots.

• Niviuk Qubik – comfortable, agile reflex wing suitable for longer flights.

Non-Reflex or Hybrid Wings

Some schools introduce beginners on slower, standard paragliders for initial training. Once confident, most upgrade to a reflex wing for better safety in turbulence and full-speed flight.

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🔊 Engine and Power Options

Foot-Launch Paramotors

The most common setup — the engine is mounted on your back with a cage protecting the propeller.

Trikes

For heavier pilots or longer flights, a trike or quad version attaches to the paramotor frame, allowing wheel launch and landing. This removes the need to run.

Fuel and Range

Average consumption is 3–4 L per hour, giving 2–3 hours of flight on a 10 L tank.

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🌤️ Weather and Wind Tolerance

Paramotors don’t need thermals to fly, so they’re best in calm or light-wind conditions (under 20 km/h).
Because the motor provides thrust, you can fly early morning or late afternoon when paragliders might stay grounded due to weak lift.

However, turbulence, gusty wind, or strong thermals can still make flight uncomfortable or unsafe — proper meteorology understanding is essential.

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🔧 Maintenance and Costs

Compared with unpowered paragliding, PPG adds engine complexity:

• Regular servicing every 25–50 hours

• Spark plug and fuel system checks

• Propeller inspections

• Noise-compliant mufflers and protective netting

Approximate Costs in Australia

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⚠️ Safety and Regulations (Australia)

All powered paragliding activity must comply with SAFA and Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules. This includes:

• Keeping clear of controlled airspace and airports

• Respecting minimum height limits (500 ft AGL in most cases)

• Avoiding populated areas and livestock

• Not carrying passengers unless tandem-endorsed

Flying without the proper certification or in prohibited areas can result in penalties or suspension of membership.

Always train through a SAFA-approved instructor or school.

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✈️ The Real Experience

Pilots describe powered paragliding as freedom on demand:

“It’s like having your own magic carpet. You can chase sunrise one day, fly over beaches the next, and land beside your car.”

Compared with free-flight, the engine’s hum becomes part of the experience — you still feel the air, control the wing with finesse, and enjoy open-air flight. You just add the ability to take off anywhere and control your altitude at will.

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🧭 Summary

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🛡️ Safety Disclaimer

Powered paragliding in Australia is a regulated aviation activity.

To fly legally you must:

• Be a current SAFA member

• Hold a Paramotor endorsement

• Use equipment compliant with SAFA and CASA standards

• Fly only in approved airspace and weather conditions

This article is for general educational purposes only. Always seek formal instruction from a SAFA-approved powered paragliding school before attempting flight.
More info: 👉 https://safa.asn.au/