Powered Paragliding PPG and Paramotoring are the same thing. We like to call it Paramotoring in Australia, however, in the US and Europe, it’s commonly referred to as Powered Paragliding. The sport of paramotoring was popularised in France in the late 80s.

Paramotoring has evolved from the popular sports of hang gliding and paragliding. While a paraglider is reliant upon uplift and thermals, and launching must be done from a hill or by winch tow, by adding a motor, take-off can be done in a few short steps on any suitable flat area.

Powered Paragliding Pilots (PPG) are essentially light aircraft pilots. The equipment used in PPG flying has advanced at an incredible speed since it was developed in the late 80s. As with all forms of aviation, there are risks involved. These risk should be considered very small if you operate your equipment as you have been taught and inline with the guidelines of operation under the SAFA/CASA regulations.

SAFA has spent years creating a quality control system that encompasses pilot rating systems and their thorough and in-depth progressive training syllabus for SAFA Certified Instructors and students to follow. A skilled trainer and advanced training techniques are what will keep you safe in this sport.

A paramotor is a light-aircraft frame consisting of a motor weighing between 20-30kgs, a propeller, a harness with an integrated seat, and a cage. It’s then attached to the riser points of the wing.

A paramotor can be assembled and disassembled in a matter of minutes fitting into even the smallest of motor vehicles. It is this ease of transportation, size and quick setup that makes Paramotoring one of the easiest and most compact aircraft’s available.

Unlike a paraglider, you can take off with a motor in both light and nil wind. The pilot walks or runs holding the brake handles or toggles to steer the wing and the throttle in one hand. The forward motion created from the motor will inflate the wing as you walk or run forward.

The throttle controls how fast you go up or down, and the brake handles to control the left-right direction. A paramotor has no clutch, only four inputs that you need to worry about. Left, right or up and down. Once the canopy takes the weight, and with a bit of throttle, the wing lifts off the ground, and you are flying!

The paramotor is used to get you off the ground and into the air, helping you maintain your altitude. At any given time, you can shut the engine off and fly the glider as you would a paraglider and safely glide back down to a safe landing option.

Motors that you will train on have both manual and electric start options. Learning how to safely stop your engine mid-flight and then restart again is an integral part of your training.

Superior designed Paramotoring Wings such as the APCO Lift EZ have an impressive Glide ratio of 8:1. This means the glider will travel 8 metres forward for every 1 metre down. Beginner Gliders such as Niviuk Link and APCO Lift EZ are designed with safety and training in mind. They stay fully pressurised and have a natural tendency in the design to fly straight. They are also considered to be forgiving on pilot input.

On average a pilot can get 45-60 minutes of flight time for 3.5 litres of fuel. A standard tank of fuel at speeds up to 60kms an hour can get you 2.5-4hrs of flying. This, of course, can be dependent on the gear you are flying, overall weight, headwind, throttle-use, the size of the engine, fuel efficiency and glide ratio.

Flying time can be extended for hours by cutting off the motor and using thermals, soaring and ridge lift to gain altitude. Switching back on as you need.

Australia has restricted airspace rulings that any PPG pilot must follow and guidelines for flying in high-density areas. Outside of controlled airspace, you are free to fly anywhere you like. Currently, Australia has a legal height limit for flying PPG which is 10,000 feet.

As Australia takes hold of this great sport, the community grows larger and larger every year and more and more ‘clubs’ are popping up throughout Australia. The Australian Paramotoring community is full of some very friendly, welcoming and approachable people.

Once you are off and flying there are lots of things happening in the Paramotoring community. There are Paramotoring ‘Fly-Ins’ for all levels of motoring pilots throughout the year – all the way up to championship level competitions and international pursuits. 

Once you have mastered the techniques, it is also possible to share the sport and your experiences by flying tandem with friends and family. Taking a passenger or “tandem” flying is possible with the correct equipment and training.

A special licence is required to be able to perform tandem paramotor flights. Check out our paramotoring tandem endorsement for more details.

From the young to the old – paramotoring is a sport that is easily picked up and you’ll see yourself mastering the motor in no time.

There is no upper age limit, however, paramotoring does require a certain amount of physical activity. Anyone with a moderate level of fitness should more than able to carry out the training. Please let us know if you have any pre-existing injuries.

The current minimum age restriction set by the SAFA for paramotoring is 15 years.