Paragliding

Motorized Paragliding in Thailand with Extreme Sports Cafe - Paramotoring

Cost & Booking

Course info

Equipment

Safety

Welcome to the newest and most exciting flying sport; Motorized Paragliding! Motorized Paragliding, also know as Paramotoring, is by far the least expensive, and the easiest to learn form of powered flight.

Motorized paragliding is great fun and expands the conditions and circumstances for flying. With the gas-fueled motor unit attached to the pilot's back by means of a special harness, it is possible to paraglide in areas and at times, when free-flying sites or conditions are limited or non-existent.

The sports closest to paramotoring such as hang gliding and free-flying paragliding (no motor) rely on the environment. You need to jump off a hill or mountain and then find updrafts, thermals or the rising air surrounding a landscape in order to stay in the air.

Powered Paragliding is different. It's more like the parasailing done behind a boat; only instead of being pulled by a rope, you are pushed by a propeller powered by a back-pack mounted engine.

Here, however, the pilot has complete control. Two handles attached to the wing control steering; pull on either the right or left to turn in that direction. Flying is very straightforward though learning to take off requires learning some skills and practice.

Paramotoring altitude is controlled with the throttle; squeeze the handle to speed up the motor to go up, allow the motor idle to glide down and somewhere in between for level flight. To land, idle or shut off the motor, then glide to the landing area, pull on both break lines to slow the descent just above the ground to come to a smooth and gentle landing. A paramotor can still fly long distances without the motor running, because it is basically a paraglider with a motor attached.

The best part is a totally free feeling... Take off with your paramotor from a beach or open field, or pack the paramotor up and take it on vacation. The whole thing folds up into a bag that fits into a car trunk or can be checked in when taking a commercial flight to a favorite holiday destination.

With thorough training, a paramotor pilot can also use the motor to launch at the bottom of a hill and then spend the rest of the day ridge soaring or thermalling; re-starting the motor only when necessary to keep from landing. The other great feature of powered paragliding is that you can also choose to free-fly by launching at mountain sites using the same harness and wing without the motor attached.

Paramotoring Training in Thailand with Extreme Sports Cafe.

Although Powered Paragliding in Thailand does not require a license, this sport requires a little more training than regular free-flying paragliding. After all, it is flying a paraglider with the addition of an engine which changes the launch and flight characteristics.

Since a pilot will be launching and landing with an additional 25kgs of weight, it is extremely important that the pilot be competent in evaluating the conditions and has the appropriate skills.

A paramotor course takes about 15-20 hours (depending on individual ability) and takes place over a number of weekends. The first solo paramotor flights are controlled by two-way radio so the instructor can tell the student exactly what to do.

Paramotoro Course cost and booking

10 Flight Paramotor Course - B25,000 (€520) - Thailand
Our course in Thailand is a 10 flight course after which you will be competent to handle a paramotor on the ground and also fly solo. This course takes approximately a week to complete. You will be provided with a full log and record of training which can then be used to obtain a license in any country which issues paramotoring licences. At present we cannot issue them in Thailand, but our training is carried out by approved instructors who follow BMAA guidelines. Extreme Sports Cafe will also assist in ensuring you get a paramotoring license issued when you return home.

Who runs the Paramotoring courses in Thailand?

Extreme Sports Cafe, Asia.
Extreme Sports Cafe has opened it's new Drop Zone for skydiving in Thailand. From this Airfield and two others locally Extreme Sports Cafe Asia is also running Private Pilot Licence courses for light aircraft, Ultralight courses and Paramotoring courses.

Please contact us for details.

Paramotor Safety

With the proper training and care, paramotoring is a very safe sport. Basically it comes down to common sense and choosing the correct flying location and meteorological conditions. Paramotoring is actually the safest form of paragliding for two reasons:

• Firstly, it is easier to choose the conditions for flying with a paramotor as you are not dependant on sometimes unpredictable wind conditions high in mountains. Flying normally takes place in open areas away from obstructions that can cause turbulent air. Usually, in thailand, the most enjoyable and stable paramotoring conditions occur in the morning and evening when it would not be possible to free-fly, or paraglide, without a motor.

• Secondly, power provides more options when choosing landing sites or avoiding obstacles. If a paramotor pilot is not happy with the landing approach by either being too short or possibly overshooting the landing area, then all that is required is to power on to go around and try again.

Modern paramotor equipment and particularly wing technology has evolved a great deal in recent years. Wings are far more forgiving and predictable in behavior. Wing designs are often tested to around six times their recommended load limits before being sold to customers. Each line to the wing is made of Kevlar and is capable of supporting around 200kgs. From this, it is easy to see the safety margins when looking at the overall wing which has around 20-30 lines altogether connecting the wing to the risers.

Safety is always stressed throughout our paramotor training courses and students will not be allowed to go on to solo flying until a suitable skill level has been attained.

Paramotoring Equipment

The motorized paraglider (paramotor) consists of a wing, harness, engine (usually a simple two stroke engine), propeller, helmet and good footwear with ankle support.

What are the main considerations when choosing a paramotor?

The first is reliability. A reliable paramotor requires very little maintenance and will provide many hours of enjoyable flying. Reliability, of course, is an important factor to the overall safety of flying. Normally, the only maintenance required is the occasional changing of spark plugs, drive belts and pre-flight inspections. Paramotors use normal car gasoline with 2T oil mix.

The next consideration is weight. There is nothing worse than a heavy motor!! Even experienced fliers sometimes require more than one attempt to get off the ground. With a heavy motor (30-35kgs) multiple launches can be very tiring. A heavy motor is not so portable as well which reduces the main benefit of owning a paramotor – being able to fly almost anywhere! A good paramotor will weigh around 20-25kgs though, once in the air, all this weight is supported by the wing. A larger glider wing than one used to fly without a motor is not usually required. It is normally preferred to fly at the higher end of the weight range of the glider when using a motor. A glider used for free-flying should be fine for motorized flying. Some paraglider wings are more user friendly than others when combined with motors. It is recommended to develop a solid relationship with an instructor experienced in motorized paragliding before purchasing any equipment.

Motorized Paraglider (MPG) / Paramotor Training Course overview

Normally paramotor training requires at least three to five days depending on weather conditions and individual ability. The training morning session begins at 7.00am and continues until about 10.00. The morning session is often followed by breakfast and a chance to discuss the progress with the instructors.

There is no paramotor training during the hot part of the day providing a good opportunity to relax and prepare for the afternoon session, which commences at about 4.00pm until sundown. This also allows for more stable air conditions for paramotor training.

Training begins at an open grass field where skills for parachute ground handling are taught. Final flights take place at an open area away from buildings and obstacles. Final flight will be with radio instruction for directing the correct course and actions for the student pilot.

The initial training involves learning how to control the parachute on takeoff and landing and use of the harness and motor whilst in flight. A lot of attention is paid to wind speed and direction, as this is critical for a successful chute pull.

After ground training and assessment by the instructors, students then complete the first solo paramotor flight with additional flight instructions provided from the ground via 2-way radios.

Once the Beginner Stage I course has been completed, students may continue to fly independently.

What you need to bring when coming to learn to paramotor.

Drinking water and/or other refreshments for training sessions.

Clothing

Initial paramotor field training sessions can be quite warm as some physical activity is required. Dress cool with shorts, t-shirt and a hat.

Pay attention to footwear and bring flat-soled trainers - no sandals or slippers. Trainer boots are also recommended as these provide more ankle support though do not wear shoes with a stepped sole.

General Rules

• A paramotor pilot under training will fly under direct instruction from the instructor at all times.
• No student may fly under power until the required un-powered flight/ground skill levels relating to the required tasks has been fully demonstrated to the satisfaction of the PPG instructor.
• A pilot under Powered Flight training will fly only either within sight of or in pre-arranged radio contact with a designated instructor unless he is performing a declared cross country task.
• Powered Training may commence only once Un-powered Paragliding training has been completed.