The Powered Parachute is the safest FUN way to experience the joys of flight. Even if you've never flown before or if you're a licensed pilot with many hours of flight time, it will be the Ride of Your Life!. Extreme Sports Café now offers you the chance to experience Powered Parachute Flight in sunny California, at our partner center. Extreme Sports Café’s partner Powered Parachute Center has been in the Powered Parachute (PPC) industry since 1993, making them one of the most experienced flight training centers in the USA today. They are the only year round, full time powered parachute training center located in Apple Valley, California.

Extreme Sports Café’s partner Powered Parachute Center offer a complete choice of flight options, from a discovery flight that allows you to find out for yourself what it is like to fly in powered parachutes, the First Flight course, and a Sport Pilot training course, which brings you to the level required to fly a PPC solo, and puts you on a straight & level course to attaining your Sport Pilot rating. The center offer complete sport pilot training, as well as all the needed study and Sport Pilot training materials required to pass the FAA knowledge test & the practical test/check ride. Ultralight Training is also offered for those wanting to fly a single seat powered parachute that qualifies under the Ultralight rule.
The Chief Flight Instructor, Phil Dietro, is an FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) with a Sport Pilot rating for Powered Parachute Land, (PPCL) or what is refered to as Powered Parachutes. He has also attained his DPE rating (Designated Pilot Examiner) for sport pilot in powered parachutes, and his Sport Flight Instructor Examiner (SFIE) rating. The center are now able to perform the practical tests required for the issuance of your FAA sport pilot certificate and CFI, for those wanting to become Certified Flight Instructors.

Extreme Sports Café’s partner Powered Parachute Center are also California's dealer for Powrachute PPC's. They fly the Pegasus, and offer the full line of Powrachute powered parachutes. Whether you want a powered parachute like the Voyager that meets the ultralight regulations of FAR Part 103, or the AWESOME performance of the 100 HP AIRWOLF 2 place light sport aircraft, Powrachute the center have what you’re looking for.
“Ask the pilot who flies one.” Powrachute, the finest Light Sport Aircraft PPC on the market today.

Powered Parachute - Dicovery Flight
There are many ways to get started on your adventure of flying Powered Parachutes. The easiest way to find out if you will like this (most people are usually hooked on their first flight) is to sign up for a discovery flight.
• First you will receive the required FAA safety briefing, covering seat belt use, communications helmet, the positive exchange of the controls (so we both know who is flying the aircraft) and emergency procedures. (just in case.)
• You are then taken aloft in the Powrachute Pegasus 2 place light sport aircraft that is equipped with full dual controls with your CFI at the controls.
• Once cruising altitude is reached, you will be able to take the controls if you desire and fly the Pegasus. You will see how it steers, learn how to climb, descend and make nice smooth turns as you fly off into the early morning sky of the high desert.
Your CFI will demonstrate landing approaches by doing some touch and go landings, setting down and then powering up again and taking off, when you return to the field.... and then finally all the fun comes to an end; (sadly) as you set up for a full stop landing that will have you back at the trailer.

Powered Parachute - First Flight Course
The First Flight Course is the start of your flight training. Whether you intend to fly single seat PPC’s that qualify as an Ultralight or go on to an FAA Sport Pilot Certificate, you start out the same way.
Before the flight begins, you will observe the CFI performing the pre-flight inspection, required prior to each flight aided by the use of appropriate checklists. Next is engine starting and warm up, once again aided by the appropriate checklist. Following that the aircraft is removed from the trailer, and then the required FAA safety briefing as stated above. Next you'll get in the front seat with your CFI in the back seat and taxi the PPC aircraft around the field. This is to insure that you get a feel for how it steers on the ground and will know which way to turn the steering when you want to go left or right, and how much you need to turn it.... Next we get ready for takeoff....

• You then taxi to the planned takeoff position, based on any wind and the direction it is coming from. All take offs and landings are into the wind. We then start to set up the wing (or parachute, which is the wing) with the CFI explaining what each step is. After the wing is properly laid out your CFI has you get into the front seat, and covers engine start up and shut down procedures, then straps you in with the 4 point lap and shoulder harness, secures your helmet making sure the ear cups seat well and that the microphone is properly adjusted and plugs you into the intercom system. He then gets into the back seat and secures his helmet, straps in, does a comm. check and has you start the plane. After the engine is warmed up again your CFI does the 1st take off and gets into the flight pattern we will be following over the field. The CFI explains what is happening during take off and gets up to our pattern altitude. At this time he will demonstrate and explain how to fly the pattern maintaining a straight track on each side (leg) of the pattern.

• After several passes around the field, the CFI turns the controls over to you and you are now flying the pattern while maintaining a straight track over the ground and maintaining a consistent altitude and making smooth turns. (yes, we know it won’t be perfect, but that’s why we call it training, and practice makes perfect)

• After you have done this & have the feel of the powered parachute aircraft, the CFI will then take the controls and demonstrate how to do touch & go’s where you set up for a landing approach, and upon a smooth touch down, smoothly add power, taxi, making sure the wing is centered using the mirror & take off again, flying around the established pattern repeating this maneuver. This maneuver is the key to learning to fly a PPC, because take offs and landings are the most critical areas of operation to master. As you will see, flying around at altitude is very simple, because of the self stabilizing pendulum affect, which self corrects, so the pilot is not required to add in any control input. This will be explained in more detail while you are doing your 1st flight course.

Note • When scheduling the 1st flight course, the center now only schedule 1 student per day, and fly from sunrise, all morning, as long as the weather permits. This allows you to get the most time in the front seat, and is almost like a solo flight, except you have your CFI on board with you.

Note • All of the flight training time youdo is logged in the supplied log book, and is time that counts toward the minimum time required to attain your FAA Sport Pilot certificate, which is required to fly any 2 place light sport aircraft, (Powered Parachute). If you want to solo, more training time is required, as we would issue you an FAA student pilot certificate, and follow the FAA regulations for solo flight under that pilot certificate.

Note • Extreme Sports Café’s partner Powered Parachute Center are one of the few dealer/training centers that will allow you to solo in their aircraft, because they are confident in the training they offer. (Many dealers & training facilities will take you up for an intro flight, and train you dual in their plane, but if you want to solo, you must buy your own plane). You will find this to be a fun experience.

Note • Extreme Sports Café’s partner Powered Parachute Center's goal is for you to have a great flight, while learning to master flight of the powered parachute in a safe & enjoyable manner.

Note • Extreme Sports Café’s partner Powered Parachute Center also offer a concentrated 10 to 14 day training package that allows you to learn all you need in order to earn your FAA sport pilot license. The 1st flight course is the start of that program, and if you elect to go on to that within 30 days, the costs of the 1st flight course will be applied to the total sport pilot package price.

The development of the first mass-produced powered parachute took approximately two and one-half years.....As aeronautical Engineer, Steve Snyder, was implementing and perfecting the use of square ram-air parachutes, which had properties of a lifting wing, he found that increased glide ratios were developed. He therefore assumed that if the person or payload suspended under the chute had some thrust added, the distance travelled could be extended. With more power, it could fly level or even climb. He then decided to pursue this idea with the objective of creating a safe and simple aircraft that even amateurs could fly easily.
With the help of Adrian Vandenberg, who had expertise in metalworking and machining, he completed the first basic frame design in March of 1981. Daniel Thompson, a small engine expert, was brought on to the project three months later to produce a power plant. He fitted the aircraft with two small Chrysler engines and the P-1 (prototype 1) was born.
The P-1 flew more than 10 times, once by a woman weighing 110 lbs., which allowed for better performance of the test flights. Many revisions were made during those test flights, including the addition of a vertical stabilizer, flaps, ailerons, and optimizing the parachute trim.
Ram air parachutes of the day had a flat profile and offered limited control. More anhedral (downward curve) and ribs were added to the chute ultimately giving the craft more stability and pressurization on the P-1's parachute thus solving the control issue.
While the parachute control solutions were being worked out, Dan came up with an improved airframe design, and with Steve's idea of folding landing gear for portability, the P-2 was completed in January of 1983. Having the propellers counter-rotating, thus cancelling out each other’s torque effect also solved the problem of torque.
Three months later the P-3 made it's debut at the Sun & Fun Airshow in Florida. Response was overwhelming, and a Corporation was formed to produce the portable, safe, and easy to operate aircraft that the P-3 had proven itself to be.

Extreme Sports Café’s partner Powered Parachute Center is located in the beautiful high desert of Southern California, in Apple Valley, which is next door to Victorville just off Interstate 15. They are less than a 1-hour drive from Ontario International Airport (ONT), so, while they are on the West Coast, they are easy to get to. They are also about 2 hours from Los Angeles’ LAX & Orange County's John Wayne Airport.

Other attractions close by are the Disney parks, & Knott's Berry Farm, 90 minutes south of us in Orange County. And, of course, let’s not forget all the beautiful beaches available to you while having your flying vacation. We also have two major league baseball teams; the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels that you can plan to take in while you’re out here on your flying vacation. To the north about 3 hours drive is Fabulous Las Vegas, and closer, on the way, is Calico Ghost Town. You can explore the old mine shafts, and see a restored Wild West town. Call us today at (760) 242-3359 to schedule your introduction to the fun of low & slow Magic Carpet flight in a Powered Parachute.

1. What Makes the Powered Parachute So Stable?
The pendulum effect (pilot and airframe suspended by an airfoil) provides self-compensating stability.
2. How Fast Does It Fly?
The Powered Parachute flies at between 26 & 32mph through the air. This is determined by the type of wing, (rectangular or elliptical) & wing loading. The heaver your payload, the faster you will fly. The ground speed is determined by the speed of the wind relative to the flight direction.
3. How Does The Parachute Deploy?
Simply lay the parachute out behind the aircraft, make sure it is squared up to the airframe, make sure all the lines are clear and free of tangles, get in the aircraft, secure your helmet & seat belt, and start the engine. As the pilot and aircraft start rolling forward for takeoff, the parachute will kite overhead. Before going to lift off power (usually full power) make sure the Lines are free, all cells are Open, and the wing is Centered. We call this a LOC. Once this is completed, increase to full power and the parachute will lift the pilot and aircraft up into the sky.
4. What if the engine quits?
It gets very quiet. In the unlikely event that the engine should fail, the pilot can safely steer the unpowered gliding Powered Parachute back to a landing site. You will have a glide ratio of anywhere between 3:1 to 5 or 6:1, depending on the type of wing you’re flying. (rectangular or elliptical)
5. How Is The Powered Parachute Transported?
All that is required is a small trailer. Of course, there are many trailer options available, including fully enclosed models that will sleep 6, has full kitchen and bathroom facilities, and can carry a Powrachute Airwolf or Pegasus easily.
6. Why a Powered Parachute?
Why a powered parachute? Boy is this a broad question – you sure you want to go with this question? OK, OK, well, because:
• It is probably the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
• It is the easiest flying vehicle we know about – only two airborne controls. One to control your rise and decent through the skies, (the throttle) and the other to make turns (via your feet and the foot rudder bars).
• Besides keeping the unit sturdy, clean & dry, you only need to change the oil and the plugs to maintain it.
• It takes very little room to store it – a single car garage can hold three units. And hence it is also very easy to transport – a common utility trailer can easily carry your PPC to any fly-in. Heck, some people just add an extended shelf to the rear of their pick-up trucks and put the PPC there (without any trailer).
• You can fly year round, weather permitting of course.
• It requires no ground crew; you can easily unpack, take-off, land, and re-load your PPC all by yourself.
• It has an incredible safety record (despite the fact that mere humans are allowed to fly it).
7. What does it feel like?
Flying a powered parachute is the closest you may ever come to actualizing those childhood flying dreams. It is the closest you will ever come to soaring with the eagles. Another aircraft may never match the slow & low abilities of the PPC. It is an incredibly safe and fun way to sail-the-skies!
8. What is the ceiling of the PPC? (How high can you go?)
From the factory, the 2-seat PPC with a 65hp engine will normally obtain around 12,000 feet with just an average size pilot, and around 8,000 feet with 450 lbs of occupants. As of July 2001, the altitude record is over 17,700 feet (I believe by Bud Gish of Alaska). With the Sport Pilot rule, you are limited to 10,000 feet MSL (above sea level) If it is a single seat Ultralight, you are not limited to the same ceiling as a sport pilot, but if you plan to go much above 12,000MSL, you will need oxygen.
9. Can I train myself?
Since there is considerably more to flying a PPC, than pulling an elevator control back, or pushing a foot (steering) rudder bar – I would have to say "NO" for safety’s sake! And honestly, anyone that says that they can safely train you in under 6 hours to fly solo—is not giving you the complete picture; too much information would have to be skipped—go elsewhere for your training!
10. What kind of license do I need to fly a Powered Parachutes?
This is going to have to be a 2-part answer: one part for true 103 PPC’s and one for the 2-seat light sport aircraft (2 seat PPC’s).
Relative to true 103 PPC’s: No license or registration is needed – HEY!
[Note: a true 103 ultralight will weigh under 254 lbs, have a single seat, fuel capacity that does not exceed 5 gallons, go slower than 55 knots (63 mph) and have a stall speed less than 24 knots.]
Relative to a 2-seat trainer: Yes, you will need a Sport Pilot certificate. Your drivers will serve as your medical, and any restrictions placed on that will apply to your sport pilot privileges. This is an FAA pilot certificate. The minimum requirements are;
• 12 hours total time, with 10 hours dual training, that means you and your CFI in the plane together, learning to fly the powered parachute.
• 2 hours solo flight training. (yes, you’re all alone up there when solo). 20 takeoffs & landings to a full stop, with 10 of those being solo.
• A dual cross country training with a flight greater than 15 nautical miles straight line distance between takeoff & landing point.
• A solo cross country flight of a straight line distance of at least 10 nautical miles between takeoff & landing points.
11. What winds can a Powered Parachute safely fly in?
You should never fly in winds that exceed your flight skills. And, it is recommended that all PPC pilots should avoid flying in winds above 15 mph.
12. Do I need to own a plane, before I take lessons?
No, at Inland Paraflite, Inc. we train & solo students in our aircraft. There are some CFI’s that will not allow you to solo in their aircraft, so you should take that into consideration when selecting a CFI. We also recommend that you take lessons before purchasing a PPC, so that you can learn the pluses and minuses of each PPC design.
13. What is the maximum weight you can carry?
There are quite a few factors that come into play when considering this answer.
• The strength of the PPC frame
• The size and strength of the canopy
On average however, I will venture to say that around 450-500 lbs of payload is workable for a 2-seat trainer. Your weight and balance documents that are required to be on any 2 seat light sport aircraft will spell this out for your particular aircraft. It will also be spelled out for any single seat PPC from the manufacturer.
14. How much room do you need for take-off and landing?
Again, weight, weather and faith come into play here. But for two people, you will need about 300 to 400 feet for take-off and around 50-100 to safely land. If you have obstacles at the end of your runway, you should plan to have enough room to clear them safely.
15. Are ballistic or emergency parachutes used on PPC’s
No. When you have an aircraft with the safely record of the PPC, it is extraordinary to find one with an emergency chute. Besides, you’re already flying your recovery system, the ram air parachute wing on your plane.
16. Are PPC’s useful in aiding Search & Rescue operations?
The PPC is so ‘right’, so useful when it comes to search & rescue operations, that sometimes, the Civil Air Patrol will get a little jealous about the PPC. Except for getting to the ‘lost’ sight quickly, there is no better aircraft than the PPC for aiding in the search of the lost. (Heck, you could find a lost rabbit with a PPC!)
17. Can you fly at night?
Well, here’s another 2 part answer. No, if it a part 103 ultralight vehicle you cannot fly at night. If it is a 2 place light sport aircraft, as a sport pilot the answer is still no. There is one way to legally fly at night. There is also a Private Pilot rating for powered parachutes. This is not to be confused with an airplane (Cessna) private rating, because they are different. If you have the private pilot rating for powered parachutes, along with the required position lights, you can fly at night. So far, there are only 4 Private Pilot PPC examiners in the entire country, so it is very rare to see. You also must pass the private pilot written test, then the practical test and you must have at least a 3rd class medical, so for most of us, we will just fly in the daytime.
18. What are the age limits of a PPC pilot?
For a true 103 single seat ultralight, there is no age limit; for the 2-seat light sport PPC, 16 to solo with a student pilot certificate and be at least 17 years old to hold a sport pilot certificate.
19. Is a medical required to fly the PPC?
No, for a 2 place light sport aircraft, you will be able to use your driver license, or in lieu of that you may have a 3rd class medical. If it is a true Part 103 ultralight then no medical is required. If you choose to get your private pilot rating for PPC’s then a 3rd class medical is required.
20. Can I fly in or over a National Park?
There has always been confusion over this question. Except for hazardous areas like the Grand Canyon, the FAA has no restrictions on the air space over National Parks – it is only strongly requested that you maintain 2000 AGL (Above the Ground Level) when over a National Park. However, the Park Service will probably ticket (and yell) at you for violating Noise & Disturbance laws, if you fly too low!
21. Am I able to take my friends or family for ride if I fly a 2 place PPC?
Yes, once you have earned your Sport Pilot license.
22. Do I have to be a ‘mechanical’ type, to maintain my PPC?
No, if you can change the plugs and change the gear oil, you will be fine.
23. Are we required to register the PPC with the FAA?
Yes, if it is a 2 place, then you are required to register it (a $5.00 one time fee) and you will be assigned an N number (tail number like you see on a Cessna). You will also be required to have an airworthiness certificate. If it is a single seat that meets the ultralight rules, then you are not required to register it.