Learning to Fly a Powered Paraglider (PPG) in Australia

PPG are classified as the safest form of Aviation in the world.

No airport needed - no license - low cost - easy training..

Australian Legal flying requirements.

Cross over courses from Ultralight to Paragliders are available.

Refresher and Advance training courses are available.

There are three main types of paragliding training courses !

1. Foot Launched Paragliding (PG): Was the first type of (non motorised) Paragliding, where traditionally you walk to a hill top or mountain to launch (or jump out of a plane), these days you can get a towed launch behind a boat, vehicle or even ground based cable launch. A non powered foot launch paragliding course will take from 7~14 day to complete as there are many ground handling skills as well as safety procedures to learn as you are reliant on wind and weather conditions more so than the following two powered methods.

2. Foot Launched Powered Paragliding Courses (PPG): Then came "Powered Paragliding" (commonly called paramotoring), depending on your Instructor, Location and Weather, a foot launch paramotoring endorsement course will also take from 7~14 day to complete as there are also many ground handling skills as well additional safety procedures to learn when using an engine & glider combination.

Most Foot Launch pilots use the HGFA (Hang Gliding Federation of Australia) Flight Training can be found on the HGFA web site: www.HGFA.asn.au, this is a .pdf file to download of there membership & basic charges.

3. Wheeled Powered Paragliding Courses (WPPG): In recent times Quad & Trike paragliding are rapidly becoming the new breed of paramotoring with specific Wheeled training programs are fast becoming popular, they are designed to help speed the learning process and have you up in the air on your way with powered flights as quickly and as safely as possible, Most wheel launch pilots currently train through the RAA (Recreational Aviation Australia inc) as they have specific Wheeled Flight Training courses that can be found on the RAA web site: www.RAA.asn.au, this is a .pdf file to download of there membership & basic charges.

The principle difference with WPPG is less emphasis is placed on learning ground handling skills, you will have the ability to perform a lot simpler launches & landings as you don't have to concentrate on inherent difficulties/problems of running, tripping, nil wind etc.. In short a wheel launch would suit a less agile, adventuress or older type person.

NB: Either way you should familiarised yourself with the Engine/Cage/Quad assembly, disassembly, starting, throttle control, power cut off, fuel/oil mixing, maintenance, torque and thrust effects, special dangers etc. As well as the practical work, you will have to learn some basics in the following subjects: principles of flight, meteorology, aviation law and navigation, most of these are covered in "The Powered ParaGliding Bible", this great book is a must have for any pilot.

Existing Aviation background: If you already have an aviation background, your learning curve should be accelerated and typically an established paraglider pilot (no engine) will be able to “upgrade” in a couple of days.

No Aviation background: A complete beginner with no aviation background may need upwards of 4~10 days of tuition depending on the course with plenty of reading to become proficient at powered flight. You should then accumulate another 20~30 hrs of powered flying before commencing cross-county flying. The only exception to this rule would be move directly into a Quad Buggy (wheel launch) as this takes a lot of the essential ground handling skills out of the equation, but don't be fooled into thinking all is safe, what ever goes up will eventually come down, incorrect pilot input in many occasions cause malfunctions to the wing, inherently a glider wing will self correct.

What are the legalities of flying a paramotoring kit ?

Paramotoring operation in Australia is legislated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) but is in effect unregulated. All aircraft must respect the Australian Air Navigation Orders and international aviation law.

NB: Landowner’s permission is required for take off and landing.

Aviation law spells out the rules of how close one may fly to towns, clouds, airports etc., and there are some special rules applying to Paramotoring which should be complied with.

Learning to Fly a Powered Paraglider:
Foot launch inherently requires a larger degree of fitness and mental agility, although a PPG's are relatively easy to fly, it is nonetheless still “Aviation”. The pilot’s attitude to safety and airmanship is what ensures an accident free flying career, remember “there are old pilots and there are bold pilots", look at this sport as if you have two bags, one filled with luck & the other is somewhat empty of experience, the idea is to gain all the experience before running out of luck !

For foot launch especially you really need to learn to control a paraglider very well before you embark on any Paramotoring. Inflation techniques (getting the canopy to rise overhead), launching, turning, controlling flying speed, landing approach, landing, and canopy handling once landed are all skills which need to be mastered. When proficiency has been reached in control & inflation elements, then you should be able to tackle powered flight.

What Qualifications can I get ?
The HGFA (Hang Gliding Federation of Australia) and the RAA (Recreational Aviation Australia) are the governing body's which looks after the interests of this sport in Australia, ensuring that problems do not arise in training or operation, and thus ensuring that Paramotoring remains unregulated. The HGFA has a pilot rating scheme which allows you to achieve a rating in both paragliding and paramotoring, and also looks after the accreditation, training and licensing of instructors as well as guidelines for indemnity (waiver) forms etc.

A basic powered paragliding kit with options including engine, frame & cage, harness, pull start, propeller and glider only cost $6'200.00 +Freight.

Powered Paragliding Schools & Trainers are located around most of Australia, predominately the eastern coast Victoria, New South Wales & Queensland with many more opening in this infantile sport by the day.

Trainers should have access to ideal location(s) to teach Paragliding and Paramotoring, some of Australia's most successful paragliding schools have been established since the 1980 and have flight fields and areas they predominately use.

Accumulating people with a wealth of knowledge and experience is for the better of the sport, especially for your safety you should be learning from/with experienced instructors in the business.

There schools & trainers in Australia that arrogantly decline to train you unless you purchase there equipment as part of there package deal, this would be understandable if students wanted to use dodgy self made or unsafe secondhand equipment, although is that not the main reason why you are requested to paid a $20 insurance cover by the HGFA and sign a waiver form that indemnifies the trainers.

If the truth be told it may be all about making more money from you & not giving you the ability to genuinely shop around, that is a little like purchasing a Holden & being told another Holden dealership/agent we won't service it for you.

Lets hope this type of negative working class mentality will abate and those people that train will concentrate on what they state they do best !

General Information on Powered Paragliding (PPG) Training courses..