Where does paramotoring come from?
Paramotoring is derived from paragliding and is known to have been first invented in 1980 by Mike Byrne in the UK. He added a motor, that he had made himself, to his regular paragliding equipment and did the first paramotoring journey ever recorded; lasting just 4 minutes and a half. Unlike paragliding, in paramotoring it is not necessary to have a high point or mountain edge to take off from and you can lift off from any open space.
Fancy a go at paramotoring just 2 hours from the birthplace of the sport? Why not try it out in Oxfordshire?
How does paramotoring work?
The parachute used is much stronger and larger than in paragliding which is needed to help with the extra weight of the paramotor. The motor is worn like a rucksack which has a cage and frame around it to protect both the pilot and the parachute wing from the propeller. The frame is attached to the harness which is used to keep the pilot safely strapped in with multiple clips. The motor and engine are used to propel the paramotor onward. To gain momentum, the pilot needs to run with help from the motor once the wing is in the air in order to take off. There is a throttle that is connected to the engine which extends toward the pilot so that it can easily be turned on, furthermore, it includes a kill switch to easily shut off the engine.
You can be forgiven for assuming that a paramotor may need fancy fuel such as aviation fuel or something similar to run, however, this is not the case! A paramotor’s engine runs on normal unleaded fuel; in some cases 2-stroke oil is also needed to be added in. However, in general, unleaded fuel does the trick.
Taking a trip to Wales and want a thrill or a rush of adrenaline? Why not try paramotoring in Ceredigion?
So why is it so expensive?
Think about it… For a sport where one wrong move could result in a serious accident would you really want to cheap out on equipment? Of course not! All the various parts such as the wing and harness are expensive to make and take copious amounts of skill to produce as well. However, the equipment will last you years and is cheap and very easy to maintain once purchased. Furthermore, paramotoring as a sport is not a huge market therefore vendors need to keep their prices up in order to make a profit.
If you are on a budget but still love the idea of soaring through the sky, why not have a go at a shorter flight in Cornwall.
What should I bring with me?
While this may be repeated to you often, safety is paramount and comfort is key! The following items will help you enjoy your flight to the fullest, whether essential or just recommended.
- Helmet - definitely essential
- Radio - in case you need to communicate with others nearby or you have an emergency
- Strobe light - if you are flying in low light a strobe light is essential so that other pilots or aircrafts can see you
- Gloves - when flying at high altitude your hands can become very cold, so this is for comfort more than anything
- Flight suit - again this is more for comfort and will keep you very warm, however a ski jacket will also do the trick if you don't want to splash the cash
Finally, if you happen to be in Northern Ireland, why not enjoy some fantastic views and take off in County Antrim.
Now you know the history and have a basic understanding of paramotoring you are ready to take the run, spread your wing(s) and take flight.
