POWERED PARAGLIDER PARAMOTOR PPG COURSES AND LESSONS 

PPG course dates 2008   Pics of past Students  Testimonials

Learning how to fly powered paraglider under instructor's guidance is essential for safe and continuous enjoyment of the sport. 

One of the first things you must consider is your current physical condition. You must sign a Category 4 Medical Declaration form stating your current health status, prior to receiving PPG training. The list below is the maladies that require further investigation by a CAME before the training can be conducted. 

This does not mean that you cannot take the training,  however Civil aviation authorities require a letter from a Aviation Medical Doctor stating that you are good physical condition to conduct aviation training with the illness that you have declared.

If you have ever suffered from any of the conditions listed below you must undergo a medical examination with a civil aviation medical examiner.

 1.         I hereby declare that I have never suffered from any of the conditions listed below:

A.     Epilepsy, fits or seizures;

B.     Significant head injury;

C.    Severe headaches or migraine;

D.    Diabetes requiring insulin or other medication;

E.     Heart disease, heart attack or high blood pressure;

F.     Coronary by-pay pass surgery or angioplasty;

G.    Chronic chest, sinus or ear condition;

H.     Chronic abdominal condition requiring medication;

I.         Eye trouble (e.g. vision not correctable to 20/30,

Inability to pas a motor vehicle vision test;

J.      Nervous conditions requiring therapy or medication;

K.     Recurrent fainting, dizziness or blackout;

L.      Kidney disease/stones;

M.    Any other physical or mental disability;

N.     Alcohol or chemical dependence or abuse; and

O.    Any difficulty with hearing or speech.

 2.         That I have never been denied, on medical grounds:

             A . Motor vehicle operator’s license;

B.     A civil aviation personnel license, or permit, or

C.    Life insurance.

Course Schedule:

Here is an example of a typical course time outline:

Day one: 

The start of day one will consists of theory lessons about paraglider characteristics and design. This will give you the confidence and knowledge of the current design paragliders. 

We will then go outside and start," hands on" with the paraglider. We will start slowly with confirming the parts and their operation to include how to pack and unpack the paraglider. 

I will then show you how to hook up the paraglider to the training harness. It's at this time when the work start's. We will then go to the training field and commence with forward and reverse inflations using the training harness. (depending on weather conditions)

Day two:  

We will meet back at the training field  for more glider work, perfecting forward and reverse inflations. This part of PPG training takes the most time for students to learn and must be perfected before carrying on to the next stage. Once Glider training is perfected, we carry on with motor training.

We will go over all the characteristics and parts of the paramotor to include starting procedures. Next, we'll strap you into the paramotor and allow you to get a feel of the weight. You will then start the paramotor and allow gradual increase in throttle to allow you to feel the thrust/torque. You will learn to simulate a forward inflation allowing the paramotor to push you forward under controlled throttle control of the pilot (You).  Once you're comfortable with these procedures, we will go onto flight simulator training.

Flight simulator training will cover all flight regimes to include emergency procedures. The flight simulator is an apparatus that allows you to hang from a swing while the motor is running Simulating PPG flight. You will be under supervision of the flight instructor in which will allow you to practice the take off and landing procedures to include getting in/out of the seat while in flight. 

We will go over all the radio communications and flight procedures to ensure that you understand exactly what to expect on your first flight. You will have a complete understanding of exactly what your first flight will involve.

Day three and day four: 

Flight training: This is where all your training to date comes together.  You will fly your first flight and practice basic turns and control procedures under control of the instructor by radio. You will continue to fly several flights and as each flight progresses you will receive less and less input from the flight instructor. Once you have demonstrated that you can conduct basic flight procedures to include take-off and landings with minimum control of the flight instructor, we will practice emergency engine out landings. This procedure will have you go to approx 800', and you will go to idle. You will be given an area within the flying field in which you will land without using engine thrust as an aid. Of course, if the student is not going to land near the pre-determined landing area the flight instructor will give aid until this procedure is mastered. 

You will continue to fly solo flight until you have the ability to show proficiency in flying a PPG.

To complete the PPG course you must log 5 hours of flight time including minimum of 30 take off's and landings under my supervision.

Completion of Powered Paragliding New Brunswick PPG paramotoring course and earning an Ultralight pilot license takes approximately four to six days. It is important to understand though that not all out the 4-6 days will be suitable for training. Most people can learn and complete the course in 4  full days so the extra two days are our "rainy" or "too windy" days.  These are some of the weather conditions that will prevent us from paramotor training or powered paraglider flying:

  • there will be no ground paraglider handling if surface wind is more then 15 km/h

  • foot launch - there will be no PPG powered paraglider flying if surface wind is more then 10 km/h or if I deem the conditions too thermal or turbulent 

  • there will be no training at all in rain or if our field is water logged and/or very muddy

  • there will be no PPG training if there is snow on the ground

COST OF TRAINING: 

  • $1800.00 + Taxes  (Foot launch)

  • $1500.00 + Taxes  (Mini PPCg) 

  • $500.00   + taxes   (Mini PPCg) rental during your course

Note on purchasing equipment - The responsibility and workload of an instructor training students is demanding. The wage earned to train students is based on some profit on equipment and training. There are PPG companies out there that do sell equipment very cheap and make it very difficult for PPG schools to try to price their equipment comparatively. However, these companies are more than happy to sell you equipment and make a profit and allow other instructors to train them. Under these circumstances these companies are in some cases making more profit on equipment than the Instructor who has all the responsibility and liability of training you, the student. Therefore, PPGNB will no longer train students on other equipment other than Nomad Paramotors or Used Walkerjet equipment that is placed on my web site. 

 COST OF TRAINING: (Purchased new glider and equipment  from PPGNB)

 $12,400.00 - $13,100.00 Canadian taxes in (Dependig on equipment ordered) Includes New glider / new paramotor/ permit costs/study package/accommodations and complete PPG training course. 

Mini PPCg   - to include all above - $16,000.00

ON - SITE ACCOMMODATIONS:  Accommodations are available for students during their training. We have a large one bedroom apartment fully furnish downstairs with all the comforts of a home, away from home.  The cost is free for students purchasing new equipment or $25.00 per night for others members.

   

  

 

  Local Accommodations - click on link

Interested? 

Why don't you come and watch first - Give me a call and I can show you a demo flight (weather permitting).

Do you want to start? 

Just follow these steps...

Step 1 - Learn how to fly powered paraglider:  

a. Give me a call and book yourself on a course;  PPG course dates 2008

b. Order your equipment and study package - If you going to purchase used or new PPG equipment please call to see if I have your required equipment in stock. If not delivery of equipment may take up to 3-4 weeks.; Note* We will require a minimum of a $70000.00 deposit to order your equipment. 

c. Before arrival at PPGNB - You will require the following items!! Very Important 

 1. You'll require proof of citizenship - Either an up to date passport or your Birth certificate; ( Do not forget these docs, I cannot train you without proof of citizenship) these docs are require to apply for your student pilot permit from Transport Canada. 

 2. Good pair of good ankle support boots ;

 3. Thin pair of gloves for kiting; and

 4. warm clothing to suit the time of year;

Important Note*   I no longer train students with school equipment for foot launch technique, you must either buy new equipment (Paramotor/Glider) or check out my used equipment section for used gear.  I can provide a Mini PPCg for your training however the cost of rental is an additional $500.00. Further, I only train students on Walkerjet or Nomad paramotor units due to the safety crumble zone designed into the frame. As far as a glider, I can train you on any glider as long as it is sized correctly for your weight and is rated as a beginner glider . Of course all the used equipment must be in excellent condition.

c. Attend flight school and log 5 hours of flight time including minimum of 30 take off's and landings under my supervision. Once this is done I will initial your log book and write you a letter of competency. You will need these documents when applying for Ultra-light pilot license restricted to powered parachutes and paragliders. Students  Testimonials

Step 2 - Pass Transport Canada written test:   You will study from the "UPAC Ultralight Information Manual" which is part of the study materials included and pass written exam with Transport Canada. This can be done any time after you have completed 2.5 hours of solo PPG paramotor powered paraglider flight time in your log book.

Step 3 - Apply for an Ultralight pilot license:  To get licensed as PPG pilot you will submit an application to Transport Canada with following supporting documents: your written exam results, your log book initialed by me, letter of competency written by me, and fee $ 55.00  An Ultralight pilot license restricted to powered parachutes and paragliders will be issued to you.   

Step 4 - Register your aircraft: You will register your powered paraglider aircraft with Transport Canada to get powered paramotor registration marks such as mine - CIDIR. This can be done as soon as you purchase your equipment.

Step 6 - Arrange for liability insurance:  You will  become a member of COPA and will acquire minimum of $ 100 000 Canadian third party liability insurance. (cost approximately $ 10.00 per month) 

You have now completed everything you need to fly PPG legally.

NOTE: Times required for ground glider handling and powered practice are estimated as some people are quick learners and others are not. The possibility of training depends on weather of course and can spread over several weeks or months if you can only train on weekends and your schedule is not flexible.