Powered Paragliding New Brunswick - Student testimonials and experience with our PPG school

I just want to thank you both again for your hospitality and kindness while I was training with you. It was a fun & challenging and rewarding experience.

I heard about it.....I read about it......I watched videos about it.......I talked to people about it.......I dreamed about it...alot...Then I did it ...... I made my dream come true. They say you only get out of life what you put into it. Well, I wanted to fly. I flew fixed wing airplanes..that got too expensive. I tried to build an airplane...that got too frustrating and took too long. Then I discovered powered paragliding. It was cheap, safe, portable, and easy to learn. I did some research and found Frank Savignac of PPGNB. I called him and he answered all my questions and concerns. I made the decision to train and become a PPG pilot...... What a blast and what a great experience.

Frank, and his wife, Johanne, are such quality people. Pleasant, professional and down to earth. The training I received was top quality. Very well presented with a common sense approach. He will teach to your level with patience and enthusiasm. His knowledge base is extensive and interesting. The Walkerjet Product line was very reliable and , from what I've read, on the leading edge of paramotor technology. Safety was definitely a priority with Frank's teaching. If your ready to live your dream, powered paragliding with PPGNB and Frank Savignac is the way to go.

Roger's Testimonial

I have always had a passion to fly, wanting to see what a bird sees. When planes or helicopters pass over, whatever I was doing I would stop and watch. Last spring my mother phoned me on an early Saturday morning and told me that a fellow was flying out of her field. I didn't ask what he was flying, I just raced to the farm. There I saw not one, but three PPG pilots. This looked exciting. I saw their equipment and thought "holy %&*# " this is neat! Frank Savignac who is now PPG New Brunswick, talked to me and answered all my questions. He told me that he was going for his instructor license. He thought maybe by fall he would be an instructor and as soon as he became one, he would call

me. Well, sure enough he called just like he said, that he would the first part of fall. I was excited to hear from him. I ordered my glider and paramotor. It was going to happen!!

We trained at my mother's farm, which is now his training field. I find Frank to be a good instructor. He has lots of patience and is always talking about safety. I found it was very easy to learn from Frank. Classroom time was in Frank's home. His wife Joanne helped when needed and always made me feel comfortable. I thank her for that. So, now I'm flying, which I thought I would never do! I made new friends in the PPG community who are all great! So if you think you can't do it, think again.

This is a voluntarily submitted “Testimonial” to Frank Savignac’s one-on-one PPG Refresher Course, September 2 and 4, 2005.

I earned a Private Pilot’s License in 1975, was active in Sport Parachuting between 1978-1983, purchased and trained on my current PPG gear in June 2004, went back for a Refresher Course in October 2004, and didn’t get into the air again until the morning of September 4, 2005, at 07:48.

Already I can see you thinking: if Internet sites tout PPG as THE way to fly, how come Yours Truly seems to be contradicting this image vis-à-vis an eleven-month hiatus? Be reassured that if you try it, you’ll be hooked.

During training there was an intangible sense of security afforded by the mere presence of experienced pilots on the flying field. Back in Fredericton last fall I lacked the confidence to attempt a flight without this placebo. Then in April of this year, I had the great good fortune to meet Frank. Have you ever noticed that when someone makes something look easy, it probably isn’t, and conversely, they must be good? That was the impression I got while watching Frank fly.

Frank called a week or so ago to announce his PPG Instructor status, and offered a refresher course. I took him up on that and spent four very instructive hours on basics; and, yes, they are basic. They become “second nature” to some faster than they do to others, but in any case, don’t try to fly without them. Sunday was the big day: bright and early, no wind: ergo Forward Launch (assisted). It really, really works: the glider inflates and comes over your head – no strain, no pain; release the “As”, bit of brake; gradual application of power and “run-run-run” - except my boots hadn’t splashed through very many feet of dewy clover before there I was again, aloft, just like last October. Hey, Frank, guess who’s the happiest person in the world this minute, and guess who made it possible?

OK. I’ve had my say, thank you very much; but this is about Frank, not me. Why would I unreservedly opine that if he can’t train you, then PPG is not your cup of tea? Let’s face it: while technical skills come first and foremost, “people” skills are an essential compliment. Sure, it’s easy for an instructor to be full of praise while the weather and a student’s progression go “by the book”. Impatience, frustration, whatever, undoes all the student’s learning to date; and instructors have, figuratively, “shot themselves in the foot” – bye-bye to hero status.

Frank intuitively sensed my “hang-ups”, and patiently worked me through them, one-by-one, and at my own pace. He also gave an honest and unadorned critique after each exercise.

Like you, I take most of what I read with the proverbial grain of salt. You don’t have to take my word for it: call Frank and judge for yourself.

STUDENT OR BUYER TESTIMONIALS

Roger's Testimonial