When you think of the words  ’attractive’ and ‘paramotor,’ they usually never belong in the same sentence.   The butt fans we putt around in the sky on tend to make us look like awkward turtles, not race car drivers.   There’s a new paramotor in town that may have officially changed that theory.   Looking cool may now be a totally viable option for some powered paragliding pilots!

Check out the new Scout Carbon Fiber Paramotor and you may see it too.  That is one good looking paramotor!   I’ve even heard the term ‘sexy’ used in the same sentence with the Scout.    Times are changing in our industry!

Besides the attractive part of the Scout, it does have quite a few cool features as well that we have not seen before on any previous design.   The Scout  uses what’s called “Dynamic Torque Compensation” to greatly reduces propeller torque during full power maneuvers   This allows the pilot to fly straight on climb or to turn in either direction without the torque factor fighting you in one direction.   Another interesting feature is the SafeStart system the Scout uses,   which very well safe yourself in the event of a full power startup.

To check out more of the features on the scout,  see the latest press release from Scout Paramotors USA

The Scout is going on a pre-order sale for the first 10 orders with a price point of $7995, cheaper than a zenith!

May 25 to June 2 in Northwestern Oregon.

Students will fly into Portland on the evening of the 24th, and we get transportation from there.  We then spend each training day teaching thorough understanding of paraglider dynamics and control through demonstration, ground handling, impromptu academic classes, and free flight.  Students will typically get 25-50 training hill flights and one or more tandem paramotor flights before their first paramotor solo (with radio).

From there, students are guided through several flights in different environments. Emphasis is placed on launch/landing technique, traffic and obstacle avoidance, meteorological analysis and decision making, and most importantly – looking cool.

Once you’ve gone through our course – you’re a member for life.  Students are allowed and encouraged to come back to scheduled courses on an ongoing basis to learn new skills, polish up on basics, or just to hang out and fly with old and new friends.

The cost of the course is $2500 USD, included in the price are the following:

• 1-2 instructors’ time for 9-10 days, for as much time as you can physically and mentally deal with.
• All transportation to and from the training area, quarters, and airport (students must get air transportation).
  Use of kiting wings, harnesses, solo wings, and paramotors for the duration of the visit.  Students may bring their own paramotors, but are encouraged to take first flights on our machines.
• Lodging for the duration of the trip.
• Ground school, testing, and any ratings earned during that time.  At this time, Team Fly Halo can administer USPPA ratings PPG1 – PPG3, and USHPA ratings P1 – P4.
• Nearly all classes and flights will be documented by videography in a professional way.  Though not a guarantee, you’re likely to come home with several “vacation slides” to show family and friends.

Team Fly Halo Members will have what they need to be successful toward earning ratings.  A USPPA PPG2 rating (the standard) is very attainable within this time frame.  However this will vary depending upon individual ability, and weather conditions.  Naturally, we travel far and wide to seek t
he best training destinations to maximize your success, but there are some circumstances that can be out of our control. Students always have to option to come back to scheduled events to earn additional ratings if they desire.

Whether your a new pilot or have some air time, consider taking this course, it will definitely improve your flying experience. You can read more about Team Fly Halo’s powered paragliding training here.

Ryan Southwell is an awesome videographer that typically shoots high end wedding videos and commercials for hotels.  Being a powered paragliding pilot himself, Ryan decided he wanted to shoot a high quality video to help promote our sport.   The filming location chosen for the film was Salton Sea and Glamis Dunes, CA, two pretty visually amazing locations!

Thank you Ryan for putting this film together and helping to promote our sport!

“May 25 to June 2 in Northwestern Oregon.

Students will fly into Portland on the evening of the 24th, and we get transportation from there.  We then spend each training day teaching thorough understanding of paraglider dynamics and control through demonstration, ground handling, impromptu academic classes, and free flight.  Students will typically get 25-50 training hill flights and one or more tandem paramotor flights before their first paramotor solo (with radio).

From there, students are guided through several flights in different environments. Emphasis is placed on launch/landing technique, traffic and obstacle avoidance, meteorological analysis and decision making, and most importantly – looking cool.

Once you’ve gone through our course – you’re a member for life.  Students are allowed and encouraged to come back to scheduled courses on an ongoing basis to learn new skills, polish up on basics, or just to hang out and fly with old and new friends.

The cost of the course is $2500 USD, included in the price are the following:

• 1-2 instructors’ time for 9-10 days, for as much time as you can physically and mentally deal with.
• All transportation to and from the training area, quarters, and airport (students must get air transportation).
  Use of kiting wings, harnesses, solo wings, and paramotors for the duration of the visit.  Students may bring their own paramotors, but are encouraged to take first flights on our machines.
• Lodging for the duration of the trip.
• Ground school, testing, and any ratings earned during that time.  At this time, Team Fly Halo can administer USPPA ratings PPG1 – PPG3, and USHPA ratings P1 – P4.
• Nearly all classes and flights will be documented by videography in a professional way.  Though not a guarantee, you’re likely to come home with several “vacation slides” to show family and friends.

Team Fly Halo Members will have what they need to be successful toward earning ratings.  A USPPA PPG2 rating (the standard) is very attainable within this time frame.  However this will vary depending upon individual ability, and weather conditions.  Naturally, we travel far and wide to seek the best training destinations to maximize your success, but there are some circumstances that can be out of our control. Students always have to option to come back to scheduled events to earn additional ratings if they desire.

For more details on the course, as well as instructor bios, videos, etc. please visit FlyHalo.com.”

Here’s what I think about this topic:   Any private event has the right to enforce certification requirements however they so choose.  If you don’t like it, don’t fly there.    The main reason the requirements have been set in the first place is because of poorly trained pilots that are causing risk to others safety and their own.

Some people just don’t like the USPPA – our official powered paragliding organization.   So be it, most fly in’s are accepting ratings from USHPA which is the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association.  This is a bigger organization than the USPPA is currently but is free flight focused, there are no motor endorsements   So if you feel there is some sort of one sided-ness, go get your ratings for free flight and let others know you at least have the basic skills.  Coming from another country, your ratings are probably stricter than ours here in the USA so i’m sure yours will be accepted without issue.

This is not some sort of money making scheme for instructors (have been hearing that), it’s a safety concern for our sport – especially when there are hundreds of people flying around within reasonably close proximity.    Small fly ins need to worry less about this concern but when there are over 100 pilots taking off and landing , it’s nice to know that they were taught a set of skills that were created as a standard for all.

Please voice your opinions in the comments section below.

So for the first 7 seconds, the unit keeps the paramotor engine from revving past 3k. If it does, the system cuts the motor off immediately. Prop strikes on start up are very dangerous, people have lost limbs because of this. This new system could potentially (pardon the pun) cut those prop strike incidents by a lot. As of right now Scout is going to have them come standard on all of there units. The one in testing above will be the universal version fit for every popular paramotor engine on the market. Scout Paramotors USA is saying the unit will be very affordable and I quote “less than your average insurance deductible” – very clever.

If you’ve had or seen a prop strike incident, let us know.  Do you think this system could have prevented it?

This young pilot suffered a major collapse towards the end of the video. The cause looks to be heavy braking while in reflex mode while possibly getting waked at the same time. This is a major no no on most brands of reflex gliders. Unfortunately we see the severity of not adhearing to that. It is my understanding that the pilot broke both legs pretty badly but is otherwise okay. We hope for the best for him and hope this video can save others from getting into the same situation.

We may all have political, religious or other differences that get in between us but one thing is certain, we all share the same passion – flying.    Flying is a bond stronger and more powerful than all of the others.  Remind yourself about this young paraglider pilot in Afghanistan when you have a silly debate about the best gear with your ‘arch nemisis’ on an internet chat group!