Imagine combining the exhilarating sport of paragliding with the range, control and freedom of powered flight. That’s exactly what you get when you learn to paramotor. And for the best tuition and weather, a paramotoring course in Spain with FlySpain is certainly hard to beat.
Before you start, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the basics. Paramotoring involves using a simple motor driven propeller worn like a backpack under a paragliding wing. This then gives you thrust to takeoff, climb and maintain altitude.
The motor can be stopped or started in mid air, meaning you can still enjoy the peace and quiet of pure paragliding. And there’s a range of about two to three hours at speeds of up to 50 km an hour.
Buying the equipment for yourself can be expensive. You should expect to pay around £4,000 for a new motor alone, as well as purchasing a paragliding sail and other equipment, such as a flight suit. But it’s by far the cheapest way to get into powered flight.
On a paramotoring course in Spain you’ll have all of the gear provided as part of your training. You then only need to splash out once you’ve qualified and decided paramotoring is for you (which we’re sure you will!).
It’s not a difficult sport to learn, and with no hangar fees or licence renewal costs it’s a low cost activity and far cheaper than other forms of aviation. Plus, it all fits neatly in the boot/trunk of your car making transporting the gear very easy.
If you cannot paraglide already the first thing you’ll learn on any paramotoring course is how to control the paraglide wing. This may take some time – see below for more course details.
Once this is mastered, you’ll move onto the unit – learning how to assemble and disassemble, as well as basic maintenance. Then you’ll progress onto the basic principles of thrust, with plenty of flight theory, air laws and navigation.
All of the above is underpinned by a hefty dose of safety instruction. This is an incredible sport but one that comes with significant risks so you can never be too careful. You’ll cover how to obey the flight rules and deal with obstacles and potential hazards.
You don’t need any prior experience to join a beginner ‘Elementary Pilot’ (EP) paramotoring course in Spain with FlySpain. Working in small groups, over five days of training the aim is to get you to British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA) EP rating – the vital first step in your progression towards Club Pilot (CP) licence.
You’ll learn the basics of unpowered flight, preparing you to move towards strapping on the engine. Gain the confidence to launch unaided and develop good landing skills to get you back down again safely. Almost anyone can do it given a basic level of fitness and mobility.
If you really want to move on, there is a two-week course available. Starting with the EP section and then moving straight onto the CP element of paramotoring.
This is when you start to work with the power unit, working on ground handling and eventually moving on to short flights. Towards the end of the eleven days, you’ll be racking up the air time.
If you can already paraglide or have the EP rating, FlySpain also run conversion paramotoring courses in Spain. With this you can move from EP to CP level and learn to Paramotor.
Based in Algodonales in Andalucia, southern Spain, FlySpain is a small family run company that specialises in paragliding and paramotoring for all levels. With decades of experience behind them and an in depth knowledge of the local area, you’re in very good hands.
In fact, it’s now the largest BHPA school in Europe. Tuition is all in English and FlySpain run paragliding and paramotoring courses in Spain all year round.
The combination of superb Spanish weather, top equipment and excellent tuition has made their learn to paramotor courses some of the most popular in Europe.
This is your chance to develop the skills needed to get into paramotoring – one of the most incredible and unique sports you could imagine. Soaring high above the Spanish landscape, experiencing the thrill of controlled powered flight with the pleasure of gliding.
To find out more amount FlySpain paramotoring courses visit: www.flyspain.co.uk