Recurrency with PPG
In December, while visiting my parents in Florida, I came across an offer on a Moster185 I could not refuse. Most of my previous experience on Paramotors were on smaller lighter 80cc engine back in 2016/17. After flying a few 185s over the years I knew that was the next motor for me. My goal is to commercially add PPG tandems to my wheelhouse and I need the extra power to support tandem flight. The added weight and power is quite a lot for my small frame and I would not recommend it for most humans my size. If I were just going to fly for fun I would stay with the atom80 or Top80, it has plenty of power and thrust for my personal flying needs.
How ever, now that I have spent the last 4 months flying this motor all over the United States I am totally in love. I also fly it with the Luna2 from BGD which is a game changer upgrade, she’s a fast little wing and took a little getting used to.
Again - This combination and gear choice is not what I would recommend for a smaller pilot and definitely not a beginner pilot.
If you are thinking of getting into powered paragliding you will want to start with smaller and lighter paramotor and spend some time getting to know that motor regardless of your size. One of the biggest advantages one can have when learning to fly powered paragliders is strong knowledge and skill of GROUND HANDLING. Specifically high wind ground handling and more advanced kiting techniques. A understanding of free flight (non powered paragliding) is strongly encouraged as well.
My first flight on this motor was in Louisiana with MattySpice, I highly recommend him as a wealth of knowledge. I purchased a small harness from him and he helped me install it on my frame and transfer my reserve over. He also gave me some valuable tips for controlled launches. Next I stopped at SuperFly in Utah and replaced my lipo battery for my electric start… Santa and Kylan got me dialed for oil mixture specific to the Vittorazi Moster185 and lipo charger and care.
My second flight was in the Little Sahara sand dunes in Utah. I drove out there and camped for a few days. Launched at 5K with no wind (challenging by myself and working out launch characteristics of the new wing), but had an epic time surfing the dunes. I found it incredibly rewarding to have to sort any and all issues out on my own. My previous PPG experience began eight years ago and very intermittent through out the last few years. It did come back like riding a bike but no doubt having experience as a free flight instructor and experience with 2 stroke motorcycles was a benefit.
Next stop was AK-Chin in Arizona with Mo. Mo, also a wealth of knowledge and amazing instructor! We spent a few hours rebuilding my carburetor, which he oversaw and talked me through each step and explained important steps in great detail. My engineering brain was very grateful. Changed out my spark plug and tuned the carb and motor. I had an amazing bunch of flights there with the crew from Epic Paramotoring (Noah and Nik). Thomas is a friend and student who lives there and we explored the surrounding areas together.
AK-Chin is full of PPG, trike, and powered parachute traveling pilots for the winter. If you are looking for a place to learn or just come fly and camp this is definitely the winter stop! 1,500 ASL and beautiful conditions daily.
After AK-Chin a bunch of us moved slightly west to MoTown and the Flying Circus! I have been coming to the Flying Circus on and off since 2018 and I highly recommend it whether you are a pilot or not. Its the powered ultralight mini Burning Man in the Arizona desert. Wonderful bunch of humans and a lot going on. Had some of the best flights there yet also hosed a launch royally in front of an entire audience of the crusty old pilot peanut gallery and got heckled for the remainder of the event. Lol. Earned it.
I preformed multiple literal flying trapeze acts with Mo under paramotor. And danced with fire.
Moving on with my Paramotor and BASE winter tour I drove from Arizona to California With a stop in the beautiful Sandunes of Glamis, and a final resting place for the month of March At Speedfly Soboba. Got the 9meter out and did some speed laps along with a few motor flights.
Dropped my camper at Soboba and took the truck down to San Diego for an epic cross country Paramotor flight, my longest yet 36 miles along the coast. We got up at the crack of dawn, filled our fuel tanks and launched in zero wind. I would say a full fuel tank and a 185moster in no wind is definitely the hardest Paramotor launch I’ve ever tried. Actually nailed it on the first try. But for sure, cheated with all the power. She was a chonk that morning. And my Luna2 launched and flew totally different loaded up. What an epic adventure. Jumped off a building downtown that night as well.
Even got a few BASE jumps in and Linda’s first Building! One of my favorite things to do is a multi sport nylon day with friends!
Back to Soboba picked up the camper to head up to Monterey to open my Paragliding school. With rain on the forecast I stopped in Big Sur for a week for some quiet meditation and motor flights.
And that about sums up my recurrency back into Paramotor and multi nylon sport winter. Sometimes life throws you lemons… I am grateful I have set my life up in a way that I can go with my home and all my toys and make lemonade where the weather is good for flying and my friends want to play hard. Stunts!