CHEAPEST WAY TO LEARN TO FLY - Paramotor Solo

After days of training the Flite Test team get to finally have their first Paramotor solo flight. It was an emotional experience.

We're back at Aviator PPG and the Flite Test crew finally gets to attempt their first solo.

Everything the team learned during their training with Aviator PPG was put into practice as they soared through the air with a wing and motor attached to their back. Powered Paragliding!

What we love about flying with Aviator is that once you get the on-the-ground training, you aren't left to your own devices when taking your first solo. They talk you through each step in a headset, which enables you to have the safest and most successful (and fun!) flight you can possibly have.

Although this is the least expensive way to get into general aviation, it still requires a decent amount of training. We emphasize taking a course like Aviator PPG's in order to ensure that you are 100 percent ready to fly through the air with skill.

Stay tuned as we prepare for the next solos with the Aviator team and become even more experienced paramotor pilots!

[aviator]

Man! I could not be more proud of you guys... From all of us here at Aviator... Seeing this again made us just as happy as when we saw it live!! Thank you!!

[EvertonLeiteC]

That instructor could calm a storm in the middle of the ocean.

[TBrady]

I was grinning ear to ear watching this. That man is the Bob Ross of Paramotor instructors. This is something I could definitely get into

[calebyoungconductor]

The instructor is amazing. Calm and collected. Great work everyone!

[JSparky]

I'm not knocking my instructor one bit because he's awesome but the voice that you're talking about... That's what every new ppg pilot needs. Like a psychologist or Mr Rogers in your ear!!! Awesome job guys!

[seancovey]

When I die, I hope this instructor guides me through death to the afterlife! "Your dying, your dying, it's ok, keep coming, looking good, turn a little more toward the light, just trust me, a little more you made

[workman]

Getting me all emotional over a paramotor video lol

[_droid]

I have to admit that I've wanted to do this ever since I was a kid in the 80's (it was a new thing then) but life got in the way, etc. Maybe I need to get out there and do it before I die. :)

[boomfiziks]

Did anyone else notice, when the instructor said to take some deep breaths, that we also taking deep breaths?😜. I think it's a sign of good editing and how much we wanted to experience it with all of you. Great job!

[Ellexis]

I'm a private pilot and took up accelerated free fall skydiving from 10, 000 + feel AGL, but flying paramotor is still on my list. Well done gentlemen! Very inspirational! 👍👍

[fedagato-PM]

Just add a 'fro and a paintbrush, happy trees fluffy white clouds... the Bob Ross of Avaition!

[TheCloudpuncher]

Thanks for the great video! This is a very familiar story to me, and brings back a lot of great memories for me. I have taken the same path as you guys, started flying RC when I was 7 years old, and did it off and on until I was 32. I always felt I flew RC because I wanted to fly, and thought this was the closest I could get to actually flying. Thats when I discovered paramotoring on the internet. I was a mechanic by trade, and talked my Matco tool guy to finance a paramotor, and wing on my truck account, and he would make it seem as if I was buying a new tool box :). Well I had been studying everything I could get my hands on, and did this for about a year all while I was kiting my wing everyday. I eventually took my wife, and young son to the beach where I took my first flight without any professional instruction at all! On my very first flight I took off with out any troubles (very nervous), and was having troubles getting into the seat, turns out my throttle cable was rapped around the seat harness one time. I was having a hard time breathing because of the pressure on my chest from hanging in the harness. I made the decision to just climb as high as I could, and then sort things out. This was the first time I have ever flown in my life! I got up to 5k, and let go of the brakes, and was barely able to get the throttle unwrapped because it was under pressure, but I did finally get it out, and get into my seat! About 2 minutes later a helicopter flew between me and the ground, weird feeling for sure! At this point I had been flying for about 45 minutes. I then started my decent, and did 4 flybys of my wife and son trying to figure out how to land this thing ;( I remember I was osculating very bad because I was putting in to much input to the brakes. I finally got down to where I was on the ground running, and decided to try and take back off (touch and go) well my wing started to turn to the left a little cross wind, and I couldn't run fast enough and butt landed, and broke my first prop. I was uninjured thankfully, and my wife ran over to me, and gave me the biggest hug ever! The next time I tried to fly I was trying to take off in some rotor inland, and another paramotor was buzzing over head looking at me. I never got off the ground, and went looking for the group that was flying close by at the beach. Turned out to be the Tx Wingnuts. Well Andy Mcgavin the groups instructor offered to give me free lessons before I killed my self ( Thanks Andy )! We became good friends over the next several years, and I became an instructor for him, and paramotor mechanic for the group. I eventually decided to give up flying to spend my time with my son who was now 13. Paramotoring can be a selfish hobby if you have a wife and young son who can't fly with you. They are stuck on the ground while you are in the greatest place in the world, above I would love to get back into the sport since my son is now 23 today! Thanks again for the video it has made my day today! Rusty Louvier ex TX Wingnut Houston, Tx

[WoodysGamertag]

This was a really well done video. Great job!

[robroy]

Out of the thousands of ppg videos I've right there would have to be the most inspirational. Full credit to Eric Farewell and the Aviator Team....Cheers.

[jeffvenable]

i actually cried man. still am. amazing

[TrentonPalmer]

Awesome work guys! Probably my favorite video you guys have posted, keep it up! Love seeing people get into aviation and you guys are doing a really good job of getting more people into it, just awesome.

[voidfullofeverything]

I've watched FliteTest for years, and have enjoyed all your videos, but this is my favorite episode to date. You're inspiring, guys! Keep up the great work!

[joeguidali]

This video has cost me $13, 500 but has brought me immeasurable joy. I'm so glad I was a subscriber, saw it, and got into PPG. Thank you! :D

[krang]

Really cant say enough good about the instructors. Those guys are so professional and seem to have as much fun teaching you how to do it correctly than the guys being trained to fly. And Josh, Austin, Alex and Chad all did super well and took to the instruction like A+ students. Just fricking awesome on everyone`s part. Wow! Cheers!

[scott_aero]

I'm quite impressed wth the quality of the instruction on display throughout this series.