UltraFlight Radio - Powered Paraglider Archives

Powered Paragliders

Powered paragliders offer the ultimate in personal, portable flight. Get the highlights of what is going on in the sport.

Rob Hughes
CIMA Steward to 2006 European Microlight Championships (Paramotors & PPT's)
Rob Hughes was a steward for this summer's European Microlight Powered Paraglider and Powered Parachute Championships in Chozas de Abajo, Spain. He spent a lot of time not just helping with the competition, but he put a lot of work into maintaining a blog of the week's events, including photos. Rob joins us to talk about what was a very memorable week. Sportflight Blog (9/12/06)

José Luis Esteban, REAL Federación Aeronáutica Española
The European Microlight Championships for powered paragliders and powered parachutes are hosted this year in Spain. José Luis, Spain's alternate delegate to FAI's Microlight Committee, checks in from the south of Spain to tell us about the event, what kind of tasks the competitors will be performing, and who is participating. European Microlights Championship 2006 PPG & PPT Classes (8/8/06)

Michael Purdy, Baja Powered Paragliding
We visit with Michael Purdy, the former cohost of the UltraFlight Radio Show and one of the hosts of the Powered Paragliding Show on World Talk Radio. We talk about his latest project, a powered paragliding school in Baja, Mexico. His approach is to offer the extensive training needed to create better and safer PPG pilots. Baja Powered Paragliding (7/25/06)

Dale Hooper, United States Ultralight Association, Inc.
Jeff Goin, United States Powered Paragliding Association
USUA and USPPA have entered into an agreement that will provide the PPG pilot the advantage of the resources of the oldest powered ultralight organization in the US, and provide the USUA member the opportunity to participate in a truly unique and exciting form of ultralighting. Dale and Jeff tell us all about it. United States Ultralight Association United States Powered Paragliding Association (6/27/06)

Jeff Goin, United States Powered Paragliding Association
Jeff catches us up with what is going on in the world of PPGs. The ParaStars event has risen again as the Florida National PPG Convention and we talk about what to expect this year in Polk City, Florida. Jeff has also finished his long awaited book on powered paragliding. We talk about what's in it and when and where it will be available. United States Powered Paragliding Association (3/14/06)

Mo Sheldon, Airparamo
When Mo Sheldon was with us last time, we talked about his powered paragliding operation that operates from the Phoenix Regional Airport. There are problems now with that relationship and Mo joins us to talk about what is going on. Airparamo (11/22/05)

Tad Hurst, Director of Region 3, United States Hang Gliding Association
Tad Hurst has been working on the issue of including powered harnesses in the USHGA. That means -for the most part- powered paragliders. Tad talks about the pros and cons of the issue from the members' and the Association's points of view. Also, Tad was at the memorial service for Alan Chuculate from San Diego. Alan, who touched a lot of people's lives, was killed on November 5th in a trike crash while landing in Mexico. Tad reports on the service and talks a little about Alan. United States Hang Gliding Association (Part 1) (11/15/05)

Mike Campbell-Jones - Paramotor Competition Director for the 2005 World Microlight Championships
Mike Campbell-Jones organized and directed the powered paraglider half of the FAI championships in Levroux, France. We talk about how the event went and about the future of powered paragliding competition. Mike Campbell-Jones (9/6/05)

Paul Hallatt, Active Flight Systems!
One of the interesting people I got a chance to meet in France was Paul Hallatt. He has been working for years on a flight computer called the Quest. Paul joins us to talk about the device. It takes information from about any source including engine probes, GPS, fuel system and more and converts the data into very useful flight information for pilots of all types of aircraft. Active Flight Systems (9/6/05)

Betty Pfeiffer, High Energy Sports
If you fly non-powered ultralights like paragliders or hang gliders, you know how important having a good reserve is. With powered paraglider pilots now flying higher performance wings, they are learning what a life saver a reserve can be, too. Betty Pfeiffer joins us to talk about the types of reserves and how to keep yourself safe while flying the lighter types of equipment. High Energy Sports (7/26/05)

Bruce Brown, Ohio Powered Paragliding.
Bruce Brown tells us about his 7th Annual Ohio PPG Fly-In coming up on August 5-7th. We talk about last years event, what we can expect at this year's event, and a little about his powered paragliding training operation in Ohio. Ohio Powered Paragliding (7/26/05)

Phil Russman, LiteTouchFilms.com
After three years of research and gathering video from around the world, Phil Russman has finished Risk and Reward. Designed for powered paraglider pilots, this DVD covers fundamentals that are certain save wear and tear on your equipment, your body, and your wallet. Jammed into 70 action packed minutes, Risk and Reward covers everything from getting starting in Powered Paragliding to the four most common causes of injury and more importantly how to avoid them. LightTouchFilms.com (5/10/05)

Jeff Goin, President, United States PPG Association
Jeff Goin tells us about the longest-running major Powered Paragliding Fly-In in the United States and how you can be a part of it. Lots of activities are planned for both experienced and novice pilots. 2005 US National Powered Paragliding Convention (4/12/05)

Sam Gaylord, Paraglider Magazine
Sam Gaylord publishes one of the most visually stunning magazines focused on the lighter side of flight. He joins us to talk about Paraglider Magazine and the new way to receive it, on line. Sample on-line issue of Paraglider Magazine (3/22/05)

Alex Varv, Aero Cors-Air
Alex Varv joins us to talk about the Black Devil Engine. While this engine is already popular in the powered paraglider world, other types of aircraft builders are now also looking at it as a source of power. Alex tells us about the history of the engine and who's using it. Aero Cors-Air (2/22/05)

Mo Sheldon, Airparamo
Mo Sheldon tells us about the Arizona Flying Circus, Light Flight Festival which has to have the coolest poster I've seen yet for a flying event (At least it is if you are a Monty Python fan). We discuss things you can see and do at the event and how Mo manages to operate a PPG flying school from a general aviation airport. Arizona Flying Circus Airparamo (2/8/05)

Claude Fiset, UPtimal Paragliding
Claude Fiset was a paraglider purist that now also flies and trains in powered paragliders. Claude joins us to talk about the differences and the similarities between these two types of flying. UPtimal Paragliding (1/11/05)

Jeff Goin, President, United States PPG Association
Jeff Goin joins us to talk about the growth of US competition in powered paragliding. Powered paragliders and powered parachutes will be joining together for a major contest in August, which will be a dry run for the 2006 Pan-American Championship. USPPA (12/21/04)

Michael Purdy, The Powered Paraglider Radio Show
Michael shares some of his thoughts on competition in the powered paragliding world. USPPA (11/23/04)

Tom Olenik, Olenik Aviation
We open with a notice from Robert Rumbelt about the Fly-toberfest event hosted by Southern Skies. Tom talks about the work he has done on designing a custom powered parachute for the cross country trip Baron Tayler is planning across the United States. Find out about the company Tom's working for at AAIcorp.com. Again, you hear about it first on UltraFlight Radio. www.buyitsellitfixit.com (10/12/04)

John Grammer, Scottsburg Aero Club
John Grammer gives us a report on everything that happened at the 8th U.S. National Microlight Championships. The competition results, the fly-in, and the banquet will all be covered. ultralightnationals.com (9/28/04)

Michelle Daniele, American Flyer PPG, Inc.
Michelle and her husband Jerry Daniele are hosting the 5th Annual Balloon Fiesta Fly-In. This event, held in conjunction with the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico, offers some of the best fun in the sport. Michelle talks about it and the Balloon Fiesta, itself. americanflyerppg.com (9/28/04)

Paul Hamilton, Adventure Productions
Paul Hamilton joins us to tell us about his How to Preflight a Powered Paraglider DVD. Powered Paraglider Instructor, Mike Masterson takes Jon Thornburgh through a detailed routine inspection and preflight for powered paragliders that is easy to follow. www.ap-store.com/ppg.html (6/1/04)

Jeff Goin, President, United States PPG Association
The Parastars World PPG Convention in Florida just wrapped up. Jeff Goin tells us about what happened there including a record launch of 103 PPGs and an FAI-style competition at the Fly-By Ranch. www.parastars.org/ www.usppa.org/Competition/competition.htm (4/13/04)

Jeff Goin, President, United States PPG Association
Another great sport aviation event coming up in Florida is the Parastars World PPG Convention. Jeff Goin is in charge of the event and joins us to tell us all about the things to expect this year at the Fantasy of Flight. www.parastars.org/ (3/23/04)

Michael Purdy
Roy and Michael take advantage of a missing guest in order to talk about the Paratoys Fly-In. That turned out to be the largest powered paraglider event to ever take place. (2/24/04)

Tim Bayer, Tim Bayer Productions
Tim Bayer is putting the finishing touches on the 2004 Bayer/UltraFlight Buyer's Guide to PPCs/PPGs. If you are in the market or own a powered parachute or powered paraglider, see how this CD can help you. www.tbayer.com/ (1/20/04)

Michael Purdy, UltraFlight Radio
Michael Purdy talks about a new product in the PPG world, the Powerflash Powerflash is a paramotor that can be completely disassembled with a frame similar to the one installed on Powerjet. It owes its uniqueness to its state-of-the-art water-cooled motor, Sky 100. www.aerolight.com/ www.skyengines.com/fly_solutions_eng.htm (11/4/03)

Michelle Daniele, American Flyer PPG, Inc.
Michelle and her husband Jerry Daniele are hosting the 4th Annual Balloon Fiesta Fly-In. This event, held in conjunction with the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico, offers some of the best fun in the sport. Michelle tells us all about it! americanflyerppg.com (9/30/03)

Michael Purdy, UltraFlight Radio
Michael Purdy and Roy Beisswenger cover some recent incidents in the world of powered paragliding. (9/2/03)

Bob Armond, Paratoys
Learn about powered paragliders with one of the top instructors in the sport. Bob Armond joins us to share some of his insight into the sport. www.paratoys.com (8/19/03)

Philippe Renaudin, Sup'Air-US
Just like the gliders that have a power plant to help them get into the sky and then are turned off for soaring, paragliders can take to the sky with lightweight motors that can be then shut down for silent soaring. Philippe Renaudin tells us how to do that with "The Bug". www.supair-usa.com (6/24/03)

Michael Purdy, UltraFlight Radio
Michael reviews the Paratour SD powered paraglider frame powered by the RDM 100 engine. Discusses launching and other features. www.paratour.com/sd_en.htm (5/13/03)

Bill Hocker, Parastars
The Parastars third annual World PPG Convention will be held from April 10-13 at the Fantasy of Flight Museum near Orlando. FL. There will be displays, competitions, aerobatics, and lots of flying during the 4 day event. www.parastars.com (4/15/03)

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