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(317)348-4884 Powered Paragliding Instruction.
Powered Paragliding Instruction:
Introductory Flights $149!*
What is a powered paraglider? A PPG, as it's known, is a fabric glider similar to a parachute, connected to a body worn harness or a frame with wheels, with a gas or electric powered motor attached. Sometimes the glider and motor are attached to a tricycle with wheels and a seat, as seen at left. (Tricycle training is all we provide.) With foot launch PPGs the pilot's legs are the landing gear, and a small strap seat is provided for once they are in flight. The pilot can control the glider with a set of brake handles connected to the glider. The pilot controls the engine power through a hand-held throttle. A PPG IS a glider! It can glide to a landing without engine power. No license is required to fly a PPG, and people of all ages can join in the fun!
PPGs are not highly regulated by the FAA, but they are regulated. For example, a PPG (Considered an "Ultra Light aircraft.") cannot fly over congested areas of houses and buildings. They can't fly over groups of people, or in a way that creates a hazard to anyone's property or personal safety on the ground. (Click here to view the FAA Part 103 regulations on Ultra-Light aircraft.) PPG's can't fly into most controlled airspace, and where they can there are additional requirements. PPG pilots are not allowed to carry passengers unless they hold an instructor rating AND have an exemption from the FAA for Powered Paragliding Instruction.
PPGs can fly over sparsely populated areas, and can fly as low as they want, or all the way up to 17,999 feet! But a PPG pilot must always be able to make a safe landing in the event of an engine failure. A cornfield or road is a safe landing area for paraglider flights.
Powered Paraglider flights are legal to operate in and out of almost all non-towered airports. So if you live by a smaller airport without a control tower, you may see PPGs zooming around the area. Sometimes you will even see them do things like aerobatics! This can look quite scary, but it's perfectly safe and legal if all the other rules are followed. These smaller airports are not allowed to exclude PPGs from operation at their facilities. If they try to, they risk losing their federal funding.
While training in PPGs is not required by regulation, no person in their right mind would jump into a flying machine without training! That's where Marker Inbound Flight Training comes in... We offer Powered Paragliding instruction!
Powered Paraglider Training Prices:
Introductory Flight Lesson: $149
Discover the joy and freedom of powered paragliding on a 40-minute Introductory Instructional Flight! For ages 15 and up. It all starts on the ground, of course. You will have a safety briefing followed by an introduction to the PPG sports and the equipment we will be using. This is followed by a look into the applicable federal regulations and preflight checks/inspection. Then it's time to strap in! We'll get you comfortable in your seat, get your helmet adjusted and in place, and do a communications check. After a briefing on emergency procedures, it's time to kick the tires and light the fires! Your instructor will perform all take offs, landings, and flight below 300 feet. But once above 300 feet you will be able to take the controls of the glider at your instructors' direction. Paraglider flights are conducted one hour before sunrise or sunset. $149.
Full trike course: $2999
Initial tricycle Powered Paraglider training can take up to 10 course days to complete. The student begins with ground school. Ground school topics include:
- Safety
- Aerodynamics
- Airport Operations
- FAA Regulations
- Weather
- Preventive Maintenance
- Emergency Procedures
- The National Airspace System
Corresponding with the 2nd day of ground school, the student will start a series of tandem flights, learning to taxi while keeping the glider overhead. A takeoff eventually ensues, and the student gets their first feel of flight. The student will learn about the airport traffic pattern, local landmarks for orientation, controlling oscillations, and watch a landing. After a few of these flights the student will move on to the single seat trike where they will practice launches (Inflating the glider, not flying.) and taxiing, learning to control the trike on the ground.
Once ground control is solid the student will launch. In the midst of another practice flight, when everything looks good, the instructor will have student apply full power and take off on their first solo flight. Radios with hand signals as back up are taught and utilized. After several solo flights the student is ready for final testing which consists of oral quizzing, a written test, and final evaluation flight. When you leave, you are a PPG trike pilot! Includes level 1 & 2. $2999 CALL (317)348-4884 FOR SCHEDULING AND PAYMENT OPTIONS.
Trike Transition: $1499
This course is for Powered Paraglider rated pilots that have solid foot launch skills, that want to also fly trikes. The course focuses on the fundamental differences in equipment and techniques between foot and wheel launch. Students will first master launch and taxi, then take offs and landings. Plan 5 to 7 days. $1499 CALL (317)348-4884 FOR SCHEDULING AND PAYMENT OPTIONS for Powered Paragliding Instruction.
Discover the Beauty of Flight with Marker Inbound Flight Training:
