Paramotor or Ultralight - Which one do I prefer now?
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
- The question I keep getting asked is which do I prefer. It's not a straight forward Yes or no. The paramotor has taken me places I could never have dreamed, over 4 miles high and over 300 miles non-stop as well as the adventure flying on the ICARUS X. The Flexwing has allowed my dream of owning an aeroplane come to fruition and is stress free (on the body) flying. However they both have huge plus points as well as negatives. I like both and feel that one form of flying does not actually replace the other. While my knees and legs still work, I will be flying both and that is a joy and a pleasure.
I hope you enjoy this video.
Kit and equipment that i use for my Vlogs:
The paramotor is s Parajet Maverick, with a Moster 185 Plus, Eprop.
The wing is a Hadron XX 22
The Aircraft that I am flying is a Flylight PeaBee:
www.peabee.co.u...
My radio and communications set up is:
ICARO Solar X Helmet with MicroAvionics PM100 (Vlog modified by MicroAviconics)
www.microavion...
...
My Airband radio ( I have the appropriate Licences) is :
www.microavion...
...
Camera and Microphones:
Flight Briefing room
Sony HX300 and a ICE microphone
Flying cameras
GoPro 3+, GP6 and 7.
Insta360 X one
Flying Clothing:
FlyKandy Jacket and trousers
OZEE flying suit and OZEE mittens with woolen mittens inside.
30Seven heated gloves
People always think you have to like one more than another, I fly or have flown: Sail planes, hang gliders, foot launch powered hang gliders, paragliders, paramotors, light aircraft, 3 axis microlight and helicopters. My answer is simple “The one I am flying at the time”.
I do like that one Algy. I like it.
You are basically saying that you change your mind every time you fly an aircraft. Pilots should be decisive and not prone to frequently changing their mind.
@@GolfFoxtrot22 I'm only 6 hrs in but fly trike and foot launch.
@@Make_Boxing_Great_Again You said he said that... Hmmm... I say he did not say that. What now?
MrGoMario If I stated something controversial then further substantiations may be useful. However, I’m not, your being flippant, and facts are facts. My point is that pilots should be decisive. If you think that pilots should be confused and prone to changing their mind frequently then feel free to state your case. If you new favourite aircraft is the one that you just jumped in, by definition you have changed your mind from the last different aircraft you were in. Debating you is like playing chess with a pigeon, they shit all over the board knock over the pieces and then declare victory. Try again kid.
As a retired hang glider pilot you are making me so envious. The paramotor has the advantage of quick setup and go, the hang glider is fantastic but the setup needs time and a runway of sorts. In the end for me there is nothing like a solid structure over me. If you can manage the cost, having both would be the perfect world. Thanks.
I always looked up the hang glider guys, just zooming up and down the ridges, while I was gale hanging in my paraglider. This a bit of a dream for me. I saved a lot so having both is a gift.
Hence my idea for a paraglider with inflatable segments that keep it from losing shape in turbulence....like a kiteboarding wing.
@@seattleflyboard3807 this has been looked and tried and actually made the wings not recover very well.
Id choose the peabee almost every time, but I still love my paramotor and they are alot easier to just setup and fly from smaller fields being foot launched, you've got the right idea having both! 😂
Lots of saving but yes I feel very lucky.
Finally, a British video I can actually understand the English. I want to get into this hobby when I retire 10 years from now, it looks even more fun than my motorcycle!
I'm glad you can understand my video, I do try and make them easy to follow. I think a lot will have changed in 10 years, paragliding and paramotoring has changed a lot in the decade that I have been flying. I was always advised, never wait till retirement, as life takes over. If you really want to do something, throw your heart and passion into it. I actually sold my motorcycle to buy my PeaBee flexwing ultralight, best decision ever.
@@GolfFoxtrot22 Now I'm having second thoughts. Paragliding is dangerous. I just saw a video here on RUclips where a guy's parachute (exactly like the ones used by paragliders) flips in mid-air and he comes head down on his own parachute and it tangles up. He was lucky he had a back-up parachute which almost didn't deploy because it got tangled with the 1st chute. No thanks man.
@@alienlatino2945 aviation is dangerous, that's no lie, but, and here is the but, if you train well and understand the environment your are in, it can be as as you make it. Unfortunately RUclips seems to like showing all the extreme events.
@@alienlatino2945 I've been curious too. If it settles your nerves any, I read this in an article examining paramotoring: "...Research estimates that the activity is slightly safer (per event) than riding motorcycles and more dangerous than riding in cars...".
If you're already a biker, you're probably more at risk than someone paramotoring. I probably still won't ever do it, but I'd be more likely to try it than the odds of me getting back on a bike again.
@@rosshorton9182 Now I'm having my doubts. These things can flip over like a kyte in mid-air and if it does you have to be a real expert to control the apparatus and survive the deadly crash.
Great video, I enjoyed it! I have nearly 30 years of flying virtually everything and my conclusion is that I have enjoyed them all for very different reasons and ultimately there is no one answer for everyone as people’s flight situations are all very different. For me, the paramotor wins out over my trike flying simply because of the simplicity of set up and the ability to transport so easily in my car. But if I lived on a ranch or had access to a very cheap hanger nearby I would go for the quicksilver ultralight as this is the least restrictive in terms of flying safely in a wide verity of conditions. Buuuuut, still nothing like driving to the beach on a light wind day and motoring down the coast. Like you, I have had free flight HG and FF Paragliders on comparison (bywingwal) and finally the paraglider won out due to ease of use and transportability even though the HG was a superior machine as far as performance. I have also had HG trikes at the same time as Paramotors and the paramotor wins out, again, for its transportability, easy storage, simplicity and for its unmatched flight views! The paramotor is not the perfect flight solution but it is awfully sweet when the conditions are right and you have the time to wait for it to be right (parawaiting). One thing is for sure is that you should DEFINITELY FLY SOMETHING! Personally, I don’t regret a dime spent on flight over the years, theirs simply nothing like being in the air no mater what is holding you up.
Wow, thank you for taking the time to write that reply. I COMPLETELY AGREE. I just love being in the air, I'm like a kid in a sweet shop when I have flown. I've sold and traded so many things over the decades to allow my flying to keep going. Like you I wish I had the big wide open space to just keep it rigged and can walk out and just go flying.
Parawaiting 😂😂😂
@@alexrands2580 spent many an afternoon just waiting for the conditions to be right to fly.
yes...its the portability that makes Paramotors so attractive. Closest I've seen is the Doodlebug harness for hang gliders. I wish they could come up with something a little more portable
The problem is getting a Ridge structure and portability is not always easy. I do like my Peabee as it can be rigged in 20 minutes or from a trailer and the wing in the bag, in under 50 minutes. That's pretty fast in my book.
Great comparison and actually surprised that the paramotor would be your choice in rougher conditions. That's helped concrete more confidence in my paramotor, cheers :)
Rich, any more videos coming out?
@@GolfFoxtrot22 got a short one coming soon :)
A paramotor in rough conditions is very dangerous unless you are an expert. Those lines go slack in turbulence easily and can snag on the cage.
From a youtube lurker who flew hang gliders 35 years ago this was very informative and fun to watch - thank you 🙂
Hi CactusJackSlade, I'm assuming it's Jack, but welcome to the comments, everyone is welcome here. I'm glad you found it informative, I do try. Lots has happened since that video. Additionally, as I mostly fly flexwing aircraft no, I wished I'd tried hang gliding, I follow a few HG channels as it just looks amazing.
As someone who was locked in on paramotoring since day 1, this is a nice change of view. That PB looks like a nifty little craft. I can't wait to be a PPG pilot myself ! :)
I flew paramotors and paragliders for over a decade, the PeaBee ticks so many boxes for me. I just didn't have the time for both so one had to go, it was very sad.
Good call. I live above the Washington DC permanent flight restriction in the less congested area, so PPG is the logical choice for me. I've already found an instructor and friends!
I have paramotor and I fly hang glider too( not motorized yet) but I would say paramotors are much slower and less efficient because of less aspect ratio of the wing, also they are prone to collapse in some bad weather conditions ( windy or wet sail close to clouds ), also they dont have much of life time to them so u need to buy a new paramotor wing every 250 hours or so since there is more stress on the sail flying faster than paragliders so if u add up the cost of the wings that u need to buy over time, it makes paramotoring much more expensive than trikes or foot launch motorized hang gliders
Hang gliders have much larger aspect ratio and tend to be more efficient and because you dont need to use engine on higher RPM most of the time, the engine will last longer and will cost less overall to operate..
If you use let say a mosquito harness combined with a double surface more efficient hang glider like willswing sport 3 , you will have up to 60 mph speed as well as capability to soar like any none motorized hang glider and stay in air for many hours with out even needing to use the engine at all except for take off and that can effect on the fuel use and engine hours and cost almost nothing to operate... and more importantly that the hang glider wing like willswing sport 3 will last u 2 decades of fun not 250 hours like paramotor wings.
I fly paramotor and it's not like I say paramotors are bad or anything like that but I am very positive about capabilities of hang gliders and efficiency and their higher speeds, so for people whom wants to know which one is better, I would say, if u dont have a storage space for hang glider or a tike , you simply dont have any option than going with paramotors but if you have some place to keep your equipment that is large enough to house a hang glider or trike, I would say definitely go with hang gliders and I mean not even the trike version but the foot launch mosquito harness that you can soar like an eagle for hours without worrying about the fuel at all, willswing sport 3 170 will be that eagle...
The very beginner hang glider wings have more aspect ratio than top end D class paragliding wings and that will give you idea about the efficiency of hang gliders.. the lowest aspect ratio on hang gliders can not be less than 4.6 but the top end paramotor wing will never exceed even 4.5 ( u need to consider the projected aspect ratio not flat aspect ratio of a paramotor wing )
Willswing sport 3 has aspect ratio of 6.6 and that means it's almost 1.5 times more efficient than the best paraglider XC wing .. that's the meaning for engine RPM and fuel use and cost of maintenance of engine.. and that's why mosquito harness with 14 hp can lift an elephant with hang gliders but 14 hp paramotor can not lift even a mosquito...
U will feel much more in control on hang gliders than any known paramotor wing and the reason is the pitch control... what I mean is in hang glider u will have %100 capability of pitch control but in paraglider and paramotor wings that doesn't exist,, the trim setting is not actual pitch control simply because u can not control them every single second and you can not go to negative pitch angle at all unlike hang glider wings that actually you can make negative pitch on the wing meaning you can go up or down at any moment on your wish..that means if you get in to massive thermals with paramotors, most definitely your pants will be different colors but in hang gliders it much more controllable and less worry..
Hang gliders are much more true flying machine than any paramotor or paragliding wings.. you are in control 360 on any direction including up and down but in paramotor wings you are not in controlling of going up and down except using your engine to help u go up and coming down is almost not %100 on your control..
I truly feel much more safe when flying my hang glider than flying my paramotor or paraglider or even my speed wing.. I feel absolutely in control and I have zero worry and every single second of it is a pleasure...
I can dive down 65mph and instantly pitch it up to go up like a rocket without worrying about any wing collapse like paramotor wing.. i had 4 times wing collapse on my paraglider wing in past and i know how shitty it can be.. but i can dive down with my hang glider and an inch from the ground i can pull up and go up with hundreds of feet per minute.. there is no way in the world you can do that with any paragliding or paramotoring wing at all.. if u want live longer I suggest being more cautious about type of equipments u fly with..
Everything you have said is valid but I don't fly hang gliders and the wings you are talking about out outside the scope of the Sub 70 exemption which I am flying under. I'm comparing 2 powered machines which I own and fly and the video is about which one I prefer. As I've said in the video is almost everything you are saying. Paramotors are slower but I can go Paracamping etc and fly for a much longer time as I can carry more fuel. I didn't want a mosquito as I didn't want foot launched, I wanted a Sub70 trike. Everything you said it true but I don't want to fly a hang glider, I want to fly a flexwing trike. I don't what conditions you have flown you paramotor in but I can honestly say I love it and fly it all day long, all year round, had a few wing flutters but nothing that I would say would scare me. Thank you for the lengthy comment but it does not relate to what I am flying and I like flying both. Horses for courses.
What I mean is using hang glider wing mixed with mosqito harness will be more closer comparison of 2 different machine than trying to compare a trike to foot launch paraglider unless the paraglider is on trike set up too..
But very good video. I enjoyed watching it.. more informative than many other videos..
I forgot to say I live in USA and we have FAA regulation called
103 legal a bit different than Europeans.
We can go up to 254lbs and 5 gallon fuel + up to 63 mph speed and stall speed no more than 27.6 mph with full take off weight with 170 lbs pilot weight so if pilot is heavier, it means the stall speed can be even higher, but it has to be less than 27.6 mph with 170 lbs pilot weight..
@@Driftseen thank you. I always like the Mosquitos, Ben Ashman is a very creative designer. The question I kept getting asked, most from those that know me, is which one do I prefer. You are right, they are different machines, but that why I like them. I used the PeaBee when I just want hassle free flying and the paramotor when I can't fly PeaBee. It's just nice to have both I suppose. I moved away from freeflight because I hated having to lug the kit up a hill. Now I just pitch up and fly. I just love flying.
Willswing sport 3 170 weights 65lbs + 4.9 lbs lara gold 250 parachute capable of 350 lbs +58 lbs electric star mosquito harness + 7.5 lbs of fuel ( 1.25 gallon) + 2 lbs camera + 2.6 lbs wheels + 6 lbs food and water = 140lbs total or 63.63 kg much less than 70 kg and can do 55mph no problem at all ( easy ) .. it will cost $7600 for full top and bottom mylar sail wing
$970 for lara gold 250 reserve
$6900 mosquito harness+ $1000 very good vari+ $500 very good helmet + $140 very good electric gloves+ $850 very good 360 camera + $40 water container =total around $17000 but will be able to soar almost any weather and burn almost no fuel once u are above 3000 feet using thermals and can fly faster also no restrictions on where u need to take off or land unlike what needed for trikes...
Sport 3 170 flys like an eagle with no engine @ hook-in weight of 275 pounds other than the weight of the wing itself . It means even if u weight 200lbs , it will still be able to soar with mosqito harness and all the gears above..
I fly sport 3 155 at 218 lbs with no problem 3 lbs over the weight.. it's the beast that wants to fly any day .. sport 3 170 can lift way more than even 275lbs hook in weight soaring
Beautiful scenery, it seems like you can experience it a lot better with one of those.
It's a wonderful area to fly and the unrestricted view on both aircraft makes it even better.
You know what Giles, the more I watch your PeaBee videos the more I want one!
I don't think the bank balance would like it, but they are so much fun.
Daniel, my problem too
The major thing is,, you don't want to have to transport, set up, break down, store an ultralight. It's really only worth it if you have a property that you can store it assembled in a hanger and launch and land there. With a Paramotor, you can just about launch from anywhere, but the weather conditions dictate the flying days and hours, before and after thermal activity mainly, and there's even much more about a fixed wing vs a rag wing when it comes to the inevitable weird winds that can collapse a rag wing even if you make the best of decisions. I fly Hang Gliders for this reason. I can't have a wing collapse, and I can fly in much more diverse wind/weather conditions safely. However, it's more of a task to store, set up, break down, transport etc. But I WILL live to fly again. The chances of me needing to deploy my reserve chute are next to zero compared what a parawing. Bla bla bla,,,,,,,,, It's up to you,,, just do some real soul searching research as my brother and I did before making up you mind.
Garry Kennedy Thanks for the thoughts Gary. So do you think the the fixed wing is more airworthy? No collapse issues. Rotor problems not as critical? This is my main question that this video, although very helpful, didn’t really answer. Can you? Thanks!
Koliko vremena treba za prvi let ?
Hello Donlina, Mislite li naučiti letjeti prvim letom ili ga opremiti da uđe u zrak?
@@GolfFoxtrot22 mislio sam koliko vremena treba da bih ja naucio letjeti, dali treba prvo da idem na paraglajding ili mogu odmah da krenem sa paramotorom?
Za paramotora bih najbolje našao školu. Može potrajati danima ili tjednima, sve do vaše sposobnosti da naučite nove stvari. Nažalost, ne mogu dati točniji odgovor.
@@GolfFoxtrot22 ok hvala na odgovoru sačekat ću proljeće pa krećem na ućenje🍻
Great video. I agree. My personal experience: In a trike had 2 near crashes due to sudden wind coming up and no where to land. Had one crash, trike was a writeoff, some scatches lucky nothing serious. Was due to turbulence near the ground, lifting and falling the trike unexpectedly. So wind made me change my mind - I prefer a para now. Anything that can handle some wind. I have also seen some army guys doing loops and stunts in very strong winds with parachutes.
Hi D911, thank you for your story and I hope you are ok. I'm glad you agree as some seem to have misinterpreted the intent of my video. Keep flying safe.
An interesting video on a form of aviation that I know very little about. Thanks.
Hi Lee, that's quite a common response. Paramotors share the skies with everyone and launch from small undefined locations. The Sub70 Flexwings have quite literally taken over my flying. The joy of Sub70 is no licence required.
both are great. one is much safer
The thing to remember is that Aviation is a risky pastime. If you come in with the perception that its all safe and roses, you will get caught out. Flying only in butter smooth air, both are safe. I have had collapses on the PPG side but they are all manageable and presented no risks. It all depends what you want form the sport/ hobby.
Keen to get into the sport thanks for the info
I'm glad the video helped.
Excellent way to scope out an area if you are attempting to learn a new area for understanding roads etc.
Hi Soul Storm, what is an excellent way to scope things out? I'm not sure what you mean.
Looks like this is a question alot of people wanted an answer too great view count. And very informative.
Cheers Harry, I hope you are well.
Thanks I was about to waste my money on buying a PeaBee, now I will look at Paramotoring. I wanted to do powered flight and I thought the PeaBee would be safer in rougher air. Great review. Cheers
If you want to fly, both are fun, and actually cost the same. It would never be wasted money if you are having fun. It all depends on what type of flying you want to do.
Paramotoring is safer and has all the advantages as far as portability, setup and flying sites. Id compare it like kiteboarding vs windsurfing.
@@TheOffCycle in my current position I would have to disagree. As I mention in the video, they are 2 different activities and the PeaBee is significantly safer ( it can't collapse). It's only my opinion though and everyone is entitled to theirs. Safe Skies.
@@GolfFoxtrot22 if the peabee suffers any type of structural failure you are in a reserve situation. Modern paragliders, especially A rated wings re-inflate with zero pilot input. They also do this quite fast and intentional collapsing and stalling is part of acro flying so i would not really associate “collapse” with paramotoring not being safe. Maybe 15-20yrs ago. A paraglider collapse is more likely than and peabee structural failure but that collapse turning into a reserve toss or dangerous situation is of low probability. If your peabee has a failure you are in a reserve situation almost guaranteed. Just speaking in terms of normal pleasure flying... not acro.
@@GolfFoxtrot22 oh and another pro for PPG is the ability to free-fly if you have a dual rated wing. I do hike and fly with my dog on my PPG wing!!
Excellent. Not my style of flight but enjoyed the illustration of both. If you have a microlight licence then different categories beckon; either a two seater with all the bureacracy and permit/check flight hassles, but you can take mates up for a spin, or a sub-300 kilo SSDR. To cater for the latter there's precious little around unless you buy a cheap two eater and blank the back seat off, usually an elderly two stroke.
Hi Kevin, I have neither and the comparison is between the 2 because I kept getting asked which one. I have a lapsed Group A licence but I still actually prefer this deregulated flying. Loved your recent Flying plank video.
Lovely and congratulations on an effective demo and your advice...
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for the comparison. All of your PeaBee vids have me thinking about an UL with wheels now. LOL
I think since I made this, I have favoured the trike style now.
Thought about paragliding for a while, but after thinking about it I realised the only exposure to the sport i ever have had was a dude dropping out the sky just out of town here while I was out the lakes getting in some 4x4 fun. Sucks when something is marred by negativity.
Hi Standard Aussie, Avaition has its risks but once you have flown and gain knowledge you can mitigate a significant number of the risks but knowing about weather, advanced wing control etc. I hope you get to experience some form of aviation as its a wonderful way to experience life.
I couldn't agree more. I started with Experimental class biplane, then Ultralight Fokker EIII, then flexwing, and now PPG. All have advantages and disadvantages, but all are fun.
What's next? Cluster balloons?🤔
Most Sincerely,
Ron.
Thank you. I'm glad you agree. I'll leave the cluster balloons to those with more courage than me.
Loved the video sir! Thank you for sharing your well articulated thoughts!
It's been a while since this video came out and thank you for your kind words.
I fly paramotor and Autogyro MTO, I could say the same sir, it's great to fly both
Hello there, I'm glad you can relate.
I envy the hell out of this dude, I would LOVE to try this if I could afford it.
Hi Andrew, it's been a long time coming for me but I've always wanted to fly. I've saved and sold a lot of things to buy the machines and it has been so worth it. Which route would you go down? Paramotor or Ultralight?
Great video thank you for taking us for a nice air ride!
Flying is the best. They never said I had to grow up. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
This looks like fun 👍🤙
Hi No Time like today, it certainly is and the PeaBee has certainly given me a new direction in my flying. Not pushing my videos but you'll soon see the amazing journey it's has taken me.
Great landing Giles, brilliant footage with the shadow.
Thank you. I did like that landing shadow, which is why I reused it at the end. more fun and games to come.
Found you on Short Field link.
Nice video.
PPC pilot in Ky, US.
Hi Wkboggs5, thanks for joining me over on my channel. I know it's a different flavour but as a PPC pilot I'm sure you will appreciate the lighter w d of flying.
This comparison skews in favor of PPG. Better would be PPG trike vs Nanotrike as both are wheeled (specially trikes that fold into the trunk to even up more). Or if foot launch is preferred, PPG vs Powered HG. Then the lines blur more, the choice more subjective.
I'm talking about MY preference as people have asked me which of the 2 do I like. Its in the title, Which do I prefer? And I even say I like both. If it was PPG trike verses Powered HG Trike ( I have flown PPG trike), Powered HG trike would win every time, so much easier to launch and land.
Love to see again...n again.Beauty.
Hello, not sure what you want to see again?
solid comparison, maybe I need to try the other form of flying fun!
Hi Chucky, you have a lot more flex in your FAR103 to fly slightly heavier machines. Lots of things have changed for me since making tgat video. Stay safe.
I had an original paraplane. A little of both. Thnx.
Is a paraplane a ram Air parachute on a trike frame?
Hey I found this really interesting and it must be exciting thrilling to feel the freedom nice video👌👍
Hello Matthew, I've been flying for a long time now and paramotors and microlights like the PeaBee have given me so much enjoyment. I see you have found my latest video release as well. 😁.
Hi there! I love your RUclips channel!! How costly is the trike with wheels that you fly. I want to buy one ASAP!!! THANK YOU FOR SHARING AND MAKING MY DAYS!!!!!!!
The PeaBee is about £11k ready to go. When you think a paramotor is around 6.5k and wing is 4k, they are actually not that expensive for what you get. I hope that helps.
I'm from bangladesh, bagerhat city .... wow amazing 😍😍💙
I'm glad you enjoyed it
At some point, you want to go somewhere. Not just hang out in the air. I'd go with the trike, but I fly gyros.
Yes, there is that balance and I have covered some serious distances in paramotors but it does take a long time. The only limiting factor on the Sub70 trike is fuel, I can actually fly further on the Paramotor as they stand but the PeaBee gets me there faster, and in more comfort. There has been lots of developments since I made this video and I now have my pilots licence which allows me to carry more fuel on the PeaBee. I've never been in a an Autogyro but they do look amazing and comply different to anything I've flown before.
Great video, this is something I'm considering
HI Jason, which one, flexwing or the paramotor?
@@GolfFoxtrot22 sorry, paramotor
@@ukjjs1 I really enjoyed my paramotoring but just didn't have the time to do both.
Now, that's a short T/O! 🤙🏻 Nice video! 👍🏻
Thank you, I do need to catch up on your videos as well. Thank
This man is a Guru
Good vlog, Giles. Horses for courses is an accurate analogy.
Absolutely
Great review. I’ve always been told that paragliders are more sensitive to thermals and high winds because they can collapse whereas a hang-glider is more tolerant because it moves faster, is more efficient and has structural stability. What are your thoughts ?
Hello Pentachronic, both flying types have pros and cons but as you have mentioned, the ridged structure on the hang glider wing prevents collapsing. Paragliders will give you more feedback of the air than a hang glider but I did enjoy paragliding and paramotoring. I just found an easier way to fly with the Sub70 and now microlight flexwing flying. I hope that kind of gives you a flavour of my thoughts. If you are new to the channel, you'll see I have documented my flexwing/Sub70 journey, if that helps.
Yes Giles!! Love this. And the videos done amazingly - rightly so. Interesting insight 👍👍
The strip I fly from is only 67 miles from Kemble airfield. If only i had a little bit more range, I'd fly in.
Golf Foxtrot 22 oooh...how long is the runway?
@@BenAtkinsonVideos just under 400 max but 300 usable. It's not an official sit (28day rule) but he flies a C42 from there. It would certainly test your precision approach as its not flat and on a hill, you'll probably notice that from my videos.
Thumbs up! Fly safe my friend.
Hello Michael, many thanks,. Many happy and safe flights since this video was made.
I would assume the Ultralight is superior because less chance of the wing collapsing, but of course it is more cumbersome to move around and cant be packed easily on foot like a parachute.
You are correct in that the PeaBee won't collapse but having a collapse in a paramotor it perfectly acceptable, 90% of the time they sort themselves out. I just enjoy any form of flying.
@@GolfFoxtrot22 And the other 10%? I'm currently thinking of switching training from paramotor to peabee.
The other 10% would need some epilot input. That's the reason for SIV course. Aviation is inheritantly risky, we just try to mitigate as many as possible with knowledge.
Just had my first paramotor lesson yesterday and I'm bloody nackered but looking forward to getting in the air. Great video.
You'll never look back. It's an amazing sport.
Whats nackered?
He's tired, (knackered)
@@GolfFoxtrot22 ......or "missed the landing" Lol!!
@@zadokmotorfreight2423 I'm not sure of the context.. missed the landing??
Wish I had the garage space for a Peabee. Definitely looks good fun, especially for days when I don't have the energy to run into the air 😁
I had that last night. Nil wind and just put my foot down and look off, then just landed back and taxied in. Thanks for watching.
@@GolfFoxtrot22 no problem, great video matey, hey something a little off subject, I'm having a little trouble with wind noise on the videos coming into the PM100 microphone, I've been told you're the man to speak to regarding a upgraded mic muff, I've dropped you a pm on Facebook, if you have time would you mind sharing a little wisdom? many thanks brother!
@@SkiesTheLimit I'll have a look for you message, when did you send it?
@@GolfFoxtrot22 ah will have been a while ago buddy, be in the message requests. Look for Kyle Davies 👍😁, cheers
Great video Giles, one of your best👌
Cheers Si, any more thoughts on your next wing?
The paramotor is also much easier to transport, much quicker to get in the air. When the weather is right, you want to get up there ASAP
It's a balance. Yes the paramotor gets up there quicker but is actually slower in the air. Also the PeaBee can handle different conditions. As I mentioned in the video, one is not better than they both get you in the air.
You are crazy dude!Great vid!
Hello Weazle, I've not been called Crazy before, I'm quite a quiet person. Thank for the comment.
Great video and looking forward to watching the others now 😉
Thanks Manjx, I know they are a bit geeky, but it's all about having fun.
The cruise speed (more efficient speed) in the hadron 3 is with trim open, so to be fair the difference in cruise speed is 34mph for paramotor and 40mph for flex wing microlight. Top speed in paramotor a speed bar is needed and it's last safe to.
I have a Hadron 3 and completely disagree, the Hadron 3 is not most efficient on fully trimmed out, I made a video to prove it as well. Drag increases at the square of of the speed increase, that's why you have a polar curve. But that's not the point of this video, it's which one do I prefer. Most conventional flexwings (I'm flying a Sub70 ultralight) fly at 55mph and faster, the P&M Quick R fly at 80-90 mph in the cruise. This video is purely about which one do I prefer, and I prefer both.
@@GolfFoxtrot22 Yes I know. I'm sorry i think I not explain myself properly. What Im saying is the cruise speed in hadron 3 is not in trims full slow. Not even with trims in fastest configuration, probably in trim 9 or 10. Ony because you throttle more don't means you aren't in cruise speed if you throttle a bit more but gain significant more speed you are in sweet spot. You talk in cruise speed in trims full slow for me don't make sense because a resistance in the wing is more.
@@GolfFoxtrot22 a quick r can do 90 mph but needed a airport to land. It's like comparing a helicopter to a sport plane. Paramotor can land almost every where. A cri cri can do 200 km/h with 30 hp. But if the motor fail the pilot are dead.
@@JoaoMiguel-lc1qe But you are missing the point, I am comparing, my Peabee flexwing with my paramotor. Which one do 'I' prefer, and I like both. Its the whole point of the video. I know the limitations of both, but that is the joy of aviation.
I hate heights and would never get on one of these things yet I find myself binge watching paramotor videos
I'm the same, I'm not very good at heights, but I managed to get to over 4 miles up. It's a fantastic way to relax and just be in my own space.
I cannot wait to learn!
Which one, that's the question 😁?
@@GolfFoxtrot22 Paramotor for sure! Still trying to find out the rules and regulations about it. I lives in such a good spot for it it seems too!
@@LewisHolford Flying is flying and once you have been up, you will always want to go back.
Liked & Subscribed! Thank you for this video content.
Hello Tim, I hope to try and keep the content coming. I can't wait to fly again.
Once you are in the air, there is less which can go wrong with a hang glider than with a paraglider.
Hi Dawid, I've never flown a hang glider, so I can't compare. Are you referring to the collapse resistance aspect?
I have never heard of a Paramotor!!! all of those strings I find rather scary. wish I had an ultralight, though!
I get that comment a lot. The wing is very safe, imagine a parachute with stings, they are kind of essential ;) I just enjoy flying and thanks for watching.
The perfect video as I start my journey. Is one significantly safer than the other in mild conditions?
Hi Heading West, aviation is inherently dangerous, but with the correct training and education you learn to understand when to and when not to fly. To answer your question for mild conditions, I would feel just as safe in both. Its only in the rougher conditions that I would feel safer in the Flexwing (PeaBee). I hope that helps.
They both like great fun, subscribed for more fun! :)
Thanks for the sub!. I hope more fun soon but the weather isn't being very nice at the moment.
paramotorings seems to have the body fully exposed to the elements and zero room for error in a crash, I think Ultralight trikes are safer as they have a metal structure around the pilot.
Both have pros and cons. The ultralight needs more space when it goes wrong. I have made a channel update recently regarding which one I prefer now.
Thanks for making this comparison.
I really can't afford to explore both options. I believe I'm going to grab an electric paramotor.
Which electric paramotor are you going for? I always thought they were still expensive.
This project looks cool:
openppg x4 22
I bought an electric scooter recently, and I'm sold on the new tech. I'm going to switch my lawn mower and chainsaw over soon. I think it's time.
Electric paragliders are loud and short flight time, not worth it , unless u like 13 minutes flites max
How well does the second one work when you want to take photographs. As a photographer that is what would interest me more in the second one.
I have definitely found the PeaBee Flexwing easier as there is nothing in my hand so can support the camera more easily. However there is more structural bits in the way. I've taken some lovely photos from the PeaBee though, you'll notice in the later content.
@@GolfFoxtrot22 Thank you.
Great VIDEO.
Thank you. it was just in response to a question I kept getting asked by my flying friends.
Witch is safer ? The Paraglider or the Hang Glider in your opinion ?
Unfortunately I've never flown a hang glider so I can't comment. Sorry.
I find the difference in wind tolerance between flex-wings and paramotors aren't nearly as big as people tend to make out. No ultralight is gonna be good in really windy or gusty weather except a helicopter or gyrocopter, and that's just because the wing-loading is so high on rotary-wing aircraft. But who wants to fly in gusty weather anyway?
That very true. I think for me is experience atm. I have been flying paraglider and paramotors for over a decade, the flexwing ( Powered hang glider) for only 10 months.
Thanks for the video, could you tell us please, what feels safer?
I sold my Paramotor a few years ago and now just fly flexwings. I hope that helps answer your question. I hope you enjoyed the video. Load more of my flying journey in the content lists if that helps.
Hey :) I'm here from Terry's video recommendation. Interesting stuff! I make videos too. I'm a fixed wing pilot - how does training start for paramotors? Given the single-seat nature of it, I mean!
Hi Dead Reckoner, and welcome to the lighter side of flying. Good question and I hope this gives sufficient overview. Paramotoring can be achieved in many ways (from a UK perspective). Lots and lots of ground handling to get wing control. Then depending on where you learn, you get winch flights to get used to progressively higher flights and landing practice, then the motor is added. If there isn't a winch stage, then you are literally moved to your first flight with a motor. Obviously there is a lot more detail behind it but that's an overview. I hope that helps.
@Golf Foxtrot 22 thanks for that! Do you have any fixed wing experience? If you ever fancy filming together, that'd be fun! Scott
Hi Scott, I do, I gained my PPL A in 1996 and flew gliders from the age of 14. It's weird because I've flown stick and rudder for 25 years but wished I'd found flexwing flying sooner.
Which do you think is more dangerous for the same amount of flight time in optimal conditions for each?
If they are flown in optimal conditions and adequate training and currency is in place then both are just as safe as each other. The flexwing might just have a nose in front due to its solid wing construction. I hope that helps.
Well presented - cheers 🍻
Hi Luciano, thank you. There have been quite a few developments on the channel since this video was made last year.
For a number of reasons I prefer to fly with spars.
Hello, if you now look at my later content, I'm tending to agree with you. But at the time, having flown paragliders and Paramotors for over a decade I was more comfortable on a paramotor.
@@GolfFoxtrot22 I survived a towed chute collapse because I was over water, I have seen a couple of others. I now believe that "Friends don't let friends fly without spars".
@@olsonspeed I'd still happily fly both if I had the time.
Where do you put your mirror to see your tank on your paramotor? I find the angles really difficult.
Hi Jon, I made a little sleeve for a metal camping mirror on a key retractor. I just grab it and angle it holding it near the tank with my non-throttle hand. I made the tank lines long and short to ident odd and even numbers or litres and just count them up. I hope that helps.
What does PeaBee mean?
A Peabee is the name of a small bee, and the name of the model of flexwing made by Flylight. I hope that helps.
If something fails or goes wrong what do you do? I know some skidivers have a back up parachute
Hi DSD, both these machines have a reserve chute. Most microlight or light aircraft don't have any alternative, they just crash. I hope that helps.
Thanks for your awesome videos, Giles. As someone trying to decide on going down the PPG or Flylight Adam route - I'm really interested in what kit you have attached - a 'shopping list' of sorts, to help understand what I'd need for the Adam v.s. the PPG. Your setup looks interesting and well dialled - do you have a 'kit list' somewhere that would be easy to copy/paste? Or if you're looking for a subject for another great video.. ? :D
Hello Kenneth, I have covered this in another video "50 Hour service", but I have also put all the equipment I use in the video description, if that helps.
Pretty sweet. Considered both... Looking more into the PPG direction now. Useful video.
Hello there, I'm glad it was helpful. I wasn't sure how many people would actually watch it, seems quite a few have.
What is the cost of both
Both cost about £10k each.
If you had to make a choice between the two. Which one would you choose?
Hi Stanley, I have made a follow up video to this video, as this is over a year old now and loads of changes to my channel have happened. If you look for a recent video called channel update, that will let you know which one I did choose. 😁. But there are reasons why, it's not a simple and short answer as to why.
And for an hour of flight with the same motor, who's uses less fuel, paramotor or hang glider trike?
Hi Miguel, the paramotor uses less but also flies slower. I can cover 100 miles in the PeaBee in 2 hours 45 minutes using only 15 litres. I could cover the same distance in my old paramotor using only 5 litres an hour but that same distance would take 3.5 hours so the fuel burn for distance covered is about the same.
What's your thoughts on ParaMotor Cart? Trike or quad wheel?
Hi Chad, my personal thoughts having flown one, if I could still foot launch, I would. I can't comment on the the benefits of trike or Quad as, I haven't flown a quad. Sorry I couldn't help further. Ultimately its why I went for the PeaBee, all the benefits without the launch and landing risks.
I would love to purchase a PB but I live in western New York how much do they run price?
I spoke to Flylight, they will ship anywhere in the world. Give them an email as each aircraft price will vary with specification.
Delta is massively dangerous. In Estonia we had a dozen moto deltas run by hardcore ethusiasts with decades of experience. Nowadays several of the leaders of the scene have been killed in accidents. Same time here we have ca 100 paramotorists and only one paramotoring related fatality -- actually it was a parashute accident, the guy just jumped from paramotor for skydive and wing did not open.
I think it's all down to understanding the wider implications. In the UK we have more paramotor fatalities than flexwing so I think your statement needs to be taken in context. In the 1990's 1 in 10 autogyro flights resulted in a fatality, but this was only in Germany, nowhere else. Aviation is inherently dangerous we can't get away from this fact. Education has a huge influence on the risk to life.
Are the frequencies of 129.825 and 129.8333 used Solely for Microlights in the UK, if so, those frequencies are very close to each other.
Hello, I see you have asked this question on another video. The only microlight frequency I know of is the new 8.33Khz spacing and that is 129.835, it used to be 129.825 on the old 25Khz spacing which is no longer in used. I hope that helps.
@@GolfFoxtrot22 so on my Scanner should I just input 129.825
129.835. Everyone is now in 8.33 spacing. www.bmaa.org/news/bmaa-news/new-microlight-radio-frequency
Are ultralights safe?
Hi Tomstsr04, in my opinion, yes. Aviation is inherently dangerous but we mitigate the risk by good training and good maintenance.
Like ur video! Keep up the good work
Thanks, will do!
This was great to watch! Thanks! I also fly trike and would love to learn paramotoring. Im just concerned if wind condition picks up while paramotoring? In a trike you could still land safely, is it possible in paramotor to land safe when wind picks up?
Air Born, yes, its still safe but when you say wind pick up I'm talking max 20 mph ( I have landed in gusting 25 but that was in exceptional circumstances- I just crossed the entire UK from Wales to Beccles) Paramotoring is about having fun, and not pushing the the highside. Neither sub 70 or Paramotoring are high wind activities, or you just wouldn't get anywhere. I hope that helps.
this is why I sold my paramotor...wind conditions always pick up while flying and often makes landings unsafe.....do not minimize this issue. This is not a problem for experts....and the experts are often giving bad advice based on their own experience.
@@GolfFoxtrot22 Even a sudden 15mph gust in calm conditions can collapse chute on landing if trees nearby....I learned this the hard way. The wind picking up while flying is the number one danger I experienced in the sport. In my hang glider...I could handle changing conditions. In my paramotor...I was always finding myself in danger despite great care.
Which is safer in an engine out situation?
Both are safe in an engine out. If you fly with suitable engine outs, then it's really a non issue.
What do you think about wheeled (trike or quad) paramotors? I assume one wouldn't wind for the take off run with these.
I've flown a Paramotor trike before, but they are so fickle and need light conditions, if it had to have wheels, I may as well go for the flexwing trike. If its windier then foot launched paramotors are just easy to launch, but I suppose I still have working knees. Its all down to what you prefer. Anything that gets you in the air must be a good thing.
What’s with the fisheye lens
I'm not sure what you mean, they are just Gopro cameras.
Is one better than the other for a beginner? I mean, which is easier to learn?
Hi The Red Queen, I can honestly say that paramotoring is easier to learn but takes longer to truly master. Flexwings take longer to learn but once mastered, you can fly more advanced ones with ease. I hope that helps.
@@GolfFoxtrot22 Oh that's good to know and thank you very much for such a rapid response.
I was wondering how much is the ultra light?
Hi Ken, the Flylight PeaBee2, start at around £12know. A lot has changed since I made this video but if you have a look on the Flylight Airsports website they have lots more options. You can completely customise you wing and trike. I hope that helps.
How about the life threatening points of failure? Could you compare the two based on that?
Aviation is inherently dangerous, we can't get away from that. I don't have enough data to categorically say which one is more dangerous but I do carry a reserve canopy just in case.
Can you fly at night? Is it legal? Thank you very much.
Which country do you fly in? In the UK we can't fly them at night.
@Golf Foxtrot 22 Hi thank you so much for such quick answer. I would like to know if I can fly at night in the USA & Canada.
@@SilverLakeKingdom I don't believe you can in America or Canada. Have a look in FAR103 for America. I know that paramotors need a licence and aircraft registration for Canada. That's all that I can help with.
@Golf Foxtrot 22 thank you for the answer.
Nice one.
Thank you.
Sir.. Whats maximum high can fly a trike hang glider???😊
Until you run out of fuel. It could easily get to 10,000 ft but then you need oxygen.
Interesting comparison! What would you say are the field size requirements for take off and landing in a peabee? Is 200x100 ft field enough? Provided no tall obstacles on either side.
Hi Adrian, as you said, with no tall objects, if you changed your ft to meters you'd be safe. They come in a lot quicker than a paramotor. On my Hadron XX, I still needed over 100 meters from 50ft up, to land. I hope that helps. My Peabee has taken me on so many adventures.
@@GolfFoxtrot22 thanks
So more than a foot launch powered hang glider, and definitely a lot more than a paramotor.
@@adriansevic3192 I was probably being a bit over cautious, you could operate one in 150 meters but there is no point causing issues but being too tight on the lengths.
@@GolfFoxtrot22 Hi,
See this is why I asked that particular question. I am a sailplane pilot but due to the nearest airport being 100km away and considering all the fees, I considered switching to another type of flying.
It's definitely more due to the lack of close airports rather than portability (15m gliders can actually be trailered just fine). But where do I take off from? There is the river bank that stretches for miles here where I live that is nicely maintained, and would be a perfect strip. But ufortunately, I would probably get arrested if I flew from here.
Both paramotors and powered kites offer car portability and soaring capability, and need less space to operate from. However if I am again bound to the airport with a trike, then I really haven't improved my situation at all.
And I also see you quit ppg due to safety concerns. Since I come from the 3 axis,soft flapping wing makes me queasy.
Hence I asked if it was possible to take off from a field that is the size of those I am surrounded with.
My 1st idea was to go into hang gliding, and then powered, footlaunch, but everyone in the hanggliding community suggested it is very hard to footlaunch powered HG's and suggested to go with a trike.
We are unfortunately pretty limited here in Croatia as far as HG and trike schools go. Both are on the far sides of the country from where I live unfortunately. So I am looking at all the pros and cons.
@@adriansevic3192 I hope I have given you some help.
who was you saying clear prop too????
There are people around, you just can't see them, and its been an ingrained habit.
When you call “clear prop” it’s a good idea to allow about 5 to 10 seconds before starting the engine, so that people can get clear.
It’s basic ground safety.
Looking into things of which too learn. As 2 weeks heading to Derbyshire for the closest school meant research research research first. All the write ups online say HG are better in windier conditions... But hearing you say this has flipped things on its head. I dont pretend to know a lot only what i read. So would you recommend a paramotor to get more flying days in overall???
Hi Joshua, I have to put my hand up know, with 3 years more experience and say I would take the PeaBee up in conditions that I would happily leave my paramotor on the ground. It's why I ended up selling paramotor. Which school in Derbyshire are you going to?
@@GolfFoxtrot22 thanks for the reply!! airways or Derbyshire flying I'll have to have a look at both reviews again. I know it isn't ideal, but with both being under and hour from stoke... It means I can commute all the days for training, if the weather delays anything too it's easier.
Joshua Foster we also teach on microlight at Dairy House Farm near Crewe.
@@GolfFoxtrot22 aarh okay, that's good news I'll have to half a look. But that could be ideal!👍
Joshua Foster give the Micro Training office a Call, 01335 682268
Great video. Just in time. I'm paraglider pilot living on flat lands and considering a soaring trike. I thought soaring with a nanolight is more feasible than soaring with a paramotor. Have you tried thermalling with your PeaBee?
Hello Burhan, I have thermalled the paramotor, but only to help get to cloudbase to then get above the rough air. The PeaBee, even as an SSDR will go up very well, I flew only last night and the late day thermals were taking me up with virtually now effort. The new Flylight ADAM is the thermal sniffing machine.
@@GolfFoxtrot22 Thanks, Giles. I guess I want both but have to choose one (at least for now). So, I have two quick questions for you. As a competent pilot on both aircrafts, which one would you choose; 1) for XC/Touring, 2) Power-off thermalling? Please continue your useful videos :)
Now that's a hard one to answer. Xc and touring, it has to be the PeaBee, my lower back and knee will vouch for that. For pure thermalling, it's got to be PPG, but it just going to be rough, but that the joy of thermalling a paraglider, which I also enjoyed.