The problem with owning your own aircraft is that you can’t land it at your house or on the beach. What! You can? Flying Unlimited’s Tony Gibson is a world champion powered paraglider who says you can fly anywhere (within the law).

What is powered paragliding?
Powered paragliding (PPG) is the ability to fly from flat ground using a motor to propel you into the air instead of having to run off a mountain and rely on thermals and ridge lift to stay airborne.

How does it work?
The great thing about our type of aircraft is that the wing is not a permanent fixture to the power unit, so you can fly the most basic of wings to just slowly cruise and enjoy the scenery or you can change the wing and fly at two metres above ground level, doing high speed slalom and aerobatics. This is an incredibly versatile sport, and you only have to change wings as your skill level improves as a pilot. Show me another aircraft that offers the same versatility!

Where are you allowed to fly?
Anywhere that the air navigation regulations allow, which is mostly out of controlled airspace. PPG flying is one of the most dynamic forms of aviation because the aircraft literally fits into the boot of a car and can be transported anywhere.

Where have you taken your aircraft?
My PPG is a seasoned traveller. It has been to Borneo, Malaysia, Italy, the United States, New Zealand, China, Botswana, Mozambique and the Czech Republic.

Wow, lots of international trips.
Yes, we actually have a South African Protea team that has flown in three world championships. The last one was held in the Czech Republic in 2009, and we placed fifth and sixth in the three divisions.

How high can you fly?
As high as you want, almost. Most of the time PPGs are flown between 100 and
3 000 feet. The legal limit imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority is 19 500 feet in South Africa.

Is it safe?
It is probably the safest form of private aviation ever invented. It is safer than flying in small planes or riding motorcycles, within reason of course. The reason it is so safe is because most problems will prevent take-off in the first place.

What happens if the motor stalls?
A motor failure is just an inconvenience. The PPG is essentially a glider, so if you lose power, it will limit your ability to maintain altitude. You can glide about seven kilometres for every 1 kilometre of height lost. And you will be able to land the PPG in a small space too.

How far do you have to run to get airborne?
If there is a breeze, only five to 10 steps are necessary. If it’s calm then 10 to 30 steps may be necessary. The more power your motor unit has, the fewer steps you’ll have to take.

Cool, we’re in… or up! How long will it take to get airborne?
Industry experts recommend five to eight full consecutive days of training by a certified trainer. But sometimes life happens and bad weather or work means you can only train on weekends. In that case it can take two to three months.

PPG 101
Do I have what it takes?

It’s easier than most people think. The only real physical requirement is that you are fit and healthy and can run a little.

Learning to fly

Make sure you train with a South African Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (Sahpa) rated instructor who is qualified to fly the type of aircraft you will be using. Not all Sahpa instructors are rated to fly the various forms of aircraft. Please ask to see their licence before signing up for training.

Earning your wings

You will have to do two open book tests for your solo licence. You will also need to complete your ground control of the wing. After that you will have to do 35 flights and complete the airband radio licence as a minimum to obtain your pilot’s licence.
Some skills will be tested and demonstrated during this training, but it really is an easy aircraft to fly. If you are able to control the wing on the ground you will have no trouble getting airborne and flying safely. Just a little commitment is required.

What will I need?

You will need a backpack motor unit (also known as a PPG), a paraglider (wing), a helmet and an airband radio licence to operate the radio to let other aircraft know where you are and what you are flying. Note: Most training schools will not train you until you have purchased your own aircraft. Flying Unlimited is the only school that is currently training pilots on school aircraft. You can also buy the latest in PPG equipment and spares from them.

Parabatix 360 degrees tactical sky race!

It doesn’t get much more spectacular than this – the world’s best freestyle paramotor pilots sky racing against the clock around a ground-skimming aerial racecourse, swooping around pylons and under bridges. In April 2010 Tony Gibson from Flying Unlimited broke the world record that was set at 51,9 kilometres per hour for the closed circuit 100 kilometres with a 77 kilometre per hour average speed. Just recently Tony also set a distance record flight from Pretoria via Nylstroom Airfield to 28 kilometres short of the Pietersburg Airfield with a distance of 241 kilos using 13 litres of fuel in a time of just over three hours and 20 minutes.
Hendrik Theron (one of Flying Unlimited’s local pilots) is waiting to hear if he has two world records, one for distance with limited fuel and the other for closed curcuit distance.

If you’re interested visit the Flying Unlimited stand at the AltX Outdoor Adventure Show in Johannesburg from 23 to 25 September.

• Contact Tony Gibson on 082 948 2001 or tony@ppg.co.za or tony@dmbsa.co.za.
• Contact Riaan Struwig on 082 653 7504 or riaan@dmbsa.co.za. Check out the website on www.ppg.co.za.