Michael Purdy
USPPA Certified Instructor
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Host of the Powered Paragliding Show
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Co-Founder of the PPGBigList
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Event Director of the Paratoys Salton Sea Flyin
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Training Philosophy
Safety first - everything else falls into place accordingly.
Powered Paragliding is very inherently safe given the aircraft's low speeds and overall simplicity. If the engine quits, and it will, safe pilots always have a place to land (rule number one).
Most PPG accidents happen on the ground, safe pilots ALWAYS check their throttle before starting their engine (rule number two).
Further, I believe that powered paragliding is as safe as you make it. Be well trained, avoid aerobatics, death spirals and all extreme maneuvers - especially low to the ground and you reduce your flying risk dramatically. It is my strong opinion that flying fun and satisfaction do not require added risk.
A detailed syllabus is vital - we closely follow the USPPA training syllabus. Our goal is for each basic student to achieve a PPG1 rating and PPG2 ratings for intermediate students. Download the USPPA rating outline here.
Good PPG training requires repetition; from the many little steps that make up the launch, to the number of actual take-offs and landings achieved by the student. For example: 100+ launch-sequence practice runs help the student train their "unconscious mind" how to accomplish all the little steps which make up an expert launch technique. Thirty to seventy-five actual take-offs and landings allow the student pilot to achieve a high degree of proficiency.
Last-but-not-least, ground school is really important. We utilize The Powered Paragliding Bible and the Risk & Reward video produced by Lite Touch Films along with actual videos of the student taken during the training process. Seeing is believing!
If you have questions or would like to check availability of upcoming training classes, please Contact Us at your earliest opportunity.
|More Info|
Host of the Powered Paragliding Show
|More Info|
Co-Founder of the PPGBigList
|More Info|
Event Director of the Paratoys Salton Sea Flyin
|More Info|
Training Philosophy
Safety first - everything else falls into place accordingly.
Powered Paragliding is very inherently safe given the aircraft's low speeds and overall simplicity. If the engine quits, and it will, safe pilots always have a place to land (rule number one).
Most PPG accidents happen on the ground, safe pilots ALWAYS check their throttle before starting their engine (rule number two).
Further, I believe that powered paragliding is as safe as you make it. Be well trained, avoid aerobatics, death spirals and all extreme maneuvers - especially low to the ground and you reduce your flying risk dramatically. It is my strong opinion that flying fun and satisfaction do not require added risk.
A detailed syllabus is vital - we closely follow the USPPA training syllabus. Our goal is for each basic student to achieve a PPG1 rating and PPG2 ratings for intermediate students. Download the USPPA rating outline here.
Good PPG training requires repetition; from the many little steps that make up the launch, to the number of actual take-offs and landings achieved by the student. For example: 100+ launch-sequence practice runs help the student train their "unconscious mind" how to accomplish all the little steps which make up an expert launch technique. Thirty to seventy-five actual take-offs and landings allow the student pilot to achieve a high degree of proficiency.
Last-but-not-least, ground school is really important. We utilize The Powered Paragliding Bible and the Risk & Reward video produced by Lite Touch Films along with actual videos of the student taken during the training process. Seeing is believing!
If you have questions or would like to check availability of upcoming training classes, please Contact Us at your earliest opportunity.
