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2005 Paramotor News

Alex Varv (pictured right, pointing), importer of the Black Devil motor has been nominated for the 2005 Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA) President's Award for Outstanding Individual. He was nominated due to consistently representing his company and our sport in a favorable way and his willingness to help others, regardless of brand.

The award, to be presented on the first day of EAA's AirVenture show, will be that person receiving the most nominations. The presentation will be at

World Championship Cancelled

July 8, 2005

After getting swamped by Sport Pilot duties, event organizer Roy Beisswenger has decided to cancel this year's PPC/PPG competition in Greenville, IL. Roy says it was an incredibly difficult decision but that he could not put in the kind of time required for a first-rate event. It was going to be the first time including PPG's in a USPPA sanctioned competition. The $500 PPG prize money offered by Red Bull will instead be offered to the Albuquerque PPG competition coming in early October.

Beisswinger said he is going to put his energies into doing it big for 2006 and we will again plan on working with him to include PPG's in a way that pilots, spectators and media will truly enjoy. There is a promotion appearing in the coming UltraFlight magazine that could not be pulled in time.

Info Website Up

June 30, 2005

Matt Unger has returned his PPG Info web site to live status with updated information and links. The site endeavors to provide news and resources regarding the sport. Visit www.PPGInfo.com.

Standardized Hand Signals Developed

June 24, 2005

Thanks to efforts of Jerry Starbuck and in conjunction with a number of USPPA instructors, we have created a set of standardized hand signals to be used by instructors. They have been placed in the Training section but are available to all. Our hope is that by making them available, it will improve the experience of students who may go to instructors in other parts of the country.

Jerry Starbuck did the initial design and artwork, Chris Bowles, Francesco DeSantis and Mo Sheldon contributed to content along with other instructors to help ensure uniformity.

All in-flight instruction should be done where the instructor can talk to the student via radio but these can sometimes be faster or help in case of radio failure. The signals can be viewed at our training section.

New Video Is Out

June 20, 2005

A new video is out that takes a humorous, fast-paced look at paramotoring through the USPPA-sponsored National PPG convention in Florida. Besides flying and quick chats with many prominent "Names" that showed up, it also has a concise description of the USPPA competition while showing those who flew it. Of Significance to USPPA is that it presents all of its officers and several of its instructors in a somewhat humorous, irreverent light.

It includes scenes of demo flying by Russian pilot Igor doing things most of us ought not. Don't try this at home but it's fun to watch when nobody loses an eye over it. Flying scenes range from the East Coast to the West Coast but obviously come mostly from the event.

The 62 minute DVD "Meet Powered Paragliding" was produced by Jeff Goin along with footage and help from Phil Russman. More information is available at www.FootFlyer.com. 

Monthly Membership Record

May 18, 2005

Thank you for your support! Probably as a result of the convention, we blasted by our previous monthly membership total. According to Tim Kaiser, membership administrator, there were 51 memberships (new & renewals) including those who signed up during the 2005 convention in Florida. Memberships are processed on the 15th of each month.

Thanks to Tim Kaiser, Marc Damon and Phil Russman for helping staff the USPPA booth where we also offered (and sold out of the stock we brought) the Risk & Reward video. We appreciate those who stopped by to say "hi."

Risk & Reward Sellout

May 13, 2005

We had an initial run of 1000 DVD's that we figured would last for a year. Two months later we've had to go into the second run of 1000. It has proven to be highly successful and we are thrilled that the word is getting out - it is the one video that could save a pilot's life.

Details and pilot reviews are available here.

Schools & Clubs List

May 11, 2005

The automation of our very popular Schools and Clubs list continues. Soon, every school in the country that we know about will be on this list with data that is mostly entered by the school itself. That better inures accuracy, timeliness and reduces the workload for our administrator (Tim Kaiser). All updates must be approved to reduce errors and make sure valid information gets included.

The big advantage is that it will allow the user to select schools by state and eventually by other criteria. Secondly, it is a comprehensive list, including all schools even those that may not yet be USPPA certified. If you have an active school make sure to update your information. Visit the Schools and Clubs page for more info.

Farwell Party

May 5, 2005

One of the country's most prolific paramotor instructors and USPPA supporters, Eric Dufour, is moving to Albuquerque, NM to team up with the Daniels at American Flyer. He is leaving Fly-By Ranch, where he has led a thriving PPG training operation for the past several years. They are closing up shop to this form of flight and will be Missed, as will Eric. 

Some of his local former students are having an informal farewell party at Fly-By Ranch and invite friends to come "see him off" on May 21. They will fly until sunset then toast. According to Marty Hathaway, it will be "nothing fancy, just some well-wishing and maybe a few drinks." For information, contact marty using CrazyParaglider@aol.com.

Information on the new combination school in New Mexico can be found at www.Paratour.com.

Fly For Egypt

May 5, 2005

Philanthropic PPG Pilot Rob Van Arr has a heart for the people and places of Egypt. As a world-wide traveler, he has found his personal flight to be an ideal way to share life and a way that breaks cultural barriers and is just plain fun to boot. This project involves six pilots, including Rob's son, who will be flying across the country, sharing their love for flight and showing the children of Egypt (and others) another perspective on life.

Rob is from the Netherlands and hopes to complete the flight itself in 2005 although much planning remains. More information is available on the website at www.FlyForEgypt.nl. 

Longtime Propeller Business 4-Sale

May 3, 2005

For many years Dave Beres produced quality, affordable paramotor props and competition plaques for our sport through his business, Beres & Hirsch Propellers. His untimely death in 2004 was a tragedy to our community in many ways but most directly the loss of his crafted output. His widow, Katy Beres, has decided to sell the business, now called "White Wing Propeller." She is working to craft a new life herself and doesn't feel she can do justice to the business, it was her husband's passion. 

We offer this information to the community as a last favor to one of our sports most stalwart supporters. She is asking $45k for everything related to the business. Inquiries should go to White Wing Propeller, Kathleen G. Beres (Katy) Sole Proprietorship, 1941 Lund Road, LaPine, Oregon 97739. Contact her using 541-433-2456 or email Props@empnet.com.

An early effort at the mass launch was abandoned when wily winds picked up only 15 minutes before the planned start. Although it was originally scheduled for Saturday, officials opted for an early attempt to be forecast bad weather.

For more information contact Bruce Brown at 419-823-1270 or email brucebrown@wcnet.org.

Freedom & Tolerance

Mar 12, 2005

Some residents of Kane County in Northern Illinois are endeavoring to limit our ability to fly due to noise issues. Although we've been lumped into the pile of motor-driven vehicles, it portends to give law enforcement unreasonable power to crack down on folks out having fun. According to an article in the Beacon News, one government official remembers a time when there was tolerance for the noises of toys. 

Although this particular proposal carries little actual restriction against the powered paragliding activity (we rarely fly during the times it proposes to limit), it's effort at restricting flight beyond the FAA rules would set precedent. Having a showing of pilots would at the meeting would benefit our sport before the gathered public.

Many residents moved out there so they could ride their dirt bikes and fly their ultralights without being so close to homes. It appears that a few are trying to foist their will on the many. We can only hope that they understand how this same process could be brought to bear on whatever it is they do for fun.

A public hearing will be held March 16th by the county board's Judicial and Public Safety Committee. It starts at 6pm in the County Board Room at the Government Center in Geneva, IL. The outcome of this process has repercussions on all of us.

Being Neighborly (Canadian Style)

Feb 12, 2005

To better accommodate members from Canada, our members area portion of the web site has been updated to incorporate the Provinces. The provinces added are: 

• Alberta

• British Columbia

• Manitoba

• New Brunswick

• Nova Scotia

• Newfoundland

• Nunavut

• Ontario

• Prince Edward Island

• Quebec

• Saskatchewan

• Yukon & Northwest Territories

Learning in Phoenix

Feb 09, 2005

There's more to a large flying event than flying. A number of informative seminars scheduled on a variety of useful topics will be presented at no extra charge to PPG pilots at upcoming conventions. The USPPA has provided material for one on Airspace and Sectional charts that was presented Saturday afternoon at the Arizona Flying Circus near Phoenix.

There is a need in this area to understand our incredible freedom and to handle it responsibly and it is up to us, collectively, to understand. Seminars have been given both in recent events and will be again at the upcoming US National PPG Convention in Florida. Please see "Coming Events" for more details.

Risk & Reward Nears Completion

Jan 27, 2005

The USPPA's "Risk & Reward" has been shown, in rough-cut form, to several pilots who have reported it to be of exceptional quality. Phil Russman reports that it should be complete by Feb 20th and available to members and the public by March 15th.

The 1 hour video is chocked full of dramatic presentation on where the risk lurks and offers some ways to minimize it. While our sport may be the safest way into personal flight, there are critical steps needed to keep it that way.

This has been a collaborative project with a number of people who have contributed greatly but Phil Russman of Lite Touch Films has put in several hundred hours seeing it through.

UltraFlight Magazine Changes Hands

Jan 26, 2005

After nearly a year of discussion with John Yonkin, Jim and Irene Byers have sold a majority interest in UltraFlight Magazine to Mr. Yonkin. The investment arrangement allows for growth of the magazine in a way that should allow for increased coverage of our sport.

There will be no immediate changes as editing duties will transfer gradually to Pat Yonkin and others that will assume increasing roles in the magazine's production. The Byers will continue to be highly involved.

Our USPPA arrangement with UltraFlight will continue providing the most complete coverage of powered paragliding ever enjoyed by the sport. Pat Yonkin, who will take on greater editorial responsibilities, explained that he is looking forward to working with the existing staff and authors.

Web Site Changes

Jan 21, 2005

A number of changes have been made to the USPPA web site in response to the efforts of Jerry Starbuck. They are intended to give the site a more streamlined, clean look. Most notable are the new header and background (white which makes for easier and more varied formatting options). If you have any comments on the changes, please send your thoughts to Tim Kaiser theUSPPA@gmail.com .

Additionally, a new polling capability was added on the front page. As with most internet polls, it is entirely unscientific but provides some feedback on public thought. Polls will generally end on Monday to be discussed on the PPG Radio Show.

Convention Back on Track

Jan 21, 2005

The 2005 Convention is on!

There was some doubt when the Parastars Club decided against running it but several people worked successfully to put things back together. Many Parastars members will be helping

It will be called the 2005 US National PPG Convention. Final details have been worked out with Fantasy of Flight who has been a marvelous supporter of the paramotor community.

It will be handled by a Jim Jackson and EAA Chapter 126 with help from members of several clubs including the Paragators and Parastars.

For more information, sponsorship or advertising opportunities, please visit here.

Convention Changes Hands

Jan 17, 2005

The Parastars club has decided against running their annual convention, originally planned for April 2005. This event has grown into the premier event where vendors and pilots come together to fly and try.

After a Jan 16th meeting of the club leaders and membership, it was decided by a majority vote of those present that the club would not host it this year. According to Vice President David Warfield, they did indicate a desire to run it for 2006.

In spite of over a 70% majority approval to an unofficial phone poll, those at the meeting questioned it sufficiently to have it shelved. Some members are trying get the convention back on track but it is far from certain whether or not it will take place. 

Updates on the status will appear on our "Coming Events" Page.

Flight Park Victory

Jan 12, 2005

It's a flight friendly farm in Illinois that became home to a number of pilots who enjoy sharing air west of Chicago. But last year, in spite of pre-purchase assurances that occasional ultralight flight would be no problem, the county filed a lawsuit. After many iterations and finally a move out of the county, the lawsuit was thrown out.

Harryport (named that by it's Illinois visitors) is back. Of course it is still a farm and crops will continue to occupy most acreage but flying will be now unfettered. Pilots must, as always, be good neighbors, fly quietly and avoid the usual sensitive areas nearby. 

Anyone interested in flying there should contact Harry Rossett.  

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