A powered parachute is a flying machine that uses a parachute for a wing. This safe mode of travel is fast becoming popular among aviation enthusiast, pilots, hobbyists, and ranchers alike. It is the fastest growing flying sport today.
Who can learn to fly? Any person - young and old alike - can quickly learn to master Powered Parachuting. There is no aviation medical, just drivers license and a Sport Pilot license..
How long does it take to learn? In one afternoon, you can be flying solo. In one weekend or one week of morning/evenings you can be on proficient enough to be on your own. While it takes a clear head to fly any powered parachute, most student feel comfortable after just a few hours of flight.
You will need the official class to actually fly, but here are the basics:
Take off:
First the chute is laid out behind the cart. Once the engine starts, and rolls forward a few feet, the chute simply pops overhead (little to no drag happens on the ground). Then when full power is applied, the craft starts down the runway (usually just an open field), and after a surprisingly short distance (50-200 ft) the craft takes-off and is flying. That's it!.
Flying:
There are only two controls to learn : Steering, and Power. Steering is achieved via foot 'pedals'. Pressing the right foot turns you to the right, and the left to the left. To go up, you simply add more power (you don't go faster -- you just go up more!), to go down, you reduce power. It's that simple. You cannot turn the craft into a stall, nor can you 'power down' the craft into a dive.
Landing:
Once you line up with the landing site and are headed into the wind, power is reduced until an even decent is achieved. When the wheels touch the ground, turn off the engine, pull the chute down, and coast to a stop. Under some conditions brakes, and or flare can be used (using both pedals at the same time). Landing distances are even shorter than take-off, and for an experience pilot that distance can approach zero feet.
