FAQ: Why can't you fly a paramotor in the middle of the day? | Avery Flies

Here I discuss the reason why most powered paragliders fly near sunrise or sunset. You can fly in the middle of the day, but it's RISKY and HARD! This is not flight instruction, please get proper instruction before flying!
If you're near the central NC area, come fly with me! MojosFlightSchool.com

[@Punkk1980]

It’s surprising to me how many motor pilots don’t know about thermals, know about rotor, don’t check winds aloft, etc. I think some instructors are missing out on some important info during training.

[@AveryFlies]

Yeah, all of that is in the USPPA syllabus, definitely need to learn it to be safe. You don't necessarily need to fly in it though!

[@Logan4661]

Some people view it as a sport, something that requires skills that need to be practiced. They want progress to more challenging tasks and realize that understanding weather is an important part of that. Some think of it as a leisurely activity. They just want to spend a few hours per year flying a couple hundred feet up in warm buttery smooth air, see some sights, land, and go home. They see no need in understanding how much further rotor can travel in 15 mph wind vs. 8 mph, because they won't fly if the forcast suggests gusts over 5 mph at any point in the next 72 hours... or there were yesterday. Different strokes for different folks! For what it's worth, the PPG school that I went to spent a good deal of time teaching weather and rotor etc., but I spent a couple years sticking to the first 2, last 2 rule, and stayed below 1k agl for most of my flying, so even though my minimums where well above what other local pilots consider flyable, the knowledge really wasn't being applied to any meaningful degree. Then I went to school for PG, and holy cow do they talk about weather! Literally a 30 minute to hour long breifing every single morning that has any potential for flying or even just kiting, and the discussions about thermals and rotor are enough to make your head spin. I am surprised at how little I knew!

[@SkidzFPV]

As a free flight paraglider pilot I agree, it seems like they just avoid it instead of learning and taking SIV.

[@SkidzFPV]

Free flight paraglider pilot here. And as you already know we pretty much only fly Mid day, and it is a lot of work but it does become fun, and active piloting becomes like second nature, you feel the pressure and make adjustments before any collapse without even thinking about it. I absolutely love thermal flying, being able to fly for hours and hours and incredible distances with a motor is very rewarding.

[@clubsnapperuk]

not to mention powered flight in mid-day in thermals. extra weight, huge canopy,, hi pilot drag,,, its this scenario that causes most the problems eh.

[@SkidzFPV]

@@clubsnapperuk comp pilots carry ballast so they can fly bigger wings because they are faster and have better glide ratios. Some of my friends free flight kits weight over 70 pounds

[@MikeCanFly]

This was well made, great info and to actually see the thermals like that was helpful. Thank you sir!

[@flierbill]

Excellent advice for newer pilots, my flights are shorter when conditions are not great.

[@AveryFlies]

Glad you think so. I try to be informative without straying into instruction on topics like this. There's only so much you can learn from KZbin.

[@gleanerman2195]

Flying paramotors is really easy, just remember to fly early morning and late afternoon. I have abought a thousand hrs. of self trained hrs.

[@geoffmaxwell4461]

Nice to see someone demo this. Safe flights brother

[@uncletigg1862]

Great video Avery, keep up the good work.

[@jasonmartin2103]

Some great information in this video. Thanks

[@ParamotorJunkie]

Always the best content 🤙🏻

[@shaneross7428]

Thank you so much for showing how afternoon flying is!

[@michaelbauchner9912]

Enjoyed your video.

[@chrismineburg1163]

I'd love to see you try this in az, good luck.

[@AveryFlies]

Yeah, I mean, not possible in all climates, right? The video was a PSA about why we tend to fly near twilight, not encouraging mid day flying. I will not by flying mid day in Arizona, so you can keep your luck, since I won't be needing it.

[@NUMB3RL3SS]

Nice info.

[@AveryFlies]

Glad it was helpful!

[@flyingtime5501]

Nice watching you get bounced around there😂😂😂 think i will stick to smoother skies meself fer a few years at least. I been bounced around on n mx, don't wanna repeat that on a floppy quite yet! Nice vid👍👍👍

[@shanesplanetshane3795]

I get air sick from flying and have for years. Mid day flights aggravate it greatly. I WISH I didnt get sick, but so far no luck. I want to learn PG so badly, but it seems like the kinda ride that you dont just end at will. Great vid, explained it all very well.

[@mikepaul6205]

I get motion sickness in planes, especially small one. However, I have over 50 freeflight paraglider and over 15 paramotor flights and have yet to get motion sickness. Maybe because I'm in control??

[@shanesplanetshane3795]

@@mikepaul6205 Maybe. I've been flying ppg for a few years and it still gets me ill. Its like clockwork. 1.25hrs in calm air, 30mins when rowdy. I've tried drugs and shock bracelets, to no avail. I changed wings a few times and found one that helps some.

[@cloudpandarism2627]

nice video again! i wanna add it depends very much on the place you fly. for me i fly ONLY in the noon or afternoon because the air is smooth as glass and reasonable strong wind at the beach. but i do agree its getting bumpy fast the second you go 2km inland. i remember my first flight after years where the muppet coach send me up in typhoon coming winds and i had a proper barf session 25 minute straight after landing. i got the ENB spyder3 and still didnt learn much about active piloting because i dont need it where i usually fly. one day i try push myself to get into more bumpy air. but first i gotta get better in basic flying. did you see the newest ATOM80 electric motor i build?

[@AveryFlies]

Yes I did see that! Did you also build the frame? That's shockingly light, I would be interested in buying one when they come to market

[@cloudpandarism2627]

@@AveryFlies yes i made the titanium frame as well. all still prototype. but i hope i can send you a unit over someday. the second one is like a ATOM80 on steroids. short bursts of moster185 power but only for less than 10 seconds. keep an eye out. you will know when its ready. happy to hear you saw the videos too.

[@FreshTillDeath56]

Exactly right. The short answer is: We're all here for fun!

[@IRONMAN-4LIFE]

Can you make a video of the proper wat to communicate with airports?

[@DesertLover71]

Good video but in southern Utah I’ve taken a collapse at 0900 from a thermal. My take away is that bumpy flights just are not enjoyable.

[@matthewholmes8638]

Good ol Laneys! Shout out to Mojo Flight school!

[@SeeCoryRun]

How do you like the split leg harness? I've been wanting to fly one myself to feel the difference in comfort and control in weight shift. Great video as always!

[@AveryFlies]

Ground handling, takeoff, and landing are second to none. Comfort "out of the seat" is very good, and running is very easy. Weight shift suffers though, and sometimes the boys get a bit bunched in flight compared to a seat board. You'll never have trouble getting into or out of the "seat" though, it's already there every time. Trade offs!

[@cloudpandarism2627]

@@AveryFlies deez ones? sorry i couldnt resist! 🤣

[@JohnUllrey]

My only experience is in free flying PGs. But I haven't flown in many years since I live so far from the mountains. While watching this video I was thinking you should go to idle and try to hook into one of those thermals and ride it up. I keep watching PPG videos and someday hope to buy a motor and take up powered flight. I also got my Ham radio Technician license because we used them when we flew in groups and I am curious about what the rules are when using aviation band radios like you appear to be using. Any info or resources you could share?

[@AveryFlies]

Airband radios require no license as long as they are being used for flying. The FAA and FCC agree that pilots would have the training needed to use them correctly. If you want to see videos on the calls needed at an airport, I have a video on that as well As far as thermals go, the heavier loaded paramotor makes thermals less effective overall. I have yet to fly with a light enough motor under a large enough wing in strong enough conditions to reliably go up unpowered.

[@autotune5901]

Use the scout zero . 🙏

[@michaelhamm6207]

Interesting, I thought you just did it for the scenery. Does wintertime make much difference?

[@AveryFlies]

Not a big difference in turbulence, it's about the same as long as it's sunny. Just a lot colder wind in the face 🥶

[@jacksoncrigger8547]

Is this less dangerous in an ultralight?

[@wingcmdr90]

Were you flying today in Monroe/ Mint Hill area? With about 4 or 5 other fliers?

[@AveryFlies]

Yes I was! Earlier on the mojo in this video, then on the Apco F3 orange/blue wing you. might have seen on this channel

[@wingcmdr90]

@@AveryFlies awesome! We were the family in the tan Raptor that kinda followed yall to a couple different spots for a little bit. My kids enjoyed watching yall as much as I did. Marshall actually messaged me through a FB post I had made too

[@AveryFlies]

Oh cool! We saw you parked. It's always a toss up on whether or not the car is stopped so the driver can watch or yell at us 😂

[@wingcmdr90]

@AveryFlies lol I know that's the truth. I figured if yall saw the 4 of us it might make it a little clearer we didn't want to cause trouble 🤣

[@wilsonmpesha904]

Wow. This was very informative. It was great to see it in practice as well. Would you be interested in making a video for a song I produced?

[@krzysztofbartnik]

Hmm but I like fly mid day even with paramotor. Maybe because most PPG pilots have never had contact with PG.That's why thermals are not very comfortable for them.

[@rule1dontgosplat]

is it easier to fly mid day during the winter in the south? would the thermals not be as bad? my first flight was right about 10am on November 4, it was bumpy as hell. I definitely recommend smoother air as a noob

[@AveryFlies]

Common misconception, overcast helps dampen thermal activity but generally around here the winters are bumpier for longer than the summers are. I'm sure there's some science reason, but the summers can have 2-3 hours flyable before sunset compared to 1 hour generally in the winter. Thermals are all about the sun hitting the ground, not how warm it is outside!

[@rule1dontgosplat]

@@AveryFlies that totally makes sense. is your airfield open to the public or is it private for mojos? You're about a 2 hour drive.

[@AveryFlies]

@@rule1dontgosplat It is a private field that we have permission to use, but Mojo's doesn't own it. If you are ppg2, you can send an email to Ryan to get the rundown on field ops and rules. Mojosflightschool.com

[@rupman27isback]

@@AveryFlies I always thought overcast helps prevent thermals since the sun isn't directly shining on the ground.

[@AveryFlies]

Yes, correct, overcast reduces thermals and around here generally indicate more favorable air (assuming all other weather aligns)

[@LITTLEEXPERIMENTCHANNEL1]

I keep saying ill do this. I have all the gear and never make it out there.

[@AveryFlies]

No time like the present! If you haven't already, I suggest the ppg bible to everyone who's getting into the sport: amzn.to/3RqQzKW better to learn from this book than from KZbin And if you're looking for help, you can find instructors near you at USPPA.org

[@LITTLEEXPERIMENTCHANNEL1]

@@AveryFlies its the meteorology I struggle with. (Distance travelling and realise the wind gusts are improper for the venture). Many people who try and fly apply to rigid flight hierarchies and it puts them off trying.

[@AveryFlies]

@@LITTLEEXPERIMENTCHANNEL1 it can be tricky, and it depends on your location. I can't really offer any other advice because of that sadly. Consider meeting some local pilots and getting a feel for acceptable weather through them.

[@BrotherTimothyClark]

Why not get to your crusing altitude, shut the motor off, and fly like a paraglider?

[@AveryFlies]

You can, but carrying the extra 70 lbs of motor and associated drag means you need really strong thermals to make that work.

[@BrotherTimothyClark]

Would electric be lighter than regular fuel?

[@AveryFlies]

Usually heavier for the equivalent flight time. There are some electric setups that are the bare minimum 10-15 minute duration to just launch the paraglider, but those are more specialized.

[@BrotherTimothyClark]

So if you know day flying is your goal, why not go for that specialized setup? I mean it just makes sense doesn't it? You could get a regular electric system for morning and evening flights and just swap it out for mid day flights.

[@AveryFlies]

You are welcome to go for that, it is not my goal however. I do have a smaller, lighter, shorter endurance gas paramotor that I plan to fly more mid-day, though. Look for my AliExpress paramotor videos.

[@in4theride75]

Solution: Powered hang glider.

[@AveryFlies]

Can't fit that in my 1 bedroom apartment, so not a solution for me

[@barrywebber100]

I imagine that flyers like Tucker Gott using smaller wings and powerful motors are able to cut through mid-day turbulence more easily and safely with higher speed. I'm hoping to start Paramotoring but with no experience or training and a large beginner wing I would not contemplate mid-day flights.

[@AveryFlies]

To a point, yes, going faster through turbulence gets you less thrown around. But accelerating may also increase your chance for a collapse, or the severity of the collapse, depending on wing and weather. When I'm in doubt on a faster wing, I always slow down so I can fly the wing.

[@AveryFlies]

Oh, and worth mentioning, other than weight the motor has no input on your airspeed. That's all wing design and wing loading.

[@rule1dontgosplat]

My very first flight was about 1030 in the morning back in November. It was bumpy as hell! The whole time I was up there it was shaking me around. Not the the best conditions for a first solo... but I was used to it flying the helicopter. We would fly in mid day in the summer and the sensation was quite similar.

[@gregorpajnic4739]

Get a wing like W2 or similar, open trims and.. fly whenever you want. No extra work required and it goes dead straight.

[@georgeserafidis3215]

wait really?

[@AveryFlies]

Yeah, one of the advantages of reflex wings is their stability in turbulence when trimmed out. They soak up and self-stabilize through turbulence while slicing through it faster. That works up to a point, but generally if a reflex wing takes a collapse while reflexed it is very violent, so that advice is not a catch all. When reflexed, you generally can't pull your brakes, so most reflex wing manuals say something along the lines of "fly trimmed out through mild to moderate turbulence, trim in and active pilot in severe turbulence".

[@turkeyphant]

Tons of us fly in midday thermals

[@AveryFlies]

Not very common around me!

[@gleanerman2195]

Maybe, but not fun, I know, I've tried it many times.

[@turkeyphant]

It is fun, I do it all the time

[@fifihond821]

As a paraglider pilot (so without motor) we rely on thermals to be able to fly and basically only start middle of the day, this video does seem a bit funny

[@AveryFlies]

Most of us powered guys prefer stowing brakes and taking selfies 😜 we don't need the lift from mother nature, so we tend to shy away from the turbulence. As a P2, I got comfortable with the bumps and active piloting personally, but most ppg pilots I know do not also do paragliding

[@12vibaba]

There is a big difference between flying with and without a motor in thermals. the thrust of the engine puts you a little in front of the wing. when entering a thermal, while on reasonable power, can lead to a stall very easily. It is a completely different experience.

[@calinutza33]

Good to know, thank you, I am going for my motor paragliding course this year on September and October in Europe , can you fly inside airspace with ATC permission ? Do you have like a radio transponder like the airplanes do ? Thank you !

[@AveryFlies]

I'm not European, so I'm not sure about their laws.

[@calinutza33]

@@AveryFlies I think it’s possible, I’ve watched another video some guy flying thru Liverpool airspace

[@AveryFlies]

Yeah, I would believe that. Here in the US, if you get permission from Air traffic control you can enter control airspace. It's just very rare to get that permission.

[@calinutza33]

@@AveryFlies same here in the UK , he was ringing and asking for permission first !