Paramotor Head On Collision!!!

[@TuckerGott]

Stick around till the end of this one! I cannot believe this footage showed up. Huge shout out to Jeff Bell for sending it in and allowing us all to learn from this incident. As always, if you have crash footage that you want featured in this series, please email it to [e-mail]! Even if you prefer to remain anonymous. Till the next one, have fun and fly safe!

[@b33p]

Jeff my dude, playing it oldschool with USB and snail mail!! 2008 represent!

[@jethrobell1364]

Right?? 😂😂. Couple things I'm good at. Technology... not so much. 😁

[@kjpphotography4764]

So glad that no one died or got seriously hurt in any of these situations.

[@CaptainPeterRMiller]

Tucker, you have so much influence in your coverage, I wonder if you would get on board with an idea of mine. So much better clips can be filmed with the camera frame in the HORIZONTAL orientation. You shoot horizontal format for your Channel. . With horizontal orientation, the view is much wider and the camera doesn't have to hunt, looking for the subject. It is actually easier to shoot horizontal with two hands and the footage is much steadier. Horizontal video is much more pleasing to the eye. Vertical still portraits are fine, but that's it !!.. All VIDEO should be shot in HORIZONTAL mode. I watch all your videos on a desktop and that's beautiful with my high grade monitors. Even if I watched on my phone, I would rotate to HORIZONTAL because that is the natural way we see. The sooner the amateurs with poorer camera skills realise that the best way to go is HORIZONTAL, the happier everyone will be. They will also be more comfortable watching the wide screen in our natural viewing format. Can you please remind people that HPORIZONTAL is the way to shoot video clips? Thank you.

[@RunIntoTheSkyNonprofit]

Great video as always!!

[@MrUpscaleman]

Your accident videos are by FAR AND AWAY the best content you produce. Sure, there are other crash videos on KZbin, but you are the only person who provides expert analysis of what you believe went wrong, which is invaluable to new pilots. (There is ONE other guy who also provides analysis, but he always concludes that the crash was the direct result of not flying a flat top motor and Dominator wing...). Please keep up the good work.

[@kr6dr]

One of the advantages of having such a popular channel. Way to go Tucker! You brought it together.

[@jcz232321]

I love TG videos, commentary, and insight. I thank God none of these flyers appeared to be seriously injured.

[@MarkLoves2Fly]

As a free-flight pilot, I find our local fly-in to be a ton of fun. Of course, well in advance of any flying, we set the rules, both for in the air, and on the ground. Fortunately for us, head on collisions are quite rare. I think the take-away, is that all who are involved, need to have a common set of rules, that everyone adheres to. I hope this is useful for someone. I got back in the air today, after a 1 year 8 month medical pause. I greased the landing! Woot Woot! (>* Keep your excellent content flowing! That's likely the only thing that really kept me sane, during my time stuck on the ground. Lovin' the Merch Bro!

[@niconico3907]

I think free flying pilots are much better at situational awareness, because they are always looking for thermals, looking if other pilots found a better climb, how high they are, what the is best landing field around... And I think silence is better for situational awareness.

[@TylerFox92323]

The burglar sneaking in the window 👀 1:03

[@thomascalton3067]

Cat-burglar!😆

[@taco-lover]

Meow!

[@ALmyPaLFPV]

“Nylon wings that fly under strings “ haha gnarly bro . Great video ! As someone who is looking at getting into the sport ( hopefully this summer ) it’s extremely informative and helpful to watch your videos . Very inspired . Can’t wait to get up in the air !!!!

[@sheeeeeeeeesh1896]

Hi

[@xNightHawk32]

Same I’m hoping to get up in the air soon. I’m still saving up for training and gear. Any ideas on where you’re going to train? Assuming you will get training to be safe. 👍🏻😎

[@ALmyPaLFPV]

@@xNightHawk32 training, absolutely. I’m From Wisconsin and I’ve been talking to some guys called “Wisconsin Flight Sports “. They seem legit . Dude for real “saving up for gear “ between all the gear and training not to mention all the extra gear ; helmet ( what kind specifically) aka which bells and whistles do you want . Reserve shoot, floatation. Ha it’s an extensive list ! I’ve also been talking to “Flight Junkies “ he offers free training for as long as you need. You just need to buy one piece of gear from him and it’s free . Otherwise 1000$

[@ramrod6279]

@Tucker Gott Glad ur friends came out of that collision safely. Be safe out there.

[@MichaelRei99]

Well I probably sound like a broken record but Tucker, fantastic informative video! I enjoy each and every one!!

[@Toekneepowers]

We counted 78 wings in the air at the Salton Sea. All of them circling around a relatively small air space. It was absolutely nuts. There was actually 2 midair collisions at the Sea. 2nd was on Sunday and one pilot had a hard fall from about 15 feet, walked away but pretty bruised up big head wound and bloody.

[@davidwilburn5594]

Thanks Tucker enjoy watching those videos I am experienced pilot but I can still learn good job

[@huffpappy]

6:30 "Hey y'all, watch this!" That was dangerous as hell.

[@clqudy4750]

Famous last words...

[@mjhppg791]

Good content. This is why going to fly- ins and having pilot briefings are important. Go up and go fly somewhere till it's time to land.

[@Alexander-sz1jh]

My favorite type of videos, I watch with eyes closed 😖😉

[@CLdriver1960]

Yup, I’m not particularly fond of fly ins. The hair on the back of my head stands up when I get close to the airport. I’m a fixed wing (Challenger ll) owner.

[@sekibulja7254]

Another brilliant video! Thank you Tuc 😊

[@GlennTupper]

Just a quick tip for people that aren't sure about wind/weather conditions. Go to wal mart and buy one of those helium tanks and take it with you to your flying site. Release a balloon and see if it dances. If it doesn't you should be good. Of course don't rely on this solely but can be a good way to give you some confidence in the micro climate of your site before you launch. Good luck! 🚀

[@Robnord1]

Yes! 👌 Attach a 10-20" crepe paper streamer 'tail' for better visibility, plus the tail curls in rotors. 🎈

[@GodzillaGoesGaga]

Neat idea.

[@SmittySmithsonite]

He went through that wing like buttaaah! Crazy! Glad both pilots walked away from that one. I'll be at training in less than a week! Can't wait!! 🤘😬🤘

[@phillipmudge5152]

Great content Tucker I was at the Salton Sea fly-in and was looking in the Direction of the collision And I was never sure what really happened I’m glad somebody got this on video yeah the sky’s were heavy With para motorist

[@bikerdude923]

Deep spirals/ locked in spirals are a descent technique that freeflight pilots use on occasion to escape cloud suck or really powerful thermals. With a tight locked in spiral you can descend at rates up to 2000ft/m but you have to be incredibly careful of the building G-forces so you don't black out and go *splat*, also a locked in spiral can be hard to exit. I personally have not done this maneuver but several guys in my freeflight community have had to use it before. For context I live in a place that has some of the most intense flying conditions in the world where even X-alps/world cup pilots will think twice before flying on a given day.

[@thomascalton3067]

Excuse my lack of knowledge, but wouldn't freeflight take the variable of the extra force from the motor out of the equation, not necessarily making it less risky but just removing some energy from the situation. Like I said I have zero first hand experience with either method of flight. Cheers from Idaho USA.

[@bikerdude923]

@@thomascalton3067 you are correct, however after a certain point once you are locked in you start building really high G's regardless of having a motor or not. There was an fatal accident recently where a pilot ended up in a locked in spiral after getting a riser Twist and the investigation found that he hit something like 9G's before the forces were so high that the risers essentially unzipped from the wing. There were some other factors involved too but by that point the pilot had blacked out well before, the forces built so fast he never got a chance to throw his reserve.

[@kianoni]

I love your videos and merch.. But there's a small catch.. I'm a paragliding pilot, not interested strapping an engine on my back. It's fine either way, flying is fun. BUT some of your t-shirt/hoodie designs would be really cool to have as paragliding versions as well?? I would definitely buy some of those

[@patrickaubichon]

love the good info，thanks Tucker

[@gpaull2]

Hardest part about learning to fly is learning when NOT to fly.

[@mcbrite]

Easy solution: Do it like most dudes in the US... Just fly without learning... :-P

[@Toekneepowers]

Para waiting.

[@JohnnyFaber]

Good judgement is the most important skill. Deciding to fly another day will always be a wise choice. Also not giving in to pressure from other pilots is hard, but be firm, you're the pilot in command.

[@Toekneepowers]

Couple of scary moments here last night at the Blackhawk fly in. Wind got really nasty at sunset with two wings still in the air. One pilot had a pretty hard landing and broke some stuff on the motor. The other pilot was still a quarter mile out, at about 300 feet over trees and not making much forward progress. He had a full wing collapse it spun him 180 and dropped 100 feet before the wing recovered. He made it back to the LZ with a safe landing and a much deserved beer.🙏

[@rainmaker27minecraft]

@@Toekneepowers last night was crazy man, happy everyone got back safe with no injuries

[@DAS-Videos]

The mid air collision was incredible. He was lucky to be on that safe wing, it saved his life.

[@Henryk5161]

I had most of my flights with that exact wing, same colour, and have to admit it saved my life being so strong. Sadly sold the Bolero.

[@mattc.310]

Some more investigations from the Tucker Paramotor Safety Bro. (T.P.S.B.) Keep up the good work. A good pilot is always learning.

[@billybbob18]

Those lines looked perfect after whatever happened to that spiral recovery. The pilot was extremely lucky. Appeared to be well above the wing for a second there.

[@robertwren2289]

You just never know what you might get on video. Tells the tell. I'm with you, too many pilots in the air at the same time.

[@paraglidingtalk]

Salton Sea is such a sweet place to have a fly in. You should try to make it out next year. 7:33

[@aaroneye86]

🤣

[@xxhotelcrazyxx]

Always live by this... When in doubt, throttle out.

[@krotchlickmeugh627]

Yeah because that works everytime even in a fully developed stall. Wont get you into a spin at all. You should try it

[@MrEmiosk]

@@krotchlickmeugh627 ... woosh!

[@chandolomite]

As always, nice video sir!

[@SeeUsFly]

At Salton Sea (Feb) 2021, I counted 89 wings in the air at one time (on Friday evening). It was awesome, but not without some darned close calls. More than once, other flyers cut me off during my approach to the LZ. Some pilots don't seem to be aware (or are ignoring) the rules and rights-of-way in the sky, so maybe you can do a video on the subject of pattern flying and yielding to oncoming or cross traffic, etc. Safety first, guys -- always.

[@josephmarshall6599]

Sup Tucker, I’m watching and texting this as I’m at 5k feet paramotoring and only wearing a risky biscuits cap - again.

[@TuckerGott]

Wait, so you're flying naked? 😯

[@aaroneye86]

@@TuckerGott 🤣

[@josephmarshall6599]

@@TuckerGott haha. No. A few wks back I said if you liked my comment I’d run down the street in only a risky biscuit cap...

[@josephmarshall6599]

@@TuckerGott and you wanted proof but mutually agreed upon no one wants to see that

[@baka75]

I had no idea that would happen with towing. Good to know

[@Auger3504]

I've been watching your videos for about 2 weeks now. I can't wait to get to EAA Oshkosh Air Ventureand check out the light stuff.

[@Henryk5161]

Got the same wing,bolero 6, happy to see its capabilities haha

[@projuanclemente]

Helpful, entertaining, liked.

[@thewaywardnurse9805]

Every time you talk about the conditions, I hear Flight of the Conchords song "Business Time" saying "conditions are perfect" 😂

[@yaaboi3263]

I love all of your vids

[@immergingowl8525]

Hey tucker, I had a question I wanted to ask, have you ever seen a brand new pilot pick up the sport very quickly? or do most people tend to learn over time at a relatively same pace. I know some people are more confident or have more basic knowledge than others so thought id ask you. Love your videos man, you are such a big inspiration to me, keep it up and stay safe!

[@niconico3907]

Everyone is different and learn at their own pace. But paramotor is easier to learn than paragliding, because their is much more to learn to be a good paragliding pilot.

[@immergingowl8525]

@@niconico3907 thank you for the reply!

[@niconico3907]

@@immergingowl8525 It also depends on how much time the pilot can spend on learning the sport( availability, work, family, weather..). Of course someone who flies twice a week will learn much faster than the guy who flies once a month.

[@immergingowl8525]

@@niconico3907 very true, I'd love to paramotor but the only issue for me is the money lol

[@w.j.bendellr.c.flying.1037]

Great Video “educational” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@Hyperious_in_the_air]

The midair happened right out front of our RV campsite. Saturday night was a total cluster fuck. There was 200+ people in the air, and I had several close calls just trying to land due to people cutting me off on approach. I know it's meant to be a free for all, but salton really needs to establish a legit pattern around the flight line.

[@TuckerGott]

Thanks for sharing that! I can't imagine 200+ pilots in the air. 😬

[@joshperryppg]

Was there a pilot briefing and/or an air boss?

[@jethrobell1364]

It was a great time flying, but after this I put my machine away for the evening, and set out a lawn chair.

[@Hyperious_in_the_air]

@@joshperryppg no lol Salton is notorious for being an uncontrolled free for all.

[@RonBesse]

200+ pilots? Nope not me. I get nervous with 9 or 10 in the air. If it was one organized cx, then that could be fun if sent in groups of say 10-15 at a time. If they don't organize on their own, once something stupid happens, then we get regulation like the drone and RC guys.

[@brucevanbeek3133]

Just remember it takes weeks to recover from an accident ! Retired daredevil. I Thank God that I been blessed most of my outings. As those who know after the crash . Is when the wishing starts. Think about it. All I'm saying ! Tucker you gott some awesome risky Biscuits Buddy !

[@IceAngel_LR]

WOAH IM EARLY WHUT. Thanknyou for making this video ♡♡

[@wwilliam50]

Excellent work. As always

[@george-cann]

GOOD JOB JEFF! Thanks for the upload :)

[@Cg41418]

I agree. #1 incident he increased engine speed as he was turning too hard speeding up his turn. I think instead of letting go of his throttle he panicked and squeezed the throttle.

[@brianbrock6774]

I hate hate watching people get hurt. This was easier on my heart and soul than most crash videos.

[@Just_Derek]

The towing one reminded me of a crash at the high Sierra fly in that was similar. The guy wasn’t as lucky it seams and went to the hospital.

[@xxhotelcrazyxx]

Make a shirt with a cool graphic that says "Nothin' but wings & strings"

[@DeltasAdventures]

LOVE THESE!!!!

[@deltagamma-en1zh]

Kudos, great content!

[@axellno1759]

The last one looked like a medieval duel.

[@clqudy4750]

New Olympic sport? PPG jousting

[@MattJasa]

Haha I noticed the sound-fx at the start, nice touch.

[@ilb6756]

Love your videos btw

[@cesarmiranda4820]

Gracias

[@hrford]

Video number 2. The conditions look wintry in terms of cold temperatures and lack of thermals. It looks like it could be mountainous and there's hints of lenticular clouds on the background. I wouldn't be surprised if there was rotor over the field/frozen lake.

[@daverohn383]

Hey, Tucker's wearing the exact same t-shirt I am!

[@aaronhart6620]

Yo tucker when are we racing again

[@TuckerGott]

I gotta bring my speed bar next time!

[@pizzamandellaxx6979]

Could you make a video about how to stimulate your wing recovering from a collapse?

[@MrUpscaleman]

He already did. Watch the video where he tests the Ozone MOJO Ii

[@CharlesVanNoland]

Non-paramotorist-here: what the heck, people flock to one locality and put each other in danger?! That's mind blowing. How are you not perpetually dodging one another or getting caught up in eachother's wake? Sounds like a nightmare!

[@dakotasmith8938]

I love how he says even if u hate it give it a like and there is no dislikes as of when I looked at it

[@JStorysuoertech]

This has been a dream of mine to do. Can you give me a ball park figure of how much a whole setup plus some training would be. Wish I lived close to you, because your flying and videos are truly amazing. Thanks for another great video, hopefully I'll see you in the air one day.

[@cymrych79]

As someone pre-paid for training in June and preparing my shopping list with a good basic idea of what I want equipment-wise, you're likely looking in the $10k (US) to $15k range for your basic gear (paramotor and wing) and training. I'm going for trike wheeled launch due to a weak knee, so my shopping list is at the higher end of that range with the added expense of the trike itself. There are other incidentals you may or may not want that I haven't researched as much yet for my budget, like a helmet (maybe with communications), reserve, strobe, flotation, etc. You can get it quite a bit lower buying used gear, but I haven't looked as deeply into that as I don't want to take the risk of inheriting someone else's problems.

[@DaveCollierCamping]

Wow - One heck of a video

[@deadgamer21]

Thank you daddy gott

[@johnabbottphotography]

Hey Tucker: I thought that there was a rule when two ships (and planes) were headed straight towards each other, that both are supposed to turn right. Is this a thing, or did I just make that up in my head.

[@niconico3907]

Yes it is the rule. It would have worked if both would have done it. But only the guy with sun in his eyes did it. Only him has an excuse for seing the other late. The other guy has no excuses, he didn't look ahead, didnt see anything. He got his wing shreded, maybe that taught him to look ahead when he flies.

[@ianremykalaw2990]

Paramotor crashes are my favorite series and feel bad for them.

[@brianazmy3156]

We are taught in army airborne school that the lower jumper has right of way. Would it be safe to assume the same applies for this sport? On more than one occasion I found myself knee deep in a canopy below me and crawled to the edge and hopped off only to leapfrog with the other jumper the whole way down because we stole each other's air. Mind you that this happened at 3am. As scary as it was, it was still extremely exciting and fun.

[@KiwiBro8]

Looked like the lower PPG with orange wing was turning to the right up until 3 seconds before the collision. If correct, that shifts responsibility. You cant change course to be on a collision course giving the other pilot 3 seconds to get clear. Would appreciate other people's thoughts

[@MrTruckerf]

Glad nobody got hurt.

[@NotRelevant1]

I’m interested to hear that spiral dives aren’t a practiced thing in paramotoring. They are considered a crucial descent technique for more advanced paraglider pilots. Learning to handle those Gs, and how to exit the spiral without having a huge climb then surge like we saw in the video is absolutely a skill that needs to be practiced, as it’s the best method for losing altitude in the event of cloud overdevelopment.

[@niconico3907]

Paramotor pilot only fly in calm air, early morning or late evening, they don't like turbulences, aka thermal activity. So they dont often need emergency descent. They dont need to go high, to glide forward, so they often fly low. They also have higher wing loading, higher drag( propeller, propeller guard and netting), and their wings are not designed to have the best glide ratio. So the sink rate with motor idling or off is at least twice that of a paraglider. Going down is not a problem.

[@simonjandrell5897]

gnarly stuff

[@JohnnyFaber]

Will never fly at a fly-in ever again. I love the community and the vibe. But after i had a Mid-air at Salton I learned my lesson about flying them. No matter how situationally aware you are you can't see everything all the time. And there are some serious knuckleheads that will surprise you. It's rarely the one you see... Blue skys folks!

[@raykrv6a]

You need to send Jeff a t-shirt for sending that in.

[@scottkint]

Can’t believe I’m so early on this! And, I already have the blueprint T-shirt!

[@westonkenyonmusic]

Got it, too.

[@hellfire08]

You mean to tell us you got a notification on your phone and you clicked on it!!? No way. That’s crazy dude!

[@scottkint]

@@hellfire08 no notification.

[@RunIntoTheSkyNonprofit]

Great video !!! I hope I am never featured in one of your reacting to crash videos lol

[@madsloper]

I don't know if it's something is pushed in the PPG world but I think everyone should take a SIV course no matter what you fly. Know and study the "air laws" for PG and PPG, "on the right, in the right". It's every pilots obligation to avoid a collision no matter what, if you have the right a way but the other guy isn't moving away then you need to move well in advance.

[@error.418]

Taking an SIV is being pushed more and more in the PPG world, which is good to see. Several popular KZbin paramotor pilots have shown videos of the SIV courses they've taken and are recommending it. People in the forums/Facebook are recommending it. Good stuff.

[@garymonaghan7196]

On the second guy it sounded like he hit the throttle right as he was about to hit the bottom in it made is Kate come out or Shute I mean

[@outandupthere]

Email it to ya Mom! Nah, don't think my Mum would appreciate this video!! She'd have a right go, "you better sell that there flying fan thing, they're dangerous!" :D :D

[@Robotic69]

Wow

[@KirksCORNER1983]

Matter of time those things are DANGEROUS!!

[@jerrymiller276]

It sounds to me like these fly-ins need to have some traffic rules to help mitigate the risk of collisions.

[@glassdogangle]

I would never fly something that collapses into a heap of laundry with the wrong wind gust. Absolutely insane.

[@jumpingjacks5558]

When unfortunate events happen like this at large get togethers or festivals, do they have to be reported to the FAA?

[@njmotovlogs7132]

Love the vids

[@mikeandikefriendsforever7408]

Ur first

[@robertgoodale7204]

Almost went to that fly-in.

[@TODOHOBBYURUGUAY]

IMPRESIONANTE!!

[@armyon2106]

Hey tucker can you do a live vid sometime like on twich or KZbin

[@DeepakSharma-wc1gr]

How many months can we use this glider..?

[@michaelvandermarliere7820]

At first watching your videos I thought oh this is neat. Then I became terrified of the height. My biggest fear is falling out of the sky. When I see two paramotors touch wing tips I think they are going to tangle from a that of wind, twist together and both pilots fall to the ground and are killed.

[@nedmacallen]

That’s why I fly a boat too!

[@kevcom000]

that second video the man fell through the ice toy can legit see him sinking in the video

[@sixtysyxti3235]

Wings and strings should be the intro song

[@victorluis9419]

Im my opinion, every free flight pilot needs to know how to spiral dive. In the case of a cloud sucking you up, or any situations that you need to get down fast.

[@betujain7378]

That cat enters the video 1:00

[@GodzillaGoesGaga]

Maybe with fly-ins there should be a central coordination on who can be in the sky. Like OshKosh !!

[@RunningOnAutopilot]

Small community can have knowing the dudes

[@flonjitoe78]

The same thing happened to me on the 3rd video I stalled and pendulum and slammed into the ground.

[@CS-in3pg]

"Send It" management is tough when all you want to do is fly

[@WawakGuitar]

How do 53 people not like Tucker's videos? lol

[@russellharris5072]

That collision is why when I had a lump of cash from my pension I didn't join a gliding club. I had considered it but visiting my local(ish) gliding club on a beautiful summer day,I saw the sky was full of gliders thermaling in close proximity to each other.That for me was a huge red flag.If they had been powered aircraft they would have been in serious trouble with the CAA,(UK equivalent of the FAA).So I saved a bunch of cash and avoided what I consider to be unsafe flying.........................................

[@niconico3907]

Thermalling close together is not hard, First to arrive in the thermal decides which way to turn, everyone coming after turn the same way. Space yourself correctly, at the opposite of the circle. No overtaking. If there is any trouble stop turning and go straight. Everyone is doing what they are supposed to, its easy to keep track of everyone.

[@russellharris5072]

@@niconico3907 Possibly,but when you're concentrating on all those in your thermal you won't have much spare capacity for observing in a more general space.................

[@niconico3907]

@@russellharris5072 and lastly pilots thermaling have the right of way on the people not thermaling. If you see people thermaling you stay away, or you join the thermal without disturbing the people already in it.

[@russellharris5072]

@@niconico3907 Most reassuring,just like our rules of the road,perfect until some one disobeys them...................................