Paramotors: What is Kiting?

Josh and Alex team up with the crew from Aviator PPG to get a taste of what it's like to learn powered paragliding from the best and experience a unique aspect of flight.
More on paramotors: bit.ly/FTparamotor
Big thanks to the Aviator PPG team for hosting us and walking us through our 1st step in our journey to paramotor.
Want to see more paramotor awesomeness? Check out Aviator PPG's channel: goo.gl/Sc6A75
Check out Aviator PPG website to learn more about Paramotor training: goo.gl/Eb3hlB
Read more about our journey to paramotor here: goo.gl/KoFYv0
Have something to share with us about general aviation? Reach out to us here: goo.gl/g9zFLw

[@TuckerGott]

So rad!! Loved the disclaimer. :D

[@vlindroos5854]

Wadup! Tucker gott!

[@angelisfpv]

Tucker Gott hey tucker love your vids. Could you make one about what to get if your starting

[@wavesummit]

So cool to see Tucker here, great vids! Hope you are able to meetup with Casey Neistat, it would be cool to have flitetest, Tucker gott, casey and maybe jon olson

[@tonyredhawk]

I think these guys just found out that RC flying is reserved for when the winds are too "risky biskits" for paramotoring.

[@ogolster8346]

TUCKER!!

[@maxpower700]

yes, i for one would love to see a full training vlog-style-ish series of this

[@Bierstadt54]

Me too. RC flight is a lot of fun, but count me as one of the many who want to get myself in the air eventually too.

[@fprintf]

@woodysgamertag does a whole vlog about his training to get in the air on his paramotor. These vlogs about the training are awesome for those of us a) stuck inside this winter and b) waiting for {reasons} to get into this hobby!

[@UpcomingJedi]

I doubt anyone would be willing due to liability

[@aviator]

So much fun!! I'm so stoked you guys came... Cannot wait to have you all down here again soon :D

[@joshuamelvin]

AviatorShow we can't wait to come and finish the training! You and your team are amazing teachers and amazing people!

[@aviator]

:D

[@BobbyAlex]

Please go back and complete the course! It'd be so cool to watch

[@Zaskar1978]

One of the most pleasant and light-hearted channels here on YT. You guys always make me smile.

[@ecoriderLNT]

The transition from RC to kiting and paragliding is pretty natural. The sensation of flight and experiencing the power of lift is an amazing experience. RC is definetly the gateway to aviation. Power Kiting is a great alternative to flying RC when it is windy out.

[@markbits1960]

Yes! Do complete the training!

[@paddlefreestyle1]

I finished my training 2years ago! I would strongly recommend you guys taking the whole training! Paragliding is flying in its purest!

[@Moraren]

Oh god yes! Do a series! When I was little there was a local guy flying around in one of these, and ever since I have wanted one myself.

[@arnom6057]

Guys, if you continue you will become very addicted to Paramotor flying! I can speak from my own experience. It is an awesome sport and stand for ultimate freedom in flying. Please continue the full course. It is a pleasure to see you discover and enjoy this great way of flying.

[@boomfiziks]

Yes, i would like to see you complete the training. I would even like to recommend that you take along some of your subscribers...saaaay, someone like me. 😜

[@joenodden]

Dwight Souder or me... just saying...

[@WoodysGamertag]

Yes, I want you to complete the full course and solo. That would be awesome for us and I think you'll like it too. As RC pilots you guys are so far ahead of the curve. At some point you'll be bleeding off energy and you come in for a landing and you guys will get it instantly in a way that took me two months.

[@aviator]

Man, they really are pretty darn natural. It's going to be fun to teach them :)

[@freddotu]

I was a hang glider pilot decades ago and felt there was nothing as pure as flying a hang glider. That was until I became a paraglider pilot (non-powered) and found out that it was one step closer to pure flight. The feeling of having your feet come off the ground under your own efforts, with the assistance of mother nature (wind, gravity) is impossible to describe. It's great that your crew got to enjoy it in the manner you did. One way to run out of friends is to attach a hand-tow to your harness and have them pull you up about fifty feet. That lasts maybe one or two runs, then you have to find a hill. Not enough hills in Florida, which means noisy motorized back-pack hills, but flying is flying! It's all good.

[@briansmobile1]

So excited for you Josh & Alex! This sport is ridiculously fun! It's addicting.

[@williwonti]

I think I'll go buy a used wing off of Ebay and do this in my backyard without instruction right now!

[@blackbird1234100]

SAME!

[@coleomo]

YOU AT LEAST NEED SUPER TRAINING FROM DELL SANCHEZ

[@capndave3570]

Hahahaha

[@rolloverriderpgr]

I did! I was on a cane, had to sell my motorcycle and was turning into a recluse. Does that avatar picture look like a recluse?? Cancer, the radiation and brain surgery fun treatments gave me a wonderful case of vertigo, no balance and a stupid walking cane! I could barely stand up without falling down my balance was so screwed up after they cracked the skull open! Life was going into despair rapidly. After a few videos the one that broke the camels back was the one speed wing down the "Star Wars Trench flight!" I got an old Ozone Buzz off, yes, EBay, and started learning to kite and very short bunny flights on my soccer field training field, and this past summer got a little training at POM in SLC, Utah until gust took me down and broke my glasses and watch. I ran out of time waiting for a new pair to come from the VA so training is on hold. In still at P-1.5 in training. But the good thing I got from learning on my own is I threw the cane away after a few weeks of kiting because this therapy I made up as I went along of having to stop looking down to walk and looking up and "dancing" with that wing got my brain back into working order! Hospital therapy was a waste of time and money. My doctors at the VA can't believe I went from a cane, getting my balance and vertigo back and back to running! Hopefully this type of therapy will help our Vets with their TBI (traumatic brain injuries) recover their lives back. Ok, add flying a Revolution and a 2.2m power kite in the therapy and I just look at that cane hanging on the wall as I walk out the door with a life again! Now Ill be able to go back to work so I can get a PPG because SS Disabiity doesn't pay enough for a kit but my decision is down to 2 types of rigs and after I'm hoping 2 months on the road I'll be able to pull into Lake Wales or further north for a little more instructor training, a purchase and fly out! But don't listen to me. With an instructor and proper training the experience will be well worth it! Anyone with a few extra pounds can send them to me as I'm still looking for the 40 pounds cancer ate off my butt as at 115 pounds its hard to find a wing for free flight and using a 50 pound backpack to train for carrying a PPG. What? Determined? Just a little! Blue Skys and Safe Journeys!

[@mcearl8073]

rolloverriderpgr that's a great story, I'm glad you found something to pull you back up. I hope to be able to get one at some point.

[@BMSWEB]

Way way more of these episodes guys. Honestly loving this so much!! MORE!!

[@paqx3534]

I'm a college student, aerospace engineering, and I've wanted to fly since I was about 5 years old. I wanted to be a commercial pilot, but I'm color deficient, so there went that. I want to get my PPL, but won't be able to until I graduate some years from now. ditto LSA. I thought ultralight would be the wtg but even that is too expensive. snowboarding (something I never thought I'd enjoy) opened my eyes that this might be fun to do, and skydiving confirmed (my instructor did stunts in the chute the whole way down.... would have paid what I paid for the jump just for that ride!) TLDR really want to see a vlog on this and other entryways to aviation - you guys should also take a look at gliding for us poor folks. would be appreciated

[@brucesweatmaniii6030]

Dude!! you're going to be an aerospace engineer??/ You have enough money soon enough to get into sports flying try the icon-5 instead?? you want to fly, try that you can afford it soon enough! getting your ppl is easy, you will see!! just have patince?? you do great!!

[@derSauerlaender]

I started watching you when you had around 20k subscribers. That was literally years ago. You got me into RC aircrafts. To be honest I stopped watching your videos a while ago now, especially because of the vlogs. But you really got me back with general aviation. I love videos like this where you can feel the passion you have for flying. Keep them coming! Greetings from Germany :)

[@joshuamelvin]

Christian Osebold thanks brother, and welcome back!

[@mikemacwillie]

I would really enjoy seeing you guys do the full training. This little taste was really cool!

[@mikeemery9947]

My wife and I are heading down to Florida in 3 weeks to train with Eric & AviatorPPG - can't wait!!

[@aviator]

Stoked to have you!

[@stefanspirit100]

Paraglider pilot over here! Great job! Keep spreading the word for this sport!

[@BushcraftTexas]

so cool too see you guys doing this. Flute test really got me into Fpv a few years back. last year I took ppg training and a few months after that got my paraglider (free flight) P2. Can't wait to see your journey. wait till the motor lifts you off for the first time... it is pure awesome! see you in the air!

[@maximlg253]

Omg, that classic "Right hand... the other right" from Eric. All good memories from training. The only drawback was that FL heat in Sep while practicing forward launches in nil winds.

[@joshuawfinn]

Absolutely love it, guys! Full scale flying is a beautiful thing! Also, I appreciate the safety disclaimers. There are serious safety issues that have to be addressed when you get into experimental aircraft. Please keep up that aspect of things as you head into building small aircraft and the like--even attention to detail in construction and safe flying practices may not fully reveal the risks involved in this aspect of flying. The engineering challenges rise very, very quickly.

[@GaragebandandBeyond]

That looks like fun!!!! Great video dudes! Looking forward to playing music for you all at Flite Fest 2017 in Ohio!!

[@Luke-P]

i love that you guys are focusing on general aviation and at the same time im starting an aviation degree and my commercial pilots training what timing! keep up the great work guys!

[@joshuamelvin]

Luke P happy flying brother!

Guys, please do the full course. I am going to do it some day and seeing you doing it would be awesome. Great reporting!

[@GoGreenMan]

please forward to the gentleman that was instructing yall that he seams like a really awesome instructor! Patient, quick and clear instruction, encouraging, and knowledgeable!

[@aviator]

[@kellarfamily]

Go back and complete the course. PPGs are a blast to fly.

[@alecoguzman]

Awesome! I love to fly.. Started as a paraglider pilot in 2008, did some cross country in great places. Also Got my ppl back in 2013 flying c 152's, and fly anytime i have the opportunity to do it... Now i am in Texas, everything so flat to me so i am looking to add a motor to my paraglider.. It is motivating to see you guys flying yourself! I love it.. I follow your site since years ago and fly your models with my son.. it is awesome. Keep going, i would enjoy a lot see you flying PPG!!! Do it!!

I did 4h training and did about 10 1-5m flights, and I can tell you that this sport is awsome! Currently I can't afford full course that would give me permission to fly it or even buy my own wing but maybe some day . . .

[@MrCody7006]

Aww Yesss! Long time Flight Test fan here. I will soon be learning paramotoring too. So excited to see you guys joining the fun!

[@meteors63]

Love this! Love it when my two favorite hobbies come together. I've been flying RC multi-rotors since 2011 and flying paramotor since 2006 (and PPC since 2003). Yes, by all means, take the full training. This is true FPV; 100 times better than the best HD goggles. Go for it guys! You will not regret it.

[@aviator]

Well defined!

[@davidcatanzaro8838]

You guys have the coolest lives

[@spitkwad2746]

I don't know how you do it. I guess its a testament to the great team/family you have built. new and great content almost everyday...however I do know my week would not be complete without FliteTest. thank you all from the bottom of my heart. God Bless.

[@joshuamelvin]

Andrew Reinhardt thank you brother! You nailed it. Great friends getting to work together for a common goal. We are a team that loves each other whether were flying or working together. Every day is a great day!

[@raulodin2860]

Very cool! I paraglide(no motor) and can tell you there's nothing like it! Thermalling and slope soaring in So California mountains is incredible. Go for it!

[@lguystillfly]

I've been flying ppg since 2011. You guys did great on your first kiting experience :). Can't wait to see you guys in the air!

[@wadja62]

That was amazing... I am also working at kiting my wing for free flight. Powered flight will follow. I fly light AC, Ultralights, and RC. Can't wait to fly off my first mountain out here in Arizona.. Keep up the training.

[@PuFFerTV98368]

I've played with RC Everything... it's lots of fun.... however I've never seen either of you guys so excited as when your feet left the ground. I'll keep watching all that FTest puts out, specially if your going to go back and Fly the Powered Parachutes I really want to learn how to fly one myself. Really great idea for Original Content on UTube !!!! Keeping FTest open to all things that fly is a great way to keep the show some of the best original content on UTube..... ya I said that twice. Can't wait to see you guys solo.

[@joshuamelvin]

Hugh Murphy thank you for the kind words and encouragement brother! We will finish the journey! Can't wait to share it with everyone.

[@mxskelly]

I would absolutely love to see you guys go through all the training! Even if just to see you guys enjoy yourselves so much :)

[@TwinStarGenny]

Please complete the full course!!! I am interested in learning how to paraglide and would love to see someone have it documented so that I'll know what to expect/ what to look for when procuring an instructor.

[@ulpilotrmh]

Definitely want to see the full PPG course when you guys come back to Florida. Let us know when you'll be down here again.

[@matijanovak3906]

something with a spar is a less of a gamble. also having a pitch/altitude control is a bonus

[@LifeWorkRestPlay]

You guys are SO lucky, I look forward to your journey into PPG, something I would love to do. The only problem with so much good content is that I don't know how I am going to fit it all in. Keep up the good work.

[@MrAjw312]

It's funny I started watching Pads blogger Tucker Gott about a month ago, he flies paramotors too, and I've been wanting to get into this expensive sport for awhile now, and now you guys are starting to talk about it, this is awesome! please do more!

[@marcsoulon7878]

You guys at Flite Test are amazing. I remember when I had to wait 2-3 days for the next episode to come out, but now I can't seem to keep up! Thank you for everything!

[@mlbrannan]

A big yes, I want to see more. I have been interested in powered paragliding for a very long time and have never started on it, so I would love to see what you guys do first. Go for it. By the way I've been a licensed private pilot since 1987 and I think this looks a lot more fun.

[@JohnBlackCaptain]

His laugh is contagious....great job.

[@Millbrook1974powderedwater]

+Eric Farewell I love the way you teach! It's also great fun to see your brains actually converting stuff you know from flying rc's into the things the paraglider likes. Thanks for the great video!

[@alishanmao]

Welcome to Paragliding :D

[@dennisschuchman9202]

Great Job guys!! I enjoy all your videos and now the GA content, I've been flying R/C for over 30 years and now I am getting into the GA side as well. It is fun to see someone else doing the same thing I am. I have sent you a couple of emails on the GA portion but haven't heard anything yet. Keep up the good work and informative, fun videos! Been a quiet fan of yours for a few years now. Keep it up! Thanks!!

[@davemountford748]

Would love to see you guys go through the full training!

[@silas6556]

I would love to see a full training series of this.

[@BlackCatRedScarf]

Yep! - I would love to see the full training and the first solo flights. ;D

[@MarcChep]

Wow, this is amazing! You really need to learn paragliding. Really enjoyed this episode and the guys at Aviator PPG are rad!

[@angelisfpv]

I love your vids tucker gott

[@tomdullage1531]

Really enjoyed that, definitely want to see the full training! Loving your channel, I wish there had been something like it when I was trying to start up in R/C many years ago, thanks, guys.

[@MoiraOBrien]

Definitely go for the full training. That was awesome guys!

[@liambowers666]

Hey josh, would LOVE to see you guys going through the full training. I've been looking at doing this recently myself. I've watched you guys from just after my start with RC (RCPowers was truly my newbie days) and would be cool if it would follow suit with paramotoring. Keep up the awesome content :)

[@suburbanhobbyist2752]

That guy has a great laugh. Makes me smile!

[@philevans4021]

That looks so awesome! You guys should definitely do the full course!

[@skyman7053]

That was so awesome wow .. the instructor was amassing .. Josh I even got goose bumps ..I say if you guys can take the full course go for it.. just that feel of being lifted so kool ...I hope you go for it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@aviator]

Ah man, thank you!

[@PredatorParamotor]

Kiting is SO much fun!

[@Ekirea]

Well done!Please do the full course!

[@Authmion]

LOVE IT! CANT WAIT TO SEE THE FULL VIDEO OF YOU GUYS DOING THE FULL TRAINING! Though, next, you guys need to do ultralight aircraft. I know Josh has the pietenpol, but ultralights are also a very approachable way for people to get into GA, i'm looking into it for myself. though, you're making a big statement towards PPG!

[@discoape]

I'd love to see you guys complete the training. This video is really inspiring - I'm really keen on trying this myself!

[@boyofcow]

Hi, I've just found your videos and am enjoying the paramotor series for a couple of reasons. I've lived very close by for a couple of years at a time, a few times, so it was nice to recognise things from the air and where you were flying. I've also wanted to learn to paramotor for years and have just looked up flying through PMC at Membury so this was doubly interesting. Hope to see more videos soon. Thanks

[@vitsalava1251]

Nice job, you really did great. The instuctor kind of reminded me my mother, who is an paraglider/motor instructor herself and has the same passion , so that was a bit funny for me because when she told me and her other students how to do this it was exactly same story. Surely want you to do the full training, it's worth it.

[@Guy_6397]

Yeah same, please do it and record each individual lesson! I've been thinking about getting into it, to watch a training course with you guys would be really interesting.

[@nicholasnewton4291]

YES!! Flight test please go do the training and get all the way to solo!

[@cooter3690]

Totally finish the training. I learned about 10 years ago and I loved it. Haven't flown in a while but your making me want to get back into it lol.

[@davesfpv]

Would love to see full training!!! looks great, true FPV!!!

[@StefsEngineering]

So, after these experiences with the real deal (PPG) are you going to revisit the review of the opale paramotor kit? I think it deserves a revisit with proper PPG training and techniques. Aside from that: awesome to see you guys trying PPG out as well, I did some paragliding last summer and can't wait to go out and do some PPG myself!

[@whoopiesling8100]

Heck yeah. That would be sweet! Go through the class!

[@MaxMartini22]

Paragliding is Freedom!

[@innovativecnc3928]

Wow guys, so incredible! I definitely want you guys to do the full training. I'm trying to save up to get into paramotors (might be a while, but eventually...) so this is really going to help me to get a solid understanding of what I'll need to learn. Thanks for sharing guys, happy flying ;)

[@DarrensWorld120]

when you go back.. take me with!! I've been wanting to get into this sport for a long time!

[@MickMod]

Really interesting topic, the new general aviation content is good so far

[@jamesbink90]

Definitely go back for the training! I did a tandem flight at Torrey Pines in California and it was amazing! I'm hoping to take lessons soon

[@CuervoRC]

It is not possible :O I also make videos of RC airplanes and fpv and just today I bought a paraglider. :O :O

[@briannielsen727]

Yes, please, more - all the way. I was thinking about starting training when spring arrives. Love the instructor. Want one just like that :-)

[@discgolfer78]

yes go do the whole class I been wanting to learn this myself

[@mn815048]

that was awesome guys. got the wing up quicker than I managed to.

[@brightest07]

full training video series would be awesome

[@dereksmith8521]

Those things are so cool! would love to see more of it!

[@DAS-Videos]

YES! Take the full training course. Do you have to buy the gear for the full training course?

[@aviator]

Nope :)

[@tbiowa9977]

Go for it!!! Looks and sounds like you have great instructers. Would like to see more.

[@derMusicSlasher]

I'd love to see you, doing the full course!! It's so much fun to see you trying new things like flying with a paraglider. I think it's great that you decided to do general aviation content too. I bet you guys will persuade me to try it out (just like you have persuaded me to get a race quad) thanks guys for creating such a terrific content!!

[@jdvaillancourt]

Definitely! I've been a fan of FT since day-one in Chad Kapper's basement. Or was it his garage? I forget. Either way, I like that you're incorporating a variety of GA content. I hope to see more of this sort of thing, in particular the more affordable end of the LSA/homebuilt segment.

[@CJLeTeff]

Awesome, almost felt like I was there. Looking forward to more.

[@johnnyvenerus3535]

you guys are the best! I really hope you guys really start doing paragliding stuff it's so cool keep up the good work!

[@drewlovli7299]

after discovering this channel i have loved every episode released, you guys do an amazing job and this would be an awesome addition to flight test!

[@rickybanman]

you guys are giving me some serious inspiration right now. Good video! I hope you guys go do the full course!!

[@skavid4811]

This is fantastic; I would love to see a full training series!! Josh/Alex, any chance of Flite Test starting a regular PPG segment afterwards?

[@KGFlyer55]

Outstanding guys, great series, can't wait for more!

[@SethLandon]

omg Josh was so happy!

[@joshuamelvin]

Seth Landon it's so great to have fun with friends. Old and new ones! The feeling of getting off the ground (even if it was from a good push from a good friend) is amazing!

[@skyman7053]

josh go for it would be awesome ..i hope all you guys do this .. when you guys got some air i got goose bumps. i just myself in your place the feel of that lift would be so awesome .. go for it Flite Test ..

[@toddhazell925]

Just wait until you do your first flight off a mountain or cliff face ........... Absolutely friggin awesome feeling.....

[@Chief_Kevin]

I think you all should fly ultralights!

[@MadNitr0]

Paramotor content is amazing! DO MORE DO MORE!!! (and take me with you!)