Trapped Flying AFTER DARK A Paramotor Conundrum: Stay Legal or Stay Safe?

A tough situation arose recently that had me deciding between legality, and safety. Technically speaking, there is a caveat in the FARs that says any FAR can be broken as long as it's in the interest of human safety. That was my ultimate rationale for making my decision.
Paramotor Instructional techniques offered by Kyle O, and how I run my paramotor school in this video here • The Best PPG Training:...
Shipping Address:
Kyle O'Glee
531 S Main St
Springhill, LA 71075
My school group page: / 219727948582147
Best way to contact me initially is thru email.
[e-mail]
My personal facebook page: / kyle.oglee
Like my content? Drop a tip in the tip jar.
My Patreon donations page: / kyleoglee

[@verticallines212]

sure do miss me some Kyle'O! ! I'll always assume all is well. miss them all to pieces,

[@dewolfeFSP]

Every rule is there for safety. Knowing this, you made this decision. In aviation, you file a report and recommendations are made. A good reason we should use radios as well as phones.

[@user-uy4su4lv5x]

I would’ve done the exact same thing you did. Landing that thing on the power is asking for trouble. There is a whole list of things that could’ve gone wrong if you had done that.

[@SkiesTheLimit]

I know some people put some sort of "master switch" on the frame somwhere in reach, like an emergency kill switch. Maybe worth pushing for these situations

[@shanesplanetshane3795]

another switch = another point of failure possible. Sine these run on closed loop electronics, a master switch would basically be a second kill switch. Pros and cons.

[@randybeard6040]

Main reason that I like Fuel Injected-4 Stroke Paramotor Trikes, Engines not affected by weather conditions...

[@JohnHansknecht]

You made the right choice, and any FAA inspector worth his / her / she / them / their / its .. salt would agree. I once had a frozen video like that. Tried to open it about 10 times the evening I was editing to no avail. I wrote it off as lost. About 3 weeks later I opened it one more time and the video was there! So confusing!

[@bobflyman]

Safety first always, but for that situation I have wrapped / tied a small length of insulated wire around my plug lead near the plug cap, strong line will do the same, and the other end goes to the frame netting just behind and above my head. It's a fail safe if the kill switch fails. I can just reach behind my head, find by feel the bit of wire, pull it and it will pull the plug cap off. Engine stops. That's all you need mate. Encourage your students to do it too. 😊

[@JohnnyFaber]

That doesn't always work. I had a small air leak causing a lean condition a couple years ago. A little carbon build up in the combustion chamber is enough to cause a hot spot that will act like a glow plug and combustion will continue regardless of spark. I had a friend pull the plug wire and it kept on running. Only quit when I yanked the fuel line from the tank.

[@G-I-JOE]

Kyle, If you can reach and press the primer button on the carburetor it will instantly kill the motor, even at wide open throttle.

[@airbenderkirk]

I remember you saying that secondary kill switches and fuel cutoffs are not needed because the likelihood of a double failure (kill switch broke and under thrust) is not likely to happen. I think you just proved that a second way to kill the motor is worth the effort. Thanks for sharing!

[@cloudpandarism2627]

and introduce a second point of failure when you expect it the least, have a motor out and crash into trees... is all relative i think.

[@airbenderkirk]

@@cloudpandarism2627 Always fly with an out. Search "Laboratory Plastic Tubing Clip". No extra point of failure as this just sits on the fuel line anywhere you can reach it. No extra points of failure.

[@don7294]

Safety first. You health/life is far more important than a few extra minutes of flying, especially since you were at a lit field. I much prefer this video instead of one shot at the hospital discussing how long your recovery will be. I dream of flying around White Sands NP during a full moon. Both against the law but... Stay safe out there.

[@MKHNitro]

Every day is a school day

[@andyjohnston919]

Consider filing a report with FFA supposedly if you tell them sorry and why it is less problems than ignoring a violation. A learning moment. Thanks for sharing!

[@flyingtime5501]

I really doubt the farmers have any opinion on it. Lol😮😅...JK I know watcha mean

[@shanesplanetshane3795]

nah, why bring it to their attention? Is someone already has and you get contacted, sure. Otherwise, I wouldnt bog them down with such slights. I dont know if a dark landing should be considered 'reportable incident'. If I'm mistaken, maybe someone will come correct me on this...

[@chrishibner516]

Don't report to the FAA - file an ASRS report: asrs.arc.nasa.gov/ (used to be called a NASA report). Basically self report and the FAA considers you to have done your duty to improve safety by adding to the database, so you're clear of any infractions. But I'm not sure if part 103 is included in that program - it's late and I need sleep.

[@falconron4217]

That's why I have a snatch rope on my plug wire just for, kill switch failures.

[@shanesplanetshane3795]

I have a zip tie on my plug wire. I'll grab it, should this happen to me. Of course, my method MAY damage my plug wire. Altho, plugging fuel lines makes it run lean and thats a risk as well. Glad you were out near a lighted field to land. I think GoPros freezing, is a design requirement. Thanks for the vid!

[@MrCPPG]

2023 and GoPro still fails when you need it. We can have self landing rockets but will we ever get dependable GoPros?

[@CoyoteOne]

The FAR/AIM goes out the window in emergency situations.

[@KentTexas]

IMO, you did the safest thing. It's not a violation if it's an aviation EMERGENCY!!

[@sandrainthesky1011]

That's what we here in Canada call a "cluster F**k"! That's how my luck is too, never just one thing. Glad you got down fine Kyle-O!

[@sailor-rick]

If'n you can twist around and pinch the fuel line... that sounds like a good spot in the fuel line for a shut-off valve. Just sayin'.

[@edtully2740]

Very interesting situation. I wonder if testing the kill switch as part of the preflight would be good to do. Or even having a fuel shutoff valve for emergencies. Could you imagine the fun it would have been if the engine got stuck in full throttle?

[@shanesplanetshane3795]

hell yes, checking kill switch during preflight is a great idea. I typically start the motor and kill it a few seconds later. This ensures the kill button works. Then I restart for full warm up. Doesn't mean the wire of switch wont fail immediately after, but its still a good practice.

[@shanewyman9419]

He killed it when he landed, then killed it again on the botched reverse and everything was working as it should. We all would have made the same assumption that kill switch was in working order

[@KentTexas]

Damn!! The Gopro, the phone, the paramotor malfunctioning! When it rains it pours! Lol

[@DougBow96]

Declare emergency, safety over rules see FAR 91.3(b). I know this is a part 103 flight but regs prioritize safety over rules in emergency situations.

[@PPGDV]

Now I know why I can’t get you on the cell! Lol

[@csmith9008]

My GoPro 8 started doing the exact same thing. 2 different days it recorded fine until it would freeze frame but continue with audio. I upgraded to the 11. Hasn't happened since.

[@fobio2101]

You could do a nasa report on this to avoid any legal issues

[@HotButteredProductions]

I'm callin the cops!

[@chhu2644]

So, will we be seeing some "Don't Report Kyle O" shirts soon? Stay safe. I believe I would have made the same decision.

[@Team.Louish]

Safety First. Good choice.

[@garthrichert5256]

Sounds like you did the very best thing possible.

[@chrisbajema8002]

Man without them run way lights it would be hard to find your field…that was a good ending to a not so good situation

[@markp5549]

How high was the idle stuck at? 3200 or more above 4000? With the weather changing my idle went to 3100 last weekend at landing. It was an odd landing. Just enough thrust to make energy management funky. Flared fine but just kept going and the seat angle was wrong. Faster run out but not dangerous.

[@SmittySmithsonite]

We have the same luck with electronics, lol. Everything I own that’s electronic SUCKS! 😂 Man, our sunset is at 4:30 right now. You guys get a ton more light than we do. We won’t see 80° until next June, either. 😢 Yeah, I’d have done the same - better to run afoul of the law & be safe! I’ve had mine screw up like that a few times when the machine was new. Made zero sense since I flushed the tank & line before firing it up for the first time. Gotta love the GoPro! They should call the “GLITCH” Pro!!😂

[@jamesstumpf75]

Have you ever worked on like sliding a landing in when you coming in pretty hot? That’s what I would’ve done realizing the fact that I’m gonna come in hot because I have a little bit of thrust. I would’ve just came in like I was on a real tiny week, and I would’ve slid it in, and then just drop the wing. However, they ended up dropping out of the propeller. But yeah that’s what I would’ve done just landed. I guarantee you it wasn’t gonna be enough thrust that once you got on your feet, it was going to push you over, it might’ve been a little uncomfortable, but it wasn’t going to push you over.

[@kyleoglee]

All my landings are greasy smooth, but risk/reward just wasn't calculating to a good sum.

[@EvilBikerGangOfTheSky]

Gopro's suck so bad! You wanna buy mine before I throw it at a wall? We all get caught in the dark from time to time. Im sure you know, but for those who dont, a hand over the small air intake on the airbox will kill a motor in seconds, gotta be better than puling at the sparky bit. I'll try to see if I can reach the airbox intake in flight next time. Also I always start my motor, let it run for a minute then kill it before every flight. Ive had a failed kill button before.

[@shanesplanetshane3795]

earn ya a dandy hickey, but tis a good plan. I have a zip tie on my plug wire. Just in case I need jerk it free and dont feel up to a good shock in doing so.

[@EvilBikerGangOfTheSky]

@@shanesplanetshane3795 Theres no dandy hickey. Try it.

[@shanesplanetshane3795]

@@EvilBikerGangOfTheSky Tried that on a thor 190 at wfo. Yeah, it left a mark. Havent tried on the moster...

[@Wintermute909]

Gremlin's are like piranhas...... when one gets it's claws in one electronic or mechanical device, you know you're in for a bad day cos it'll call out to it's whole family of gremlins for a free meal.

[@iKenFlyPPG]

GoPro: Making or Breaking Your Memories

[@cloudpandarism2627]

without even seeing the video: ALWAYS stay safe. better to talk to FAA in case some karen called them, and stay alive than try to crashland and go to hospital or worse. i pay a fine over death anytime

[@cloudpandarism2627]

alright i watched it. and i stick to my opinion even i almost went to jail some days ago: in case of danger i will ALWAYS ignore every rule on the planet to survive. you can talk to people and explain the situation. even to the FAA. but you cant talk yourself out of a grave. next video coming up here probably be like: "so i got a call for my illegal flight after sunset because some karen told the FAA" 🤣but as i read correctly in the description there seems to be an exception in rules specially for aviation which says you can ignore them if your life is in danger. and thats how it supposed to be. i was in a similar situation these days kyle! you always told me to go fly alone because thats when i learn the most. and i did. had a double riser twist on launch and another day there was military operation on my beach. videos are up. i didnt know or see the camouflaged muppets until i was RIGHT above them. and it felt similar to your situation. i was thinking about dive down in a spiral and risk a crash landing asap even i never did a spiral in my life nor would i be able to make a smooth landing when i try to rush down so i thought about this a moment, kept flying a safe loop and then land. military immediately rushed to me and i thought i go to jail because they are not joking around here in china. i explained them i didnt know they are training today and i didnt mean to disrupt their drone launch (i flew right in the path from the launch catapult couple of times without even knowing) i said of course i will follow rules and leave now if they let me. after a bit of back and forth they let me go without any issue. good times!

[@TruthHurts2u]

Good idea. Don't post any evidence.

[@macflyguy5166]

1st! Yeeee