cycle powered PPG. It can even run on propane. The
controls and operations are different from a standard
powered parachute (PPC), and under current regulations you cannot take dual instruction in a wheeled
PPG under the training exemptions available. Read
"FAA Prohibits Wheeled Powered Paragliders." You
can fly them under FAR 103, but you must be able to
run in order to take dual instruction.
Paul Czarnecki of PlanetPPG, a large, full-service
flight school based in Cape Coral, Florida, has come
up with a solution. He uses winch towing in gradual
steps to instruct for the wheeled PPGs. The training
starts with short tows without the engine running until
the student is flying a few feet off the ground for the
full length of the field. Only then is the engine started.
The frequency of damage to equipment has dropped
off dramatically since PlanetPPG began winch towing. Paul strongly urges newcomers not to buy any
equipment until they have completed their training. He
said, "Eighty percent of the students who come to our
school who have already bought a PPG got inappropriate or unsafe equipment, or they got ripped off." Paul's
flight school rents PPGs to students and has a variety
of models available. You can try out everything and
then buy what's best for you.
Paul says he does more tandem foot-launches than
anyone else in the country, and he made several
tandem flights at Paradise City, a first for the event. It
takes an athlete to pick up a two-place PPG and shepherd the student in front to a successful launch.
The lack of wheeled PPG trainers keeps a lot of people
out of the sport. The use of ground towing for ultralight training reflects a mood expressed by one of our
veteran ultralight instructors at Sun 'n Fun who is also
a retired airline pilot. He said we need to find a way
to train new ultralight pilots that does not involve the
FAA. He mentioned more ground training, penguin
planes, and simulators.
» Please send your comments and suggestions to
dgrunloh@illicom.net.
Dan Grunloh, EAA 173888, is a retired scientist
who began flying ultralights and light planes in
1982. He won the 2002 and 2004 U.S. National
Microlight Championships in a trike and flew
with the U.S. World Team in two FAI World
Microlight Championships.
Te Trike Buggy Bullet can be attached to any PPG.
Photography courtesy of Dan Grunloh
EAA Experimenter
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