TRAINING

TANDEM DISCOVERY FLIGHT

Cost: $150

This is a great way to explore flight using a powered paraglider safely, comfortably, and affordably! A tandem discovery experience will begin with meeting your pilot, discussing some basic safety rules, and explaining FAR 103 tandem exemption clause. Once a short form is completed, we will then prepare for the flight. A quick coms check will be followed by a final pre-flight equipment check performed by your pilot. Once onboard the aircraft, we will takeoff and gently climb to a comfortable and safe altitude (typically 1,000 ft above ground level). Once there, your pilot will perform some basic air maneuvers, while explaining the control functions to the passenger. If the passenger would like to takeover the controls, the pilot will provide this opportunity when safety permits. The pilot will then retake the controls and land the aircraft very near the takeoff point.

There will be ample time to video or pictures with your own device during this experience, given the fact that the flight will likely last around 20 minutes.

Please note: Weight limit of 225 lbs with gear does apply to all passengers seeking this experience. This experience is designed to introduce a future potential PPG pilot to the powered paragliding experience.

POWERED PARAGLIDING FOOT -LAUNCH INSTRUCTION

PPG 1 & PPG 2 Certification

Cost: $1,000 - $3,000

Now that you have decided to fulfill a lifetime dream of flight, and choose to become a Powered Paragliding Pilot, how can you go about this economically, efficiently, and most importantly, SAFELY? This is where training comes into focus. Our training program can typically be completed in 9 days or less, with a minimum goal of 25 solo flights upon completion. Our training follows the United States Powered Paragliding Association instruction syllabus. You will have a 1-on-1 training experience with your instructor. The goal is to improve safety and efficiency with the student’s educational process.

We spend the first couple of days focusing heavily on ground school subjects, learning glider control, equipment parts, and taking a tandem discovery flight with your lead instructor.

The second phase of training takes us to the application of your new skills, advanced glider control, the use of a “swing trainer”, harness adjustments, landing techniques, and is finished with tow-flight experiences. (You actually fly!)

The third and final phase of our training consists of “putting it all together”. This means combining all of your newly minted skills, with the addition of the paramotor use, into the performance of your first flight! Your instructor will be with you during the entire experience, coaching through your headset. This helps minimize your anxiety and fear of not knowing what to do. Once you safely land and are heavily congratulated on this achievement, you move on to completing your other 24 flights. This is the time for repetition of flights to continuously improve your skills. The next several days will consist of AM & PM sessions for launching and landing, again and again while slowly building your confidence, skill, muscle memory, and overall understanding of the process. Your instructor will gradually withdraw their direct voice assistance once the student displays the skills necessary to complete the task without help. However, they will always be watching you directly and with communications to intervene, if necessary, up to the student’s 24th flight. The 25th graduation flight will consist of a longer flight, with your instructor as your wingman. This will allow you to try some more advanced maneuvers (such as big-ears, progressively steeper turns, or even asymmetrical spirals) with the guidance of your instructor along side you.

Our training price has several variables that affect the final price:

* New equipment purchase (paramotor and paraglider) from Sky Shark PPG provides a $1,000 training rebate.

** A $2,000 training rebate for a family member or significant other who gets trained by Sky Shark PPG, and purchases their paramotor & glider equipment through Sky Shark PPG.

*** An equipment rental fee of $250 (plus any cost of damage to the equipment used) is added to the total training cost equaling $3,250 for the complete instruction course. This includes ALL equipment needed for your training, except shoes!

REFRESHER TRAINING

Cost: $250 per day

Have you already completed training for powered paragliding somewhere else, but do not feel safe or confident in your skills and flying your equipment? This can happen because of a long pause in your skill practice, or due to incomplete training at your previous facility. Ether way, this training option is for you! Refresh your kitting skills, improve your landings with tow flights, and finally return to the air with your equipment, having an instructor provide you audio commands to help with your re-familiarization of the procedures.

*This option requires ownership of your own equipment and display of some basic knowledge/skills. This is NOT intended to be a fully comprehensive training experience.