Paraplane

[stuckmotor]

I was working on a fence this afternoon when I thought I heard a plane coming my way. A little later I looked up to see someone flying a parachute. It looked like something I might use to search for a missing cow. Too bad I'm afraid of heights.

 

[bcp]

Was it the kind where you wear an engine?

http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/paraplane-8825424.jpg

Or the kind where you sit inside a framework?

http://www.paraglidingparagliders.com/images/paraplane.jpg

Bruce

 

[MNBobcat]

I was working on a fence this afternoon when I thought I heard a plane coming my way. A little later I looked up to see someone flying a parachute. It looked like something I might use to search for a missing cow. Too bad I'm afraid of heights.

I fly one. Originally they were called a paraplane, but that is actually a brand name. Paraplane is no longer made. A friend of mine owns the paraplane.com domain name and he teaches how to fly what we today call a Powered Parachute. For years I also taught how to fly them.

It looks a little scary from the ground but actually they are a hoot to fly and very, very safe. I don't like heights but am perfectly comfortable flying a powered parachute. In fact, its the funnest thing I've ever done!

I own a 2-seater.

 

[stuckmotor]

I don't remember seeing wheels so, it must have been the first kind.

 

[stuckmotor]

It took a while to even come up with the name paraplane. I typed the word in a search engine and came up with some pix so I thought I had it.
I occasionally ride my moped out to the farm and the cars racing by scare the fool out of me. The powered parachute guy was all alone and looked like he might have been safer. Still, it was further to the ground than I'd want to fall.

 

[Redneck in training]

I was working in Malaysia and Brunei several years ago. Don't know in which country but I saw a show in TV about firefighting unit equipped with Powered Parachutes so they could get to forest fires.

 

[MNBobcat]

I was working in Malaysia and Brunei several years ago. Don't know in which country but I saw a show in TV about firefighting unit equipped with Powered Parachutes so they could get to forest fires.

They fly about 30 miles per hour. You steer with your feet. Throttle does not control how fast you go, but rather controls if you're flying level, descending or climbing. So that pretty much leaves your hands free to take photos or do whatever you want to do. It is possible, though tricky, to skydive from them. Not sure how firefighters would use them, but pretty interesting nonetheless.

 

[oosik]

Every summer I have two fellows who fly over in ridged, inflated wing ultra-light aircraft. The first thing I notice is the sound of a snowmobile engine. Then, here they come. They always wave and shout "hello". Wish I had a bit bigger field so they could land. The units must be pretty safe because its been the same two guys for the last 3-4 summers. I've only seen those powered parachute units on TV.

 

[Redneck in training]

They fly about 30 miles per hour. You steer with your feet. Throttle does not control how fast you go, but rather controls if you're flying level, descending or climbing. So that pretty much leaves your hands free to take photos or do whatever you want to do. It is possible, though tricky, to skydive from them. Not sure how firefighters would use them, but pretty interesting nonetheless.

If I remember it right they shut the engine down and land like parachute.