Aviators from all over Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma converged on Crystal Beach May 1-3 for the first annual Gulf Coast Aviators Spring Bash Fly In. These flyers were flying paramotors. Powered Paragliding is the safest, cheapest, and most convenient way to have your own personal flying machine. You don’t even need a pilot’s license, and it takes less than a week to learn how to fly one! To sum it up, it’s basically a “parachute with a backpack motor” or a “motorized version of Paragliding.”
Gearing up for a Glide along the coast
There are two different types of Powered Paraglider or “Paramotors.” The most common is called a “Foot-Launch” unit, where the pilot wears a backpack-style 2-stroke motor, and has to physically run to become airborne. The second type is called a “Quad” or “Trike” unit, where the motor is mounted to a go-kart-style platform with wheels. Safety is also incredibly high because if the motor fails, you are a flying under a parachute!
Awesome Aerial of Crystal Beach from the Boots (and eyes) of a Paramotor Rider
One of the original Paramotor creators and builders, Todd Hanson, hosted the event at CrystalBeachResort.com. “I started flying 30 years ago and these are extremely fun and safe machines,” Hanson said. Cobb Real Estate was one of the sponsors as well as Ocean Grille Restaurant. The owner of Ocean Grille even hosted a private viewing party for the Flyers, featuring the Mayweather/Pacquiao dance!
Gliding High Above it All
An unobstructed view of the sunset
Finding the perfect spot of beach
(This article published 5/26/2015)
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