Lizard 0 #1 January 27, 2003 Anyone on here ever tried the backpack powered parasailing? It looks fun and interesting. Any experiences? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DYEVOUT 0 #2 January 27, 2003 I'd be curious to know if there are height restrictions, or if you need some kind of license. ----------------=8^)---------------------- "I think that was the wrong tennis court." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #3 January 27, 2003 QuoteAnyone on here ever tried the backpack powered parasailing? It looks fun and interesting. Any experiences? Get in touch with Marcus at Gear-Store.com Gear Store - Clicky He's a good guy and he knows all about that stuff. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gus 1 #4 January 27, 2003 I have a feeling that at the moment it's unregulated in both the UK and the US. I have a friend with one and he loves it, I'd love to take one for a spin or - even better - get my friend to take me up tandem style to 3k so I can hop off at the top! GusOutpatientsOnline.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #5 January 27, 2003 I've flown in a tricycle gear two-seater powered parachute. The canopy is more familiar than the paragliders but otherwise it's similar to what you're talking about. The FAA in the US considers it an ultralite due to its tiny weight. There is no licensing required and it's perfectly legal to fly in most airspace without restrictions. There are a few exceptions, of course. You cannot fly in certain classes of airspace, over "congested area" (which is legally undefined), or with passengers UNLESS it's for the purpose of instruction. These things are absolutely marvelous. You can literally skim treetops with them. You can power yourself up to 15,000' then power down and glide back to earth. You can buzz along at 50' over countryside and farms, up and down hills, waving at everyone you see. You can land in a big back yard. I want one! First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #6 January 27, 2003 A lot of people hook themselves in under powered parachutes, due to lack of knowledge. A guy came out the the airport a month or two ago with one of those tricycle go-cart powered parachutes. We thought he was doomed during one of his take offs and again during one of his landings. He was doing this in OUR landing area, even though we told him about it, hinting that he should go to another part of the airport, he didn't and proceeded to stay there. I tried to swoop him, but he saw/heard me coming and got his go-kart shit bomb out of the way. We would have been really nice to him, but when we went over to talk to him, ask questions about his equipment and stuff (just being curious people), he was a total dick. One of the riggers was talking to him, asking where he got his inspections done and was going to say that he could do them here, to save him the drive, but he was a total asshole to him too, so we just walked away.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lizard 0 #7 January 30, 2003 I've done some thinking, reading...ect. I've got to try it out. From reading, it seems to good to pass up. Definately on my "to do" list now. I need to check the FARs for my area/airspace/legal stuff. I'm right between two airports, one about 5 miles away, small civil/corporate airport and the other about 10 miles away, medium size international airport. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #8 January 30, 2003 Quote The FAA in the US considers it an ultralite due to its tiny weight. There is no licensing required and it's perfectly legal to fly in most airspace without restrictions. Not true! Not by a long shot! You need -specific- clearance from the FAA to enter or operate within Class A, B, C, D or E airspace when using an ultralight. Now, in -some- parts of the country, "most" might actually apply, but I wouldn't try cruisng around SoCal without a sectional. Quote There are a few exceptions, of course. You cannot fly in certain classes of airspace, over "congested area" (which is legally undefined), or with passengers UNLESS it's for the purpose of instruction. http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfrhtml_00/Title_14/14cfr103_00.htmlquade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve1 5 #9 January 30, 2003 I really don't know much about these myself, but I've talked to some people who said you really can't fly them in very much wind. One of the people owned one and the other guy was an ultralight pilot. Don't quote me though, because I don't know this for sure. Steve1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lizard 0 #10 January 30, 2003 Thanks for all the info. I'm not doing anything until I know I'm 100% safe/legal and all that good stuff. I'm going to do it, but not worth getting into a urinary olympics with the govt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
