One step closer...

Monday I picked up Peter from his place on campus and took him to the park next to the Madison Zoo. The plan for the day to to refresh his kiting skills after taking the winter off. After a few simple reminders he was right back in the groove perfectly executing forward and reverse launches.
After a while I hooked up the training throttle to his harness for a few launches and practice take off runs. After getting the hang of manipulating the throttle lever and kill switch while kiting it was time for the next step, kiting with the motor on his back. Being a rather light weight guy this was a rather formidable task. Even though the Top80 Miniplane is the lightest gas paramotor on the market it’s still about 1/3 Peter’s mass and therefore proportionately heavy for him.
Although it was pretty strenuous for Peter he was soon executing forward and reverse launches with precision. I assured him that when the motor is running it actually makes it much easier because it pushes you forward. The next step for him is his first PPG flight!
Tuesday afternoon I met Josh C and Robert at Elver Park for their first paraglider flights. After some flat ground kiting to warm up we started working our way up the hill in small stages. First just a few yards up the hill, then 1/4 of the way, then half, then 3/4 and finally all the way from the top of the hill. By the time we finished both were making nice low level flights down the hill practicing their steering and flares.
Weather permitting both of these guys will be making their first PPG flights soon!