Your very welcome to the world of Paramotoring.

My pennies worth is talk to an instructor.
Buy Risk & Reward the book & DVD.
Talk to an Instructor.

Think for yourself.Most guys just want to sell you their gear not all though.
Avoid the B.S. as must as possible in this sport & learn to fly enjoy it, it's a great pastime.

Michael

Jason,

Welcome to the forum.

Coming from Killigordon, the first place I would go to find out more is to Dean, who must almost be a neighbour, and to Gordon, among the others in NI who have many years of flying experience! You are in good company up there anyway! Plenty of flying up your way, and lots of new interest also.

You will learn more joining any of them in the field, than you could in moths of scanning the internet!

As Michael suggested, you will pick up a lot from DVD's like risk and reward, and books like the Powered paragliding Bible.

http://www.footflyer.com/Products/Combos/combos.htm

Good luck, and be patient!

All best,

Oisin

Thanks very much for the info guys didnt think i would get replies as quick as this!
I have been checking out the DVD and Books that you have both talked about so ill be getting them soon. (Thanks)

Oisin you said 'You will learn more joining any of them in the field, than you could in moths of scanning the internet' how would i go about finding the take off places and would i not annoy them as im completly new to this? I dont really want to annoy anyone when they are trying to get ready if u know what i mean

Again thanks guys for the info apprecaite it!!

Jason.

The problem with this sport is that it is very weather dependant, and as a result, flying is not normally planned in advance. This means it is not a case of turning up on a Saturday morning, in a certain place!

If Dean or Gordon were to text you in advance of a local flying session, it is likely that it would be at short notice, and could be anywhere! If weather is good ( light winds and no rain!) it is likely that there will be somebody nearby flying. There is a fly-in near you in two weeks time where you will meet a good few pilots, assuming weather is OK.

Not to answer for anyone else, but I think you will find within reason that the only time anyone will be too busy to chat will be just as they prepare to fly, when they do need to concentrate on what they are doing... specially in the evenings, when you are in a rush to get airbourne while there is daylight!!

Flying sites are also quite weather dependant, as some sites do not suit all wind directions etc.

Good luck,

Oisin

Hi Jason
Welcome to the forum.
I would be in no rush to buy any gear yet, the longer you are training and in contact with other pilots the better the understanding you will have of the different set-up's available, a common slip up is to rush out and buy equipment- the first thing you need to do is get your training then the equipment, that way you will be flying safe and understand the risks involved, principles of flight, airlaw etc.
There are a few options on training, Gerry Parles in Tipperary, Steve Griffiths in Mid-Wales, whom would be the closest and Paul Mahony in Portugal, obviously Portugal would be the best bet for good weather, which plays a big part in the training, there are a lot of buckshee dipsticks training people out there whom I wouldnt send Shep the dog to.
There is an information evening in the Comfort Inn this evening in Antrim being held by paragliders with our resident speaker, Gordon Dunn, making a presentation on paramotoring at it, that would be very informative for you as a newbie, its very short notice, but thats paramotoring for you as Oisin said.
I will pm my mobile number to you, myself ,Lance and Tony are heading up to heckle Gordon, you are welcome to join, only if you can shout loud though
Dean

Cheers Dean for the info ill take that on board

Unfortunately ill not be able to make it up to the information meeting tonight (pity) cause I'm sure its just what i need to get me started and to hear the in's and outs of the sport, maybe when the next one is on i could attend?
I have just bought the paramotoring bible and the risks and rewards dvd which i have been told to get so ill get a good read and look at them once they arrive!!
Are you close to Killygordon? I know that there is a fly in out in jonkils in the next few weeks so ill be heading out to that maybe we could get a chat then too?
Yea if you could PM ur number to me that would be great, maybe i could get out some evening you are all going for a flight just to get a look at what its all about?
Thanks a lot Dean for your info appreciate it!!
Jason.

Whilst I have named three schools above, this does not mean that I am ilmpying that all other schools are a waste of time, these are people whom I know about and have first hand information on so can vouch for them, there are other reputable schools out there too, but one thing to be aware of is for the Irish Exemption you must go down the sylabus route, something a lot of UK schools dont use, or dont use one recgonised by the IAA......
Dean

Sure- best thing to do for any new-be is to spend the first while observing and asking questions... Find out how the local pilots with exemptions got their ratings, which schools, etc they went to, what equipment they have... etc... We've all done the homework, been there..... and some of us have made mistakes and had to do things differently. Gain from others experience.

As Oisin said earlier- i don't mind answering any questions, etc... as long as i'm not unpacking my gear and getting ready to fly....
You'll always get me in a very good mood after a flight though....
Saying that though- feel free to observe while we're unpacking and preparing to fly, etc...

Here's the link for the RASP weather site that Gavin mentioned last night during his XC talk. This site is very impressive- there is a lot of information there, perhaps more useful to PG than PPG

http://rasp.inn.leedsmet.ac.uk/

GD

Guys thanks for the posts!!
I know what you mean Dean about the schools, Its good for me to hear that you know people connected to the schools u stated cause it makes me feel that they would be a good place to learn. I just got the DVD 'Risks and Rewards' today and at this stage i think ive watched it 4 times? lol There is a great amount of information in that!! Lots of things that i never even would of thought about, things that can happen etc
Thanks to '1973parahead' for pointing that out to me as well
Im just waiting on the PPG bible book to come so i can get a read at that

Gordon thanks for your posts as well!!
'best thing to do for any new-be is to spend the first while observing and asking questions... Find out how the local pilots with exemptions got their ratings, which schools, etc'
I think that this is really good info as well, its like you said 'We've all done the homework, been there..... and some of us have made mistakes and had to do things differently. Gain from others experience'. This is waht im trying to do at the minute I dont expect to have the experience within a few months because to be honest id not be too secure in myself to take to the skies just yet lol so i hope i can get to some sites with you guys and others to observe the way you all set up, pack up etc.

Again i cant thank you guys enough for the information that you all have provided me! Its been great so far!!
Thanks guys for your help

Jason.

I'm sure you know this yourself Jason, the DVD is pointing out what could happen worst case,if you get the proper training all these things are covered learn to read weather,yourself,sites etc and you'll be fine.
When you watch a DVD like Risk & Reward it seems the odds are stacked against you but they are not it's a really safe sport with a great safety record.

Michael.