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Backcountry PPG

Beginner Paramotor Training

Beginner Paramotor Training

Regular price $3,450.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $3,450.00 USD
Sale Sold out
2024 Training Dates

New To Paramotoring?
We Can Help!

Start By Watching This Video:


Learning to fly a paramotor will be, without a doubt, one of the most life-changing things you will ever experience. The pure raw joy, freedom, community, and never-ending fun is something you just don't get with anything else. For whatever reason, the shine just doesn't wear off with this.


Training Details:

  • 10 days 
  • 6 students (strict)
  • 3 instructors (2:1 student-to-instructor ratio)  
  • $600 discount toward equipment
  • Packages are available
  • No equipment purchase is required
  • Equipment rental provided during the training
  • Certified USPPA instructors
  • Receive a USPPA PPG1 & PPG2 rating (if requested) (not required)
  • Located just south of Salt Lake City, Utah


2024 Training Dates:

March 2-11 (FULL)
April 20-29 (FULL)
May 4-13 (2 spots left)
May 18-27 (FULL)
June 1-10 (*NEW*)
June 15-24 
August 10-19
August 24 - September 2
September 14-23
September 28 - October 8
October 12-21

We have recently added two new springtime classes due to the high demand we have received. May 4-13 & June 1-10 are now available for registration and we've already filled up spots.

 

Contact Us:

Do not hesitate to reach out to us directly with any questions in regards to the training, scheduling, paramotors, packages, or general questions. Our team is available 7 days a week to help answer your questions.

Call or text - (801-599-1684)
Email - Info@BackcountryPPG.com


What Is PPG (Powered Paragliding)?

PPG, also known as paramotoring, is a form of ultralight aviation that doesn't require a license, annuals, or medicals. A paramotor is a lightweight aircraft that you strap onto your back that can launch and land in small areas. They are small enough to be packed into the trunk of your vehicle (literally). 

  • 3-4 hours of flight time
  • 25-35 mph cruising speed
  • 40-50 mph max speed
  • 55-65 pound aircraft
  • 300-pound pilots can easily fly them
  • 18,000 feet max altitude
  • No truck is needed for transport
  • Tandem capable

  

Training Location & Logistics:

Our training is held at a small airport 45 minutes south of Salt Lake City, Utah called Cedar Valley Airport located in Eagle Mountain, Utah. RV's are welcome at the airport but it is all dry camping. Tents are also welcome at the airport. 

The training will run for about 4 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the evening with a break in the middle of the day. Usually, the morning training starts around 7:00 am and ends around 11:00 am. The evening session starts around 4:00 pm and ends around 8:00 pm.


Physical Requirements:

  • 12 years old minimum age
  • 72 years old maximum age
  • 90 LBS minimum weight
  • 290 LBS maximum weight

Our training program is a very physical and hands-on 10 days. You do not need to be in incredible shape to complete this training, but we do encourage our students to exercise leading up to the class.


Training Equipment:

Included in the class fee, we provide all the equipment needed to complete the course. Students do not need to worry about bringing or buying anything before the class. We have a fleet of 8 state-of-the-art paramotors and a dozen wings for our students to choose from. Everything from helmets, radios, paramotors, wings, reserves, radios, and even the paramotor fuel is provided. Sign up, and show up! 


Training Experience:

Over the last 12 years (2012) we've been fortunate enough to dedicate our lives to this incredible sport. We've been honored to teach over 500 students and look forward to training 500 more!

  • Started flying in 2012
  • Started teaching in 2014
  • Went full-time in 2018
  • Over 500 students and counting
  • 101 students in 2023
  • USPPA certified


What You'll Learn During The Training:

  • FAA rules & regulations (FAR 103)
  • Understanding of airspace
  • Weather & forecasting
  • Risk management
  • Detailed engine maintenance 
  • Extensive ground handling (kiting)
  • Forward & Reverse launching techniques
  • Simulator practice
  • Power taxi 
  • Solo flights
  • In-flight emergency practice
  • Understanding of reserve parachutes
  • And more


How Training At Backcountry PPG Works:

Our 10-day training program is designed to take you from zero to hero in the smoothest and safest way possible. This training course is catered to people who know little to nothing about paramotoring. Our mission during these 10 glorious days is to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to begin safely flying on your own, the day you leave training. We take a very detailed step-by-step, building block approach to our training course. Each step is clearly laid out in advance and we work together to build each and every skill on top of the previous one. This building block approach helps introduce each new step before you begin flying. This means that by the time you start flying, the only new thing is that your feet are leaving the ground.

  • Step-by-step building block approach
  • A clearly laid out pathway to help guide you from step 1-100
  • Videos and photos to help solidify what you learn on the field
  • All individual instruction (learn at your own pace)
  • Extensive hands-on instruction
  • Several instructors are there to help the entire time



Our Unique Building Block Approach:

One of the things that sets us apart is our unique building block approach to paramotor training. Over the last decade of teaching paramotoring, we've learned what really makes a difference in our student's progression. During our class, we do what truly makes a difference in helping our students be more skilled and knowledgeable paramotor pilots. This smooth process ensures that students leave training equipped with all the skills and knowledge they need when they leave class. We're not just "winging it," our team has a written guideline to ensure that no steps are skipped, no skills are forgotten, and students leave ready to soar through the sky.


Visually Focused Ground School:

Ground school is equally as important as hands-on instruction because it's what provides our students with the information they will use to make life-or-death decisions while flying. We've spent years working on our ground school to ensure students learn the information and most importantly retain that information when they need it most. Our ground school is very visually focused, meaning, we prioritize having photos and videos to support the ideas we are discussing. We've learned that this helps students retain the information presented far better than memorizing or sitting through long power points. Our in-person ground school is followed up with a 60+ page ground school book that is provided for every student who takes the class. This book is there for students to continue to reference and drill home the information they learned.

Here are some of the topics we will discuss during the ground school:

  • Weather - understanding what we are looking for and how to find it
  • FAR 103 - the rules we are required to per the FAA
  • Airspace - how to understand sectional maps & where we're allowed to be
  • Risk management - understanding of major risk points & how to avoid them
  • Reserves - How to use them & when to use them
  • And more

  


Firm Cutoffs:

Another main focus of our ground school that has made a huge difference for our students, is our very firm cutoffs for them to follow. When a student goes to make a choice while flying in the real world, they will lean into the information that their instructors have provided them to make that decision. It is important for instructors to draw very clear "lines in the sand" as to what is ok and not ok so there are no grey areas. In aviation, grey areas are where pilots make mistakes and can get hurt. We understand this and have worked hard to "draw those lines in the sand" for our students so they are never left guessing or wondering whether they're making a good choice or a bad choice. We take this very seriously because we know it can make a life-or-death difference for our students.


Extensive Kiting/Ground Handling:

Kiting, also referred to as ground handling is the single most important foundational skill of flying paragliders and paramotors. In the most basic sense, kiting is your ability to keep control of the glider no matter what the wing or wind is doing. This skill set is far more important than most people think, which is why we dedicate extensive amounts of time and energy to helping build your kiting skills. This skill set is often overlooked in paramotoring and seen as simply a means to the end. However, that is far from the truth. Over the last decade, we've learned that the better you are at controlling your glider on the ground, the easier flying will be and the safer flying will be.



Life Time Help, Guaranteed:

Our commitment to our students doesn't end on day 10. Our team of instructors is dedicated to continuing to instruct in person, over the phone, or via text until the end of time. Our instructors are to this day still helping students from nearly 10 years ago anytime they have questions. Once we're your instructor, we're always your instructor.


Radical Independence:

One of the biggest priorities of our training school is to ensure our students are independent paramotor pilots. It's our goal that by the end of the class, you don't need our help with hooking in, laying your wing out, starting your motor, launching, landing, and flying. We work hard to instill independence and confidence into our students starting on day 1.



Commitment to safety:

Our commitment to safety is above anything else, including money. Our job as instructors is to make sure that you have a safe learning environment. During this class, you will be relying on our team to make decisions on things that can put your life in danger. We take this very seriously and we refuse to ever put you in situations you shouldn't be, even if that means you never fly during the class. If we don't think it's safe for you to be in the sky, we will not do it, no matter what.


How To Sign Up:

To officially register for our training program, add the class of your choice to the cart, proceed to checkout, and complete the checkout. Upon checking out you'll receive a personal email from our head instructor, Trevor, outlining the class in more detail. This will include things like what to bring to the training, where exactly it will be, and the exact times of when it starts. 



Training Starts The Day You Sign Up:

Upon signing up, you will receive a few things that will help kickstart your paramotor training. This includes our 103-page ground school book. We encourage our students to read through and learn from our ground school book before coming to training. This isn't a requirement, but an enhancement of your training if you choose to do so. These lessons will help give you a basic understanding of paramotoring which will be helpful when you arrive at the class.


Package Deals:

Introducing our new Adventure Paramotor Package. This package includes everything you will need for all your paramotor adventures. This package includes our 10-day beginner training program, the top-of-the-line MacFly paramotor, the Ozone Spyder 3 wing, and a slew of additional accessories. This package is everything a new paramotor pilot will need to begin their flying adventures.

Learn more here -> Adventure Paramotor Package


Here's What Our Students Have To Say:


Commonly Asked Questions:

 

What Is A Paramotor?

Paramotors are small unlicenced aircraft that can be flown in locations as small as a local soccer or football field. They are capable of flying up to 18,000 feet and can be packed down small enough to fit into a Prius! Yes, you don't even need a truck! These small but mighty aircraft can carry far more weight than you might think, and we regularly have 300+ pound pilots attending our training program with great success! 


How Safe Are Paramotors?

Although there are no official statistics, we've seen that paramotoring can be one of the safest forms of aviation out there. Safety is primarily determined by the pilot's judgment and ability to make smart choices with their flying. This goes for choosing good weather to fly in, choosing a safe way to fly, and overall making safe decisions. We are huge safety advocates because although we've dedicated our entire lives to this, we don't want to get hurt and we definitely don't want others to get hurt. One thing we preach about more than anything else is safety management and we work hand in hand with our students to help them learn about the potential risks they may face and how to safely navigate those. When done correctly, paramotoring is one of the safest and most fun forms of aviation there is!


Are Paramotors Only For Adrenaline Junkies?

Although it might seem like flying paramotors is a fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping sport, it's not. The majority of paramotor pilots are just out to take in the jaw-dropping views and enjoy the freedom of PPG.


Am I Too Old To Fly Paramotors?

Flying paramotors is not just for the young buck. The average paramotor pilot is in their 50's, and 60's. 


Learn more about our training program by watching the following videos:

  







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