Paramotoring is among the fast-growing air sports. It combines the easy flying feature of paragliding with the range of a powered engine.
Moreover, it’s easy to launch a paramotor. You don’t need a designated airfield. You can take-off from any open area that doesn’t have trees, people, or animals. But what about the price?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how much a paramotor costs. In addition to the general expenses behind paramotoring. Let’s go!
The Quick Answer
If you want a quick answer to quickly make up your mind, then paramotoring can cost you between $13,000 and $14,000.
Want to know how this adds up? Carry on.
The Training
Though it isn’t the most expensive item, I think it’s the first one you should consider. Otherwise, you may spend a lot on the equipment then realize you’re not that interested in paramotoring.
Training for paramotoring is essential. I know that people like Tucker Gott make it look easy. But it’s an extreme sport that has a wide range of risks.
Of course, training courses will vary in their fees. But they should range from $2,000 to $3,000.
Since a training course isn’t cheap, you should choose it carefully. Don’t just go for the first course you find. Search for a reputable organization that has multiple positive reviews.
Why is that important? Because you don’t need a license to fly a paramotor or open a school in most countries. Hence, you could be giving your hard-earned money to an amateur who may know less than you!
Another important thing to bear in mind is the training system. Some schools offer a certain number of training days for your money. For example, 14 days for $2,500. After this period, you’re on your own. If you can’t fly you’ll have to repay.
Other schools charge a fixed amount regardless of how many days it takes for you to learn. You complete the program when you’re ready to fly on your own.
The Paramotor
As you probably expect, this is the most expensive item. The price of a new paramotor ranges between $5,000 and $10,000. As you go higher, you’ll be purchasing a paramotor with a powerful thrust and more weight capability.
Second-hand paramotors are quite common, and their prices go from $3,000 to $4,000. However, they aren’t always trustworthy.
Before buying one, it’s a good idea to consult professionals. Online communities or local clubs are great places to meet them.
The Wing
As you probably know, a paramotor requires a wing to steer it. And that’s why we take our time before picking one. Here are some of the main points we consider before making a purchase.
Price
A new wing ranges between $2,500 and $4,000. It’s best to buy from reputable high-quality brands like Gin Gliders, Niviuk, Ozone. This way, you’ll be reassured about the used fabric quality and durability.
Second-hand wings
They can go from $1,200 to $2,000. But I strongly advise against them. A wing, in contrast to a paramotor, has a lifespan.
The Lifespan
Typically, it ranges around 400 flying hours. Using a wing after this period is tremendously risky. You never know when it’s going to fail.
But this is not the only problem. The lifetime can decrease according to factors like the amount of sun exposure, moisture percentage, mechanical stress, etc. Therefore, it’s hard to get a definitive assessment of the condition of used or refurbished wings.
The Accessories
Congrats! By now you’ve got the essentials you’ll need to paramotor. But for an optimal experience, you should consider purchasing the following accessories.
Kiting Harness
This is a must-have accessory to properly control your wing and ground handling. It’s extremely important to master using your harness. Some coaches may even advise you to practice kiting before paramotoring.
A harness can cost between $100 and $150. The higher you go, the more comfortable and secure it gets.
A Helmet
Using a helmet is essential during paramotoring. Otherwise, the pilot can simply get dragged by the wind and crash into whatever comes in front of him.
A plain helmet that’s meant for protection only costs around $50. It’s best to add standalone ear muffs at around $15 to protect your ears.
Are you paramotoring with others? Then you might need a helmet with a headset. This usually costs around $50.
A Flight Suit
Although you can fly in any clothes of your choice, an approximately $50 flight suit is the most comfortable and handy option.
For winter paramotoring, it’ll be a good idea to purchase a balaclava to keep your face warm. It should cost around $15.
Gloves
If you intend to paramotor for less than 15 minutes at a time, then the regular ski gloves at around $20 should suffice.
However, remaining for longer periods up there necessitates specialized heated gloves. At nearly $120 per pair, they’re quite expensive, I know.
But I think that flying for approximately 2 hours without having to worry about frostbites is worth this amount.
An Altimeter
As you probably know, you’re required by the U.S. law to maintain 500 feet above any person, vehicle, vessel, or structure.
Guesswork won’t be of use here. That’s why I think it’s important to buy an altimeter. Analog designs range around $80 while digital ones fall to nearly $40.
Running Costs
Aside from the one-time purchases we discussed, there are annual costs that you need to consider. Fuel, oil, transportation, and regular maintenance are among these expenses.
Of course, the exact value will vary between you and me. It mainly depends on how often you fly. But as a general estimate, you should allocate between $400 and $800.
To Wrap Up
To recap, paramotoring cost around $9,000 for the basic equipment: the paramotor and the wing. Before these, I strongly recommend enrolling in a course to decide whether you’ll actually carry on. The training will cost you around $2,000.
Accessories are crucial for a proper paramotor experience. The most notable ones are the helmet, the gloves, and the kite harness. If you purchase all the recommended items on the list, you’ll spend around $400.
Don’t forget about the annual running costs. They considerably vary but they should be around $600.
I hope this article answered your question. Now go on and fly!