Local Flying
General guide line for Central Oregon Flying:
*Please contact RyzeParamotor if you are visiting and considering flying in the area, Thank you!*
Below is an interactive MAP link for local and visiting Pilots:
The map contains a handful of places that we fly at frequently, as well as a few places that we should avoid. Some places are a lot friendlier than others (multiple launch directions, outs, access, etc).
GREEN LZ : Are the best options for beginner Level and above
YELLOW LZ : Are for Intermediate to Advance Pilots due to small LZ and or surrounding hostile terrain
PURPLE LZ : Are AIRPORTS for Intermediate to Advance Pilots due to busy air traffic and surrounding terrain
If you’ve found a nice launch not listed on the map above, please send us the coordinates and a description and we’ll add it!
CENTRAL OREGON PPG
Important Links:
Central Oregon visiting pilots have increased quite a bit in the past few years. Now that there are a handful of local pilots, we’ve compiled this document to share with the community on a few things to keep in mind, places we fly, avoid, airspace, etc. If you’re coming to fly in Central Oregon, please check the most recent version of this document, as well as the google map link below that contains a list of detailed launches. Please join our Facebook group and let us know when you’ll be in town! If we’ve missed anything, or if you have any other questions, please post in the Facebook group.
Considerations:
– Contact RyzeParamotor if you are visiting and considering flying in the area
– Please be respectful to locals, landowners, police officers, etc. If you run into any issues, please let us know in the Facebook group.
– Keep “launching and leaving” in mind (getting out of the area you launched from) to minimize noise/attention.
– Check your airspace before flying: Bend SkyVector
– Do not fly under 2000 feet over Wilderness Area
– Please be courteous and respectful flying close to towns.
Weather:
Weather can be tricky here. It’s the high desert, with an average LZ altitude around 3500’, some of the LZs are over 5,000’. Density altitude is a thing (you can read more about density altitude here). Please keep in mind that smaller engines will not perform as they do on the coast here (especially when you factor in density altitude).
Dust devils are also an issue; they start to kick off early morning in the warmer months.
Here is a list of the common question you can have about Training or paramotor in general:
FAQ & Local Flying
Like other adventure sports, it’s as safe or dangerous as you make it. When best practices in flight and training are followed, Powered Paragliding has an excellent safety record. It is, of course, crucial to get quality instruction from a certified professional who insists on safe equipment.
Fortunately, you are flying a glider…so you just glide down and land. During training, all of your landings are done with the motor off, so you will be used to coming down and landing without your motor. As long as you fly within gliding range of a safe landing spot, engine failures are nothing more than an inconvenience.
Yes and No. There are two forms of Paramotor flying: foot launch and wheel launch. Foot launch is where you use your feet as the landing gear to run and takeoff and also to land. You must be able to run with the weight of your motor on your back until you takeoff. Paramotors generally weigh between 45 – 80 lbs depending on the brand and size.
Wheeled launch is where you use wheels, like on a trike or quad. This is a great alternative to foot launch depending on your age and physical abilities. Wheeled launch units can weigh much more but since you’re using wheels, it doesn’t matter as much.
We only train foot launch pilots since we only sell foot launch gear.
No license is required. Paragliding is a self-regulated sport, so you are not required by law to be a certified pilot. It is much like how getting certified as a Diver is not required but solid training sure is. At least for those who want to drive twice. Likewise, getting good paramotor training is just as essential. Besides personal safety, it will help you avoid blundering into restricted airspace or other unsavory acts.
The USA regards Motorized Paragliders, powered paragliders, or Paramotors as Ultralight Aircraft which are governed by FAR Part 103.
It it is a voluntary rating system administered by the USPPA. They help you understand your own skill level to help inform your choices on gear, conditions and locations to fly. Ratings may be required for insurance, to attend some events, or to fly in some locales. They are required for tandem instruction. Ratings are:
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PPG1: Beginner Pilot – Student has flown at least two solo flights. He stays under direct instructor supervision and instructor radio contact.
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PPG2: Novice Pilot – Student is now considered a full-fledged pilot and can fly solo at nearly 90% of our flying sites nationally. It requires basic flying skills but, just as important, knowledge that allows venturing off to fly on his own.
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PPG3: Advanced Pilot – Pilot has demonstrated significant skills and logged required hours. At this point you are considered a competent pilot and can fly almost every site safely.
Yes and No. Your instructor will cover everything you need to fly and should answer all your questions. But there is so much information that we suggest you read up on using appropriate training materials and following some of the links on this site. Make sure your instructor uses the USPPA syllabus.
Almost anywhere…avoid congested areas, busier airports (don’t fly within 5 miles of an airport with a control tower), and you can’t takeoff/land in national parks and some state parks. You will learn all the details in ground school. There are many Facebook groups of local pilots who can indicate where the best local launch sites are and where to fly locally. Be courteous to neighbors and landowners to minimize complaints.
We generally fly in the morning and the evening when conditions are calm. Experienced pilots can fly in stronger conditions. Weather and wind limitations also depend on where you are. Coastal winds coming off the water are smooth and stable while winds in the mountains or over land may be turbulent and unpleasant to fly in. You will learn about weather and wind conditions in ground school.
A truck is convenient but certainly not necessary. Many people transport their Paramotor using a cargo trailer hitch as pictured below. Others use a trailer.
