Best training available! So I am now 10 days into my Aviator training, I’m 56 years old, in ok shape, and have 12 flights under my belt (not including tows). As our instructors say, “you get out of this training what you put into it.” Well, I have gotten a heck of a lot out of it!

You are probably reading this because you’re thinking about getting into this life-changing sport. Please learn from my experiences, if you are thinking about flying a paramotor, get lessons where they teach you to FLY A PARAMOTOR…and when NOT too! Aviator PPG.

I flew all the way across the continent and then some (Victoria, BC Canada) to train with Aviator. My training saga began 2 years ago with a local school, he took a sum of money and had me ground train (kiting) for 5 days. Aviator had us (and my fellow newbie students) kiting in 2 days, towing into the air, and landing on the third day with 7 of us foot launching into the air on the 4th day!

Another student who is 76 years old gave it a valiant effort but was not quite up to the challenge. My first trainer in Canada had decided to retire before I could come back to finish my training but would not refund the balance of my tuition. The only way I could get my money back was to apply it toward the purchase of some heavy, old used gear. (Not cool). So, I went to another instructor who assessed my kiting ability and an hour later put me on a trike and said “you’re ready to fly.” I got 1 flight with ZERO trike training and landed hard and broke my prop on my old heavy gear. (Not cool) Fast forward another 18 months, I go to another school in Arizona, we practice some kiting and he say’s “you’re ready to fly!” I attempt to foot launch in increasingly thermal conditions and I choose to abort my attempt and now realize, I never should have been put into that situation. (Again, Not cool)I received an email from Aviator about cancellation and I jumped at it.

With Aviator, I’ve learned to fly on their brand new state-of-the-art equipment, been taught about the weather, legal regulations, equipment maintenance including rebuilding a carb. Besides the GREAT VALUE of learning on new equipment BEFORE you buy, I am now part of a great network of fellow pilots. Prospective students, THIS IS AVIATION! Think about how long it took you to learn to drive a car confidently, 3 days, 5 days 2 weeks?

You cannot shortcut the process and expect to be comfortable, let alone confident. Surely; in this day and age, we all understand that you get what you pay for. Do your own research, make up your own mind but in my opinion, I made 3 mistakes, and thank God I didn’t get in the air with those other guys because if I had, I never would have ended up at Aviator and received the quality training I have. I applaud Eric and his team for their ethical business practices, comprehensive training content, and teamwork. Special thanks to Mike Brown who coached me into the air on my first flight. Thank you to AJ, Fletch, Ross, and Chris for your tag team training and facilitating, Alley & Kat for helping me with my gear selection, Dan for your awesome photography. Last but certainly not least, former students and now volunteers, Woody and Dave for your invaluable class assistance.

See you in the air, John aka “Jumpsuit”