Paramotor Rally 2005

      

                                                                                                                        This year's participants.

Paramotoring, or powered paragliding as it is some times called, is an exciting sport with benefits of being the cheapest form of powered aircraft, providing unbeatable economy and practicality. The motors, ranging from 100 to 200 cc rating, will provide up to 7 hrs of flying. They require a very small area for take off and landing and can be easily transported in the back of your car. Other benefits are that you can turn your engine off, thermal or use the ridge lift as in a non powered paraglider then restart with a push of a button if you wish. Flying with the motor is ideal on those calm days when you want to have a sustained flight, even travelling 100’s of km’s exploring the countryside while non powered aircraft struggle just to stay up.

On a further note, I would like to tell you about an adventure that I was involved with.

On the Feb 22nd, New Zealand hosted a rally that’s never been seen before in this country. 35 motor heads from around the world including South Africa, USA, Germany, Romania, France, Israel, England, Thailand, arrived in Christchurch (CHCH) with 16 days to explore the South Island by air.

Starting and finishing in CHCH, the rally’s aim was to provide a fun competition as well as the opportunity to fly the best sites in South Island. The enormity of holding a competition with very little help was impossible and it was decided after discussing with senior pilots that people were here to fly, see the country and have fun doing it.

The first few days were a bit mudly and stressful with one pilot and another pilot’s gear not turning up. A non-English speaking pilot was somewhere in Auckland, while his personal instructor / translator / flying buddy had arrived in CHCH. Within 48 hrs all participants and equipment were accounted for. - Thank God.

On the first day the convoy of adventurers, that included 5 vehicles with large double axle trailers, choker full of man, machine, and plenty of spares, set out for the Rangiroa Airstrip, 25km outside Christchurch. That day was a real eye opener with the group showing a wide range of skills or perhaps a lack of, for some. Within the group we had some of the worlds best, mixed with pilots with limited experience and abilities.

That fist day we finished with 4 motors out of action due to prop or wing damage. Thoughts were going through my head with the high attrition rate – is there going to be anyone flying at the end of the rally? But paramotorists proved they are a resourceful lot with all pilots being operational again within 24hrs. These guys brought spares for their spares, I kid you not. I swear some one bought enough props for 6 motors. I couldn’t believe one guy even managed to find an alloy wielder in Christchurch on a Sunday. Most Christchurch folk are either recovering from the night before, at church