Choosing engine size.
It is import for your safety and enjoyment of powered paragliding to choose a motor that has just the right amount of power for you. Your weight is the primary determining factor, but there are other considerations including the altitude of your launch site and your physical abilities.

Weight ranges are the starting point
Manufacturers reccommended weight ranges are not accurate. Here is our weight range guideline based on our experience with the some of the leading engines. Remember that altitude and physical abilitites play a role and must be considered. As you can see, the ranges are wide. Before making your final decision, check with us so we can review your specific situation.

Horse Power - not always accurate
The HP Power quotes are from manufacturers are not alway accurate for many reasons. It is best to ignor HP altogether. Just look at the size of the engine and the weight range.

Accounting for altitude
If you live at higher elevations, estimate your power required is as follows: Add 5 lbs for every 1,000 feet. For example, if you live in Denver, about 5,000 feet MSL, and you weigh 180 lbs, assume a pilot weight of 205 lbs.

What if power is insufficient?
If your motor has insufficient power, your takeoff run will be longer, increasing your chances of tripping and falling. You’ll also need a bigger launch site. And if you do get airborne, you may not have adequate climb power to safely avoid obstacles.

What if there is too much power?
Although more thrust can make launching easier, powerful motors are heavier, making ground handling more challenging. Bigger motors also use more fuel so your cross country range will be less, and the amount of fuel you'll need will increase, which further increases ground handling loads. If you launch on wheels, weight is not an issue.

Riser Twist
Flying a motor that is too powerful for you also puts you at risk of something called riser twist. As the prop turns, the drag on the prop makes the motor try to twist around a verticle axis. To more power you apply and the quicker you apply it, the more the paramotor will try to twist.

All paramotors are subject to the torque effect to some degree. Most can be adjusted so that it is hardly noticed. The key is avoid flying a motor that is too big for you. For example, if you are a light pilot around 150 pounds, flying a powerful 313 cc engine, you would have to apply power very gently in order to avoid twist. This motor would at best be pain in the neck to fly, and at worst, you could find yourself spinning around backwards with your thrust pointing the wrong way, a bad situation.

Power enough for Tandems
Some pilots start powered paragliding with the idea that they will eventually want to fly tandem. These new pilots may want an engine that is too big for them to fly solo, but will be perfect for tandem operations in the future. Depending on the pilot weight, it may be possible to have a motor that you can fly solo or tandem. This happens when the pilot is at the bottom of the weight range for the motor or moves up one level in power. However, it not always appropriate or safe to do this.

Call us. We help people with these decisions every day.