2 Meters … The New CB Band Of Interference? The 2 Meter band is quickly becoming overrun with unlicensed operators who use it for communicating in their sport – Paramotoring or PPC (Power Parachuting). This “new” sport is rapidly gaining momentum nationwide. The sport involves a small gasoline engine w/propeller mounted on the pilots back by way of a harness setup and a seat, which is attached to a paragliding wing (parachute) that is rectangular in shape. The sport is unregulated under the Part 103 FAA rules, which allows anyone to fly without a license. The problem lies therein … just like CB radio operations, the PPC sport is attracting a large number of undesirables who do not respect the rules and guidelines of the sport, endangering others as well as themselves in the process. This segment of the sport also does not respect the FCC or licensed amateur radio operators as evidenced by their use of 2 meter handhelds for communications – without benefit of having first obtained an FCC issued licensed. They are aware of the requirement but just like CB’ers knowing it is illegal to use a linear amplifier, they simply don’t care. Amateur radio is a self-policing hobby. We need to protect our VHF / UHF frequencies. Their View I’ve conversed with a number of PPC’ers regarding this violation of the law. Responses received include: - “I’m not interfering with anyone. What difference does it make?” - “Well … would the FCC rather I flew without communications and got hurt or hurt someone else? Using 2 meters makes it safer for me to fly.” - “The FCC gives a warning first. I’ll get my license after I’ve been warned.” - “It’ll be a cold day before I get a license.” - “That’s an abuse of their (FCC) power. They can’t stop me. Fine me $10,000 for talking without a license. Who the hell do they think they are? Someone should put a stop to that.” Become Aware of Commonly Used Terms & Phrases The PPC Sport has common phrases recognized by members. These are some of the phrases you may hear on 2 meters unlicensed PPC transmissions and will assist you in understanding who is QRMing the band: Riser : These are the chords running from the motor frame on the pilot’s back running up to the chute (wing). Wing : The rectangular parachute is referred to as a wing. It has all the characteristics of an airplane wing and functions in the same manner providing lift while being propelled through the air. Cage : The metal frame around the motor that protects the pilot from accidentally making contact with the propeller during operation. Kiting : The process of practicing, on the ground without the motor/propeller, inflating the wing from a stationary position on the ground to a location above the pilots head. Packing the Wing : When not in use, the wing is normally stored in a solid nylon bag. Trimmer/s : Additional risers (chords) running from the motor frame on the pilot’s back up to the chute (wing). The trimmers perform a function of “fine tuning” the performance of the wing (changing the angle of attack so it can cut through the air faster; altering the performance of the wing to make the flight safer; etc.) Brake / Braking : These are the risers that are attached to the end of the wing. Pulling down on these, both sides at once, causes the wing to slow its performance in essence braking as you would a vehicle. Pulling the right brake cause the wing and pilot to turn to the right while flying … pulling down on the left brake does the opposite. Thermaling : The same process utilized by manned gliders. The PPC pilot can locate a rising thermal, fly over the rising heat and cause the wing to rise with the thermal. Speedbar : A bar below the pilot’s seat attached to the trimmers. The pilot place both feet on this bar, kind of like stepping onto a ladder rung, and stretches his legs out in front of him. The speedbar adjusts the trimmers connected to the wing, altering the wing configuration so it will obtain a better “cut” into the air and cause the pilot to fly faster. This same process can be done with the hands pulling on the appropriate risers but using the speedbar is easier because the legs are stronger and can hold the pressure for a longer time period. Reserve or Reserve Chute : An extra parachute to be deployed should the main/primary wing collapse or become entangled in the risers. Flare or Flaring : The act of pulling both brakes immediately prior to making contact with the earth when landing. It makes the wing act more like a parachute than a wing, safely lowering the pilot onto the ground. Trike or Quad : A go cart looking vehicle that is attached to a wing and has a motor on the rear for propulsion. Trike has three wheels and the quad has four wheels. Able to carry one or two individuals. SAT or SATS : Acrobatics performed with a PPC. Foot Drag : Flying close to the ground, maintaining speed and dragging one foot on the ground, then gaining altitude again. Also done on smooth surfaced water. Where Do They Fly? Everywhere! And growing …. Training Sites Near You Here is a list of training sites (not all inclusive) in the US where the use of 2 meter radio may possibly be heard. These are only training sites (and there are many more notlisted) ... PPC is done everywhere ! ALASKA Phone:910.660.6867 URL: airxppg.com Email:info@AirXPPG.com AK Paramotor 1400 Regine Ave. Wasilla, AK 99654 USA ALABAMA Mobile: (970) 222-9109 URL: http://www.copoweredparagliding.com Email:flycoppg@gmail.com Deep South PPG 2539 John Hawkins Parkway Suite 101-133 Birmingham, AL 35244 USA Email:Ride@TrumanLakeAirSports.com Glider Gear, LLC 2539 John Hawkins Parkway Suite 101-133 Birmingham, AL 35244 USA Mobile: 7134941970 URL: http://www.ufly2.com Email:info@txflysports.com UFO Paramotors 1177 North Ridge Dr Jasper, AL 32703 USA ARKANSAS Phone: 303-589-4222 Email:mbppg@comcast.net River Valley PPG 3532 Glen Flora Way Fort Smith, AR 72908 USA ARIZONA Phone: 3052565650 URL: http://www.aerolight.com Email:info@aerolight.com 33461 West Trading Post Road Maricopa, AZ 85138 USA URL: www.paradise-ppg.com Emailaradiseppg@yahoo.com 3145 E Bremen St Phoenix, AZ 85032 USA URL: http://www.PAppg.com Email:kmckel@comcast.net PHXPPG Group 3145 E Bremen St. Phoenix, AZ 85032 USA CALIFORNIA Phone: 3615100303 URL: http://www.skymaxparamotorsusa.com Email:josh@skymaxparamotorsusa.com 585 Anderson Road Alpine, CA 91901 USA Phone:904-570-8416 URL: http://www.ExperiencePPG.com Email:ExperiencePPG@gmail.com Feather Light Flight 939 Longbranch Avenue 4 Grover Beach, CA 93433 USA http://www.wisconsinpoweredparaglider.com Email:info@wisconsinpoweredparaglider.com Worldwide Aviation Academy Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 USA Mobile: 210-355-6397 Email:mmcguirk@lcisp.com Master Powered Paragliding 8662 Villa La Jolla Drive Unit 4 San Diego, CA 92037 USA Phone: 527262620934 URL: www.alas.com.mx Email:alas@alas.com.mx American Paragliding PO Box 3588 Santa Barbara, CA 93130 USA Phone: (307) 899-0385 URL: http://www.blackdiamondaircraft.com Email:doncmn@gmail.com Blackhawk Paramotor 8591 Hogan Dam Rd Valley Springs, CA 95252 United States Phone: 7757508655 URL: www.uprisingparagliding.com Email:Fred@uprisingparagliding.com West Coast Paragliding 15911 Villanova Circle Westminster, CA 92683 USA COLORADO URL: http://www.phxppg.com Email:info@paradrenalin.com Pikes Peak Powered Paragliding Club Meadow Lake Airport Colorado Springs, CO 80903 USA Email:ifly3dd@yahoo.com Lawn Chair Aviation 7202 S Yarrow Ct. Littleton, CO 80128 USA Phone: 773-295-2131 Emailowerglider@gmail.com Red Kite Enterprises 5541 S Jericho Way Centennial, CO 80015 USA Mobile: (787) 717-2384 URL: http://www.paramotorpr.com Email:luisboost@yahoo.com Colorado Powered Paragliding 37350 Lee Lake Ave. Windsor, CO 80550 USA FLORIDA URL: Www.paramotorkits.com Email:Info@paramotorkits.com Paratour 6525 Indian River Blvd Grant, FL 32949 USA URL: http://www.ParamotorEsMexico.com Email:info@paramotoresmexico.com Paramotor kits PO Box 900155 Homestead, FL 33090 USA URL: http://austinparamotor.com Email:Bryan@austinparamotor.com Aviator PPG 451 South Airport RD Lake Wales, FL 33853 USA URL: http://www.WestCoastParagliding.com Email:mmasterson9@gmail.com Wings Over Paradise 600 East 26th St. Lynn Haven, FL 32444 USA Phone:9157262698 URL: http://www.southwestairsports.com Email:info@southwestairsports.com Space Coast Pelicans PPG 345 Woody Circle MELBOURNE BEACH, FL 32951-3524 Aerolight, LLC. (more) 15160 SW 136th Street Unit #3 Miami, FL 33196 USA Mobile: 319-795-4278 URL: Http://www.ParamotorFlyers.com EmailaramotorFlyers@gmail.com PARAMOTOR INSTRUCTOR 14930 SW 152 Terrace Miami, FL 33187 USA Mobile: 405-740-9351 URL: http://epicppg.com Email:aaron@epicppg.com Experience Powered Paragliding 1594 Ibis Dr. Orange Park, FL 32065 USA www.Poweredparaglidingcolorado.blogspot.com Email:Onofriojoe@gmail.com Palm Bay PPG Flight School 660 Windy Cove St. SW Palm Bay, FL 32908 USA Phone: 321-482-2939 URL: http://www.ppg-flt-trng.com Email:dj@ppg-flt-trng.com Paradise PPG Palm Coast, FL USA URL: http://www.americanparagliding.com Email:info@americanparagliding.com America's Freedom Flight Center 6829 Thomas Dr. Suite 408 Panama City Beach, FL USA Phone: 973-729-1231 URL: http://www.iflyppg.com Email:rick.schlueter7@gmail.com iFlyPPG 8739 Spider Lily Way Pensacola, FL 32526 USA URL: Http://m.facebook.com/FlyMiPPG/ Email:jfoxmatt71@gmail.com Get High With Us - Powered Paragliding 401 Nw 39th St. Pompano Beach, FL 33064 USA Phone: ,4126678362 URL: http://www.pittsburghparagliding.com Emailittsburghparagliding@gmail.com PlanetPPG 3485 Conm Port Charlotte, FL 33948 USA Mobile: 580-380-0974 URL: http://www.okflyers.com Emailkflyer@live.com Onofrio Powered Paragliding 142 Maria Ct. Punta Gorda, FL 33950 USA URL: http://www.schoolofpersonalflight.com Email:dave@schoolofpersonalflight.com Sky Paramotoring Valrico, FL 33594 USA Phone: 801-576-6460 URL: http://www.paragliders.com Email:info@paragliders.com CloudBasePPG 8906 23rd St. Zephyrhills, FL 33540 USA GEORGIA Phone:,209 481 0493 URL: http://www.blackhawkparamotor.com Email:team@blackhawkparamotor.com Blue Sky Air Sports 97 Bagley Rd. Newnan , GA USA Phone: ,,,813-438-2262 Email:skyparamotoring@gmail.com Skyfield Flightworks LLC 11 Hartland Court Savannah, GA 31407 USA IOWA Mobile: 540-270-8855 URL: PoweredParaglidingUSA.net Emailnegooddoc@starpower.net PowerGlider - UCANFLY2 23404 - 120th Ave. Mediapolis, IA 52637 USA IDAHO Phone: 240-367-0306 URL: http://www.sluggersppg.com Email:jamescob@jamescob.com Southern Idaho Paramotor 10 Mar Vista Dr. Pocatello, ID 83204 USA ILLINOIS Phone: ,503-861-2772 URL: http://www.DiscoverParagliding.com Email:Info@DiscoverParagliding.com Discover Powered Paragliding, Adventure USA 7707 Ewbanks Rd. Fowler, IL 62338 USA Mobile: 402-871-7471 http://www.midlandssportsparagliders.com Email:jdrexroad@yahoo.com Midwest Parajet 2136 Holt Rd. Minooka, IL USA Phone: 602-540-9929 URL: http://www.paradrenalin.com Email:info@paradrenalin.com Paragliding Unlimited, Inc. 2661 N Illinois #179 Swansea, IL 62226 USA INDIANA Phone: 1-815-378-8992 URL: Midwestparajet.com Email:Info@midwestparajet.com Midwest Powered Paragliding Inc 3628 E Fall Creek Pkwy N Dr. Indianapolis, IN 46205 USA KANSAS Phone: 4135358696 URL: http://www.featherlightflight.com Flint Hills PPG 7560 Quinter Drive Neodesha , KS USA LOUISIANA URL: LoneStarParamotor.com Email:Ron@LoneStarParamotor.com Louisiana Paragliding 515 Forest Ave. Shreveport, LA 71104 USA MARYLAND Phone: 6198186105 URL: http://www.skytoy.com Email:info@skytoy.com Sluggers PPG 530 Logan St. Frederick, MD 21701 USA MAINE Phone: ,,479.648.5512 URL: http://www.rvppg.com Email:ezn72sh@yahoo.com School of Personal Flight Arundel, ME 04046 USA MICHIGAN Phone: ,610-430-1686 URL: http://www.FlyLikeThis.com Email:info@FlyLikeThis.com FlyMiPPG 7401 Forest Hill Rd. St. John's, MI 48879 USA URL: http://www.supair-usa.com/ Email:info@supair-usa.com Great Lakes Para Sports 16345 Croswell St. West Olive, MI 49460 USA MINNESOTA Phone: 317 374 6665 URL: http://www.MidwestPPG.com Email:dave@midwestppg.com Minnesota Paramotor 2409 E.Golf Course Rd. Alexandria, MN 56308 USA Phone: ,(314) 662-2603 Mobile: (314) 662-2603 URL: www.ParaglidingUnlimited.com EmailaraglidingUnlimited@gmail.com Paramotor Central 9987 130th Ave. Little Falls, MN 56345 USA NEW MEXICO Phone: 208-360-0532 Email:solaeros@gmail.com Southwest Airsports, LLC 101 Apache Brass Cir Santa Teresa, NM 88008 USA MISSOURI Phone: 9548394347 Email:Notjusthotdogs@gmail.com Glider Sports/Truman Lake Air Sports 807 SE Hwy. 7 Clinton , MO 64735 USA MONTANA Phone: ,806-206-3660 URL: http://www.blueskyairsports.com Email:Taylor@blueskyairsports.com Bozeman Paragliding 1283 Crabapple DR Gallatin Bozeman, MT 59715 USA NEBRASKA URL: http://www.masterppg.com Email:fly@litetouchfilms.com Midlands Sports Paragliders LLC 612 W 29th Ave. Bellevue, NE 68005-5502 USA Phone: 8023800372 Mobile: 8023800372 URL: http://flymorningside.kittyhawk.com/ Email:flymorningside@gmail.com Nebraska Paramotor 2611 South 156th Circle Omaha, NE 68130 USA NEW HAMPSHIRE Phone: 8282615631 URL: http://www.mojosgear.com/mojo-s-flight-school Email:marco@mojosgear.com Morningside Flight Park 357 Morningside Lane Charlestown, NH 03603 USA NEW JERSEY Phone: ,832 292 5620 URL: http://www.houstonppg.com Email:Houstonpowerglide@gmail.com iFLY Powered Paragliding Academy, LLC 17 Bridle Way Wantage, NJ 07461 USA NORTH CAROLINA Mobile: 320 815 7580 URL: http://www.minnesotaparamotor.com/ Emailaul@minnesotaparamotor.com Mojo's Flight School 7430 Old Plank Rd. Charlotte, NC 28216 USA Phone: ,602-692-7995 URL: http://www.airparamo.com/ Email:info@airparamo.com AirX PPG PO Box 87246 Fayetteville, NC 28304 USA NEW YORK Phone: 2177796647 URL: http://www.flyppg.com Email:discoverppg@yahoo.com Empire PPG PO Box 533 Chenango Bridge, NY 13745 USA Phone: 205.426.4103 Mobile: 205.305.7097 URL: http://www.glidergear.com Email:info@glidergear.com GMI Paragliding - Powered Paragliding School 7 Helen Place Glen Cove, NY USA NEVADA Phone: ,863-221-0253 Mobile: 8632210253 URL: http://www.ufoparamotors.com/ Email:sales@ufoparamotors.com Uprising Paragliding 106 Alum Rock Ct. Reno, NV 89506 USA OHIO Phone: 402.968.1427 URL: Nebraskappg.com Email:Nebraskappg@gmail.com Northcoast Paragliding 29230 Ridge Road Wickliffe, OH 44092 USA OKLAHOMA Phone: 2625395435 URL: www.nippgi.com Email:mikeyppg@live.com Okflyers 379 Thunder Ridge Durant, OK 74701 USA Phone: ,,3203606349 URL: http://paramotorcentral.com/ Email:info@paramotorcentral.com Paramotor Flyers 620 West Georgia St. Durant, OK 74701 USA Phone: 850-238-7048 URL: www.freedomflightcenter.com Email:AmericasFreedomFlightCenter@gmail.com Apex PPG 100 N. Broadway Suite 100 Edmond, OK 73034 USA Phone: 315-882-7671 URL: http://www.empireppg.com Epic Powered Paragliding 19 N Broadway Edmond, OK 73034 USA Phone: ,,(608)354-7812 Mobile: 608.354.7812 URL: http://www.madcityparagliding.com Email:madcityparagliding@gmail.com MaGoo's Powered Paragliding 819 NW 48th St Lawton, OK 73505 USA OREGON URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DeepSouthPPG/ Email:deepsouthppg@yahoogroups.com Discover Paragliding PO Box 638 Warrenton, OR 97146 USA PENNSYLVANIA Phone: (719) 687-7850 Mobile: (719) 687-7850 http://www.poweredparaglidingcolorado.com Email:info@poweredparaglidingcolorado.com Pittsburgh Paragliding 1 Natrona St. Natrona Heights, PA 15065 USA Phone: 541-621-3417 URL: Http://www.pennellparamotor.com Email:Zack@pennellparamotor.com Pennsylvania Powered Paragliding Philadelphia Area, PA USA Phone: 620 288 4517 Email:captmike123@yahoo.com Flying Laundry LLC (more) West Chester, PA 19380 USA TEXAS URL: www.apexppg.com Email:training@apexppg.com Austin Paramotor 1005 Canyon Edge Dr. Austin, TX 78733 USA Phone: 720-327-6677 Email:lawnchairaviation@gmail.com Lone Star Paramotor 6811 Midwood Parkway Austin, TX 78736 USA Mobile: (352) 461-6723 URL: http://www.paratour.com Email:info@paratour.com Pennell Paramotor 5478 FM 2673 Canyon lake, TX 78133 USA Phone: 2392977570 URL: http://www.planetppg.com Emailaul@PlanetPPG.com Power2fly USA PPG School 13745 Cayo Cantiles Corpus Christi, TX 78418 USA Phone: 2815086485 URL: http://www.houstonkiteboarding.com Email:sales@houstonkiteboarding.com Houston Powered Paragliding 8760 Westheimer Rd. 103 Houston, TX 77063 USA Phone: ,(214) 683-1472 URL: www.TexasWindRiders.com Email:rangerteq@yahoo.com Tx Flysports (more) 957 Nasa Parkway #464 Houston, TX 77058 USA URL: http://flyhalo.com Email:Team@flyhalo.com Texas Wind Riders 8297 Chapel Lane Lavon, TX 75166 USA Mobile: 843-986-4713 URL: www.skyfieldflightworks.com Email:fly@skyfieldflightworks.com Skymax Paramotors USA 5654 CR 73 Robstown, TX 78380 USA URL: http://www.high5ppg.com/ Email:high5ppg@gmail.com Houston Kiteboarding 524 9th Ave. N Texas City, TX 77590 USA UTAH URL: www.bozemanparagliding.com Email:info@bozemanparagliding.com Cloud 9 Paragliding 12665 S. Minuteman Drive Suite 1 Draper, UT 84020 USA Email:captkirk495@gmail.com Super Fly Inc. 8683 Sandy Parkway Sandy, UT 84070 USA URL: http://www.superflyinc.com Email:chris@superflyinc.com Team Fly Halo 63 East 11400 South #216 Sandy, UT 84070 USA VIRGINIA Phone: 3614458905 URL: www.power2flyusa.com Email:kyle@power2flyusa.com Powered Paragliding USA 11385 Aristotle Dr. Apt. 214 Fairfax, VA 22030 USA WISCONSIN Mobile: 318-393-7544 Email:Jhudson199@yahoo.com Madcity Paragliding 2657 Richardson Street Fitchburg, WI 53711 USA Email:wingsoverparadise@gmail.com Wisconsin Powered Paraglider LLC 6594 Elmro Road Greenleaf, WI 54126 USA Email:michaeljenovic@yahoo.com Northern Illinois Powered Paragliding 517 N Lake Ave. - Ste. B Twin Lakes, WI 53181 USA URL: Groundrushairsports.com Emailaracade@gmail.com High Five Paramotoring 14860 County Hwy E Viola, WI 54664 USA WYOMING Phone: 8632729907 URL: http://www.AviatorPPG.com Email:eric@aviatorppg.com Black Diamond Aircraft LLC PO Box 64 Burlington, WY 82411 USA URL: www.greatlakesparasports.com Email:jay@greatlakesparasports.com Ground Rush Air Sports PO Box 364 Teton Village, WY 83025 USA
Notice that there's No training site for Ky. (We are smart enough to keep our feet on the ground) Ymmv
Why on Earth (or up in the air) would they prefer ham 2-meter to aviation band VHF (108 MHz to 130 MHz AM)? Most manufacturers offer av-band models of the same HTs they sell us. And GMRS gear is cheaper than either of those and would probably serve their purposes just as well.
I don't know what the attraction is. What I do know is that a percentage of the PPC participants get satisfaction from "pushing the envelope" in so many ways. Including flying where they are not allowed; flying before sunrise and after sunset beyond the leeway they are permitted; flying at altitudes higher than they are permitted; buzzing residential areas, farms, domestic and wild animals; flying along beaches and disturbing the beachgoers; dropping things from their units while flying; etc. etc. This percentage of individuals within the sport do not seem to have respect for a lot of things. Following / abiding by rules and regulations appears to be at the top of their list. I've always thought of that type personality as somewhat lacking in normal behaviors in so many ways. Having been in law enforcement for 20 years (no retired), those were the type personalities I constantly came in contact with.
Aviation handhelds start at around 200 dollars. That's significantly more than a Baofeng. Since aviation uses AM, not FM, it's not easy to modify common FM VHF radios to transmit there, and the market is fairly small, and mostly not so price-sensitive. I'd think it was worth 200 dollars to be able to keep tabs on airplanes flying near my airspace, but then again, I'm not the type to fly anything much smaller than a Cessna 150.
Whatever floats their boat. That is one reason for providing some commonly used phrases to make it easier to identify what the transmissions are all about.
Well at least it will be nice to have some activity on 2 meters again... Just kidding. I really don't understand this "anything goes" mentality, especially when it comes to flying. But I have noticed that people who are willing to break a few rules are often unconcerned with breaking all the rules.
There was a time when parachutists were pretty reckless with "anything goes" mentality, but there were forward thinking people in the sport who understood a need to clean up their act and form the US Parachute Association with Basic Safety Regulations and instructor/training requirements. Otherwise the FAA will come in with a lot more regulation and probably legislate the sport out of existence. fyi, FAA does have regulations on sport parachuting but these are mostly about protecting aircraft and subjects on the ground. Likewise there was a time when hang-gliders were pretty reckless with "anything goes" mentality, but there were thinking people in the sport who understood a need to clean up their act, like the USPA they formed the USHGA otherwise the government would legislate the sport out of existence.
In case K6MFW's example is not followed......Just use nerf rounds in Photo #2; Photo #1 speaks for itself.
stupid that they dont just use these radio's and avoid all the hassle. The price shouldnt be an issue and compaired to there other gear it is a bargain. https://www.amazon.com/Midland-GXT1...8&qid=1541534338&sr=1-2&keywords=family+radio
Yanno, when these #$%^#$^ guys are caught using our band/frequencies, we should show them either FRS or MURS radios. They can buy FRS radios just about anywhere, and as long as the users are line of sight, they work really well. And with some you can get an earphone/mic accessory. I just don't want to se another 28.085 debacle happen . . . . sniff sniff Gary WA7KKP
"I've always thought of that type personality as somewhat lacking in normal behaviors in so many ways. Having been in law enforcement for 20 years (no retired), those were the type personalities I constantly came in contact with." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Apparently a former ham was well known trying 'parasailing'. I believe he had his license revoked---N9OGL. Here is a web picture of him with his parasail...no evidence he got off the ground though. That's all I've seen about hams and parasailing.....