Your first paramotor flight: what does it feel like?
Your first paramotor flight in Quản Bạ, Hà Giang: what it feels like when the engine starts, taking off from a flat riverside field, flying over the valley and landing. What to know to enjoy every one of your 15 minutes in the sky.
Đội trưởng Mỹ · · 6 min read
A first paramotor flight is usually much easier than people expect: you sit in front of the pilot, run a few steps across a flat riverside field, the engine behind you pushes the wing up, and just a few seconds later your feet have left the ground. The engine is fairly loud at take-off but soon fades into the background, while up in the air the ride is smooth, airy and very much like "sitting in a chair". This article walks through each stage of a tandem paramotor flight in Quản Bạ, Hà Giang, so you know exactly what to expect.
What is a paramotor, and how does it differ from paragliding?
A paramotor (PPG) is a paraglider with a small engine and propeller mounted on the pilot's back. Thanks to the engine, the wing does not need to launch from a mountainside and can take off from flat ground, and the pilot has more control over altitude, direction and flight time.
At the Quản Bạ flying site (Km45 of the Hà Giang Loop, Tam Sơn valley), paramotors take off from a flat riverside field at an altitude of about 450 m. Paragliders take off from a hillside at about 950 m and glide down. For a detailed comparison, read our article how paragliding and powered paragliding differ.
Before take-off: 10 minutes of preparation
When you arrive at the site, you will:
- Put on the harness and helmet, and the pilot checks every buckle.
- Get a short briefing: how to run, when to sit down, where to put your hands, what to do on landing.
- Have a GoPro fitted to film photos and video (free with every flight package).
- Ask anything you are still unsure about — don't be shy, the pilot wants you to feel completely at ease.
The Mebayluon pilot team always checks the wind and equipment before every flight. If conditions are not good yet, you can wait a little longer or reschedule for free.
When the engine starts: is it loud?
Yes — the engine at full throttle for take-off is the "noisiest" part of the flight. It feels like standing next to a big motorbike revving its engine. The helmet dampens it somewhat, and since you don't need to talk at this stage, it doesn't matter.
Once you are up high and the pilot eases off the throttle to cruise, the engine becomes noticeably quieter, just a steady hum behind your back. Many guests say that after a minute they forget there is an engine at all.
Taking off from flat ground: a few running steps and you're up
This is the part many people worry about most, but in reality it is very quick:
- The wing is laid out behind you, and the pilot does a final check.
- The pilot gives the signal, and you start walking and then running forward as instructed.
- The wing inflates above your head and the pull gradually increases.
