The biggest mistake new pilots make is purchasing gear, new or used, before they have the experience to know what best fits them.

Misconception = need gear before training

Paramotor equipment is not universal. The right wing, motor, and other items depend on more than simply:

• Your weight
• Your skill level
• Your local flying conditions
• Your long-term flying goals

This guide explains:

• What a complete paramotor kit includes
• Realistic cost ranges
• Which items are required
• Which items are optional
• Where you can save, and where you shouldn’t

A single paramotor unit includes:

• Engine
• Frame/hoop
• Harness
• Propeller
• Throttle

Motor choice affects:

• Climb performance
• Reliability
• Vibration
• Maintenance frequency
• Long-term operating cost

Budget Tip:

If you need to prioritize spending, we often recommend:

• New wing
• Used motor (carefully selected and inspected)

The most potential money saved while maintaining the highest level of safety can be done by finding an appropriately maintained motor.

Certain paramotors in the wheel launch (trike or quad) configurations may automatically come equipped with reserve parachutes. Prices on wheel launch units vary more widely than the foot launch versions as they may come in many more sizes and configuration options. Some even include options to switch between foot launch and wheel launch configuration for pilots seeking both versions of paramotor flight.

At a minimum, the helmet provides both impact protection and hearing protection.

Optional functionality upgrades include:

• Bluetooth
• Integrated comms
• Visors
• Noise reduction systems

A reserve is a critical piece of safety equipment.

While we teach why deployment scenarios are rare, every pilot leaving training should be equipped with one.

It’s inexpensive insurance relative to the total investment. Appropriate instruction should cover sizing, maintenance, and use of reserves.

Heading: What Does a Full Beginner Setup Cost?

There are always price variations with gear, though a new pilot can expect to spend plus or minus $15,000 currently for the base 5 pieces of all new foot launch gear.

This varies based on variables including:

• Wing model & brand
• Motor brand & configuration
• Foot launch vs trike setups
• Specifications and features of helmet
• Reserve brand & type

While the required equipment price makes our activity the most affordable avenue to achieve personal powered flight, it is not a hobby you stumble into impulsively. As with many powered sports including dirt bikes, paramotoring, and jetskis, the initial setup costs will be similar.

Responsible pilots plan, save, and purchase intentionally.

The best pilots kite as much as they fly, beyond the training environment. Kiting harness can vary from basic, purpose-built ground handling harnesses to full free-flight capable harnesses.

Ground handling sharpens:

• Launch skill
• Wing control
• Wind reading
• Confidence

This is one of the best investments you can make.

These should be installed on your motor before running it for the first time. It will be used to watch RPMs during the motor break-in procedure. Following the motor break-in, this will be used to track running hours for maintenance intervals and assist in managing engine health. Some motors will automatically include a tachometer.

There’s a long-standing paramotor idiom:

“If you own a spare prop, you won’t break your prop.”

Props are quick and simple to switch out in the unfortunate case of damage but not having a spare to swap out will ground a pilot. Reality is, props break and having a spare reduces downtime.

Flying near water draws pilots, whether it is oceans, seas, lakes, or rivers. If you fly near water, this is a simple device that can save lives.

Flotation is simple to install, can be removed if it is not necessary for a specific flight, and a cheap safety accessory.

Paramotor flight is legally restricted to daylight hours. Though, for safety, if we are equipped with an anti-collision light that can be seen for 3 statute miles, we are allowed to enjoy some of the most beautiful flight time 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset.

Fuel and oil will be one of the few ongoing costs associated with paramotor flight. For most paramotors, a high quality synthetic oil such as Motul 800 and Amsoil Dominator will be a necessary part of your paramotor kit.

• 5mm Allen Wrench
  (This is the 10m wrench in the paramotor world. Have a few of these.)
• Spare Spark Plugs/ Wrench
• Fuel Can
• Oil Measuring Container
• Torque Wrench
• Velcro & Zip ties