Learn to fly
So, you want to fly a paramotor?
Good choice.
Before you buy a motor, disappear down a YouTube rabbit hole or start checking the wind every 20 minutes, this is a good place to start.
We cover what paramotoring actually involves, what training tends to look like in the UK, what it realistically costs and how to find a school.
This is not a flying course. Think of it as the conversation you would want to have before booking one.
Start here
Getting started
What paramotoring is, what the kit does and how people usually get into the sport.
Your first lesson
Spoiler: you may spend quite a lot of it on the ground. That is a good thing.
What does it cost?
Realistic UK numbers for training, equipment and the less exciting things people forget to budget for.
Choosing a school
A nice website is easy. Good instruction matters more. Here is what to look for.
Find training
Find paramotor schools and instructors by area.
Training by location
Useful local guides as we build them, with real providers and real information.
Beginner guides
Longer reads on equipment, terminology, training, first solo and becoming a new pilot.
First solo
A very big day, followed by the real beginning of learning to fly.
FAQ
Quick answers to the questions nearly everyone asks before starting.
Questions everyone asks before learning
Is paramotoring difficult to learn?
It is learnable. That is different from easy. Ground handling takes coordination and repetition. Weather slows training down. Foot launching requires a reasonable level of fitness. Most complete beginners can make progress with good instruction and enough time. You do not need to arrive as an athlete or an aviation expert. You do need patience.
How long does training take?
There is no guaranteed number. Some UK programmes are built around six days to first solo. Longer Club Pilot style courses commonly run around eight to ten training days. Weather can turn ten calendar days into several weeks or months. If somebody guarantees you will be a finished pilot by Thursday regardless of the weather, keep looking.
Do I need previous flying experience?
No. Plenty of paramotor pilots start with absolutely no aviation background. Paragliding experience can help because you already understand the wing. For everyone else, that is what training is for.
Do I need my own equipment?
Usually not. Most schools provide training equipment at the beginning. That is useful because you can learn what suits your size, ability and intended flying before spending several thousand pounds. Buying first and asking whether it was the right choice afterwards is the expensive way round.
How much does paramotoring cost?
For the UK, a reasonable starting picture is: training roughly £1,100 to £2,500; a new paramotor often £7,000 to £9,500 before VAT, or around £8,500 to £11,500 once VAT is included; a complete new flying setup roughly £11,000 to £16,000; training plus new kit roughly £13,000 to £18,000 all-in. Used equipment can reduce that considerably. There will also be ongoing costs for fuel, servicing, inspections, memberships and the occasional bit of equipment that suddenly becomes absolutely essential because another pilot owns one.
Do I need a pilot licence in the UK?
For normal foot-launched paramotoring in the UK, there is currently no statutory pilot licence requirement. That does not mean there are no rules. A paramotor is still an aircraft. Airspace, rules of the air, minimum distances, takeoff and landing restrictions and other aviation law still apply. Wheeled paramotors also have additional requirements. Training is strongly recommended, regardless of the legal minimum.
Where can I learn?
Start with a recognised school you can realistically attend. Look at how they teach, not just how close they are. Then check our Find Training directory as we add providers.
Can I fly anywhere?
No. Owning a paramotor does not turn every patch of grass into an airfield. You need to consider airspace, the law, landowner permission, people and property, local restrictions, weather and whether the site is appropriate for your level of experience. Your training should cover how to make those decisions.