Beginner paramotor terminology

PPG, risers, trims, ground handling and the other words everyone apparently assumes you already know.

Active air

Air that is moving because of sun, terrain or weather. Beginner flying is usually kept in calmer windows.

Brake / toggle

The hand controls that change the trailing edge of the wing. Used to steer and to slow.

Cage

The frame around the propeller.

Currency

How recently and how often you have flown. Being signed off last year is not the same as being current this morning.

Forward / reverse launch

Two common ways of bringing a wing up, chosen for wind and school preference. Learn them from an instructor.

Free-flight / unpowered

Paragliding without a motor. Related sport, different course. Useful crossover on the wing — not a substitute for PPG training.

Ground handling

Controlling the wing on the ground. A huge part of early training, and one of the skills that makes flying possible.

Lines / risers

The cords and webbing between you and the canopy.

Nil-wind

Little or no breeze. Changes how the wing comes up and how much space you want in front of you.

Paramotor

The motor unit itself, although people also use the word for the whole sport.

PPG

Powered paragliding.

Reserve

A backup parachute carried by many pilots and commonly recommended as part of a complete flying setup.

Site

The field, hill or shoreline you operate from. Permission and airspace still apply when it looks empty.

Thermal

A rising bubble of warmer air. A reason schools often keep beginners out of midday summer.

Trike / quad

A wheeled paramotor. Changes the launch and landing. Does not remove the need to understand the wing.

Trimmers

Adjustments on the risers that change the wing’s pitch and speed range. Introduced when the school is ready.

Wing / glider / canopy

The fabric flying surface. Same object, three words, depending on who is talking.