Electric Paramotor:
watts replace gas

Find out more about
powered paragliding at
 www.FootFlyer.com
• Home • FAQs • Contact Us • History • News
Menu

Home
Yuneec International
Neil Andrews ePPG
Csaba Lemak
Fresh Breeze / Helix
Razeebuss
EFS, Ltd.
Ernie Van Drongelen
Richard Sprengel - Helix
Skynch

 

For information, brochures, books and DVD's about powered paragliding, please visit www.FootFlyer.com.

Worldwide Electric Paramotor Efforts

Several groups around the world are working towards a practical, marketable electric paramotor. Many have different goals, some want to just climb up to go soaring, some want to replace the two stroke even for motoring around low. This highlights those efforts as information comes in.

Designer/Company Description, link to details, status
Csaba Lemak (flown), 
Canada		 Standard paramotor, regular prop, home-rewired motor, Lithium polymer batteries. Flown numerous times for video and in front of crowds.
Fresh Breeze / Helix Propellers
Germany		 Large frame, large prop, Lithium Ion batteries, flown in the German Electric PPG Competition and by world champion Michel Carnet.
Werner Eck (flown), 
Germany		 Large frame, large prop (folding), stock electric motor, Lithium Ion batteries. Flown numerous times in front of observers.
Razeebuss Based on free-flight pilot's desire to self launch, this machine is intended to get a soaring pilot high enough to find lift.
Electric Flight Systems,
U.K.		 This well funded team is concentrating on motor efficiencies with safer battery technology. Electric paramotor and hang glider. No public video, stills or public performance flown yet.
Ernie Van Dongelen,
Holland		 Standard paramotor, regular prop, other details unavailable. They have asked for confidentiality so as avoid getting anyone's hopes up until they are farther along. Stills of the product but other flight status unknown.
YUNEEC International,
China		 Sized like a normal paramotor and prop with molded-looking frame and solid cage. Direct drive. Wires its own motors.
Neil Andrews,
U.K.		 Uses a standard paramotor frame and prop, two stock brushless DC motors through a belt.

Note: the two US teams previously listed have discontinued their projects as of Nov 11, 2007.

If you have any news of those actively working on an electric paramotor, please send it to jeffgoin@earthlink.net or post it on the yahoo ElectricPPG forum.
What it takes

It's never as easy as it looks. Many individuals and teams have started projects that ended in frustration for a wide range of reasons. We hail both those who have tried and those who will ultimate eventually succeed. 

It's apparent that regardless of the outcome, it will take:

Passion. It is only with extreme passion that anyone would muster the discipline necessary to see what are usually major undertakings with usually marginal support. These people believe in their product!

Money. Pioneers must spend lots of money. Even the Wright Brothers had to have the support of their Bicycle shop to feed them and pay for expenses incurred while perfecting their flyer. Capable enough equipment  to handle the challenges here are very expensive.

Time. The developers have all recounted countless hours working through the design then countless hours solving unforeseen problems and tweaking. Frequently time must be spent instead of money.

Smarts. Either know it or learn it, it will be difficult to succeed otherwise.

Copyright © 2006 Jeff Goin | All Rights Reserved