Powered Parachute Sport Pilot, Private Pilot, Repairman Training, DAR Services, Equipment Sales and More
"Mach .04"
A New Powered Parachute Video!
Craig Stenberg has put together a great video that shows the adventure of flying a powered parachute. Great professional work using ground, air-to-air, and pilot point of view cameras. We hope you enjoy it!
Become a Powered Parachute Sport Pilot In Only 10 Days
If you have purchased or are considering purchasing a powered parachute; training and licensing is something that should be on your mind. In only a few short months, the only way you will be able to legally fly a two seat powered parachute is with an FAA Pilot Certificate.
Until now, getting that certificate has been a hassle if you were just starting out in the sport. The small number of certified flight instructors and inefficient training practices have made it difficult for students to get their licenses. This changes with a program offered by Easy Flight. Now you are able to go from 0 flight time to a powered parachute endorsed sport pilot in only 10 days. (Learn more).
Buyer Alert!
If you are just getting into the sport, be aware that there are manufacturers that are producing aircraft that just aren't legal to fly in the United States. Only newly produced two seat powered parachutes from Powrachute, Six Chuter, Soaring Concepts, Infinity, and Summit have so far met the ASTM standards and are authorized to produce Special Light Sport Aircraft (S-LSA) powered parachutes. There are one or two companies that have reserved Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) registrations and they can also produce a limited number of 2-seat aircraft that are legal to fly in the USA.
But remember, if the machine you want to purchase isn't already N-numbered and it:
has two seats
or has over 5 gallons of fuel capacity.
or has an empty weight of over 254 lbs.
then it is not legal to fly in the United States. In other words, if the machine isn't N-numbered, it had better fit the definition of an ultralight. There are some dealers, owners, and even manufacturers who will try to sell you something that isn't legal to fly.
In some cases the seller may not be aware of the new rules. In other cases, they may be aware of the rules, but don't think they apply to them. (Sorry, there really isn't such a thing as a 'two seat powered paraglider trike' in the USA. Those machines are also considered powered parachutes by the FAA.) Unfortunately, in many cases sellers just want to unload their equipment or make a buck off of someone who doesn't know any better. Don't be that person.
16 Hour Maintenance Inspection Course for Powered Parachutes Conducted by Easy Flight
FAA regulation §65.107 allows the owner of an Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft to earn a Repairman (LSA) Inspection rating by attending an FAA accepted course. Successful completion of the course allows you to perform the annual condition inspection on any Experimental-LSA powered parachute you own now or in the future.
If you would like to get your certificate for inspecting your own powered parachute, contact Easy Flight and ask to be put on a contact list.
For more information or to sign up for the course, visit here or call 1-877-735-9572.
Instructor Credentials
Roy Beisswenger attended the very first FAA Designated Pilot Examiner class in Sebring, Florida in January of 2005. He is now the most senior DPE for powered parachutes in the country as well as one of the very first certified pilots and certified flight instructors for the sport of powered parachuting. Roy has been training people to fly powered parachutes since 1993 and holds the following ratings:
Basic & Advanced Flight Instructor, USUA
Ultralight Flight Instructor & Ultralight Flight Instructor Examiner, EAA
FAA Private Pilot for Powered Parachutes
FAA Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor with a Sport Pilot Rating
FAA Advanced Ground Instructor
FAA Designated Sport Pilot Examiner
FAA Designated Sport Flight Instructor Examiner
FAA Designated Private Pilot Examiner
Light Sport Aircraft Repairman with a Maintenance Rating for:
Airplanes
Powered Parachutes
Weight Shift Control
Light Sport Aircraft Repairman Instructor for Rainbow Aviation
Put Roy's credentials to work for you!
Do You Want to Become an FAA Certified Flight Instructor?
Beisswenger is one of only thirteen examiners in the country that are authorized by the FAA to administer the Sport Pilot Powered Parachute CFI Practical Test. If you are a professional instructor that wants to make this important transition, Easy Flight is the place to go.
If you want to learn more about becoming an FAA Certified Flight Instructor for powered parachutes, [click here].
Are You a Private Pilot Wanting to Fly Powered Parachutes?
Not a problem. With a recommendation from a powered parachute CFI (we have some great ones available) you can take your proficiency check and get that endorsement.
Start Your Powered Parachute Adventure With A Tandem Training Flight!
The best way to get introduced to powered parachuting is through a tandem training flight. One of the Easy Flight instructors will take you up for a half hour flight showing you the fun and ease of our kind of flying. It also gives you a chance to get used to flying in a very open cockpit!
Generally tandem flights are conducted on weekends. However, if you would like to fly during the week, we can usually accommodate your schedule.
In any case, it is always best to call ahead for an appointment. That way we can make certain to do the final coordination needed.
All you need to do is call or E-mail Easy Flightwith your flying plans. Most flights begin a couple of hours before sunset, but sunrise flights are also available for the early birds.
After you have your appointment, we should stay in touch the day of your flight to make sure that the weather will hold for us. For a look at forecast winds for tonight, check out the link below. Like most weather tools, it is not always right, but it tries really hard.
If you need a replacement canopy for your powered parachute, Easy Flight is the place to go! Easy Flight is the US distributor for Performance Designs Paragliders. Performance Designs builds the canopy that others try to copy but can't duplicate. Do not settle for a lesser canopy. If you already fly a powered parachute, you know how important your canopy is, don't skimp! If you want to trade in your old PD canopy for a new color or style, we can help you there, too.
2010 promises to be a great training year for powered parachutes and we hope that you can be a big part of it.
Of course Sport Pilot remains the most economical and quick way to get an FAA license for a powered parachute. For those just starting out in aviation, you will be glad to know that there is a 12 Day class scheduled in each of June, August, and October. For those wanting to get their maintenance inspection ratings for powered parachutes or trikes, 16 hour courses are offered in the fall.
We also provide on an appointment basis:
Discovery Training Flights
Flight Reviews
Check Rides
Proficiency Checks
Night Training
Preparation for Private Pilot Ratings
Do You Need an Airworthiness Inspection?
Easy Flight is one of the few DAR locations for Powered Parachutes, Airplanes, and Weight Shift Control aircraft in Southern Illinois. If you need and aircraft inspection you can get it done here. (Learn more)
Congratulations to the Graduates
The 2008 powered parachute training season has wrapped up successfully with new licensed pilots on the rolls and a continuing perfect safety record. Easy Flight wants to congratulate those students on a job well done.
First Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor
On February 25th, 2007, Roy Beisswenger became the first sport pilot flight instructor to earn a gold seal flight instructor certificate from the FAA. Gold seal flight instructor certificates acknowledge flight instructors who have maintained a high level of flight training activity and who meet special criteria. Click here to read article.
Are You Curious About What You Need to Do to Become a Powered Parachute Sport Pilot?
If you are just starting out in powered parachutes and you don't have any FAA licenses yet, the whole training and licensing process can seem a little daunting. It doesn't have to be. Flying a powered parachute is one of the easiest skills to pick up while at the same time being very rewarding.
But while the skill of flying can be picked up quickly, powered parachutes still share the sky with plenty of other aircraft and their pilots need to know the 'rules of the road'. That is where training and licensing come in. Visit "Becoming a Sport Pilot Powered Parachute" to learn more.
Are You Already a Powered Parachute Sport Pilot and You Want to Move up to a Private Pilot Rating?
If you want to fly a powered parachute at night, you can now do it in a powered parachute. But to do it you need a private pilot rating. If you are already a sport pilot, you can learn how to make the transition by clicking here.
Do You Want Tips On How To Prepare For the FAA Practical Test?
Make Someone’s Dream of Personal Flight Come True!
You probably know someone that has always dreamed of flying like a bird. Powered parachutes are as close to that kind of open, stressless, free flying as you can get.
Powered parachutes are also one of the safest and easiest ways to get into the sky. Now with gift packages beginning at $290, everyone can give that gift of flight to a friend or loved one.
Easy Flight is proud to be a dealer for the company that is setting new standards for quality, safety, and customer service in the powered parachute industry, Powrachute.
With Powrachute, what other companies make options, they make standard. Things like electric start, electronic instrumentation and spring strut suspensions.
The machine is also easier to build and maintain for the recreational flyer. Kits and parts are kept in stock and custom orders do not take months to have filled.
Easy Flight can either build your powered parachute for you or assist you in your own assembly.
John Conte from Australia displays the Stars & Stripes
The Two Seat Aerochute from Australia
The Aerochute is one of the most tested designs in the powered parachute world. They have been in production for over a decade and have been certified in Australia since 1992. Their speed, stability, and maneuverability can not be beat! Easy Flight is the American Distributor for this sporty machine.
The Easy Flight Training Center is where powered parachute pilots and dealers from around the world come to learn their craft. Flying, training, maintenance, and business skills are all taught here.
Links For Computer Testing Centers For the Knowledge Test
You have to take the Sport Pilot Knowledge Test at a testing center provided licensed by either CATS or LaserGrade. Finding the closest testing center to you can be done by following the links below:
For an FAA list of testing centers you can also download this FAA PDF file.
Good luck on your knowledge test!
So There I was.....
Back in the "Big One" it took a special breed of powered parachutist to conduct operations over Germany. Flack from the ground, fighters from the air, soil in your pants. There was a lot going on. Remember kids, stay out of the Military Operational Areas!
Bill Dean back in 1944. Yes, he does seem pretty well preserved for someone in his 80's!
