A paramotor is a unique aircraft; I’ve been paragliding, but I’ve never flown a paramotor, even though I’ve always dreamed about it. It’s a definite way to get a new view of nature’s beauty. I’d love to fly over a lake or perhaps the ocean. I’d also love to fly over a city, but that’s not allowed.
You cannot fly a paramotor over a city due to safety hazards. Paramotors are considered an ultralight vehicle, which is not as regulated as other aircraft. Also, you do not need to be a licensed pilot to fly one. Therefore, this increases the likelihood of accidents.
Below, I’ll walk you through some more of the paramotor regulations so that you can better understand where you can and cannot fly. That way, you can plan your trip accordingly!
Can You Fly a Paramotor Anywhere?
You cannot fly a paramotor anywhere you want since there are more regulations regarding air traffic control.
There are several places where you are prohibited to fly a paramotor; these places include:
Populated cities or towns: To protect everyone in the vicinity, flying over congested or highly populated areas is prohibited.
- Airports: You must be at least 5 miles from the airport.
- Protected property or land: It’s wise to always conduct a quick search on Google to check for any protected land in the area where you want to fly your paramotor.
- Airspace A, C, D: You can’t fly higher than 18,000 feet; otherwise, you are a risk to other aircraft.
In addition to these laws, you cannot operate during nighttime. This means any time before dawn or anytime after dusk.
Quick Glance: Where Can You Fly A Paramotor?
| Fly Zones For Paramotors | NON-Fly Zones for Paramotors |
| Airspace G | Airspace A |
| Airspace E | Airspace B (Only with permission) |
| Beach | Airspace D (Only with permission) |
| Fields | Airports |
| Mountains | Over Military Bases or Posts |
| Rivers | Over Wildlife Reserves |
| Lakes | Area 51 & Other Government Lands |
| Forests | Across the USA border |
| Over Smaller Towns ( Only with permission) | Above Congested Areas (Only with permission) |
Is it Legal to Fly a Paramotor Over a City?
It is not legal to operate an ultralight vehicle over any sort of settlement, including both towns and cities. This includes outdoor gatherings, such as a parade or significant outdoor event.
The FAA considers both versions of paramotors to be ultralight vehicles. So, the foot launch and wheel launch both fall within the regulations of this law.
However, if you were to get special authorization (which is rarely granted), you would have to fly higher than 1500 feet above the highest object within that city. So, for example, say you were flying above Seattle. This means you must be 1500 feet above the Columbia center, which is 936 feet tall.
Why Paramotors Should Not Fly Over Cities
Ultralight vehicles, such as paramotors, are often flown by uncertified pilots for recreational use. This increases the risk of an accident considerably.
Therefore, no one is allowed to fly a paramotor over a congested city. These vehicles are not certified or inspected, so many things can go wrong.
If a pilot needed an emergency landing and was over the city, their chance of injury is much higher than if they were to try and land in an open field or on the beach. So, when an unlicensed pilot flies a vehicle that is not regulated, this increases the chances of an emergency.
Can You Fly a Paramotor in the Night?
It is illegal to fly your paramotor at night due to visibility problems. Again, since paramotors are not regulated, it is not mandatory for them to meet specific requirements when it comes to visibility.
However, most people put strobes on their paramotor so that other aircraft can see them during sunset. So, they need to be on the ground before dusk.
What Is The Latest Time You Can Fly Your Paramotor?
It is hard to give a specific time to land your paramotor, as the sunset varies throughout the year and varies in different countries.
For example, the sun sets as early as 5:30 PM in the USA during the winter, but in some states, it doesn’t set until 10:00 PM during summer. Or, if we were to look at different countries, in Iceland, you can fly at midnight during the summer because the sun does not set. However, in the winter, you can only fly for 4 hours.
Since the law requires you to fly during specific times, 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, you should fit your paramotor with a visibility indicator to let other aircraft know you are there.
Check each day to see when the sun rises and sets so you can plan your flight times accordingly.
Read related: How Old Do You Have to Be to Fly a Paramotor?
Can You Fly a Paramotor From State to State?
Flying your paramotor across as many state lines as you wish is legal. Since this is a more serious trip, you need to study your route until it becomes second nature to you.
It’s best to choose your refueling locations, places to grab some food, and your target landing zones. This way, you can stay on track for safety purposes.
For a week-long trip, planning your accommodations and transportation to and from beforehand is essential. The more prepared you are, the better.
Can You Fly a Paramotor Across the Border?
You cannot fly over the border. While it’s not necessarily illegal, it’s perilous. When you travel to Mexico, there is no protection, and the laws are not the same as the United States; you are entirely on your own.
What If You Need To Land In Mexico As An Emergency?
If you are flying that close to Mexico and need to land in a pinch, you can. However, you should have no contact with anyone. Fix what needs to be fixed and return to US ground.
If it is nighttime, avoid the border and find an area to hide in your paraglider. Make sure that you are not visible and stay there until sunrise.
Also, don’t draw any attention to yourself by building a fire or flashing lights everywhere. Turn everything off and wait. Then, as you see the sun coming up, right before the dawn breaks, get into the air.
How Long and Far Can a Paramotor Fly?
A typical paramotor can fly for around two to three hours. However, this depends on your glider, the fuel load, weather, weight, and more. Some paramotors can even run for up to 6 hours or more.
Your speed depends on the performance of your glider and how large it is. If you have a more powerful engine, it helps you climb faster. Most paragliders fly between 25 and 30 miles per hour, although some have been known to reach speeds up to 50 mph.
Therefore, if you fly around 30 miles per hour for two to three hours, you will travel between 60 and 90 miles. If your paraglider flies for six hours, then expect to have traveled around 180 miles.
Again, this depends on the weather. So, if you have a strong headwind, your travel distance will be considerably less than the abovementioned distance.
Learn how fast paramotors go in this detailed guide.
Final Thoughts
Paramotors are unique flying contraptions with little to no regulation within the USA, but that doesn’t mean you can fly anywhere.
It is unsafe to fly a paramotor over a city over a congested area unless you have authorization. You can’t fly in specific air spaces or over protected lands like Area 51.
Before you fly, make sure you research your local area so that you know the places to avoid for your safety and to follow the laws. That way, you can have fun without worry!
Jamie is the founder of Action Sporter. He is the chief zipline writer and the lead editor. He has 5 years of zipline experience being a tour guide in Newfoundland. Most of the time you can find Jamie adventure traveling, hiking, skiing, skateboarding, or anything action related!