How Old Do You Have to Be to Fly a Paramotor?

A paramotor, also known as a powered paraglider, is a unique form of aviation that combines the simplicity of a paraglider with the power of a small engine. As a tandem paraglider, there is no age limit, but you have to be 18 in the USA to paraglide alone. But what about paramotoring, how old do you have to be to fly a paramotor?

There are no age requirements when it comes to paramotoring in the United States. Some pilots are as young as 9, while others are as old as 80. However, you must find a training facility willing to train children, but often these training locations do not take children under the age of 14.

Below, I will take you through some of the guidelines regarding age when it comes to paramotoring. This will help clear up any questions you may have.

Is There an Age Minimum for Flying a Paramotor?

Although there aren’t any formal limitations on age, the majority of paramotor training centers won’t accept students under the age of 14.

In Canada, you must be 14 years old to become a paramotor student and you are only able to get you rpilot license when you are 16 years old. In Canada, paramotors are considered ultra-light aircrafts, which are 1 or 2 seated fixed-wing aircrafts which is why you are required a pilot license.

Is There an Age Maximum for Flying a Paramotor?

In the USA, Canada, and the UK, there are no age limits to fly a paramotor. Although, the person needs to be in good health and reasonable fitness to be able to fly.

Anyone with heart disease or high blood pressure should first speak with their doctor before flying a paramotor. Some training facilities will require medical clearance to proceed, so make sure you are prepared to provide this documentation for enrollment.

Do You Need a License to Fly a Paramotor?

A license is not required to operate a paramotor (ultra-light aircraft) in some countries, such as the United States and the UK. However, it is generally acknowledged that pilots receive official instruction at a recognized paramotor training facility. In Canada, a pilot license is required for you to fly a paramotor (ultra-light aircraft).

Anyone flying a paramotor must also be well-versed and compliant with all local laws regarding airspace regulations and guidelines.

These regulations apply to fellow air users, military installations, and other prohibited or no-fly zones. I advise you to contact your aviation industry authorities or trainer to learn about potential restrictions.

Why Is Paramotoring So Uncontrolled?

Motorized paragliding has an exceptionally low participation rate compared to other sports, such as skydiving or bungee jumping. As a consequence, it is not as controlled. In my opinion, I think it is possible for more regulations to begin in the near future as action sports like paramotoring are becoming more popular every year.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Fly a Paramotor Based on Country?

Why Are there Few Young Paramotor Pilots?

While younger pilots do exist, they are a bit of a rarity. There are various reasons for the lack of younger pilots and pilots in general are listed below.

Start-Up Costs

The start-up costs for paramotoring ranges from $5,000 to $15,000; the same cost as getting a motorcycle.

Moreover, training costs quite a bit too. It can range from $1,500 to $3,000 or more. So, this makes it harder for younger pilots to begin their flying careers.

Some Companies Won’t Allow Anyone Under 14

Some training facilities will not accept pilots under the age of 14. This is usually due to a liability issue.

Each person needs the mental capacity to pay attention as they will be in charge of their safety. Some companies don’t want to run the risk of liability issues. While there are waivers parents can sign, some companies want to steer clear altogether.

This makes it exceptionally hard for younger pilots to get the training they need to obtain a permit to fly. Therefore, there are fewer younger pilots.

Risks

Paramotoring is a relatively safe sport. However, one small mistake can cause significant injury and death. Most of these accidents are caused by pilot errors.

Therefore, there is no room to learn from trial and error, which is typically how children learn. The safety is within the pilot’s hands, so some parents are uncomfortable with their child flying through the air as they feel it is too risky.

Final Thoughts

Paramotoring typically doesn’t have an age requirement as long as the person can operate the machine. However, that’s not to say that there aren’t some obstacles to get through.

While the sport doesn’t have an age limit, many training facilities do. This can make it difficult for younger pilots to obtain their permits for operation.

Overall, it’s a very inclusive sport, as there are pilots as young as nine and as old as 80. With determination, you can find a facility willing to train anyone within reason. This way, you can get the training you need and begin flying!

Read our related paramotoring articles:

• Can You Fly a Paramotor Over a City?
• How Fast Do Paramotors Go? (Detailed Guide)

Jamie Penney

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!