Risks
There is no denying that risk is part of this sport. Understanding those risks is important. With proper training and knowledge of where and what those risks are, much can be done to make flying powered paragliders quite safe.
General Risks Comparison
Motorcycling/driving
When driving one of the biggest risks (the other drivers) can't be eliminated or mitigated well. Whereas when flying paramotors, the risks are almost entirely in your own hands and choices. The speeds involved when cruising in a car or on a motorcycle are usually multiple times faster then on a paramotor as well.
Paragliding
Paragliding has its own risks. Although paramotoring is very similar to free flight (no motor) paragliding, there is a trade in risk. Free flyers need higher winds and/or thermally conditions to stay aloft. This presents its own set of risks. Powered paragliders generally avoid these kinds of conditions, and search out the smoother calmer (safer) air. But we then carry more risk by having a motor on our back.
Sitting At home
Sure, you can be safer just sitting at home, watching people do cool things, but that has its own risks too! Not just health risks but risks of letting life pass you by! Too many people see the world from behind a screen. Come get trained in a way to see the world that is unbeatable!
Risk Mitigation
At Sky Hikers, there is a big emphasis on safety and risk management and mitigation. There is a lot we can do to mitigate risks; safety equipment, choosing safe locations to fly, choosing safe weather, using safe techniques and keeping motors running safely. But after learning the basics, and having gained experience, people tend to develop a flying style. And with these styles come their own risks. Listed below are just some of the possible flying styles and associated risks.
Flying Style and Risk Profile
Casual Sight see-er
This is the safest style of flying. Flying plenty high, nice and straight, in nice air to take in the sights. And its a great way to see the world
Cross Country
Cross country flying, or long distance flying from one location to another, can be quite rewarding. But it does add a little more risk than the casual sight see-er. Long distance flyers are launching with more gas (more weight) and on long flights still risk running out of gas. Long duration flights also give more chance for the weather to change and have winds possibly become unsafe. Another risk is sometimes the condition of the intended landing zone is unknown or even unusable.
Dirt Bike in the Sky
This style is recognized by the dynamic flying and the use of terrain to dive and fly around objects/trees. Often even dragging landing gear (feet) on the ground or water. This kinda of flying required a great deal more skill and thus risk as well. Low flying always increases risk of collision with something and the skill required.
Flying Thermals
Some people, usually with free flight paragliding background, will take paramotors up to chase thermals midday. Thermal flying greatly increases the risk of a wing event occurring. Free flight pilots experience collapses of their canopy quite frequently when compared to paramotor pilots because of thermic conditions. However, the additional weight of a motor makes the wings response more dynamic and result in a harder recovery.
Racer/Slalom
There are Paramotor races and competitions. Pilots race around tracks with large pilons trying to fly as fast as possible, entering steep banks and sharp turns, pushing the limits of the sport and technology. Racing like this is best left to professionals with years of experience, and even then the risks are high. When flying as fast as possible, pushing the limits, real low to the ground, that is when bad things happen. There is good reason these competition are now only held over water with rescue boats at the ready.
Acro
Acro is some of the riskiest flying there is. Acro fliers will stall their wings, spin them like a top, tumble them head over heels, do barrel rolls... the Gs of some maneuvers can be comparable to fighter jets and have been know to even cause pilots to black out.