How To Obtain Authorisation To Fly Paramotor
The unusual sight of a man flying a paramotor over the island yesterday [May 7] attracted some interest, and the Department of Civil Aviation [DCA] provided some guidelines for anyone interested in obtaining authorization to operate one of the motorized steerable parachutes.
The gentleman yesterday did not appear to have obtained authorization in advance, as when Bernews first contacted the DCA in the morning to inquire about the paramotor flying over Bermuda, they said they were “actively seeking the identity” of the man flying it.
Later that day, the DCA said the “search is over” and the matter is closed, as they spoke with the gentleman who flew the paramotor and were “satisfied that he operated the unit considering safety and best practices.”
Photo, by Kimberly Hughes, of the paramotor over Bermuda yesterday
As far as guidelines for operating one, the DCA told Bernews, “We will grant an Operations Authorisation to individuals who make contact with Civil Aviation and make an application to operate a Paramotor.
“There is a set of criteria which would need to be met prior to this authorisation being granted for operations within Bermuda, but for starters, the pilot must receive training from an instructor authorised by either the:
- British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association [website link]
- British Microlight Aviation Association [website link]
- U.S. Powered Paragliding Association [website link]
“One can expect that since this is new territory for Bermuda, that they should expect to be met with cautious and active oversight by the BDCA.
“Our priority is to ensure aviation and public safety, and one would need to assure us that they are competent in flight operations, rules of the air and subsequently comply with all criteria set forth by us.”
Video of paramotor flights and events in California
According to the U.S. Powered Paragliding Association, paramotors weigh around 45-75lbs, and are capable of traveling at speeds of 20-40 mph, which depends on wing model, size and clip-in weight.
Parasailing, which is where a person is towed behind a boat while attached to a specially designed canopy somewhat resembling a parachute, is available now in Bermuda from KS Watersports at a cost of around $110.
Big Brother…always sticking their nose in other’s business.
Soon need a license to inhale air. Presently there are NO regulations for those things here anyway.
We have enough road fatalities already, now this.
saga U are quite wrong regarding the NO regulations. Have you perused the ANO ? BDCA regulations ?
First do your research before shooting your mouth off
If there are regs, why wasn’t the culprit charged rather than the matter closed?
A license should be mandatory. Sometimes we need them in order to have an opportunity to be sure that the public understands basic safety and privacy rules and any applicable laws. Otherwise given the opportunity some dipsh#t will try and land at the airport, fly over the airport, fly low and into powerlines or do something else dumb. Someone has to put these rules and regulations into place and this takes time and money to. Also testing may be needed and this to takes time and money. If they don’t pass, we know that don’t know the rules.. And for this people pay in the form of a license.
It`s an aircraft silly , has to be regulated, just like driving on the road. You can`t run the risk of crashing into some roof, as a result of losing lift.
WOHOOOO Looking into obtaining my license now!
“Big Brother” ?
No. Just safety first and a knowledge of what the hell your doing.
You would not want your brother bringing down a 767/757 et al on approach to Bermuda with your folks on board.
Shalom.
you’re
Take a pill JC.
The message is ‘cleer’.
Power to Mr Paramotor on your 1st Bermuda flight I saw you from middle road Warwick and wished I was riding one also. Beats dodge these potholes and inconsistent road repairs!!
Bermuda is the Island of NO, not even a may be .
Definition of Progress, here is a down hill climb.
Rule Britannia, Britannia rule rules the waves and every thing else.
Big up to the person ballsy enough to just do it in Bermuda that’s awesome. Could be a wicked business in bermy one day!
So if Mr Big B@lls , who no doubt comes from a place where there are some sort of regulations for these things , had a malfunction that resulted in a zero control ditch situation and ended up coming down in our copious network of over head power lines and ended up getting electrocuted and short circuiting out a few parishes for who knows how long how funny would everyone think it was then ?
POLICE STATE we must know everything you are doing!
Regulations & insurance are needed. No problem there. No need for Bermuda civil servants to reinvent the wheel either. Existing regulations from places where these things are established are fne.
So he or she got off huh, very strange. Let it be me our one of my brownskin fam. Would have been locked up for sure. Where is the rules and regulation enforsments. If he would have hurt or killed someone, what people would say then. A damn shame.
Did you read the article or know something more? They don’t know who it was!!
Of course they dont.
They spoke with dude u read.
Maybe it was more to do with the guy being on one of the cruise ships and he was gone before anyone could track him down ?
Had he been local , of ANY complexion , I’m sure he would have been located and gotten his knuckles rapped.
Poor you .
Keep dreaming dude.
Why? People aren’t “locked up” for driving with no license and insurance. It’s a Bermuda national pastime. They get a fine and slap on the wrist. Even your “brownskin fam”. Why would this be any different.
Na dun the “brown skin fan” are so hard done by. Don’t you listen to mockingay?
Astral projection is however…unlegislated…I mean…how do you regulate that sort of thing….lol…
So he or she got off huh, very strange. I Would have been locked up for sure. Where is the rules and regulation enforcesments. If he would have hurt or killed someone, what people would say then. A damn shame.