But aren't Aerial Sports "luxury" activities reserved only for an elite? Not at all! You'll be surprised to find that most flight centres offer numerous packages adapted to your budget and all your desires!
This is the case with Alain Mainguet, who since 2004 has been promoting and developing paramotoring in the Poitou-Charentes region through his powered paragliding school: Paramoteur Poitou-Charentes.
His passion quickly led him to the highest level, becoming 2010 French Champion and 2011 French Vice-Champion in tandem paramotoring. Naturally, we turned to him to introduce you to paramotoring. Below you'll find the "Q&A" from our interview.
Yumping.fr — Could you briefly describe what a paramotor is?
Alain Mainguet, Paramoteur Poitou-Charentes — The paramotor or powered paraglider combines a paraglider with a propulsion unit fixed to the pilot's back via a harness or on a cart, allowing free and simple flight. It's the lightest member of the microlight (ultralight motorised) family.
Yumping.fr — How did you discover this activity?
A.M.— Through a friend who worked in aeronautics and was beginning flight training.
Yumping.fr — Why did you decide to make it your profession?
A.M.— Being passionate about the activity, having practised it for several years, and wanting to have my own business, I decided to make it my profession. Plus, our region (Poitou-Charentes), with its many assets, is perfectly suited to this activity!
Yumping.fr — What services does your company offer?
A.M.— My company offers paramotor pilot licence training, trial flights, equipment and accessory sales, maintenance, and trips abroad.
Yumping.fr — What kind of audience is paramotoring aimed at?
A.M.— The audience is very varied; the average age is around 40; flight training starts from age 15, and considering the accessibility of practice and budget, students typically acquire their own equipment afterwards.
Yumping.fr — Are there any contraindications for this activity?
A.M.— Not really. However, for foot-launching, we recommend being in good physical condition.
Yumping.fr — Could you briefly describe the sensations experienced during a paramotor flight?
A.M.-An immense feeling of freedom, a new perspective on our earth and its nature...
Yumping.fr — What has been your most beautiful flight experience?
A.M.— One of the most beautiful flight experiences (as every flight is unique): an engine-off glide with storks guiding us to thermals while flying over the appropriately named "Côte de Beauté"!!
Yumping.fr — Do you have any amusing or surprising anecdotes to share?
A.M.— This summer I had the pleasure of taking Audrey on her very first trial flight. The big day arrives, Audrey is accompanied by her mother who gifted this experience for her 18th birthday and baccalaureate... Audrey listens carefully, observes, asks all the right questions during the flight briefing.
We wait for sunset to begin our flight when the air becomes smooth, the breeze drops, calm settles. We take off with a gentle wing movement, Audrey torn between anxiety at leaving the ground and rising emotions of freedom.
After 15 minutes in flight, I feel Audrey completely liberated, communing with this invisible element - air. She asks to take the controls, steering the wing according to wind and clouds.
We land before astonished onlookers after a 10-minute bird-like glide to MARENNES microlight base. Audrey rushes to embrace her mother between joyful sobs, the happiness palpable to all around. Her first words: "I'm staying here!!! I want to fly with my own wings now!!!"
Audrey took control of her destiny, and one week after our first meeting, she took to the skies alone, radio-guided by a fulfilled instructor. "Pure happiness!!!" "Fly your dreams".
Yumping.fr — Do you practise other Aerial Sports?
A.M.— Yes, paragliding and weight-shift microlights, and we're also part of the French paramotor team, competing with my wife in the tandem cart class.
Yumping.fr — Thank you for answering our questions and introducing us to this wonderful activity.
If you'd like to see Alain Mainguet "in the air", here are some key 2012 dates: The Icarus Dream (2-10 June 2012 - Royan), Slalomania 2012 (22-24 June 2012 - Basse-Ham), The French Paramotor Championship (27 May - 1 June 2012)... Or visit his school in Saint-Agnant (Charente-Maritime) directly - he'll be delighted to welcome you and share his passion!
Birthdays, corporate events, stag/hen parties or simply for pleasure... "Fly your dreams" and embark on the incredible discovery of the skies...
