One of the most popular flying activity and sport today is paragliding. Paragliding is relatively cheap and fairly safe. The average fatality rate per thousands USHGA members per year for the last 15 years is only 0.88. There is no license required for flying a paraglider, but if you have no experience at all, it's recommended to attend some education in any of the thousands paragliding clubs all over the world. A new paraglider costs about 5,000 USD while a second hand can be found for much less. Professional fly training typically costs between  1.000 USD and GBP 2.000 USD. There are motor paragliders who are probably the simplest powered flying machine. The motor paragliders (paramotors) let you start flying from the ground without the need of hills or winches.

Do you dream of soaring like a bird high above the earth, carefree and euphoric? You do not need to fly expensive aircraft. Try a powered parachute for the ultimate experience in flying. 

In 1964, the precursor of the present day powered parachute (PPC), was patented. It was called a “Multi-Cell Wing” or “Parafoil”. In 2004, the present day version was made by Don Shaw who mounted an engine from a two-wheel motor scooter with a propeller and a parafoil. Powered parachutes are also called motorized parachutes or PPC. This is a parachute with a difference. It has a motor and comes equipped with wheels. It can fly at speeds of 25-35 miles per hour. These parachutes can operate at heights close to the ground or as high as 18,000 feet or more.