Less than a year ago we lost a good guy (Dustin) in the Phoenix area. Less than a year ago, over one weekend we lost two guys in the Western Colorado group; "Barricade Rider" (don't know his real name), Ryan Rockow and a near miss crash into water. All new guys, all doing low maneuvers, all within a few days and approaching the 4th of July holiday. I'm disappointed in some of the more popular PPG "influencers". What percentage of paramotor video viewers are newbies and prospective PPG flyers? I'd spend more time stressing the amazing opportunity it is to merely fly and stress safety and the basics as well as share tips and advice, rather than trying to dazzle with the latest greatest super dooper atomic swirly. Stop acting up for cameras and spectators.

@FTroop37F

2 жыл бұрын

I'm not a religious guy but have thought about and feel for their families. I hope this pilot has a full and speedy recovery.

Precise and concise! 👍

Dave this is an excellent well thought video.

Spot on David. Ooof! Cringing to watch. Ego+Poor Judgement=Trouble. Hope for a speedy recovery, get back in the air and share your lesson with others.

Hey David, So I was there with him when this happened; Actually I was already in the air, up the beach a couple miles. I returned to the LZ to see the crowd of people around him, trying to help. I landed immediately. By the time I got my gear off and to him, I could hear the sirens of the paramedics on their way. They quickly assessed him and rushed him off to a hospital that was 20+ minutes away. The injuries he suffered that you described are accurate. He also suffered some broken ribs and a collapsed lung. From the information I'm getting (his father is keeping us updated), they plan to move him to a hospital in Tennessee hopefully today, if he is stable enough. He's had some complications this past week, so we're all keeping our fingers crossed - his recovery is going to be very tough. So, my thoughts on this are the same as yours. There just isn't really any reason to do these low maneuvers - especially over the ground. If you're going to do them, please make sure you have the relevant skills and are over water with a support boat. This is a prime example of showing off and how it can end so badly. In fact, that morning before we flew, our instructor who had put this trip together, said to us, "Guys, the #1 killer of paramotor pilots are blondes in bikinis." His warning was understood by all of us, or at least so I thought. Please fly safely and just enjoy being in the air. The ground is not forgiving.

@David_Wolfe

2 жыл бұрын

Well said Ryan

Thank you for saying what many of us in the community think!

This kind of flying can't even be categorized as "Acro". Poor guy just got a lesson in "look at me" pilot syndrome... Hope he recovers fast.

@frasersgrove4838

2 жыл бұрын

Was thinking the same thing, just doing wingovers but way too low...

My psyche hurts from seeing this.😞 Good talk Mr. Wolfe.🍻

I agree and praying for a speedy recovery for the pilot.

thanks, I will fly one day but not in a crazy way not risk my life. Im with you.

Thanks for the share David, your message is clear and on point. Praying for the pilot and his family.

Great commentary David. Prayers to the pilot. Such an unnecessary crash. Why must our need for a rush so significantly outweigh the reality of how fragile we really we are on this planet. Unfortunately, you and I, David, both know that wisdom doesn't usually come until we are old enough to appreciate it. Stay safe buddy and look forward to flying with you soon!

Thank goodness they didn't crash land on one of those spectators! Praying for them 🙏🏼

Good discussion David....Prayers for the pilot. Be safe out there folks!

Spot on.

Great video... The dangers of the sport are to often hidden or overlooked .. glad to see some commonsense commentary in this video

@larrykorell750

2 жыл бұрын

ignored actually. People know the risks when they are trained. And if they are self trained, the thought of slamming into the ground and related damage is obvious. This is someone showing off unfortunately. Risk vs reward....we constanlty beat this into people during training. Unfortunately, people change when they have an audience.

Hi all. I have been in PG and PPG for 30 years, I have seen many many crashes in person. A few things that I have learned, stay clear of people, fly with-in your actual abilities, and constantly assess and re-assess your pilot decision making. I am still doing this to this day. We all make mistakes, try not to make the bad ones, be forward thinking please. I wish this person a speedy and full recovery.

Accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Let's always fly safely. And I wish the pilot a fast recovery.

Prayers :( well said David....

My thoughts and prayers go out to whoever that is and their family. Please take these wise words seriously guys and gals. Thanks for putting this video together brother and I hope you and your family are doing well.

Great words of advice David. Cringe watching these type of videos but a humble reminder to us all. Fly safe and prayers of a speedy recovery for this pilot.

That was so unnecessary. Hope he has a fast recovery. Thanks David.

Ouch!!! Pretty sketchy moves. Prayers for this Paramotorist.

Man that was painful to watch. 😬

Great video David, agree 100% . I don't want to bash the guy at all, but from take off I was almost wondering is he really trying acro or just new and doesn't know what the hell he is doing and has no control whatsoever and had a few lucky turns before crashing. I am pretty new so hard to tell for me but doesn't look like the guys at all that I have watched do acro.

Thanks for posting this. Obliviously the pilot has talent and it appears he just became distracted on the last turn and didn't realize that his turn was steep enough to lead him into the ground. Its hard to tell in the video but it looks like during that last turn, the pilot was looking at the people on the beach and not looking into the turn. I believe that's what caused him to descend into the ground. If you are going to fly like this, you have to have your full concentration and your eyes focused into the turn and constantly be aware of your rate of closure to the ground or other objects. We are all guilty of being distracted. This can happen to anyone so always fight the urge to be distracted by people, phones, cameras, your own thoughts ect. Prayers to the pilot and family.

Almost looks like he fumbled his outside brake toggle to prevent the dive!

I was there for this one, it's really crappy. This one actually made me temporarily angry. I'm really tired of seeing all of these incidents. I go to a lot of gatherings, and it's overwhelming at times. This was the 3rd incident I was there for on my trip. 2nd I called 911 for

@David_Wolfe

2 жыл бұрын

Aaron, John told me you were there. I am so sorry you and Keith had to witness this tragic event.

@aaroneye86

2 жыл бұрын

@@David_Wolfe It was sad stuff...

Not good. I hope he recovers quick and gets back flying. That was a tough lesson to learn.

You're not wrong David. This needed to be said again. Chris Santacroce gave a great vlog on this topic not long ago. There are so many new people coming into the sport that need to hear this and others like myself that could use a reminder. Thanks for expressing it with tact, respect and clarity as to how it can impact those who are and aren't pilots alike.

Oh and David , thanks for the post man, and I miss OPN!!

@David_Wolfe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks buddy.

@jerrydelyea5820

2 жыл бұрын

@@David_Wolfe There is enough heart ache in the world with out adding to it. Take care buddy Jerry

Oh wow.... yes OK not cool to show off. But we all do get a little sucked in sometimes. I really hope he makes a fill recovery. 🙏

Praying for a full recovery. I live in Florida, where was this ? Pilots name ? Thanks in advance

Prayers for him and his family 🙏 great talk! I really hope people listen to this! I ignored the danger signs, and pushed myself past my experience level last year. Wingtip ground snag and two fractured vertebrae 🤦‍♂️. But at least it was mild and I walked away. It was good for me and I'm a better, safer pilot because of it. I was lucky.

Is there any update on him? Would love to know how he’s doing

Agreed

Lost a friend the same way 2 years ago. Great pilot advancing very fast with his skill. Poor judgment took his life.

@David_Wolfe

2 жыл бұрын

Sorry for your loss of your friend

Sorry to see. I'm sure he knew the risks. unfortunately, his luck ran out. As we constantly say in the sport, all it takes is one mistake. Not sure I've ever seen anyone not make one mistake doing anything in their life. Unfortunately, a mistake in acro along with bad decisions is deadly. Sorry for him and his family too, who really pays the ultimate price. I was afraid for the people on the beach as well....and this will likely lead to another city ordinance banning our flying from yet another place. All we PPG pilots suffer when this happens. But nothing will change as far as pilots doing acro down low.

Just say no to low acro! Save it for pylons on a water course. Thanks for sharing

Words of wisdom spoken here.

number 6. lol, have you seen videos of this years flying circus fly in, one fatality and a shit show organisation, Now That's number 6

"no one will make money on youtube" sure yeah, thats the spirit lol.

This is hard to watch. dont want to see this happen to anyone. Prayers to him and his Family that it impacts. speedy recovery.

Great. 🙄

Low acro is an issue,,,especially at Fly Ins and other gatherings,,,,maybe I am just an old fart , but I see any foot drag that “cannot” be turned into a landing as acro,,,,think about it,,,

Being on sand probably saved his life. Imagine if that was into dirt, rocks, or pavement. 😮

But people can't see and photograph you up high... Look at me!

🙄

He was showing off and way too low .... What did he prove ... nothing .... How to get a hefty medical bill in 3 steps ...