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Ohio Powered Paragliding 20683 Hull
Prairie
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Hi Bruce, Thanks for introducing me to the
greatest form of flying ever invented. Your new "Free Spirit" machine
is great. I like that it can be configured with either high or
low hook-in points. (I use the low hook-in and like the
weight-shift ability.) My Muse II is so easy to launch that I've
only blown 2 launches (1 forward & 1 reverse) since I first
soloed. Your training was excellent and you put up with loads of
my stupid questions. You'll remember that the weather interupted
my first week of training and I couldn't get back with you until about
two months later. Nevertheless, you quickly got me up to speed where I
left off and I was flying shortly after. I have one suggestion
for you. You should warn people that getting into this sport is
addictive and that we will never take another country drive without
assessing every field, paddock, large lawn, or soccer field we see as a
possible launch site.
I look forward
to flying with you again soon.Larry Moore Lexington, Ohio |
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Bruce - I wanted to
take this opportunity
to thank you for a job well done. I have always wanted to fly but have
had
numerous things complicate my ability to do it, until I ran across your
site.
The problems like hanger space, high cost, and transportation all kept
me from the
sky until I found powered paragliding. At
first I
was looking for the equipment thinking my schedule did not allow for
training
and this didn’t look too tough. I’m athletic and a fast learner
so I thought, just purchase
the stuff and get to it. I did some extensive research and found
that you can
purchase anything on the net but at the same time not know anything
about what
you purchased. I called you and we talked about the Free Spirit and
training. I was skeptical at
first because I lived so far away and time for training with work was
limited.
After conceding we made arrangements to meet, purchase and start my
training. I
was thinking that classroom time was very informative but hey I can
learn that,
not with the same expertise but still could learn it. Next we
went
outside and
strapped the wing on and did some ground handling launches. From
the
first second I was
thinking "I AM GLAD I'M DOING THIS TRAINING". This was very informative
and needed
to correctly launch and maintain the wing. The ability to have you
watch and
talk to me while I was working the wing was priceless. After much
ground handling practice, we moved to getting off the
ground. We had some windy conditions and
had to work around those but the slightly windy days helped us practive
even more. Finally it was time for my first solo. It
took several attemps, but thank
you Bruce for being on top of every mistake and helping to correct
them. NOW, in the air
and my mind was on nothing but "what the heck am I doing". What do I do
next,
more altitude, more power, more break, hands up. For a split
instant, I was a
little stressed and overwhelmed. All of a sudden, that familiar voice
of Bruce
came over the speaker in my ear, “ARMS UP, GET THEM UP, SIT BACK, POWER
UP,
DOING GREAT”. Through the flight you talked to me. To land
without your guidance, who knows what could have happened. My
first landing was not pretty, but no harm done. After more
landings under my belt, I now land with ease. When I
think back on it, I
am so
glad I came to you for the training and equipment. To get into the air
on my own and
get confused could have been a disaster. Your training program
was worth every minute and
dime
spent. Thank you for being available after training as well. At the
time of
training I lived in Columbus Ohio, I have currently moved to Marietta,
Georgia
and still your available to help me when I ask. You have become a
good friend.
I recently have added a trike to my gear and things are great, thanks
for that
advice as well.
I would recommend
your services to anyone that is thinking
of getting into PPG. The hotel accommodations are adequate and cheap so
staying
was not a problem. Bruce
- thanks for holding nothing back and telling me when I
screw up, that is exactly what I needed for success.
Anyone visiting
the
northern Ga. area feel free to contact
me at bluejackets2win@yahoo.com. Chris Beatty |
![]() Bruce Brown - Steve Dale |
Steve
Dale |
Tim Doughty's
Sunset Flight
Click Photo to Enlarge |
My wife and I
spent a week
training with Bruce at his training location in Ohio 2 years ago, we
both
fly regularly. Looking back on our training 2 years ago, having the
experience
I have now, I feel very fortunate to have found Bruce and received such
high quality and competent training and instruction. Bruce is a skilled
pilot and an excellent instructor. My wife and I both appreciate his
patient
yet thorough style of instruction. The instructor/student relationship
we have with Bruce was, and continues to be, important and satisfying
to
us. I still call him regularly with questions or sometimes just to say
hello. Bruce is an asset to this sport and I would highly recommend him
as an instructor to anyone interested in Powered Paragliding. I
own,
and fly regularly, an Airfer Bimax/Cors-Air, for 2 years now. I have
had
absolutely no problems with it, zero. The electric start has easily
started
the engine within 1-2 seconds of pushing the start button every single
attempt since I have owned it. It runs, accelerates, and idles like a
dream.
If there is a drawback to this unit/motor for me, it would have to be
the
fact that it has not given me a single opportunity to experience an
unexpected
motor out in two years and nearly 160 flights. It has plenty of power
to
spare, I am 225 lb. and rarely ever use full throttle. It requires very
little maintenance and/or adjustments. Keep the belt properly
tensioned,
the head bolts properly torqued, and the spark plug properly gapped,
and
it will never let you down.
Tim Doughty |
![]() Christine Doing a
Forward
Launch
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Dear Bruce, I’m writing to thank
you for
the excellent training and service you provided me. I was
hesitant
to learn to fly and you made the training process enjoyable and
rewarding.
Your calm and cool demeanor put me at ease and your patience with me
made
the learning process relaxed and pleasurable. I was very nervous
during my first 20 or so flights, even contemplating whether or not to
continue, but your constant encouragement kept me flying. I’m so
glad I stuck with it!! I love the freedom and independence I’ve
gained
with my PPG.
Christine Doughty |
Airfer Bimax,
MacPara Muse
in Bo's GoldWing Trailer |
Dear Bruce, <> ><> I don’t know what made me ride my motorcycle over 4400 miles (round trip) this summer to get trained by you, but I am glad I did. I have been to 2 fly-ins now, met over 100 pilots (almost all of them know you and have very nice things to say about you) and have over 20 flights. I have talked with a few different instructors that ask me where I was trained. When I tell them Bruce Brown trained me, they told me that Bruce really set me up right. I have all the right equipment with the Black Devil Airfer Bimax Paramotor and the perfect wing for a beginner, (Muse) which will take me a long time to outgrow and my skills are of a pilot with hundreds of flights. You were the 1st person I’d ever seen fly a PPG on a Tuesday and by Thursday I did my 1st solo flight. Some people say I am a natural but I contribute it to your outstanding instruction. Thanks again for everything and I look forward to flying with you in the future. Sincerely,> David Beaudette AKA; Ranger Bo. Colorado Springs, Colorado 2007 Update: Hey Bruce,
Just wanted to send you a quick
update. I just returned from a balloon fest in Socorro
NM. Another great time. There were about a dozen pilots (2
trikes) and many balloons. A good time had by all. I was
just reading my testimonial and I thought I would send you an update to
it. I have been flying for 2 1/2 years now, have over 200 flights
and I have had incredible success with this sport. I haven't
blown a launch in over 18 months, all my landings have been stand-up
landings and I still fly the original prop. Considering that most
of my flights take place at 6840 ft. asl, (Colorado Springs) I consider
myself to be pretty successful. I just got my wing back from its
annual inspection and it is in great shape. Even the big red
"RANGER BO" you painted on it looks like new still. No
cracking or fading which I had almost expected after years of
use. I love the wing so much I bought another one just like
it. (Muse 28) I compare myself to other pilots and the
trouble they've had with their motors and I have been fortunate there
too. Just some minor periodic maintenance and this Black Devil
still rocks. I take it everywhere I go. Although I
still consider myself to be a "sky putter", my wife still can't watch
me fly but she has warmed up to the fact that it is in my blood and it
is a life-long addiction. Whenever I see an open grassy field, my
heart rate still goes up. Anyway I just wanted to give you
some feed-back on another success story for your archives. I hope
life is treating you well and every student you train has as much fun
and success as I have. Thanks again
for everything.
Bo
P.S. Trikes are for Chicks!
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Chris Kairys - Pilot
Extraordinar
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I’m usually a
pretty fast
learner with most things but, for some reason, I didn’t catch on in my
powered paragliding training as quickly. I was hugely disappointed
in myself. I was ready to give it all up, sell my week-old equipment
and
go home. But Bruce sensed that I really wanted to be able to fly.
So he convinced me that I just needed more practice. He suggested
a training regimen that I could work on by myself at home to
build
my skills and confidence---to be followed by a return to his field for
my first solo under his radio direction. He even called me at
home
twice during that time to check up on how I was progressing and help
me
work through a few techniques. I returned to Perrysburg several weeks
later
and soloed just like Bruce predicted. It was one of the best decisions
I’ve ever made to stick with something. In the meantime, I've had the
opportunity
to power paraglide in Australia! I’ve had more fun in this sport
than any other activity I’ve pursued in my 50-year life. And I owe a
lot
of thanks to Bruce for inspiring me to achieve one of my
own
personal bests.
If you’re
thinking about getting into PPG, you’re practically guaranteed to have
success if you learn from Bruce. He’s a practical and honest gentleman
who knows how to have good, safe fun. And a darned good motivator---I’m
proof.
Chris Kairys. Pittsburgh, PA (Chris Kairys is the Director of Distribution Development at MSA International in Pittsburgh, PA) |
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Bruce. When I came to see you
in
Ohio, I was feeling pretty much defeated by PPG. Six months earlier,
when
I had first become interested in PPG I'd sold myself on the idea that
my
new motor should weigh as little as possible and be equipped with a
clutch.
I quickly learned that the smaller motor , simply did not have
sufficient
thrust to launch me without a very long run. I weigh 220lb and I
realized
I needed a lot more thrust than I was getting from the small motor. To
his credit, the manufacturer who sold me the small motor gave me a 100%
refund. When I first fitted on the Bimax, I could tell that it
was
going be more comfortable to carry than the lighter motor. This
is
because Airfer offers their harness in multiple sizes; I choose an
XL.
Back home when I set up for my first Bimax launch, I was pretty nervous
because of all my previous blown launches. I pulled up the wing in a
forward
launch, added some power and I was up and gone in 10 steps. I'm still
amazed
how easy it is to launch with lots of power. My favorite Bimax
features
are electric start, big custom sized harness, Cors-Air engine, and the
low weight shift bars. However, the best Airfer feature is the fact
that
you and Alex Varv of www.aerocorsair.com
have been available and supportive when I needed to get in the air.
Thanks!
Terry Lutke Dorr, MI
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Hi Bruce,
I’m still on a high
(No pun
intended) after visiting you this past summer and having you
reintroduce
me to powered Paragliding after my 1 year absence from the sport.
Fitting
me with just the right wing, the Mac Para Eden II, and matching
it
with the Airfer Bimax really made it a dream flight come true. I’ll
never
forget adding full power and leaping up into the sky. The unit performs
perfectly, always starting on the first try and climbing out at rates I
have never seen before. You’re reassurance gave me the confidence
to do it again and all those extra pointers made me look like I never
was
away from the sport. Keep up the good work and I look forward to the
day
when I can fly with you again!
Sincerely, Angelo
Chirico
Wellington, Connecticut (638 miles east of Bowling Green, Ohio)
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Dear Bruce,
I'm writing to thank
you for
all you have done for Cindy and I this past year. Although we
received
7 days of training by another instructor when we purchased our
equipment
3 years ago, we have found your training, advice, and assistance led to
a real break through for both of us on a number of fronts. It was
my 3rd broken propeller that prompted me to seek your help with no and
low wind forward launches. After one morning with you, I was able
to make repeated no and low wind forwards and I haven't broken a prop
since.
Being able to get in the air on quiet days has really opened up a lot
of
flying time for me. Recently, I've been trying the power-on
landing
you showed me at your last fly-in with great results too. Cindy
sends
her regards and thanks you for your help with her trike. It
has made a real difference.
Phil Adkison -
Waterford,
Michigan ( 38 miles NW of Detroit)
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So you think you
want to fly
do you. I have flown in airplanes; I trained in a Cessna 150 and
waited for the right kind of flying for me. Then I was introduced
to PPG, Powered Paragliding and Bruce Brown. Bruce trained
me to fly safely and smartly. I trained with him at his location
in Perrysburg, Ohio. This was a friendly spot to learn from,
there
was lots of space to practice on the ground or in the air. Bruce
takes nothing for granted, if you already know it, you will review
it.
If you don’t know it, you will when he is done. You will have to
do your homework if you want to succeed, however, with your effort and
Bruce’s training you will be off and in the air in no time. You
will
not fly, if you’re not ready. Bruce can supply you with all your
needs to be a PPG operator. If you choose, your first
introduction
can be a tandem flight. You will learn first hand if you have the
will to be a powered paraglider pilot. After that, you can start
your training. There are lots of motels should you need to stay a
few days and plenty of great restaurants. I live in Michigan,
only
a few hours from Bruce’s location. He has changed my life and
made
me a flier. If you want to learn, and have fun doing it, contact
Bruce Brown in Ohio for the experience of a lifetime. Thanks
Bruce,
with your training I am having the time of my life.
Tom Zoner,
pilot.
Tom Zoner, is owner of a greenhouse operation with his wife
MaryJean.
He is also the Supervisor of the Charter Township of Commerce in
Oakland
County Michigan (35 miles NW of Detroit). He is 57 years of age
and
says; you’re never too old to have some fun in your life. |
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I love the NAC
Radio Ready
Helmet; it is my favorite helmet. The noise cancellation mic is
fantastic
and the earmuffs are extremely comfortable and provide great noise
suppression.
I can run my engine at full power and still transmit with minimal
background
noise. Fellow pilots are often impressed with the clarity with
transmissions.
What I like is that I didn't make any modifications to the helmet, I
just
plugged in the radio and I was ready to go....
Jeff Thompson - Parastars Board Member - Tampa, Florida (1112 miles S of Bowling Green, OH)
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Well, first off let
me tell
you that you are miles ahead of the game by dealing with Bruce
Brown.
I hold him in high regard as a trustworthy businessman and a talented
instructor.
Bruce is the importer as you surely know for Airfer. The Tornado is an
excellent ppg and I highly recommend it to you. Also, it is good to
have
product support and since you are close to Bruce this should be a big
selling
point. As for a paraglider, of course I would recommend the Muse by
MacPara.
I am the US importer for them so I am biased. That having been said, it
is a great motoring wing. And my personal wing of preference as a flyer
and an instructor. As a flyer, I like the sportiness of it in the air
and
also the security it offers. It is one of the few DHV 1 rated gliders
that
is a performance glider. As an instructor I like the Muse because
it make my job easier and the learning curve quicker for the new pilot.
The Muse is one of the easiest wings to kite and launch with on the
market.
For the student this means that you will spend less time on the ground
and more time in the air.
Andy McAvin, US importer of MacPara Technology Paragliders |
| Ohio Powered
Paragliding 20683 Hull Prairie Road Bowling Green, OH 43402 |
Phone:
419-823-1270
E-Mail: brucebrown@wcnet.org |