Is this a thing?

Is this a thing that people do, or is this a local, modern-day Bill Boeing doing test laps over Lake Union?

What's this called? Are there clubs where members exchange ideas and custom-made parts? I've never seen this before. My wife says she's seen him in the same place I was last night.

I was out looking for golden hour stuff last night. There's a big meadow outside of town by the high school where a big herd of elk live. (500-600 individuals, from what I understand.) Figured I'd take a look. They're still shedding their winter coat, so they're kinda scruffy looking. But there were a few out grazing in the sunset.

So I had my elk kit out when I heard the engine hum. He did several laps around the meadow, buzzing me each pass. According to my capture dates, he was up there for at least a half an hour.

Image hosted by forum (1210859) © drsilver THIS IS A LOW QUALITY PREVIEW. Please log in to see the good quality stuff.

It's a powered parachute, paramotor, para-trike. You can buy them.
https://parajet.com …duct/maverick-lite-trike/

They need calm air and are an inexpensive way to fly. some of them can carry 2 people.

Your first image has the pilot holding two lines. Those controls turns left and right. To go up, add power. Throttle back the engine to go down.
They don't fly very fast, as you probably saw.

Nice images!

Capn Jack wrote in post #19520752
It's a powered parachute, paramotor, para-trike. You can buy them.
https://parajet.com …duct/maverick-lite-trike/

They need calm air and are an inexpensive way to fly. some of them can carry 2 people.

Your first image has the pilot holding two lines. Those controls turns left and right. To go up, add power. Throttle back the engine to go down.
They don't fly very fast, as you probably saw.

Nice images!

Thanks. This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

drsilver wrote in post #19520749

Hosted photo: posted by drsilver in
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forum: The Lounge

Attractive photo.

I have a feeling that there's a POTN member flies something like this & takes photos whilst up there. Will check the Transportation threads...

drsilver wrote in post #19520756
Thanks. This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

Some are simpler. The pilot straps the engine/propeller on their back and wear the parachute like a skydiver does. Their legs are the landing gear.
https://en.wikipedia.o​rg/wiki/Paramotor

My friend really got into this and about 10 years and we drove to Ohio for a get together. The organizers rented a field and there were a lot people there. They all knew each other so they would hold regular events I imagine. He wanted me to get one but like any hobby it is pretty expensive to start out. It is also a lifestyle where you plan your trips to go flying so there is a commitment. He has hardly used his. People did fly them around the outside perimeter of our city but they shut that down so now you have to drive distances to use it. This is something you don't use only a few times a year. I can't remember the last time I seen one in the sky around here.

They did a night flying event and shot roman candles from them so they looked like they were attack aircraft. Daytime events included games. One was having a soccer ball on the field and they had to swoop in and pick it up with their feet.

I took a lot of shots and sent them to the organizers.

This bought back some memories. It was actually 2008 so 15 years ago.

One of the tandems

My knee again. Had that in there on purpose to show how high he took me. You can see a wing below us.