This week, Dan Kaye, former SkySchool Operations Manager and now Sales Executive at Parajet, shares his paramotoring and paragliding journey, from his beginnings as a student in Italy to his recent adventures in Ölüdeniz, Turkey.
Early Beginnings
In 2018, I embarked on my paramotoring journey by joining SkySchool as the Operations Manager. Despite having no prior experience, I spent my initial two weeks learning to fly at Fly Zone Fermo in Italy. Fast forward to 2025, and I've had the privilege of flying across the globe, forging lifelong friendships, and advancing my skills to levels I once only dreamed of. Reflecting on this journey fills me with excitement for others who are just starting theirs.
Discovering Paragliding
After my initial paramotor flights, I was captivated by this form of aviation. Immersing myself fully, I absorbed knowledge from the talented pilots and instructors around me. While I cherished the motorized aspect of paramotoring, I eagerly anticipated the freedom I believed paragliding would offer. In January 2019, I experienced my first paragliding flights in India with Temple Pilots at Pawna Lake. Those few days of ridge-soaring solidified my passion for paragliding, revealing the unique yet complementary nature of both disciplines.
Continuous Learning and SIV Courses
Seizing every opportunity to be airborne, whether paramotoring with SkySchool or paragliding off mountains with Alex, I always heeded the cautious advice of mentors like Ricardo and Zeb: take it steady, don't rush. While eager to test my limits, I understood the importance of doing so in controlled settings. This mindset led me to participate in an SIV (Simulation d’Incident en Vol) course in Ölüdeniz, Turkey, under the guidance of Jack Pimblett. Throughout the week, Jack imparted invaluable knowledge, maintained calm communication over the radio, and demonstrated the forgiving nature of our wings. I emerged more confident and with a heightened respect for the sport.
Advancing Skills and Embracing Acro
Since my initial trip in 2019, I've returned to Turkey four times. During these visits, I completed an advanced SIV course with Jack and later attended my first acro paragliding course with Theo de Blic, co-founder of Rise Paragliding. In this course, I practiced maneuvers like stalls and progressed to deep stall to Helico—one of the most iconic acro moves. The sensation of the wing smoothly transitioning into a stable helicopter spin for the first time is unforgettable.
Recent Endeavours and Future Aspirations
In October 2024, I collaborated with Rich Dolan of Free Flight Academy, serving as his cameraman for three weeks of courses. During a break, I undertook an intensive acro course with Rich. By the course's end, we agreed it was time for me to transition to a dedicated acro wing, the AirG Emilie. Upgrading to a higher-level wing was both daunting and rewarding. I spent the following week familiarising myself with this glider, falling in love with its capabilities, and eagerly anticipating further progression at my own pace. While I did have an unplanned water landing—that's a story for another time!
Reflections
Progressing in these sports has been profoundly educational, bringing unexpected experiences: encounters with remarkable individuals, flights over breathtaking landscapes, moments of intense frustration, and unparalleled satisfaction. Above all, I take pride in having exercised patience, advanced at my own pace, and valued the guidance of mentors. Paramotoring and paragliding offer unique forms of aviation, and I wholeheartedly encourage anyone intrigued to pursue this path.
Upcoming Opportunities
I'll be joining Rich Dolan in Turkey for SkySchool's SIV course from September 20th to 27th. In the meantime, we'll be conducting our Paragliding Conversion courses in France in June and September. Learn more about both courses.
Recent Paramotor News
Parajet has announced that their new Maverick II paramotor will be available earlier than originally predicted. This model introduces several advancements, including a redesigned throttle with cruise control.
British pilot Daniel Jones has officially set a new world record for the longest distance flown in a closed circuit without landing: 516.95 km in 10 hours and 10 minutes with the Atom80. The FAI has ratified this achievement. Learn more
That’s all for now. The next stop for us will be Namibia, so stay tuned for plenty of content on our Instagram and YouTube accounts.
Until then, Blue Skies and Safe Landings…
