When he took off I immediately thought about the old pilot line “take off is optional but landings are mandatory!”

Bash on Scott all you want, Zach was determined to fly that day with or without Scott's help. Having Scott there prob saved his life.

Basically a "Here, Hold my Beer" video. Thankfully (at least this time) the wife and kids weren't treated to a front row seat to dad killing himself.

Thank you so much for this video I am totally getting trained first now

12:00 "I couldn't figure out how the harness works... I think I'm ready!"

Yea, don't even worry about those straps. I'm sure the manufacturer just sewed those on for some "flair".

"You gonna wear a helmet"?... "Nah. I want to get good at it before I wear a helmet".

I just purchased a jet plane online from China. Never flown before but between KZfaq and ps4 I think I'm ready. 🆙🆙🆙

17.10 "Do you want the chest strap done " "I don't think it does anything " Undoes chest strap. Priceless 👍

Scott, it's a good thing you were there. That guy is lucky to be alive, IMO. It was terrifying watching him and seeing how utterly unprepared he was with his equipment. This video is a great one to show people thinking of trying to learn on their own and a terrible one for Blackhawk's marketing department.

I fully expected Zach to disappear off into the sky to never return or be seen again.

This is the guy that has leftover parts after rebuilding an engine

Scott saved this guys life. I hope he realises how lucky he is to have Scott there to help

"I looked at it and got confused, and there was no information on there site so, i just figured they were useless and zip tied them out of the way." HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Thank goodness he had a friend that cared enough to teach him before he killed himself!

I was 62 years old when I started flying my PPG trike having had no instructor, or lessons. Learned the basics from watching about a gazillion videos on KZfaq & tons of research. When I felt almost confident, took her out to my neighbors 500 acre cattle ranch, put a wind sock next to about 1,200 feet of straight dirt road in the valley, took off, and just flew the the damn thing as pretty as you please first try. I'm 70 now with at least 5,000 flights under my belt without a single "oh shit!" moment. I've flown other locations around the state, but nothing compares to my buddy's ranch. The valley is surrounded on three sides by wooded hills, but the dirt road I use for a runway runs directly towards flat lands & practically every breeze is a head wind making the road a perfect take off & landing sight.

This is NOT a training video. This video is to educate you on some of the troubles of self-training. There’s a lot that can go wrong. I recommend going to a qualified instructor for training. Some of you would choose to wash your hands of a situation like this and look the other way. I choose to help to the best of my ability. I have no doubt that I could have done better at helping Zach if I had years of experience but I don’t. Zach was hard set on getting into the air as quick as possible. I recommend taking your time and master each phase of training and mastering your equipment before ever taking off. Not all of my comments are on camera.

#1 takaway from this: Don't buy a paramotor until you have an instructor, then buy the brand he recommends so he can set you up properly knows what could go right or wrong with the rig

I think this was a pretty effective video. I'm thinking about getting into this sport and this video clearly demonstrated how silly it is to try and do it myself without an knowledge or training and just "hoping for the best". I think it's good that Scott was there to help the guy since it's obvious he was going to do it with or without professional help.

It's so much more complicated than Tucker Gott makes it look.

As a former hang gliding instructor, I would say he was lucky to have you there. You did a pretty good job and it helped that he was a somewhat 'natural '. Lots of people learn these various ultra light flying sports this way.

It was wonderful you were there with him. Kudos to you for sure. It is scarey to think he would have tried that alone. Bless you sir.

How is this ultra-quick lesson not giving Zach the willies?! I’m sitting at a desk listening to all the info and it’s making me anxious. If I was listening to this out in the field I would definitely scrap my flight plan and go find lessons! Zach just said, “alright I think I’m ready...” and I laughed audibly.

OMG, I'd be listening really close to the instructions given and fixing those straps. This guy Zach doesn't seem to be worried about much at all. Hardly seems to be listening or concerned much of the time. He must have an angel following him! No helmet either??? +

Congratulations Zach on your successful flight, I'm thrilled it all worked out for you, but you MUST get your attitude right. Everything matters, EVERYTHING must be right every time or you don't fly, period. Don't launch with anything questionable in any way, ever! For the sake of those kids insist on this every time. You've got the ability and knowledge to self train but you're lacking the good judgment that is required. Please correct this and live a long, happy life.

next time......some bungee cords and a lawn chair.

'I couldn't figure out what it was so I figured it was useless' I'm so glad you were there to save him from himself

Scott, you are a really nice guy to have helped this new guy get off the ground. Great job!

1 The chest strap prevents you from falling out of the shoulder straps. 2: leg loops should be done up tight and short. (I have been hanging 10 inches below my seat unable to control glider or get into seat.).

I think Zach is one of those people who can take instructions even when it looks like he isn’t paying attention. Lucky so and so. For me I would need an instructor who talks real slowly and draws good pictures.

Excellent teacher, I'm sure he really needed this and you there.

Great job Scott. A successful first flight for Zach! Amazing!!!!

Best 'How NOT To' video I've seen yet (without a bad result). If you don't have the equipment figured out (or assembled right), and don't even want to hook into the harness, there's no way you're ready to leave the ground. Edit: I know you wanted to help the guy, and figured he'd do even worse without you, but there's a point to say NO as well. Fire up without hooking up chest strap(s)? "Extra" straps don't matter?

Zach is still around and doing fine. Cheers to Zach for having the courage to try!

Nice job Scott. You should actually go for getting an instructors certificate. I think you are very talented in helping others and teaching others how to paraglide with a motor on there back. You seem to be a natural on the teaching level. Thumbs up for sure and thanks for the video and instruction. God Bless

Best thing I heard was.... "bought it with bitcoin". @ 5:44 I did learn a lot from watching the video.....

You did an amazing job helping Zach! Zach is like it don't matter if it's safe or not and it don't matter if I'm in the harness securely or not just get me up there!!

" i don't have a helmet...." hahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

I had to stop watching when he said “I figured these were useless so I zip tied them out of the way.” Food for thought.... If the factory took the time to sew them into the harness...maybe...they’re important 🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️

Great instruction and hats off to Zach!

Thats the scariest thing I have ever seen. No proper actual training, No good knowledge about harness, just book and video stuff and top of that- NO HELMETS ! This fellow has two toddlers and a 13year old kids. Well, take risk if you are forced into something - BUT taking risk like this where you have one chance of falling and killing yourself - thats FOOL-HARDY. Why on earth anyone wants to do such a foolish and dangerous thing in life. It is not as if he could not afford a proper hands-on training ! Hope he is still alive !!!

I am an instrument rated pilot and a paramotor pilot. I taught myself to fly paramotors. I did get training to learn how to fly unpowered paragliders a few years prior. I wouldn't recommend going the self taught route but its absolutely possible. A surprising number of paramotor pilots are self taught.

I think you are a very good trainer. You were patient and were very easy to understand. Very nicely done.

This is a real lesson !. Zach inspire me, congra this great instructor !.

"I think you need to find out where these straps go" "Alright well I think I'm ready" Whattt the hell. This guy was having none of what you were trying to say

I only wear a helmet when my chest strap is on.

2.5 years later and I'm still laughing

Just like high power rocketry(I was certified level 2) having experienced buddies around to advise you is priceless. They can not only teach you the basics, but they also can teach you about all the little things that can go wrong and how to prepare for them making your experience a fun and safe time..

Jesus Christ. There were about 20 things that each individually would've made me say: you're not ready to fly today.

Way to go Zach! I was a little scared at first but he nailed it. So glad he ended up finding you Scott. You are a great teacher.

Very nice of you to do what you did for Zach, I'm sure he appreciates it (I know I would)

U guys are far more daring than I'll ever be, especially with this kind of training!😂... More power to you guys! Safe flying!

You probably saved his life, you are a awesome person for helping this guy into the new life of PPG

"I don't have a helmet" I feel like everything up to this point was almost just a case of someone not knowing what they didn't know, but then this was said. The laughter just made it seem like this was Scott's breaking point lol.

Scott you are awesome dude! I know a few times you wanted to say "I don't feel like your safely prepared to fly today." But I think he would have bucked you and went anyway. You done great looking out. Lesson prices are ridiculous, to the point people just chance it. Again, your awesome. God bless.

Great job helping out Zach

Wow Scott and Zach outstanding. Everyone needs a Scott to start out in this sport.

Zip tie that shit and go for it.

You did a great job of instruction, Scott.

Scott you’re a great friend, I have a friend myself that he flew complete alone he’s first fly, so much respect

Scary Scott! Well done being supportive and respecting his freedom of autonomy. You are absolutely on point about the equipment yet remembering the spirit of flight. The wright brothers had no manuals or trainers and learned by failure. To each man his own and be that mans only rite and property.

I would have told Zach, you shouldn't fly if you don't have the necessary straps for your harness & you're not totally familiar with your equipment. I truly thought that this was going to have a bad ending, watching him try to figure out how strap in and his positioning when he cranked up the motor. Your life is worth more than a grand or 2. Get training........You provided a lot of good information to him and it worked out, but what if it didn't. You were in a tough spot, you wanted to help him so he wouldn't hurt himself or his equipment on his 1st flight but then that could have backfired on you bigtime.

Love the spirit! Now I think I need one too... thanks!

Trying this without training is gutsy, the first sport paramotor pilots did the same. But it's an unnecessary, very high risk. What's scary is not knowing his equipment... what each strap is for, how to get into his seat, understanding that the netting needed to be tighter, that the throttle cable was too long, etc. Good thing you were there for him, Scott, well done sir.

24:35 for the most compelling reason for Scott's help AND for Zach to stop paramotoring. lol

Hes lucky he didn't fall out of the thing. First, No chest strap intentionally choosing to not buckle a strap is just pure stupid. Why do you think its there, idiot? You think the manufacturer is just like, "Hey guys lets put a bunch of unnecessary straps all over this thing just for the hell of it!"

He was going to do this anyway. Thankfully someone with experience was there for him. They both did a great job.

eh, you know what? Good for him. Glad you were there to help him. Definitely get training. You can watch 100s of youtube videos and sure you will get a lot of great information, but each individual and situation is unique and not everything in youtube videos applies to your situation. You did a great job guiding him. Think you gave him a great crash course. I was trained in Tampa Florida. My first flight alone after the course I didn't know not to fly in afternoon because of very rough air. Boy was that eye opening experience. Flying paragliders is such a smooth and seemingly "easy" thing to do that it's a bit misleading. You are at the mercy of the air and the wing above you. Treat it right.

Bought it with bitcoin.. LOL awesome!!!! Happy flying!!

Wow, this is amazing and cringe worthy clip. I also taught myself how to fly but I took a lot of the time to learn my equipment and ground handling first and still learning. Added bonus is I paraglide for years and transition to ppg. This dude was in so much hurry to get up in the air that he didn't even know where the straps go to right before takeoff. I am confident he will progress well with more practice. Also, you and only you should do pre flight check. The whole family had their hands on equipment setup. This video is like the modern day Wright Brothers and thier first flight. Tell your friend to have safe flights. He would want to be around as his babies grow up. Risk and Reward.

Hi...am loving the info...cant wait to save and buy my on gear...

this looks like a ton of fun!

Not to be mean or anything but that launch looked better than some other youtubers who have gotten into paramotoring recently and had lots of training hands on. I wonder if its him thinking he really needed to know how to do it best he could vs counting on someone who training you.

This was a fantastic video.

If we all only had one friend like scott! Thank you for being a good person man.

I've never been more concerned for someone's safety

"Ive looked at a lot of pictures trying to figure it out. Well I think I'm ready. "

I watched this video before I started flying and even with an instructor it is scary the first time… Glad you made it up there… There is no way I could’ve done it without my instructor in my ear on launch and when landing

You’re awesome for helping him!

Some of us have way too much testicular fortitude and bullheaded determination, I did the same with my ultralight, curiosity had me taxiing up and down my field for a couple hours until I decided it was time to just point it into the wind and go for it, that was 10 years ago and almost 500 hours of flight with that Quicksilver MX, I still enjoy it almost every weekend. Stay safe

Wow, I was probably more scared to watch this than he was actually doing it. The gear was scary; although, I've only been watching a hundred videos over the past year and have not flown I can tell you there was a lot that could have gone wrong. Glad to see him safely off and flying; although, not doubt he would seriously benefit from formal training. Good Luck.

Good thing you were there to help him.

This scared the crap out of me. I'm interested in paramotoring, it looks amazing and awesome, but I'm also well aware that there is a ton of safety awareness that needs to be in your head. Disappointed in Blackhawk for selling a unit with no training or instruction or information. That's kind of insane and seems like a huge liability issue. Very glad that you were there to preflight and practice and likely help save Zach from potential harm or death. This video has very much steered me toward investigating professional paramotor training in my area.

Thank you Scott, you saved a man's life.

Second time I’ve watched this. And both times, I got the Heebie-jeebies! That kid standing behind it when he was about to start it, the extra straps that probably aren’t needed, the chest strap that doesn’t do anything, the choke needs adjustment, long throttle cable, loose net, etc, etc, etc... the list is long...

Glad he had someone to be there who has done it before. Smartest thing I'd say.

The guy trying to supervise Zac did awesome, knew it wasn't his responsibility so wasn't mothering him but trying to give as much advise as Zac would listen to

VERY informative. Thank you for doing this video!! As a self taught kite surfer intrigued by paramotoring, the shear number of serious gotchas you went through with a first timer is crazy. I view myself similar to Zach in this video, very thoroughly viewing his way through potential problems with a lot of confidence in my ability. Where this video shows it is _possible_ to successfully navigate an entry into this sport in this way, my experience with large powerful wings alone and mostly remaining on the ground/water tells me this endeavor was a bit nuts. At least having someone knowledgeable there for the first run seemed to removed 30-40% of the risk of failure. Thanks to both of you for sharing this video. Excellent documentation/narration through an event I know I will not pursue on my own.

I love how Zach listened to Scott's entire instruction brief with hearing protection on...

Your help was awesome.

Your a good teacher , teaching takes patiences and you had that .

This video is about "limited, informal training + self-training" versus "formal incremental syllabus-based training". I don't consider this "no training".

You know, I was like many of you - I was cringing - worried the new flier would crash and get hurt from the lack of professional training. Then after 20 minutes of reading comments on both sides of the issue, I came to the conclusion that it depends on the individual and the sport. I taught myself many activities which were either dangerous or could have dangerous results, including riding motorcycles - on the street regularly at 75mph, and up and down steep hills in the rocky dirt, carpentry w/ saws, drills, hammers, files, up unsteady ladders, on 2 story roofs, or like fixing cars involving corrosive chemicals, welding, working under 2k pounds, around hot exhaust, spinning fans, wheels, and rotors, using makeshift tools, the wrong parts, and parts that were already worn out. Sometimes I wore personal protective equipment like a helmet, gloves, respirator, boots, but sometimes I DID NOT! Sometime I had adequate ventilation, fire protection and training, but sometimes I DID NOT! I have had to go to the hospital 3 times, twice to have a cut sewn, and once a splinter removed from an eye. BUT, despite those relatively minor injuries, my point is, you simply cannot have professional training for every activity that has some level of risk to it. Some people can safely teach themselves some activities within their abilities. Thus, not everyone needs professional training. Also, Yes, I think a license should be required for a paramotor and part of that should be a written test, and a flight simulator using software to replicate most of the conditions and factors you could encounter in the air.

I had 2 weeks of training and over a year of KZfaq prep before my first flight. Watching him want to ground start scared the shit out of me. But Zach was gonna fly no matter what so having Scott there was a blessing. If I was in Scott's shoes, I'd do the same thing to prevent injury.

Congratulation,Nice video.

"There are some things I didn't know exactly what they are for," but let's fly anyway!!! Future Darwin award winner, here.

I teach myself to do pretty much everything, but when it comes to something like flying, mistakes can cost dearly, so I would find a competent instructor to teach me the "ropes" (literally, haha.

Good thing you were with him, this looks complicated and dangerous if done incorrectly! I really need to start flying one of these!

Those unattached straps were for the padded shoulder straps to carry the weight of the motor until the wing lifts it. I did a lot of self learning with my setup but I never attempted to leave the ground under power until I had some training!

As stupid as this is.... I learned to fly off KZfaq.... with no help.... I survived. It's not toll now I realise how sketchy it actually was. I now have around 200 hours flight time. And constantly research.