I am 48 years old, and my knees are not what they used to be, so I didn't want to foot launch. I think take-offs and landings would be similar to other units if you foot launch, but I was attracted to the SkyTrike. It gives you the ease of a powered parachute, but it is lighter and easier to transport and store.

My weight is 210 (plus the trike) and my home altitude is 2800 feet, so I chose the GTO. The GT would be a good choice if you are lighter and/or don't use the trike.

As you may know, the GTO is the same motor with a bigger prop and prop guard. Some smaller people find the bigger size a little awkward. Others don't mind the size, and the weight is the same either way. On the trike, the size doesn't matter. Also, the bigger prop could be added later if you found you needed more power.

I took a three day weekend and flew to Florida to get training at Paraborne. It gave me a chance to see others using different configurations so I could decide what to get. If you're buying a unit, the training is free, so the trip was cheaper than getting lessons from someone else. It's good to get the training with the unit you plan to purchase. Scott Alan at Paraborne is a great instructor, and he points people to the unit that is right for them.

I made my 169th flight tonite, about 65 minutes and 29.7 miles long.

As far as opinions on the DK---------. All I can say is that the DK Whisper GT has been a fine machine for me. I got it a year and three months ago and it's the only wing (Symphony) and motor that I've ever flown so I don't really have anything to compare it to. The only trouble I ever had was a wire connection that came loose during one of my earlier flights. I had to make a forced landing, which is no troublewith PPG's. If the motor quits, you just land........ As far as the connection that came loose, I think I probably caused that myself by messing around with the wires a few flights earlier. I was trying to re-route the wires, and might have loosened the connection without knowing it.

As far as the take-offs or landings. I don't think the type of motor you have would make any difference unless it would be the weight, or size of the unit itself. The type of wing, and the amount of training, would be the determining factors there, rather than the particular type of motor you have. Like I said, the DK GT and the Symphony (Large) wing are the only ones I've ever flown. I weigh 165 pounds and I don't seem to have any problem getting off the ground. If you weigh more, or less, you might want to go with a different size wing, and possibily even the GTO prop. Whoever sells you your unit, or trains you would probably (hopefully) know more about that than I do.

Would I describe take offs and landings using the DK GT difficult or easy? I've had both. Again, I don't think it's so much the type of motor you're using----it's your level of experience and/or training that counts.

My advice to you would be to find a certified trainer, to get you started on the right track, then practice, practice, practice your ground handling skills. When you can control the wing on the ground, then the take-offs will be a piece of cake. You're gonna love this sport!!!!

I wish you the best of luck in whatever model of unit/wing you decide to go with. Just take your time and don't be too overanxious about getting up in the air. Haste makes Waste, and with PPG newcomers, the waste is usually in the price of props and/or cages due to insufficient training and/or practice.

I've owned both an Xplorer and a DK and I stick with the DK for several reasons even though the Xplorer has more thrust. The DK's thrust to weight ratio make it very efficient when compared to many of the other motors. The DK's are also a proven design that is known for its' reliability. After sale support is EXCELLENT even on used units. Paraborne in Florida is the US importer for DK and does an incredible job if you ever need their help.

Flying the DK is about as easy as it gets. The unit is well thought out. A well balanced unit with low center of gravity. The harness is comfortable. Transporting the unit is very easy. My DK fits in my van without having to remove the prop guard.

Takeoffs in low or no wind using either of my wings (both are XL size) usually involves no more than 6 to 10 steps. Add a little wind and I get off the ground in 1 to 3 steps. For what it's worth I'm 50 years old and weigh around 210.

I love my DK Whisper GT. I have several friends in the area who also have DK's and we're all happy. Another buddy has an Adventure F1, which is also a great machine. (I think they're all pretty much the same with minor differences).

TO and Landings are a breeze using the intermediate wing- the Hathor Symphony. It's very stable in flight, too- which is good because the last thing you want to be thinking about at 1000' is the chute collapsing.

Hi Jason well you are looking for somebody with experience well i only have 4 flights on my unit and will tell what i can and hope it helps I;am selling because i have arthritis in my left leg and on no wind take offs it does bother it some so before some thing bad happens im selling and looking for some thing whit wheels. If you weight from 160 to 250 LBS you need to remember that your unit will weight 50 to 60 LBS and on no wind flat land days it could take up to 50' to take off yes as the wing inflates and starts to make lift it will take the weight with it On days that there is a breeze of maybe 5-8 miles HR you do what is called a reverse that means you don't have to run to inflate the wing once the wing is inflated you turn give it gas and a few steps your off you need around 10-12 miles HR forward air speed to fly landings are easy when you picked a spot control the gas to let you down slow and when you are about 5' above the ground you give it full brakes on the wing and walk off

Now as far as different units out there there are a lot of them I did some reacher before buying mine and when you put the option together your price are going to be around 7000-8000 dollars I went with DK because i had to add nothing to the unit it came with a top quality wing and harness and i talked to people who had one and they had nothing bad to say about them.

The DK is well built, well thought out and past research and development stages - there are thousands of Japs flying them and hundreds in the USA etc. I like the fact that it can put out about 130 lbs of thrust and the seat is comfy, the electric start works every time and very little carb work needs to be done (good for mechanical dunces like me!)- these are reliable machines with many a happy customer. I also have a trike that flies with a canopy or hanglidder - noone else has this - I would contact Scott Alan at paraborne aviation www.paraborne.com or 888-636-9111 for more info and he will get you going. I saw Xplorers and Adventures lately but still like the DK as the overall winner for looks, reliability and customer support - good luck and see you up there

I guess I'm surprised that you found my name associated with PPG instead of the PPC's, but yes, I did have a DK Whisper. In my opinion the DK Whisper is a great unit and depending on your weight should do a good job. The only weak spot that I found was in the throttle assembly and I'm sure that has probably been corrected.

The PPG allows you to come as close as possible to flying like a bird. It is fantastic. The PPC on the otherhand feels like you are flying a machine. I did what everything said not to do, I taught myself to fly the paraglider and to fly the PPG. I would advise getting lessons from someone because without decent ground handling and inflation skills with the PPG, it can be a very frustrating experience. Most certainly the frustrations that I experienced were a result of poor ground handling skills. Once you are airborne, flying is a piece of cake, however, landing in very low or no wind situations can be a little interesting inspite of a full flare. After a few hours of flying my PPG I decided to get a PPC and let horsepower do the work. I love flying my Buckeye DM503 and have over 160 hours in PPC's.

I feel it is very safe and very relaxing as long as you are in the RIGHT CONDITIONS. The wind is without a doubt the critical factor. Set your own personal limits and don't let ANYONE talk you into violating your own limits.

Takeoffs in the PPG are not too bad at all if you have a little breeze to help the wing get up, but in calm or very low wind, this can be tricky.

Probably as a result of my lack of good ground handling skills. Landings with a little breeze are easy as can be and you can land as light as a feather. With no wind sometimes you can fall on your butt or your knees very easily.

I'm very happy with my DK Whisper GT. I have experienced no problems whatsoever with the motor - very reliable and easy to maintain, and I have not heard of problems with anyone elses.

Concerning the take offs and landings, the thrust delivered by the motor is more than adequate for me to take off quickly. I weight 170 lbs, and use a large Symphony chute. Please note that there are many factors that influence quick takeoffs: Motor reaching proper rpm {thrust} which can change based on air density {which also influences lift of the chute}, proper harness adjustment so the thrust is delivered in the proper direction, overall weight {of course}, type of chute used, and wind speed {always face the wind on take-offs} - these are the items that I can recall off hand.

I must admit that I love powered paragliding above all other powersports that I've done (motorcycles {dirt and road}, snowmobiles, jetskies) - all pale to the exhilaration of flying.