My Favorite Apps for Paramotoring
Paragliding and Paramotoring are awesome activities by themselves, but there are some really great apps available today that can enhance the experiences even more! From finding nearby flying locations, to tracking weather and connecting with others, mobile apps can be valuable assets to a Paragliding pilot.
Here are my favorite apps for paragliding & paramotoring:
OnX Maps
OnX Maps is a mapping app that is available for both Android and iOS. OnX is designed to provide the most accurate and up to date mapping of lands and boundaries complete with ownership information. The app has offline maps and navigation, so you can use it without an internet connection. You can also download maps to your phone prior to heading out on a trip, so you don't have to rely on data or WiFi.
OnX Maps offers three versions of their app: OnX Hunt, OnX Offroad, and OnX Backcountry. OnX Backcountry is tailored toward trails, hiking, and skiing. OnX Offroad is more for off-roading and snowmobiling. OnX Hunt is intended more for hunting.
OnX Hunt offers detailed and accurate land information and boundaries and is my go-to resource for finding appropriate and accessible land for Paragliding and Paramotoring. All of my current primary flying locations were all originally located using OnX Hunt. Like most Paramotor pilots, I am always on the lookout for potential flying spots when I am out adventuring. With OnX Hunt, I am able to pull up land information in real time and mark locations I like on my account. I can also share these locations with my flying buddies and other friends who use the app. It is also a great resource for finding other accessible lands for activities I like such as hiking, camping, shooting/training, and more!
OnX Hunt is subscription based, but is completely worth it and one of my most used apps for Paragliding.
B4UFLY
The B4ufly airspace app was designed for the drone industry, and is the fastest way to evaluate local airspace before flying. The app uses the latest in machine learning technology to help pilots avoid restricted airspace, flight restrictions, and other hazards making it a great resource for Paraglide and Paramotor pilots.
The B4UFLY app is a free app for iOS and Android devices that provides access to FAA data and provides real-time notifications of airspace restrictions. The app was developed in partnership with the FAA to provide pilots with the latest information about temporary flight restrictions (TFRs), Special Use Airspace (SUA), Notices To Airmen (NOTAMs), and other types of restricted airspace, alerts, and advisories that are issued in their area of operation. Pilots can use these notices to avoid areas that may be hazardous or unnavigable such as military exercises or major sporting events.
For a Paragliding and Paramotoring, these real-time alerts and information give you confidence when planning your flight that ensures you are not going to impede unauthorized airspace. B4UFly is a great compliment to OnX Maps because you can immediately check airspace information after locating new potential flying spots on OnX. If both check out, you are on to weather!
Windy
Windy is a weather app that delivers you the most accurate, reliable and up-to-date weather information from all over the world. With several weather models to choose from, it provides real time weather forecast for any location in the world and has a clean and simple design that is easy use. Windy provides Real-time, hourly, and daily forecasts for Temperature, Wind Speed, Wind Gusts, Precipitation, Cloud Cover and more. With the ability to see weather forecasts hour by hour for so many variables you can see how valuable it is for Paragliding and Paramotoring. Windy also allows you to save markers of your favorite locations which is very handy for quick referencing when you have a lot of recreational spots that you like to track. Windy is a very powerful tool for gaining much needed information and data to help you evaluate when and where you may be able to fly next!
As a paragliding pilot, Windy is my most used app. I use the ECMWF forecast model the most as I find it to be the most accurate, but I do cross reference it to the other models for extra information and consistency. To determine my chances of flying, I start by checking the surface winds of my primary flying locations (which I have pre-marked or are newly discovered and confirmed prospects with OnX), for the time period I am looking to fly. The closer to the time period you are, the more accurate the forecast is likely to be so keep that in mind. If the surface winds look good, I immediately check the wind gusts. I live in a not so friendly area when it comes to winds and weather so this usually eliminates most of my potential flying locations and narrows my opportunities down to 1 or 2 spots. Some locations may be dependent on wind direction which I find Windy to be extremely helpful for. This is especially valuable for paragliding. Next I move the wind elevation dial up and look at the forecasted winds at different levels. Last, I check the cloud cover in the area, projected precipitation, the radar and satellite views, and the temperature so I can adjust my gear accordingly. If everything checks out, then its usually worth loading up my Paramotor gear and heading out! This of course is not always a guarantee and you will want to evaluate the conditions at the location and continue to keep an eye on them as always, but Windy can often get you close enough to determine if its worth the time and effort to go out and try!
Gaggle Flight Recorder
The Gaggle app is an awesome way to make your paragliding experience even better. The app allows you to track your flights in real time, see weather conditions and forecasts, stay connected with friends and your local community, share pictures and videos, view safety information and more. The app was created by a paragliding pilot and is frequently updated with more great features curated from the community.
My favorite and most used part of the app is recording my flights in real-time. The real-time GPS flight tracking is extremely easy to use. You simply tap “record Flight” prior to take off and Gaggle does the rest. The app detects when you take off and records your entire flight path including altitudes, lift, g-force, average altitude, distance, and more. You can also play your flights back afterwards on an interactive map. Flights can be synced with any friends in the area who were also recording on the Gaggle app which is even more fun to view in the post flight recording. All the data is saved to your profile. If you use Gaggle every time you fly, it can be a great tool for helping track your personal flying hours, and that of your equipment such as your Paragliding wing and Paramotor.
Gaggle is a must have app for any paramotor or paragliding pilot!
Pandora Radio
Pandora is a music streaming service that offers personalized radio stations and playlists based on your music preferences. You can select from a wide variety of music genres and artists to create your own personalized experience. Pandora is also a great way to discover new music that you'll love mixed in with music you already know as it pairs similar artists with each other automatically. Pandora is a free app, but I recommend the paid versions for ad free listening as well as the ability to search and play specific artists, songs, and albums in their entirety.
Pandora is great for Paragliding and Paramotoring if you have Bluetooth capability in your ear protection. Flying is such a free and amazing feeling, and adding your favorite music to the experience is unrivaled. Imagine cruising up a couple thousand feet and tuning in to a great artist, song, or playlist! It really is a treat, and has to be on my list for top Paragliding and Paramotoring apps!
Pandora is available on iPhone and iPad as well as Android devices.
Final Thoughts
Paragliding and Paramotoring are extremely fun, but there are a couple mobile apps available today that can enhance the experiences even more! These apps have helped me locate new and exciting flying locations, forecast the best times to explore them, enjoy great music along my journeys, and permanently record the adventures to share with my like minded friends!
