Electric VS Gas Paramotors

The traditional two-stroke gasoline paramotor has peaked. Electric motors are here to stay.
Compare the OpenPPG X4 and SP140 with top ICE paramotors. 

  OpenPPG SP140 Top 5 ICE PPGs source OpenPPG X4
Price ready to fly $7,120 $7,429 $5,200 (DIY)
Thrust (lbs) 175 149.8 140
Cost per 100 hr* $94 $1,169 $120
Flight time * 1 hr 2.5 hr 0.4 hr
Weight (ready to fly) (lbs) 55-77 (½ hr-1hr battery) 74 45 

Transport/Storage
  • Breaks down like a typical frame for transport (4 mins to disassemble)
  • No Gas/Oil smell or leakage, can transport inside car and store inside
  • Easy long term storage
  • Gas smell if transported inside a vehicle or indoors
  • Gas needs drained
  • Folds up quickly (2 mins to disassemble)
  • No fuel smell
  • No need to drain gas or replace old fuel

Safety/training
  • No ground starts needed (large reason for injuries in sport)
  • Motor only needs to turn once the wing is above head in takeoff position, eliminating wing lines getting pulled into prop, another source of injury and cost.
  • No motor noise on ground preparing for takeoff makes communication between instructor and student clear
  • Motor starts often require the help of a friend to help start once the motor is already on back.
  • Need to have motor running before wing is above head
  • No ground starts needed (large reason for injuries in sport)
  • Motor only needs to turn once the wing is above head in takeoff position, eliminating wing lines getting pulled into prop, another source of injury and cost.
  • No motor noise on ground preparing for takeoff makes communication between instructor and student clear.
  • Absolute zero torque

Cleaner/
Green Energy
  • Aside from not having grease and grime, it is environmentally cleaner, and produces much less noise pollution
  • Oil and gas leakage
  • One gallon of gas burned produces 20 lbs of CO2
  • Aside from not having grease and grime, it is environmentally cleaner. Noise level not as low as the SP140, similar to ICE motors.

 

Purchase Price is only half the picture

Top electric and gasoline paramotors are now roughly the same price new for new units but required maintenance can quickly add up.

 

Internal combustion engines (ICE) get their power from thousands of controlled explosions per minute. This inherently requires dozens of moving parts and causes wear and tear. Two-stroke paramotors need to be lightweight while maintaining power so they sacrifice durability. Most manufacturers require a specific break-in process, and warm-up procedures. Even after carefully operating ICE paramotors they still require parts replacement and engine rebuilds. Parts and labor costs limit the flying of many traditional paramotor pilots

 

Electric motors excel because of their simplicity and affordability. With no maintenance costs and only one moving part, you can forget about having a motor and focus on flying with electric.

Built-in Features of EPPGs

  • Always Starts – Having a motor you can depend on to start every time no matter the location, altitude, or temperature, is hard to over sate. You’ll spend less time on the ground trying to get the air fuel mixture correct or just trying to pump that fuel into the carb while making sure you get the air bubble out of the fuel line, all while hoping you don’t flood the motor. No more pull starting and being sweaty and out of breath before you even attempt a takeoff (cons: your arm and back muscles might not be as big).
  • Not a small engine mechanic? No problem – Many pilots joke to newcomers to the sport saying: “You will be a 2-stroke mechanic in no time!” With only 1 moving part on the engine, you’ll have to practice on your lawnmower instead.
  • No motor vibrations – Low vibration are much easier on the airframe and risk nuts and bolts losening. We’ve found reduced vibrations help improve vision and audio (especially if using radios). 
  •  Climb up, Turn off Motor, Glide Down, Repeat – Enjoy a smooth, quiet ride down, or just thermal in peace. Being able to turn off the motor at any moment and trust it will turn back on at the press of the throttle is definitely an underrated feature.
  • See Accurate Power Consumption – Get real time efficiency numbers on wings, trim range, learn how to fly more efficiently and become a better pilot.
  • Built-in Altimeter – Displays altitude on the throttle controllers a big bright color screen. For most pilots there is no need to buy an external altimeter. Integrated sensors allow for advanced altitude hold for hands off cruise control (coming in future update).