The Ojovolador PPG Comparison: 24 Paramotors, 8 manufacturers and a great testing Lab
[May, 2006]

The 2nd Ojovolador PPG Comparison has successfully fulfilled the most important part of its mission, which was to thoroughly test as scientifically and objectively as possible the new paramotors made by eight international manufacturers. During an intense day, we learned more about our machines than in years of flying, and could observe some interesting aspects of their operation that we will try to describe for you here in Ojovolador.com –that’s the purpose of our new section PPG BUYER’S GUIDE.

We finally had 24 PPG units in our testing laboratory, submitted by Airfer (ES), Backbone (FR), Clemente (ES), H-E (ES), Mamba Air (CZ), PAP (ES), PXPG (ES) and Uptimal (U.S.A.). In the lab there was an accurate test system waiting for them, in which some very precise instruments were used to test the performance of each PPG: digital scale, test bench equipped with a high precision digital dynamometer, fuel consumption measurement system connected to the efficient instrument Quest! XC that also registered the engine temperature (head of the cylinder) and the atmospheric conditions at every moment during the tests, and a digital sound meter for the noise measurements

For the testing team, one of the most interesting observations from the results was the noticeable variations of the paramotors thrust in different atmospheric conditions, with jumps of more than 6 kg! for the same unit tested in the morning and during the afternoon –at the hottest time of the day. This tells us that the thrust data collected during the Comparison are neither absolute nor fully comparable, although they are a good reference of the paramotors when taken in the context of all the results and conditions. We must keep in mind that any paramotor will offer different thrust depending on the conditions in which we are flying, and that the thrust data given by the manufacturers are usually measured in the most favorable conditions (sea level, mild temperature).

We have more definite data in the WEIGHT of the models tested. The lightest unit was the Backbone Light 125: 19.6 kg without harness (21,8kg with it) for a paramotor aimed at heavy pilots or light tandems. Next lightest were the PXPG Evolution (20/23kg) and the Clemente Raket 135 (20.2/23.2 kg).

The NOISE is also a comparable parameter (although the variations in the density of the air could slightly affect the noise made by the propeller), with the quietest being the PAP Ros 100 - 1400 that gave 98.2 decibels at ‘level flight’ (35 kg of thrust) and 102 db at maximum power.

On our test bench, the most powerful paramotor in the Super-heavy or Tandem category was the Backbone Stronger 125 that gave 87.6 kg of thrust at 9500 rpm, followed of the PXPG V200, the Airfer VR200 H130 (although we must note that the same model of another pilot gave a thrust 10kg higher on the previous day!) and the H-E R220, a new model developed by the Spanish manufacturer.

In the Heavy pilot category (100kg), the best thrust came from the PXPG Simonini Mini 2 with 68.15 kg at 6600 rpm, followed by the PAP Ros 125 and the Airfer Tornado 110.

The paramotors aimed at medium size pilots or Standard weight offer a maximum thrust somewhat lower, and from this group the best was the PXPG 100 Fly Evo with 56,5kg of thrust (6000rpm), followed by the PAP Ros 100-1400, the Airfer WR130 Titan and the Clemente Snap 135 –although we must notice that this model gave 5 kg more of thrust on the previous day that would place it on the second position.

The CONSUMPTION is a reference in which you must consider additional factors that affect this parameter, such as the use of the throttle in flight. In the controlled conditions of our laboratory, the paramotor that offered the lowest consumption in the Standard class was the Airfer Air 80 with 3.19 lt/hour at ‘level flight’ (35 kg of thrust) and 4,53lt/hr at maximum thrust. In the Heavy pilot category, the best consumption at level flight was given by the Pap Ros 125 (3.83 lt/hr) and from the Super-heavy class, the Backbone Light 125 with carbon prop was the best, with 3.49 lt/hr.

We had many interesting new things to see at the testing event which we’ll try to tell you in detail in our PPG BUYER’S GUIDE (still under construction but now online!), but from them we can mention the particular model 'Mantis' brought by the Czechs of Mamba Air that offers a variable pilot position that goes from the usual upright take-off position, to the supine and more efficient (less drag) position in flight. Also special is the 'Synergy' frame from the North American manufacturer Uptimal, with a fuel tank integrated in the structure and very compact when disassembled, an aspect in which the Backbone units also excel: made of aluminum, they are very light and all the parts fit in a suitcase. PXPG introduced the new Evolution engine of 127cc, in addition to their Vitorazzi Fly 100. H-E had their new (under development) R220 motor tested and were happy with the thrust results. PAP presented a new detachable in 3-parts cage system for their ROS 125, and Clemente with their 3 engines, the Snap, the Raket and the Simonini Mini4 can be proud to cover the whole range of pilots. Airfer, on the other hand, introduced a new model equipped with the Black Devil engine, although the big news were their models using the Walkerjet engines VR 130 and VR 200, with acceptable weight and electric start. These engines are being used by other manufacturers as well, like PXPG.

During this special weekend in Aldeacentenera (Spain), we could also see new paragliders for powered flight, like the Nervures Huapi that excelled in the ‘kiting war’ for its solidity even in the strong winds; the new Power range from Ozone, leaded by the semi-reflex glider Viper, very fast and also agile (for confirmed pilots), and the Rush Power, the Buzz Power and the Mojo Power, for pilots from beginners to intermediate and equipped with special paramotor risers. Paramania caught the attention through their test pilot and Spanish dealer Dani Martinez, who showed us fast low-level turns, slaloms and foot-drags with the all-purpose glider Revolution. The new Action GT race machine, for advanced pilots, was very fast both foot-launched and with trikes. We also had demo gliders from Swing and Advance, and the new PPG risers for the Epsilon 5. Pap Racings and Windtech Kinetiks were also flying with us during the weekend.

Last but not least, we must say Thank You to each of the 8 manufacturers for participating in this PPG Comparison and for all their efforts, investigations and innovations to make better and better flying machines for our sport and for us, the pilots.
Many thanks also to all the laboratory team for their great work and proven professionalism; to Tim and Paul from Active Flight Systems who designed an efficient and precise measurement system for fuel consumption using their instrument Quest XC and came all the way from the UK to help us with it; to Roman Quintana for his determination to help make this event come true and be perfect; and to every pilot that came to see the tests, fly with us and even give a hand...

*You can see the results in the new section of Ojovolador.com:
PPG BUYER’S Guide, click here to go!

Participating Manufacturers: