Andre,
Thanks so much for the amazing PPG course. There were times when I wondered if I should give up but you were there with great feedback, reminders of how there are things out of our control, and realistic perspectives on ones progress. That really helped me relax, slow down, and enjoy the doing.
If I was to leave a note for your future students I’d say this; exercise like crazy starting three months before your PPG lessons to get in shape. It will allow you to practice twice as much and that means you’ll learn that much faster. If you are looking for specifics then over three months work up to at least regular endurance running (5mph x 30min) with regular runners, sprinting (10mph x 30sec) and leg-ups(30) with heavy boots on.
Looking back on what I learnt from you I have a hard time believing just how much you taught us and how much stuck in such a short time! I’m definitely going to recommend you as an instructor to my Peterborough peeps who sat on the sidelines dreaming of the someday that they start PPG.
Hi Guys,
I wanted to thank both Andre of PPG Ontario and David of Kangook, for going over and above what would be expected. Not only did you instill confidence in the product but more importantly the value in doing business with both companies.Despite suspecting either end user error or environmental factors, You both recognized the importance of customer retention and word of mouth.I would recommend anyone looking to purchase gear or learn to fly to use your companies. I’m sure there are cheaper equipment and instruction but in my opinion you both provide the best value.Feel free to share this wherever or with whomever.
Hey Andre,
Just a word of thanks for your patience and expertise in getting things sorted with my harness. I think I had a smile on my face all the way home today after having a couple successful flights in rather challenging conditions. Now that the number of flights where I’ve gotten into the seat equals the number where I’ve been hanging from my naughty bits, things are looking up! Have a good holiday and maybe I’ll see you at UPAC. I plan to go on the Sunday.
A “week of hell”….
But all worth it; bruised battered, fatigued, frustrated and amazingly HAPPY !
Your training program was very well thought out and was easily adaptable for each students progress/abilities. I found moments of major stress because everything I would do (under your direct instruction) was with two left hands. But then, as you said many times; “ah-ha”, I got it. Your course and teaching methods allow each student to realize their own “ah-ha” moment when it is time.
Your support and time was very much appreciated. I believe that I have received the best training I could and highly recommend your PPG program
Thank you for your time, patience and knowledge….
Andre,
Success, although Jim says it will take approx. 2 weeks to process the documentation and get my registration numbers (of which he says will phone in to me as soon as he gets them) where as Matt got his immediately. After explaining the anomaly between the Max. take off weight on the Paramotor data and the Paraglider. The most important fact was that the Paraglider allows an extra 30% load with a paramotor. Jim photocopied the load weight restrictions on page 8 of the Walkerjet Operator’s Manual.I would like to thank you Andre for your prompt replies to all my queries. Also, from a business perspective I have never received the kind of service after buying a product that I have from you. Keep up the good work and have restful long weekend.
Ahoy Andre,
Congratulations to you on the wonderful job you do sharing information on Paragliding. I would expect that the the Walkerjet.com site would provide at least half of the info that you do, but no…….
Your improvement ideas are also great. I really liked the one on improving the cruise control by using the radio antenna….
….again, thanks for the fantastic job that you are doing. I hope to fly with you sometime soon, but since I live in Chicago – it may not be until spring.
Hey Andre,
Thanks again for a great ground school experience. It was extremely informative and got me that much more pumped to move on to the full license. I’ve been trying to set aside some time during the week to arrange for the ground handling , as you mentioned this was better for you, but work has been too hectic. It’s great to see the updates on the web site especially reading and seeing Jerry get into the air on the Sunday following the course!!! Thanks again.
Hi Andre,
……I passed with a 91.8 score. I missed 4 questions. I received my license on the spot. Susan Davidson (I think that was her name) loved the log format that you set up for me. I told her I was very impressed with you as a teacher and your desire to get all your students trained properly. She was happy to know you were not in it just to make money but to produce safe pilots. Thanks for all of your help, support, patience and encouragement. I look forward to flying with you soon……
I’ve had a dream to fly a powered paraglider for over a decade. It was difficult to find the proper resources and information on this sport and finally I discovered Andre’s website! I found this site very easy to navigate and full of all the answers I was looking for. As soon as I made contact with Andre, I was hooked and knew my dream could easily become reality. Within the next couple of weeks, I was already flying!! It’s easy to understand why Andre constantly has people enrolled for his courses – he’s an excellent instructor with years of expertise under his belt. Andre is very regimented about safety, while at the same time extremely enthusiastic about the sport making every day at his course a once in a lifetime experience. I am now fully certified, own my own powered paraglider, and I’m living my dream to fly like an eagle. I encourage anyone who has the slightest interest in being free like a bird to contact Powered Paragliding Ontario for an experience you’ll never forget!!
Thanks a million, Andre…
Andre. I was talking to you a couple of months back about the Simon RR and a Lift 28. I am not sure if you remember but I just wanted to say thanks for your time you spent with me on the phone and providing me with all the info I needed. Just to let you know, I haven’t changed my mind about purchasing this combo and am still very interested. Simply a funds issue. I will be contacting you in spring sometime if all goes well.
Thank you very much!
Hello Andre,
I just wanted to pass on to you and others who read your website how pleased I am. I live in Nova Scotia and was introduced to Powered Paragliding Ontario through research on the web. I must say I was quite apprehensive to travel that great of a distance, not to take the course, but if I purchased a machine, what would the service be like? Would I be forgotten shortly after the sale? Well, I have to say that I lucked out when I chose Andre Zeman (Powered Paragliding Ontario). He has a vast knowledge and experience to draw from and it is most evident on his course. He was professional and thorough. I have now had the Simon RR and Lift 26 since Aug 03 and could not be more pleased. I think what stands out the most to me is Andre’s service after the sale. Being the only one in my area, you can’t just ask your neighbour for pointers in this sport so I have relied on Andre extensively. He always returns my e-mails promptly and if there is a problem with my machine, it is corrected in short order. I left Andre’s course with a sense of accomplishment and continue to fly with the security of knowing Andre is only an e-mail or phone call away. I can strongly recommend Powered Paragliding Ontario. Thank you Andre.
Andre,
I have purchased Simon XC and Lift 28 glider last year from Andre while I was going through Andre’s PPG course. I had chance to try other type of paramotors and I’m still convinced that I got the best out there. Simon is one of the most powerful and durable paramotors on the market. Personally, I like to fly in no wind conditions and the extra power makes my take offs much easier. In 15 km/h wind Simon climbs like an elevator. In combination with Sky Paraglider Lift it’s the top of the line equipment. I have finished the course last year, and I’m still flying with Andre today. He’s the guy who will teach, fly and share experiences with you way after the course. Simply, the course will not stop, he will just stop charging you. Andre always wants you to have SAFE COMFORTABLE AND FUN FLIGHTS.
To the people out there who never tried this sport – YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU MISSING OUT ON. Soaring with the birds 20-30 ft away from you on nice summer sunset is nice…….
I first learned of Andre’s powered paragliding school from his very informative and educational web site. I had been trying to get into this sport for several years. I had contacted other PPG schools, none of whom ever returned sufficient correspondence in order for me to get trained. Andre has been very responsive to my training needs. I have been very impressed with his teaching ability and knowledge of the sport. I have limited time in my schedule to accomplish my training and he has always made himself available. Andre has always fulfilled his agreements with me. I trust the information he provides. He has been fair with the fees he charges for his training time. The equipment he uses for training is of good quality and I have always felt safe. His love for the sport and desire to get as many people involved is evident. He shares his expertise with other pilots new to the sport even though they are not students of his school. If you want to learn to power paraglide I would highly recommend Andre and Power Paragliding Ontario.
Hi Andre,
Thank you for the amazing experience I had in your PPG course! This was most certainly one of the coolest things I have ever done! It wasn’t easy at first (and even frustrating at times), but after a few days of ground handling and the first solo flight, everything suddenly became so obvious and natural – oh, what a wonderful feeling it was! I know I took things rather slowly, and that’s why I ended up with only 4 flights completed at the end of the course, but this was my intention since I wanted to be 100% confident in my ability to keep everything under control before proceeding with the first solo. I think this approach worked really well for me: on the day of my first solo, from the moment you said “go-go-go, full power”, I knew exactly what I was doing despite the rush of totally new sensations. I think it will be fair to say that I am now addicted to powered paragliding :)
I am really looking forward to continuing my training! With that said, I think I am done for the season for a number of reasons. Mainly, I have to focus on sorting out what to do about my career as I am leaving my current job as of 2014. Once I have that figured out, my plan is to purchase a motor and resume training next season – around May-June. In the meantime, I will keep practicing ground handling with my awesome paraglider :) I will also get the theoretical part of the licensing requirement done before the next season.
It wish you pleasant travelling this Fall, and I will see you in 2015!
Best regards,
Ilya
Well… as I stretch out some tension in my calves under an electric heating blanket, having washed off some make-up hiding the bruising on my inner biceps, (yes I am a lady… thank you) the result of the kiting lines swaying in the breeze and pushing on my uninitiated arms; I reflect on my week spent under the instruction of Powered Paragliding Ontario’s owner/operator: Andre Zeman.
Now I could jest here that Andre is “Z-man” but perhaps I should stick to the facts. “To keep a long story short” as you may often hear Andre say, should you make the decision to embark on your flying adventure with him; I thoroughly appreciated getting to know Andre personally. He is honest, with a calibrated moral compass, maintains a keen intellect, is straight-forward to a fault, and though I risk sounding quaint: he is a man of integrity.
On a side note: I had the privilege to attend a first-timer climbing lesson (he also owns Peaks Indoor Rock Climbing) and was delighted by his ability to lead a group of 13 highschool gym students through almost three hours of their introduction to scaling indoor courses set at varying difficulty. He was succinct, amusing, and instructed the curious teens with aplomb.
Now on to the paramotor lesson: This was without a doubt second-to-none my favorite course I’ve ever taken. After meeting the two other students with whom I trained we sat down to 3 hours of the basics, which were handled in depth with the aid of a wide-screen PowerPoint. Along with hand drawn images and also some elaborate hand gestures, Andre included many video clips, jokes and “for example” explanations.
On to a multiple choice quiz to see if we were listening carefully and we then ate lunch. Whisked off on a 20 minute drive to the field, we proceeded to learn how to unpack the chute, don the kiting harness and test our listening skills.
Andre will become quite wordy in his encouragements add you will struggle with the trickiest of all aspects with this ever freeing form of flying: keeping the wing aloft.
Perhaps as a woman I required more patience and I’m happy to report that he was most accommodating.
For myself, I found kiting-the-wing a challenge met head-on. A positive attitude (a must) was easy for me as I’ve been dreaming of this form of flight since I could crawl. Although I found it disappointing that I was not, from the first, a natural at something that when demonstrated appears quite effortless, I swallowed my pride and worked harder.
You will be spent, both mentally and physically after day one. But wait-for-it, sleep on it that night and start the day with fresh eyes. Day 2 started with beautiful skies and I seemed to have practiced in my dreams for as Andre predicted suddenly I just “got it”. And the sense of accomplishment cemented for me a love for the art of kiting. If you know already what I mean when I say, first “build-a-wall” for an effortless looking launch, than you are probably an expert already.
If not, all you need do is remain positive and your focus will be honed by Andre’s attention to detail.
Soon enough, although the weather was predictably unpredictable, I made my first flight. Although I may have wished for more visibility as the sun receded from view to attend to duties in the west, I made an ungraceful takeoff, and I prefer to say I performed every action requested of me through the radio into my helmet as soon as possible but this was not the case.
The flight was over before I knew it and as could be expected I don’t retain a clear memory of all that transpired. However, Andre has since got it on record that had I followed his instructions I would have had a different report on my success. (Ask him for proof, go ahead)
My landing was also awkward. I was unable to quite make the runway and landed to the left 50 paces or so. Having landed on my knees I was shocked to find it a soft touchdown, having only flared halfway. I did however find myself uncomfortably situated with my back arched and my spine somewhat compressed, the straps held me prone and I was left feeling euphoric with adrenaline coursing through my veins, and consequently couldn’t focus through my jubilation enough to unclip my harness.
Thankfully Andre wasted no time in righting me. And we had a great discussion comparing my fuzzy version to his clear one.
If I haven’t bored you yet with this most wordy story, I can guarantee you: Andre’s stories are right up your alley.
Having now completed my 5th flight I must say I still felt butterflies on takeoff which from my point of view was executed flawlessly and subsequent counter-clockwise circling of the field was completed perfectly as I followed the guidance from Andre to a “T”.
After turning off the engine my landing was textbook, having gained the runway (grass strip) and alighting into the wind with an ideal flare.
Andre, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being yourself.
“If in trouble: look up, hands up…idle”
Keep flying!
Andre was knowledgeable, conscientious, trustworthy and above all I always felt he placed my safety first. In a sport filled with potential risks I always felt in control and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend his training and expertise to anyone considering entering into the adventurous world of PPG.
Much much thanks to Andre for his excellent training. He is very a knowledgeable, skilled and patient teacher. The course was challenging and frusterating at times but his experience and advice helped me the get through to the really fun part! If you are interested in learning about PPG, Andre is your man. He will give you a solid foundation on which to build your skills and enjoyment of this awesome sport!
Thanks again Andre!
Ryan B.
Aka “Kevin” ;)
Hi Andre
Just a few thoughts I would like to share with you.
I can’t remember ever being challenged mentally and physically, where the effort equalled the results.
As i am not particularly gifted you were able to train me and help me meet the course criteria within the time allotted and no injury or catastrophe. This really is a credit to your knowledge and experience from the beginning including getting the correct equipment to the in-flight instruction.
You have giving me the gift of flight which will stay with me forever.
Kevin
“I am a licensed commercial helicopter pilot and had always wanted to try motorized paragliding. I found Mr. Zeman’s website and was very impressed, all relevant information could be found there and always up-to-date. His e-mail communication was also always on Q. I spent a week in the Niagara Falls area learning from him. All my equipment was there, ready to go just as I’d ordered. He was very professional, safe and had great attention to detail throughout the course. Once the in class training was complete I felt confident to move on to flight. I had a great experience and would highly recommend this school for all who are willing to put in the time and dedication to learn.
Mr. E. Ottawa”
July 2017
I had a lot of fun working with Andre during the days of training I had with Powered Paragliding Ontario. Andre provided a good mix of firm, calculated instruction and corrections while still keeping the atmosphere light, so it felt easy to ask the numerous questions that cropped up. I feel like his experience in the field and years of teaching experience really made the process go smoothly. Like any form of aviation, training is an absolute must and I would be happy to recommend Andre and Powered Paragliding Ontario to anyone seeking to undertake this truly incredible endeavour.
Maciej
Congratulations on finishing the PPG course.
I was hoping you could provide feed back and let me know if I could improve the course to make it better for future students.
If you have any ideas please let me know.
Take care
Andre
Hi Andre,
I’ve given this some thought and I can honestly say I can’t think of anything that you could improve. Everything was great. The whole experience was extremely positive. I’ve had a few personal things that I’ve been dealing with since I left the Niagara region which is keeping me really busy, but I can’t stop thinking about paramotoring. I’ve seen the pictures and videos on your site and probably watched my launch a hundred times. I can’t wait to fly again.
Take care
Kevin (Nov 2017)
On Mon, Nov 27, 2017 at 10:46 AM, Andre Zeman
Hi Ben,
Congratulations on finishing the course and purchasing PPG gear.
I was hoping you could proviode feed back and let me know if I could improve the course to make it better for future students.
If you have any ideas please let me know.
Take care
Andre
From: Ben M
Subject: Re: Feedback on PPG course pls
Date: December 4, 2017 at 08:20:42 EST
To: Andre Zeman
Hi Andre, I’ve been trying to come up with something to say for the past week. Everything with the course was great. I really valued your experience and dedication to safety. You make a good teacher, very patient and calm with great instruction and encouragement. There’s not much else to say, I hope you continue teaching for a long time for the benefit of the sport. Thank you for enabling one of my longtime goals.
Ben M
Course report: I have done a bunch of training and I have to give you credit. Your gear was in good condition.
Hi Andre ,
From training perspective I was very happy with the skills I learnt from you. You really managed the training time very well. Additionally, I truly thank you for your guidance post training in the below aspects
1. Having a discussion with me to ensure I bought the right size motor (Atom80) instead of going for a bigger motor which was my original preference. After flying with my new paramotor, I definitely think I am in control of my landings and take-off’s a lot better as compared to having a heavier motor
2. Andre’s expertise saved me at least 3-5k by guiding me on how I can make my paragliding wing work by changing the risers and helping me pack my reserve.
3. Andre also guided me to secure approval for use of the local flight field
4. 6 weeks after I completed the training with him, he still showed me how I can make the best use of the windy app to predict weather and interpret the numbers on the app. This has been a big help and a huge time-saver!
I would highly recommend training and buying equipment from you to fellow paramotoring aspirants !
I tried hard to think of improvements and could only come up with one which is possibly more time should be spent on understanding the weather conditions (but this is also something I believe the pilots need to experience for themselves as the thresholds may vary from pilot to pilot)
Regards
Rupin
Andre provides great lessons as a knowledgeable and caring flight instructor. I have been to several flight schools and PPG Ontario is unrivalled in the experience I have received. Beyond the flying itself, Andre provides full service for navigation of the labyrinth of testing, licensing and registration that one must go through to become a pilot in Canada. The value of this could not be understated for me. I really enjoyed my time under Andre’s tutelage and look forward to enjoying the sport for years to come. My only regret is I didn’t come to him sooner.
- I very much appreciated you made the time and availability, given my travel times to complete the course. I understand the conditions were not always perfect, and that with local students you may have postponed a few sessions.
- I was very impressed with your professionalism throughout the whole course, and the progress sequence of the training.
- For future students, sometimes I think in relation how I coach students in where during skydives we have video for feedback after the jump. Sometime visual feedback with comments pos. and neg work well. Perhaps you have already gone down this road and may have not much added value. And it would also add time as debrief after the session which may not be wanted.
- The selection for equipment etc. and the purchase was also much appreciated. I wanted to get in the sport on the leading edge and have good reliable equipment. I think your help was excellent in this.
Andre, thanks. It was great. I was off to a slow start and was kinda all over the place with the wind/weather. It had an effect on de-motivating me. Was tough to drive back home with no flight, but the weather is nobody’s fault, and for which you warned about before the course. Just needed to regroup, soak in what i had so far, and I knew i’d get back into it with a bang. It’s great you’re asking for feedback, criticism, ideas. Honestly i don’t really have any. No criticism. Feedback, there was multiple times something was happening both on the ground and in flight, on the radio always staying calm, no excitement, and you said what you needed to say, and I remember taking note to myself that you were exactly correct! It was like you knew exactly what was happening even though you were far away. I’m very impressed as well. Good times. I can’t think of any ideas ether because it was all good.
Hi Andre,
First, after some thought, I have come up with no real criticism of how to improve your course.
I did have a few things I liked about it…
* I appreciated how flexible you were with schedules; You were able to flow with the weather and student’s personal schedules.
* all communication about the course was quick and through.
* the ground school portion was organized and straight forward.
* as frustrating as it must be, you were always patient.
* constructive feedback was always offered after each attempt. There for the student to listen to and learn from.
* if a tact wasn’t working for a student, you switched gears and tried a different approach.
* the purchase of equipment (paramotor and wing, etc) from you was easy, stress-free and informative.
* you offered common sense advice and tips for after-the-course flying.
Thanks again for the training and a chance to achieve something I’ve always wanted to do in life… fly ‘like a bird’.
Mike Kirtz