South Walton, Florida — (May 30, 2012) — A team of professional pilots have taken to the South Walton skies recently using “powered paragliders” (PPGs). Also known as para-motoring, the sport is a form of ultralight aviation where pilots wear small motors on their back.
“These are amazing, entrancing, beautiful flying machines,” said pilot Russell Stegemann, who can stay airborne for up to five hours on a single tank of fuel. “It’s a dramatic but very peaceful way to experience South Walton’s natural beauty.”
Stegemann now soars above the Emerald Coast with a familiar symbol under his 75-foot PPG wing span — the famous 30A logo. His custom 30A Flyer wing was manufactured in Vietnam by Ozone Power, one of the world’s leading paramotor manufacturers and distributors. The wing was then tested and certified in Santa Barbara, California, before being shipped to Santa Rosa Beach. Now, Stegemann plans to pilot his new 30A Flyer up and down the beach every chance he gets.
We create a photo frenzy whenever we fly,” said Stegemann.
“People get out their smart phones and video cameras, and they start posting on Facebook. When we land, they all want to learn more about the sport. We’re going to be in the skies a lot this summer.”
But Stegemann and his fellow pilots also take their sport very seriously.
“Our team members are all highly skilled, experienced and passionate power-motor pilots who fly for the sole purpose of recreation and to promote the sport of power-motoring,” said Stegemann.
“My friend Billy Johnson of Neweyes Multimedia told me about these pilots that he’d met, and it sounded like something really fun and unique,” said Mike Ragsdale of 30A.com. “Billy worked with Russell on a 30A wing design, and now we’re planning to capture some truly extraordinary videos of our beach communities, natural habitats and local events.”
The company also recently partnered with YOLO Board and I Will Design for Food to create a new limited-edition ’30A’ stand-up paddleboard. “We love promoting locals and activities that help enhance and define our 30A lifestyle,” said Ragsdale.
For more information about the sport of powered paragliding, contact Russell Stegemann at (850) 419-3857.
