In Colorado, a man who loves paramotor flying sport commutes to work at least once a week using this flying method, enabling him to listen to music and enjoy the scenery in the air. Despite the time-consuming process of setting up and packing the equipment, this commuting method is not faster than driving a car, but the aerial beauty it presents is something many people may never see in their lifetime.
According to the Associated Press, 28-year-old Jake Hutzler works as an air traffic controller at Pueblo Memorial Airport in the state. He uses a paramotor to travel between his residence and workplace at least once a week.
Before heading to work, he unfolds the paramotor outside his apartment, starts the backpack propeller engine, and begins to run. Within seconds, his feet lift off the ground and he takes off into the sky. He then flies over fields at a speed of 35 miles per hour (56 kilometers per hour) towards the airport, a journey that takes about 20 minutes.
As radar cannot detect Hutzler, he must call the control tower before takeoff, keeping them informed of his location and flying altitude. As he approaches the airport, he must obtain permission to land and decelerate the paramotor to make a safe landing.
He said, “When flying a paramotor, you see views that few people have the chance to witness. Without a cockpit, there’s nothing obstructing your view. You’re suspended in the air, enjoying complete freedom to go wherever you please.”
For him, this unconventional commuting method is a satisfying experience due to his lifelong fascination with flying. He recalls flying in a small plane with his grandfather as a child and dedicating around 20 hours to pilot training during college in hopes of obtaining a pilot’s license, a dream he ultimately had to abandon due to high costs.
Later, he saw a viral video of a man flying a paramotor to a McDonald’s for a meal and eating a burger in the air on the way back home, which sparked his interest. In 2021, he began paramotor training in Florida and eventually became an instructor.
Through instructing, he met his wife. He hopes his two-and-a-half-year-old daughter will grow up quickly to experience tandem paramotor flights with him.
He mentioned that his time for paramotor flying decreased after starting work as an air traffic controller earlier this year. However, he came up with the idea of commuting with a paramotor and received approval from his supervisors. Since June, weather permitting, he commutes to work using the paramotor.
Although this commuting method avoids traffic congestion, it takes slightly longer considering the time required for assembling and storing the equipment. Nevertheless, he finds much more enjoyment in this journey.
He added, “You can wear headphones to play your favorite music, relax completely, and savor this wonderful experience.”