Meet Jason-
Works as a principal cyber security architect for a global Fortune 500 manufacturing company and has been there for 24 years now. Saw paragliding for the first time over Santis Mountain near Appenzell Switzerland while on a business trip.
The early days
Grew up in Michigan and always had a desire to learn how to fly from a young age
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Dad was in the Air Force, served as a crew chief on a C-130 in Vietnam
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Airshows – First flight in a Cessna
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High School flight internship
Discovery
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Saw videos of Facebook from my friend Seth Baker
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Thought it was out of my reach due to my weight
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Started researching foot launch PPG
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Fascinated by Icarus race
Hard Times
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In 2020 during the global pandemic, my dad encouraged me to go learn how to fly. He passed away in June of 2020 from Covid.
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I had been cycling for about 6 months during this time to get my legs strong enough to foot launch, and to help lose weight.
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Global pandemic, company downsizing, divorce, life sucked.
Learning to Fly
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Started ground handling a wing at the local park.
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In March of 2021 I trained with Kyle O.
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Continuous learning
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Flying at Endless Foot Drag (injury)
Didn’t want to include a picture of the dislocated finger lol
This year will be my 5th year at EFD
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Had a great time with the folks at Aviator. Spent some time with Johnson Qu and Leah Catullo. The winds were strong enough that Johnson did a backflip using my huge 24 meter Universal 1.1.
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My mom had heard me talking about Paramotors for a long time. Matt Minyard sent me a text while I was in Florida to come down and fly with him at Jupiter Beach. Mom had a chance to take her first flight with Matt. (Mom and Matt.jpg)
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Been flying everywhere I can, Michigan with Shane Wyman, Kyle O and Aaron Eye
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Flew at Oshkosh 2023 with Josh Perry
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Was going to do the Adventure Wingman, but it was cancelled this year
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Planning to be at EFD 2024, maybe see everyone there
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