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
•
Dad was in the Air Force, served as a crew chief on a C-130 in Vietnam
•
Airshows – First flight in a Cessna
•
High School flight internship
Discovery
•
Saw videos of Facebook from my friend Seth Baker
•
Thought it was out of my reach due to my weight
•
Started researching foot launch PPG
•
Fascinated by Icarus race
Hard Times
•
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.
•
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.
•
Global pandemic, company downsizing, divorce, life sucked.
Learning to Fly
•
Started ground handling a wing at the local park.
•
In March of 2021 I trained with Kyle O.
•
Continuous learning
•
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
•
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.
•
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)
•
Been flying everywhere I can, Michigan with Shane Wyman, Kyle O and Aaron Eye
•
Flew at Oshkosh 2023 with Josh Perry
•
Was going to do the Adventure Wingman, but it was cancelled this year
•
Planning to be at EFD 2024, maybe see everyone there
Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5088510781685760