Got questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before your first flight.
Is paramotoring or paragliding dangerous?
Like any form of aviation, paramotoring and paragliding carry inherent risk — but that risk is very manageable when you're properly trained and equipped, which is exactly why Apex's programme is built the way it is. Safety is treated as the foundation, not an afterthought: Apex Adventures is a SACAA-registered Designated Training Organisation (DTO0012), and Chief Instructor Riaan Struwig was South Africa's first Grade A PPG/PPT/PPC instructor, with 15+ years and thousands of logged flights. Training follows a strict, never-rushed sequence — you master ground handling before touching an engine, and master engine control before your first solo flight — with emergency-procedure and radio briefings built into every stage before you ever leave the ground on power. SACAA also requires a minimum of 35 logged flights and a formal flight test before issuing your National Pilot Licence, so no one is signed off before they're genuinely ready. Add honest, weight-and-experience-matched equipment guidance on top of that, and the goal throughout is simple: get you into the air safely, and keep you flying safely for years to come.
I'm scared of heights — can I still do this?
Yes, absolutely — a fear of heights on solid ground (like standing on a ledge or a ladder) is a very different sensation to being airborne under a wing, and most people who are nervous about heights find that free flight doesn't trigger the same reaction, since there's no edge, drop or solid reference point beneath you. That said, it's completely normal to feel some nerves before your first flight, and Apex's phased training is built with exactly that in mind: you spend real time on ground-handling and short, controlled winch flights before progressing to powered flight, so your first experiences in the air are gentle, supervised and build confidence step by step rather than throwing you in at the deep end. Our instructors work with nervous first-timers regularly, and the Free Intro Day is a great low-pressure way to try it out and see how you feel before committing to the full course.
Do I need to be super fit to fly?
No — you don't need to be an athlete, but a reasonable level of general fitness helps, especially for Powered Paragliding. Take-off is foot-launched, so you'll be running with a motor unit on your back (roughly 25–30 kg all-up), and landings and ground-handling practice also ask a bit of your legs and cardio. Apex works with students across a wide range of fitness levels and body types — instructors match your motor and wing size to your weight and ability, and the ground-handling phase is specifically there to build the strength, balance and muscle memory you need before you ever add an engine. If you're reasonably active and can manage a light jog, you're in good shape to start training.
Do I need any prior experience?
No prior experience is needed. Our Intro Course is designed for complete beginners and takes you through everything step by step, from ground handling to your first flights.
How long does training take, start to finish?
Our Training Program:
Every student follows the same proven, phased curriculum — around 35 hours of ground school, theory and flight training, taking you from complete beginner to a licensed pilot in the sky. Complete it full-time in 10–15 days, or part-time over 3–6 months. There are no fixed start dates: you begin when you're ready and progress at your own pace.
Phase 1 — Ground & Introductory Training
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Introduction to the school, equipment and safety systems.
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Ground wing (kiting) training with an instructor, then guided independent practice to build muscle memory before you ever leave the ground.
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Approximately 10 winch flights in calm, controlled conditions. (at Grasslands)
Phase 2 — Engine & Power Training
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Engine handling, motor run-in and pre-flight checks.
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Throttle control and power-curve training, then engine and wing kiting practice.
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Emergency procedures and radio communication briefings — completed before your first powered flight.
Phase 3 — Flight Training
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First solo flight on Motor or trike and debrief, followed by flights building wing control and landings.
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Progressive flight training through emergency drills, spot landings and an introduction to cross-country flying.
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Qualifying flights and a final flight test — a minimum of 35 logged flights is required before your SACAA National Pilot Licence is issued.
Where do you offer training?
Apex Adventures trains at two locations. On the coast, our Stillbaai, Western Cape school offers coastal training with the option of accelerated one-on-one or group sessions — contact Basjan on 079 128 1234. In Gauteng, Apex Grasslands is based in Centurion, just off the R55 in Sunderland Ridge, offering both full-time and part-time courses — contact Riaan on 061 719 2430. Both locations run the same phased curriculum and safety standards, so you can choose whichever suits your schedule and location, or combine a visit to both if it works for you.
What does training cost in total, including gear?
Training alone starts from R9,900 for the Intro Course (Phase 1, on school equipment, including ground training, your first winch flights, and six months of SAHPA student and club fees). Continuing through to your full SACAA licence costs from R13,900 if you train on your own gear, or from R21,900 if you'd rather train entirely on Apex's school equipment first and buy gear later — booking the full course upfront also qualifies for a discount. If you want to own your own wing and motor by the time you're licensed, budget from around R100,000 for good second-hand kit, or R200,000+ for new equipment, with running costs of roughly R130 per hour once you're flying. Because pricing depends on whether you train on school or personal gear, and on new versus second-hand equipment choices, it's worth getting a tailored quote from us so we can map out the total cost for your specific plan.
How do I get started?
It depends on the pace you choose. The full programme covers around 35 hours of ground school, theory and flight training, building up to a minimum of 35 logged flights before SACAA issues your National Pilot Licence. Training full-time, most students complete everything in about 10–15 days; going part-time, most spread it out over roughly 3–6 months, fitting sessions in around work and other commitments. There are no fixed start dates, so you begin when it suits you and simply progress at your own pace — weekday sessions run from mid-afternoon onward, weekends from sunrise, with Monday and Tuesday kept as backup days if the weather doesn't play along.