FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

No! Our courses are designed for complete beginners. You'll progress from ground school to your first solo flight with full instructor support. Many of our students have never flown anything before.

What if I'm scared of heights?

You're not alone! Many of our most confident pilots started with a fear of heights. The key difference is that in a paratrike, you're sitting securely in an aircraft with a motor — it feels much more secure than standing on a cliff edge. We progress gradually, starting with ground training and low tandem flights to build your confidence naturally. Most students find that once they're in the air with the engine running, the fear disappears and is replaced by pure exhilaration.

Do I need to be in perfect physical condition?

Not at all! Paratriking is much less physically demanding than paratrike because the trike does the hard work. You need to be able to walk comfortably and have reasonable mobility to get in and out of the trike, but you don't need to be an athlete. We've successfully trained students from ages 16 to 70+. If you have specific health concerns, please contact us to discuss — we're always happy to accommodate individual needs.

What happens if the weather is bad during my course?

Weather Guarantee: If we can't complete your course due to weather, you have two options: (1) Reschedule for another available block at no extra cost, or (2) Receive a full refund of your deposit. You'll never lose money due to bad weather. We only fly in safe conditions, and Portugal's climate gives us excellent flying weather most of the year — our success rate for completing courses on schedule is over 95%.

Can I pay in installments?

Yes! We offer flexible payment plans to make training accessible. Standard payment structure: 33% deposit to secure your spot, balance due 30 days before your course. For the Full Programme Bundle (£3,200), we can arrange a custom payment plan over 3-6 months. Contact us on WhatsApp (+44 7862 441924) or email (caju@cajubr.com) to discuss options that work for your budget.

Is there a weight limit?

Our trikes can safely accommodate pilots up to 120kg (265 lbs). This is a generous limit and covers the vast majority of people. If you're close to or slightly over this limit, please contact us — we may be able to accommodate you with equipment adjustments. Weight is much less of a concern in paratriking than in traditional paratrike because the motor provides the power.

How safe is it? What's your safety record?

100% Safety Record: In over 20 years and 500+ students trained, we've never had a serious accident. Safety is our absolute priority. All equipment is professionally maintained and certified. Ricardo is an APPI Master Instructor with extensive experience. We only fly in suitable weather conditions and never pressure students to fly if they're not comfortable. Paratriking is statistically safer than paratrike because you have an engine for controlled takeoffs and landings. All training is fully insured with comprehensive coverage.

I'm not very coordinated — can I still learn to fly?

Absolutely! Flying a paratrike is more about understanding principles than natural coordination. Think of it like learning to drive a car — almost anyone can do it with proper instruction. Our progressive training method breaks everything down into simple, manageable steps. You'll practice each skill on the ground before applying it in the air. Most of our students are amazed at how quickly they adapt. If you can ride a bike, you can fly a paratrike!

What if I need to cancel my booking?

We understand that plans change. Cancellation policy: (1) Cancel 30+ days before: Full refund minus £100 admin fee, (2) Cancel 14-29 days before: 50% refund, (3) Cancel less than 14 days: Deposit forfeit, but you can transfer to another date within 12 months. Medical emergencies and family emergencies are handled case-by-case with maximum flexibility. We want you to feel confident booking with us.

A ParaTrike (also called a powered paraglider trike) is a lightweight, open-air aircraft consisting of a paraglider wing attached to a three-wheeled motorised cart. It's one of the simplest and most accessible forms of powered flight — you take off and land from flat ground, no runway needed.

You must be at least 16 years old to train. There is no upper age limit — we've trained students well into their 60s and beyond. As long as you're in reasonable health and can sit comfortably, you can fly.

You don't need to be an athlete! Since you're seated in the trike, it's much less physically demanding than foot-launched paratrike or paramotoring. You should be able to walk comfortably and have reasonable mobility.

APPI (Association of Paratrike Pilots and Instructors) is the international body responsible for licensing ParaTrike pilots, tandem pilots, and instructors worldwide. Your APPI certification is recognised globally — you can fly in any country that accepts APPI qualifications.

Course 1 (Open Sky + Adventure Pilot) takes 6 days. Course 2 (Pilot Level) takes another 6 days. You can do both consecutively in 12 days, or take them separately to fit your schedule.

Yes! After Course 1 you receive your APPI Open Sky certificate which allows you to fly in calm conditions at approved sites. Course 2 takes you to full Pilot Level with greater independence and privileges.

Course 1 (£1,450) covers ground school, tandem flights, dual control, and your first solo flights — culminating in APPI Open Sky + Adventure Pilot certification. Course 2 (£1,950) builds on this with advanced flight planning, cross-country navigation, and independent flying skills — leading to full APPI Pilot Level certification.

A typical day includes a morning session (~3 hours) and an afternoon session (~3 hours), with a midday break. On good weather days, we often train all day to maximise your flying time. The schedule is flexible — we adapt to conditions to give you the best possible experience.

We need calm to light wind conditions (under 10mph) for training flights. Our experienced instructor monitors conditions continuously and schedules flights for optimal safety. Portugal offers excellent flying weather for most of the year.

Safety is our priority. If weather conditions are unsuitable for flying, we adjust the schedule. Ground school, theory sessions, and equipment familiarisation continue regardless of weather — there's always plenty to learn.

Our May 2026 courses run in 4 blocks (Mon–Sat): 4–9, 11–16, 18–23, and 25–30 May. Each block has only 4 places to ensure personalised instruction. Check our courses page for the latest schedule.

All training equipment is provided — paratrike, wing, helmet, and radio communication. Just bring comfortable outdoor clothing, sturdy shoes, sunglasses, and sunscreen. We recommend layers as conditions can change throughout the day.

Our primary base is in Murtosa, Portugal 🇵🇹 — offering excellent weather, open spaces, and ideal flying conditions. We're expanding to Bornos, Spain 🇪🇸 in the second half of 2026. We also run international workshops worldwide.

Accommodation and meals are not included in the course price, but we can help you find excellent options near our training base. Murtosa has a range of affordable and comfortable places to stay — just ask us for recommendations!

The nearest major airport is Porto (OPO), approximately 1 hour south of Murtosa. From Porto, you can rent a car or arrange a transfer. We're happy to help with travel logistics — contact us and we'll guide you.

ParaTrike is one of the safest forms of ultralight aviation. You're seated securely in a trike with a reliable engine, and the paraglider wing is inherently stable. Combined with proper training, conservative weather decisions, and an experienced instructor, the risks are very well managed.

Yes — personal insurance is mandatory for all students joining a ParaTrike course or SkyWeek trip with FlyParatrike outside of the UK.

If you're a UK National, we strongly recommend applying for a free GHIC card (Global Health Insurance Card) for medical coverage in Europe, in addition to specialist sports travel insurance.

Already a qualified APPI pilot with your own equipment? UK and certain EU residents can take out annual third-party liability and accident insurance through AXA via flyinsure.eu — contact Sepp Himberger for details.

All flights use certified helmets, radio communication with your instructor, and properly maintained and inspected equipment. During dual-control flights, your instructor can take over at any time. We follow strict APPI safety protocols at every stage of training.

Book online or contact us via, email (caju@cajubr.com), WhatsApp, or phone. We'll discuss your goals, recommend the right course, and reserve your spot. Places are limited to 4 per block, so early booking is advised.

We accept bank transfer, PayPal, and card payments. A deposit secures your place, with the balance due before the course starts. Contact us for full payment details.

We understand plans can change. Please contact us as early as possible if you need to reschedule. Deposits are transferable to future course dates. For full cancellation terms, please get in touch.