Prior reservation is required. We maintain an email list of everyone who is interested in flying with us, and send notification out to that list (including to those who purchased Gift Certificates) as to when we have available slots to fulfill Discovery or Discovery Training flights, and that is typically 2-4 days in advance of the actual date we will be flying. This is determined by the weather and our training schedule, and we give first right of refusal to students we are training that have purchased aircraft from us, and then to those who have purchased Gift Certificates. Because of the unpredictability of the weather, as well as people's schedules, we do not provide advanced or future reservations for specific dates, beyond what is described here. You can get on our email notification list by contacting us here. You must also complete our Waiver and Release of Liability, which you can download here, print, fill out, and bring with you when you come for your flight.

Powered Parachutes (PPCs) and Powered Paragliders (PPGs) are similar in many respects. Both are powered recreational vehicles that use parachute canopies as wings. While PPCs are all typically three-wheeled carts that hold the occupants, and are steered with your feet, PPGs are typically worn as backpack units and require use of your legs as "landing gears" for takeoffs and landings (i.e., you run with the backpack for takeoff, and also land using your legs), and steering is done by hand. Some PPGs have small cart options that can be added to allow for use of wheels instead of legs, but steering is still accomplished by hand. Two-seat PPCs require a Sport Pilot License to fly; PPGs are considered ultralights, and do not require a license to fly. PPCs require some type of trailer to transport, whereas most backpack style PPGs will fit in the trunk of your car. New England Chute Flyers deals exclusively in Powered Parachutes, and not Powered Paragliders.

Simply remove the parachute from its bag and lay it out in an inverted fashion behind the craft. As you begin your take-off roll, the forward motion of the craft, the wind if any, and the prop blast is enough to quickly bring the chute up overhead of the craft. Once it is fully inflated and centered overhead, go to full throttle and you'll be off and flying. Click here to see how the chute is inflated. Can I Launch it Myself? Yes. Simply lay the chute out as described above. Even with a little wind or even a fair breeze, the inverted layout will keep the wind from the leading edge thus preventing the chute from inflating until you are ready.

Steady surface winds of less than 4 mph for students, less than 8 mph for low-time pilots, and ideally no more than 12 mph winds for experienced pilots as gusting conditions are usually associated with winds of that velocity. Generally, the higher up you go, the stronger the winds become and at 30 mph headwinds you become a "hovercraft". Strong gusting conditions will accentuate the normal motion of the powered parachute, making your flight less comfortable and will hinder smooth landings.

Powered parachutes do indeed have maximum payload capacities, which are made up of the total weight of the pilot, passenger, and fuel. New England Chute Flyers requires passengers to weigh no more than 300 pounds in order to retain sufficient safety margins while operating the aircraft.

While on the ground, a single hand control stick turns the front wheel. While in the air, foot rudder pedals are pushed, push left to turn left, right to turn right, proportionate to how much you wish to turn. Your hands are kept free unless you adjust the throttle to climb or descend.