As a child, Maxwell dreamt of becoming a pilot. When that dream didn’t materialise, he discovered paramotoring and found a new way to reach the skies. Now, he’s dedicated to promoting the sport in his home state of Meghalaya.
Paramotoring, also known as powered paragliding (PPG), combines the principles of paragliding with a small, lightweight motor and propeller.
This motorised winged flight allows pilots to take off and soar through the air without relying on wind or thermals, which are typically necessary for non-powered flight such as traditional paragliding. In paramotoring, the motor provides enough thrust for liftoff, while the wing is powered by the air moving over it. Any plain surface the size of a football field without any obstacles can be used for take off and landing.
Paramotoring has seen a gradual rise in popularity in India over the past few decades, offering adventure enthusiasts a unique and thrilling way to experience the skies. Despite the country’s vast geographical diversity and rich landscapes, paramotoring is still a relatively new sport compared to more mainstream aviation activities. However, with increasing interest in adventure sports, India is fast becoming a popular destination for paramotoring enthusiasts, both domestically and internationally.
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Meghalaya is home to a small but growing community of paragliders. While paragliding has gained some traction, paramotoring remains relatively rare, with only two known pilots in the state. The army has set up a small workshop in Rapleng to train army personnel in paragliding while also offering tandem flights for civilians.
Maxwell Pyngrope, a resident of Shillong, had dreamed of becoming a pilot since childhood. When that dream didn’t materialize, he quickly found another way to take to the skies. He discovered his passion for paramotoring while pursuing his Bachelor’s in Mumbai.
After training under Space Apple in Virar Maharashtra, he became a certified paramotor pilot. Now, Maxwell trains with army personnel in Rapleng and is eager to promote paramotoring in Meghalaya. With plans to launch tandem flights under his banner “Maxout Paramotoring” within the next year, he aims to commercialise the sport in his home state and inspire others to take to the skies.
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The thumbnail shows a powered paraglider mid-flight over the hills of Meghalaya.
Atiqur Rahman is a Delhi-based photographer who hails from Nagaland.
