Powered parachute (motorized parachute, PPC paraplane) is a paraglider with motor and wheels. Their speed relatively to air is 18-27 mph (30-45 km/h), and their height is typically 150-1000 feet (50-300 meters), albeit it might be as high as 18000 feet (5.5 km) (the world record) or as low as 10 inches (25 cm). They can fly for 1.5-3 hours. A new one-person powered parachute typically costs under $10,000, making them the cheapest motorized air vehicles. Their weight is typically around 50-100 lb (15-30 kg). This sport does not require a license (in USA), and can be learned in 5-7 days by an average student.
PPCs are safer than light planes because, if the motor were to fail the PPC will not crash but rather descent slowly. They are more maneuvrable than light planes, increasing their recreational value. PPCs do not need an airport to take off and land and can be used in any area which is not populated by humans or houses (although not in a vicinity of airports).
It is recommended that PPCs not be used during a strong wind, and, as ultralights, are not allowed to fly at night.
In addition to recreation PPCs are used for photographing, in agriculture, and occasionally by a law enforcement agenices.
The first powered paraglider (the P-1) was created by Steve Snyder , Adrian Vandenberg and Daniel Thompson in March 1981. The total flight time was 25-30 seconds, and the paraglider suffered from torque problems. It took 2 years for them to fix these problems, and in 1983 they formed the ParaPlane corporation to produce first commercial paragliders.