Paramotoring at Founders Memorial Park

Photos by John Pacheco

Dripping Springs parks host a great many sports and hobbies, but for Dripping Springs resident Oliver Reynold, the park is his personal runway for his Paramotoring hobby.

“I’m a pilot, but my day job is welding inspector,” Reynold said. “Paramotoring is actually safer than riding a bicycle. I had someone look it up in an actuarial table. If something goes wrong I can just glide down. I also have a parachute should I need it.”

Renold’s powered glider is foot launched and consists of an engine, small fuel tank, and propeller attached to his body with a harness. The unit is worn like a large backpack, which is in turn attached to a Paraglider that provides the lift. Reynolds has been a Paramotor hobbyist for two years, and said a local company, Austin Paramotor, helped him get started.  He said he can fly as high as 12,000 ft with his device.

Reynold’s Instagram with photos taken from the air can be found at https://www.instagram.com/omrenold/ .