The #1 selling brand Powered Paraglider & Paramotor equipment in America!
News & Events
June 6th , 2010
From the Stockton Record at RecordNet.com, Read the article here
Soaring above the economy
Valley Springs couple watches business risk pay off with Para Toys
VALLEY SPRINGS - In 2008, builder and developer Mike Robinson made a momentous decision: to leave the construction business and buy a powered paraglider company based in Camarillo.
Both he and his wife, Michelle, knew it was a risk to switch into a business that caters to hobbyists during a recession.
"We were looking at each other saying, 'are we crazy? What are we doing?,' " Michelle Robinson said.
Two years later, Para Toys is based on the Robinsons' 350-acre ranch near Valley Springs, and that crazy risk has paid off. The company provides full-time employment to Mike and Michelle Robinson, their daughter Taylor Robinson, and two other people.
In short, the Robinsons are prospering, while many peers who stayed in the construction industry are still struggling.
"So far it is keeping us afloat, and hopefully, it will grow," Michelle Robinson said.
That may be an understatement. Both the Robinsons and others familiar with the powered paraglider industry say they are one of the largest powered paraglider companies in the world, and likely the largest in the United States.
"They would be among the largest," said Jeffrey Goin, president of the U.S. Powered Paragliding Association and author of The Powered Paragliding Bible, a reference book on the sport.
Goin estimated that about 2,000 powered paragliders a year are sold in the United States.
Mike Robinson said he did a major overhaul of the firm in 2009, issuing a new line of paramotors, paramotor cages and paraglider wings, as well as redesigning the company's website.
Incidents in which an operator's hand is struck by a propeller are a leading cause of injury in the sport, so the company strengthened the cages and toughened the netting that prevents operators from getting their hands near the blade.
Another key innovation was to offer powered paragliders with a four-wheeled "quad" takeoff platform. Mike Robinson said that opened the sport to pilots who because of their weight or other physical limitation can't run to initiate a launch.
There are also powered paraglider tricycles on the market, but the three-wheeled landing system is more prone to accidentally overturning.
Robinson said the company is now selling about 500 powered paragliders a year at prices of roughly $6,000 to $8,000 each.
Armand Pauly, 57, of Kelseyville, has traits common to many Para Toys customers: He's a man in his mid-50s, and he weighs 220 pounds.
Before 1984, Pauly was a professional pilot. Then he went into the electronics industry. Recently, he decided he wanted to resume flying, but didn't want the expense of maintaining a traditional fixed-wing airplane.
"This intrigued me because I can take it home, keep it at home," Pauly said. And the fact that Para Toys offered a wheeled quad for takeoffs and landings was a clincher.
"I broke my back in 2006," Pauly said.
So Friday, Pauly was practicing on the Para Toys landing strip, taking instruction via a radio link to Para Toys trainer Rick Hallowes.
Although powered paragliding, or paramotoring, is lightly regulated, most manufacturers require buyers to get training when they make the purchase. Robinson said it usually takes three or more days to learn to launch and land with a quad and five to seven days doing a foot launch.
Robinson said the firm has a network of 90 paramotor dealers around the world, all of whom are required to be trainers capable of instructing new paramotor pilots.
Like other outdoor adventure industry firms, Para Toys does much of its marketing by hosting events, including an invitation-only fly-in each April at the home ranch next to Hogan Lake in Valley Springs, and a fly-in each February at the Salton Sea in Southern California.
The Salton Sea event this year drew 300 pilots and is second among paramotor fly-ins only to the Basse Ham Paramotor Show held in February in France, Robinson said.
During May, that event allowed top paramotor pilots from Israel, Puerto Rico and Canada to fly in remote locations including Glacier Bay.
"It proved that our gliders and motors are capable of extreme conditions," Robinson said.
Contact reporter Dana M. Nichols at (209) 607-1361 or dnichols@recordnet.com. Visit his blog at recordnet.com/calaverasblog.
Armand Pauly, 57, of Kelseyville, California, practices landing a powered paraglider without engine power June 4 on the Para Toys landing strip, taking instruction via a radio link to Para Toys powered paraglider instructor Rick Hallowes.
ParaToys is proud to announce The BlackHawk Talon 175.
Here is the BlackHawk Talon 175. This motor was designed from the ground up specifically as a paramotor engine, the ideal paramotor engine. All testing thus far has been in line with expectations. The motor makes great HP and in fact shows a 800rpm larger power band than the Black Devil. Thrust is in the 140 to 150lbs range. The Talon at this point weighs just shy of 3 lbs less than the Black Devil and has had no starting issues or vibration related breakage of exhaust parts. The tuned exhaust tucks neatly under the engine making for a truly compact, powerful, lightweight engine!
January 31st, 2010
Thank you to all the Salton Sea Fly-In attendees, volunteers and vendors that made this event truly the best fly-in yet. With over 294 registered pilots this was the largest event ever.
We had lots of great events, competitions, clinics and flying.
We had a huge turn out for the competition, one of the biggest events in the US. The best pilots in the US were there (although Jeff Goin and Eric Dufour ran the event and were not able to compete in it). U.S. paramotor team member Chad Bastian won. British Paramotor team pilot Dean Eldridge took 2nd place but won't show up in the U.S. rankings. Mike Robinson of ParaToys.com even competed and did very well on a BlackHawk Quad! A first for the competition and the crowd loved it!
This year ParaToys unveiled a few new additions to its line up.
The BlackHawk Talon 175 motor by Compact Radial & BlackHawk. The purpose of this motor is simply to dominate the mid size motor category.With it's all new to PPG design the Talon weighs (2.5lbs) less than the Black Devil is more powerful, runs cooler, has a broader power range, and starts first pull. The quality of construction is unmatched in the industry. All engine components ( except cylinder) are CNC machined from billet aluminum to exact tolerances. The cylinder is at the 12:00 position and carburetor is at the 3:00. It also utilizes the same type redrive assembly as the BH 313 and BH 100. This provides superior strength as well as adjust ability. How confident are we in the quality? The warranty is 2 years! No doubt this motor will be the industry leader in a short period of time.
We fully expect this motor to be the number one selling mid-sized motor in a very short period of time.
The ParaToys/Dudek collaboration. Many pilots made use of the demo ParaToys reflex wings. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. "It launches like a classic glider" was the comment we heard over and over. The speed and stability of this glider made believers of everyone that flew it. With the number of sales, there is no doubt that reflex technology will be mainstream in the US within the next few years.
Sincerely,
Mike, Michelle and the ParaToys Crew
January 28th-31st, 2010
The ParaToys 2010 Salton Sea Fly-In
Date
January 28th-31st, 2010
Location
336 Seaview Drive
Salton Sea, California, 92275
Contact: Garland or William @ 760 394 4333
Cost
Pilots
- $85
Guests - Free!
ParaToys Salton Sea Events Schedule
Thursday
Open flying
Friday
Round the Lake Race
Start Time: 6:00 AM - Sunup
Organized by: Brian Thivierge
USPPA Competition
Start time: 1:00 PM
Organized by: Jeff Goin
Clinic: Rebuilding & tuning the MZ 100 & MZ 34 and your questions answered
Start time: 3:00 PM
Presented by Leon Massa
Clinic: Carb rebuilding, tuning & maintenance
Start time: 4:00 PM
Presented by Wayne Mitchler
Friday Night Party & Burning of the props
Start Time: 6:00 PM/dark
Saturday
“Mad Max” Flight Demonstration
Max Marien & Brad Geary from Torrey Pines
Start time: 10:30 AM
Competition Demonstration
USPPA Competition
Start time: 1:00 PM
Organized by: Jeff Goin
Basic to Expert Kiting Clinic
Start Time: 2:00 PM
Presented by: Mo Sheldon
Kiting War
Start time: 3:00 PM
Organized by: Wayne Mitchler drops parachutes
Banquette
Hosted by Michelle Danielle & Paul Anthem
Sunday
Open flying
ParaToys Salton Sea Fly-In Rules
Base communication: FRS channel 7
Field Rules:
The launching area is on the north side of the field and the landing area is on the south side of the field. The field will be divided by cones and everyone must obey and respect the field separation so that the launching and landing areas remain safe. There will also be field officers on the field to help make the area safe for all. If the flight officer asks you to do something, it is important that you obey and respect his/her authority. Remember - they are here to help and to make sure everyone is safe. There will be absolutely no equipment left on the field at any time. If your equipment is left on the field unattended, and an accident happened due to your negligence, you could potentially be held responsible. If a field officer sees any equipment negligently left behind on the field or along vendor row, he/she has the authority to remove the equipment from the premises without any responsibility of possible damage to the equipment.
Flight Pattern Rules:
The flight pattern is a counterclockwise left hand pattern around the RV park to the waters edge. There is absolutely NO FLYING over the RV park and vendor row. Anyone caught flying over the RV park or over vendor row will be asked to leave immediately with absolutely no refund or compensation of any kind. There will be no acrobatics of any kind or low flying in the window (Window - from the far north end of the launching area to the south end of the landing area.) If you are flying through the window, you must maintain altitude at 500 ft. or higher to make it safer for all pilots landing, launching and flying.
Vendors:
Vendors in Vendor Row will be given an area along the field. It is important that they stay within their assigned area. All vendors in vendor row will have to check in with Jon Ruel to receive your area. No pilot (who is not a vendor) may not leave their paramotor/flying equipment in any area on vendor row or left with any vendor. If the pilot is not a vendor, his equipment can not be left with a vendor. If a vendor is found with any flying equipment other than his own, he/she will be asked to leave without any refunds or compensation. If you are not a registered vendor and you are caught selling flying equipment, etc. you will be removed from the event.
VENDOR/DEALER
$200 includes 2 pilots and one beach front spot
Camping fee is $15 per night paid to Park. 2 people only. $5 for each additional person.
Contact Mike to reserve your spot (209) 481-0493
RV CAMPING
$35.00 per day paid to the RV park ($25 per day if you stay 3 or more days)
DRY CAMPING
$10.00 per day per tent +$5 per additional person paid to the RV park
*Note The camping fees and rules will be strictly enforced by the RV Park as well as ParaToys personnel. Please be honest and polite!!
We are looking forward to flying with everyone. See you there!
December 8th, 2009
ParaToys/Dudek Collaboration
ParaToys has been evaluating the many reflex wing in production today. We have found Dudek's to be the most inline with ParaToys philosophy of quality, safety and performance. We have developed our own graphics for Dudek to produce in their Nucleon paraglider model. They will be produced with the graphics on both the top and bottom of the wing. We expect to have them in for the ParaToys Salton Sea Fly-In.
Here are the previews of the wings:
January 28th - 31st, 2009
The ParaToys 2010 Salton Sea Fly-In
Date
January 28th-31st, 2010
LOCATION
336 Seaview Drive
Salton Sea, California, 92275
Contact: Garland or William @ 760 394 4333
COST
Pilots
$55 early registration till Dec 15th 2009
$85 registration after Dec 15th and at the event
VENDOR/DEALER
$200 includes 2 pilots and one beach front spot
Camping fee is $15 per night paid to Park. 2 people only. $5 for each additional person.
Contact Mike to reserve your spot (209) 481-0493
RV CAMPING
$35.00 per day paid to the RV park ($25 per day if you stay 3 or more days)
DRY CAMPING
$10.00 per day per tent +$5 per additional person paid to the RV park
*Note The camping fees and rules will be strictly enforced by the RV Park as well as ParaToys personnel. Please be honest and polite!!
October 2nd, 2009
Product Testing
The new ParaToys is an entirely different company from its customer service, products offered and the way it tests its equipment. As we improve our gear we keep a close eye on safety, longevity and reliability. This was a stress test we put our new hang points through. With an estimated failure point of almost 6000 pounds each, they passed the 2000 pound baseline that we had set in development. We put all our design through similar testing to make sure each product we offer will hold up to years of flying and abuse. We worry about the quality so you don't have to!
October 2nd, 2009
GONE GREEN.
The New ParaToys has gone "green". As of early this year, ParaToys has completly unpluged from the grid and are running on solar and wind power for our manufacturing, assembly, sales and training. Above the Fray, and Below the Clouds, we are the all new ParaToys!
October 1st, 2009
The All New ParaToys Cages
We are proud to introduce the NEW BlackHawk Paramotor Rhino XLT and Travel Cage; Stronger and lighter then ever before!
The New BlackHawk Rhino XLT Paramotor Cage. This new design of our famous Rhino cage can now accommodate a 54 inch prop for massive thrust! It has more supports at key point making its structure much stronger with out adding weight. Made of aircraft grade aluminum and Tig welded for unbelievable strength and light weight.
The Standard Rhino cage also incorporates some of the new design features making it even stronger as well.
The New BlackHawk Travel Paramotor Cage breaks down small enough to fit in a suitcase or trunk of a car for easy transportability. Made of aircraft grade aluminum and Tig welded for unbelievable strength and light weight. This new cage sports a double hoop for rigidity and strength and is 3 pounds lighter then its famous predecessor.
Just wanted to send you a message to keep you informed on our SOAR Project. We completed the training with Phill Russman and are working to hone our pilot skills. It will take some time before we start venturing out over some of our populated areas as safety is paramount. We have worked with the FAA and are fully legal to flying anywhere within our City. They have been great. It probably helps we have a certified commercial/private pilot in our group who is very familiar with the aviation rules and regulations and has the necessary contacts.
We all love the BlackHawk MZ100 paramotor. It is light, easy to start, and quiet. The only issue we have is it is underpowered with the Dudek wings and the weight of our pilots. We were able to try the BlackHawk 185 Paramotor for a few days when Ray had it here and it has all the power we would need. If possible we would like to have the opportunity to try the 185 with our project to evaluate its performance. Please let me know if this is a possibility. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks for all you help and support. You have been wonderful to work with. I will keep you informed of our progress with the program. Call me anytime.
Lt. Joseph Eakins
Uniformed Services Division
Palm Bay Police Department
ParaToys dealer Phil Russman trains the Palm Bay Police Department to fly powered paragliders. They chose BlackHawk Paramotors because of their safety and durability.
May 2nd, 2009
Posted on the PPG Big List by Raymond McMahon (Message #56941):
After one of our usual Sat morning flights. Dave Sheriff setup his Thrust
tester!! So we pilots proseed to the testing machine. First up Me on my
Paratoy's 185cc Black hawk. Whch will be on display at the Beach Blast next
weekend.. Maybe we can persuede somone to bring a thrust tester. That would stir
up the Manufacturer's Quoted Numbers!!
Dave will give you the testing method if you wish. After measuring the distance
from the centre of the prop to the ground and showing the Poundage on the scale
plus another fiqure he comes up with the magic number...
So the BlackHawk 185cc paramotor reads 142lbs 48 in Prop
the FB Simo no one reads 128 lbs 48in prop
FB Simo two reads 130lbs 48in prop
and the other FB unit the Solo 210 read 120lbs 48in prop I think ..
Which is good for the SOLO 210 I believe.
There you have it. 4 machines on the same day using the same tester.
I think Paratoys actually Post 140lbs of thrust so there right on...
Ray McM.
May 1st, 2009
We are proud to announce the release of our new website. We hope you will find it informative as well as entertaining. As with any new web project of this complexity, there are bound to be bugs. If you run into one, please let me know so I can fix it.
(Brian@ParaToys.com)
Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter (below the ParaToys logo) so we can keep you up to date on our up coming events and product releases. This is going to be an exciting year for ParaToys, we'd like you to be a part of it.
Your Humble ParaToys Webmaster
April 20th, 2009
The Palm Bay Police Department several months back were researching the possibility of using Powered Paragliders for search and rescue and patrolling their beaches. They asked several paramotor manufacture to send a sample of their product to they could determine which would be able to handle abuse a full time job would deliver. After rigorous testing, they chose BlackHawk Paramotors for the following reasons:
High quality standards of manufacturing and assembly
Customer service
Speed of which parts would be delivered
Durability of the Motors
Fuel efficiency
After Months of trials we are honored to have been selected.
We would like to thank everyone that attended our Gann Ranch Fly-In. We enjoyed having everyone and hope that you will all join us again soon!
Mike, Michelle and The ParaToys Crew
May 19th, 2009
Although we had not officially announced it, ParaToys was moved from Los Angeles, California to Valley Springs in Northern California. Part of the transition was to bring all assembly in-house to provide better quality control and centralize our warehouse, assembly and inventory. We now have the operation up and running in one facility. If you talk to anyone that has recently purchased a new ParaToys or BlackHawk product, I'm confident you will hear them say that the speed of delivery and attention to detail has greatly improved over years past. Our intent with ParaToys is to continue innovation while looking for the best price on quality manufacturing so we can provide high quality, affordable products to an ever growing PPG community. I look forward to flying with all of you!
Mike and Michelle Robinson
April 16th - 19th, 2009
LOCATION
8591 Hogan Dam Road
Valley Springs, CA 95252
DATE
April 16th -19th, 2009
60 Pilots Max
DIRECTIONS
take CA-99 into Stockton, CA
Take exit 254B for State Hwy 26 E toward Linden
Turn left at CA-26/E Fremont St
Continue to follow CA-26
Turn left at S Burson Rd/CA-26
Continue to follow CA-26
Turn right at Silver Rapids Rd
Turn right at Hogan Dam Rd
Gann Ranch is at the end of Hogan Dam Rd Map
COST Pilots $40
The purpose of this is to pay for the irrigation system for the flying strip this spring so that all who fly here may have a green area to land and takeoff from!
ParaToys will provide cool t-shirts and a ranch beef burger feast as well.
DATE
Thursday Jan. 22nd thru Sunday Jan. 25th 2009
DIRECTIONS
from palms spring head south on the 10 freeway.
86 south for approx 30.5 miles
Turn left at Marina Drive.
Turn right at Sea View Drive.
Turn right at Salton Bay Drive. Map
COST Pilots $85
onlookers & PPG wanabees- free
DISPLAY SPACE For convention display space information or show information contact Mike, Mike@ParaToys.com
OTHER AIRCRAFT
all ultralites, trikes and powered parachutes are also welcome at this show. There is plenty of flat hard packed sand to fly from for these aircrafts to land and take off from.
NEAREST AIRPORTS
Palm Springs 45 minutes
Ontario 1.5 hours away
San Diego 2 hours away
MAJOR SPONSORS Kitchen Cabinet Depot ParaToys.com - Powered Paragliders The Powered Paragliding Radio Show TalkPPG.com - Powered Paragliding Forum
HOTELS
Sea & Sun Motel/Lodges - 79 Desert Shores Dr., Desert Shores, CA 92274
email: info@seaandsunmotel.com , reservations@seaandsunmotel.com
web: www.seaandsunmotel.com
cell: (858) 603-1981
Holiday Inn Express - Indio California
(760) 342-6344 (23 miles away this is the nearest one).
There are a few in Borrego Springs, CA as well 26 miles away.
SHIPPING ADDRESS FOR PARAMOTORS
All shipments need to have the shippers name on the boxes - contact Bill Watson to confirm and arrange for his assistance.
Bill Watson: 61150 Esparta Ave., Whitewater, CA 92282
phone (760) 329-1025.
LOCAL RESTAURANTS
Within PPG flying distance and plenty of landing and take off areas
The lions Den
The Marina
The truck stop on HWY 86 has a Subway
Coty's Cafe
Johnsons Landing @ Salton City - which also has R. V. spaces as well.
Alamo Restaurant
Superburger, in Salton City
MOTOR HOME RENTALS
El Monte RV (562) 483-4930
Cruise America (562) 404-9300,
DRY CAMPING - $5.00 per day, plenty of space for tents. no hookups but bathrooms are close by.
DEALERS & VENDORS AT THE EVENT
All dealers and vendors wanting display space need to contact
Mike, Mike@ParaToys.com
We will have vendors for the following over the weekend
EVENTS Competition events planned-
Foot drag
Kiting wars
Two man kiting wars race
Pylon traversing
Spot landing
Bomb drop
PPG poker run
PPG capture the flag
Plus a few others just for fun.
Mass speed launch planned if the winds are good
Schedule Thursday- open flying, registration Friday- cross countries, open flying, clinics, Friday night- Bon fire, movies on the big screen, prop burning, WTR beer bust, Saturday- competition events, clinics, mini Parachute drop Saturday night- barbeque feast, raffle prize giveaways
Reserve your spot early.
Hotel & RV spots will go fast. Early registration encouraged.
