By Jamie Strickland
For centuries, humanity has been fascinated with the concept of flying, and has come up with all sorts of contraptions to try to make it happen. Leonardo da Vinci sketched ideas for flying machines back in the middle of the 15th century, and every generation since has added something to the idea, or application, of taking to the skies.
Around Johnston County, a local group has found a way to make flight accessible through the sport of powered paragliding, which is a modern spin on a pretty old idea.
On many Sunday evenings when the weather is nice and the wind is calm, members take off from a wide open Bermuda grass farm near the Cleveland community. Catching the wind, they rise and soar with a parachute-like wing and a motor strapped to their backs — a visual reminiscent of da Vinci’s concept.
If you’ve ever seen one of these gliding over your neighborhood, it was probably Allen Surratt of Carolina PPG, or someone from his local powered paragliding community. And if it was a Sunday night in late July or early August, there’s a good chance it could have even been me! I had the amazing opportunity to go on some test flights with Allen and experience what our beautiful county looks like from above, and get a little taste of why people fall in love with flying.
After a safety briefing, with Allen in control of the tandem cart, I put on my helmet, outfitted with a tinted protective visor and communication equipment so we could hear each other, and strapped myself in front of him.
He fired up the two-stroke engine, which was very loud, as promised, and we were rising off the ground in no time.
For starters, JoCo is green. Very, very green. At least this time of year, it is. Between the farm fields ripe with different crops, the trees, the grassy lawns of neighborhoods and even the John Deere tractors, nearly every shade of green imaginable can be seen from above. The landscape is sprinkled with little houses that look like toy villages, tiny blue swimming pools, patches of forest, ponds and swamps and little roads with Hot Wheels cars motoring along.
Sure I’ve flown before…I’ve even flown in an open air WWII era bomber plane. But nothing was quite like this. We did a few laps around some local fields, swooped down and waved at a group of people fishing in a pond, and then glided over toward Benson where we explored the Martin Marietta Quarry from above. There, we had the almost surreal experience of flying above a flock of birds.
Making our way back, Allen let me take the controls for a bit, and I was surprised at how responsive the wing (the big parachute looking thing is actually called a wing) was. Just a slight pull in either direction is all it took to steer the glider to the left or right, or even turn it all the way round.
We could see the Johnston County Regional Airport and the landfill off in the distance in one direction, and the Shearen Harris Nuclear plant in another. At one point we could see both West Johnston and Cleveland High Schools at the same time. They really aren’t that far apart, at least from that perspective.
Using a special watch that monitors things like weather and elevation, Allen told me that we were coasting at about 1,500 feet above the ground at that point. You might think that being super high up is the fun part — and it was — but equally exhilarating was swooping down close to the tree tops and the fields where it almost felt like your feet were going to graze the leaves.
With my phone tethered to the cart, I took pictures and videos almost constantly because I wanted to capture every second. I forced myself to put it down for a few minutes here and there to make sure I was present for the experience, too.
As we approached the field for landing, he asked if I was ready for some speed. I told him to go for it, and we dropped rapidly as my stomach lurched up into my throat. (Luckily I was able to keep the contents where they belonged.)
We landed as quickly as we had taken off and were back on the ground near our cars. I watched as he packed up the wing, I asked a million questions, and I tried to come up with an excuse of why I needed to go up again.
Graciously, he did take me up again a couple of weeks later and I took more pictures and video and asked even more questions.
As we parted ways, I thanked him for the opportunity.
“I love sharing the skies with people,” he said. “It’s why I keep doing this.”
I understand why people become enraptured with this sport, and find myself daydreaming about being able to take off and just…fly. Whenever I want.
First gaining popularity in Europe, the sport is catching on more and more in the United States, Allen said.
Will it gain another participant in the form of your friendly local magazine editor? Time will tell…but maybe.
An interview with Allen Surratt, local powered paragliding enthusiast and instructor
Q. How did you get involved in this sport?
A. “I’ve always wanted a pilot’s license. Back in the late 1990s, I started training for my private pilot’s license but had too many other priorities — school, marriage, kids, life. Fast-forward a couple of decades, and one morning while driving my son to football practice, I glanced up and saw someone flying over the fields below. I thought, “That’s pretty cool. What is that?”
I went down a deep Google rabbit hole, eventually discovering powered paragliding and that there were training options right here in North Carolina. I talked it over with my wife — she wasn’t as jazzed initially — but we figured out the details. From there, it snowballed into what I’m doing now.
That life-changing “flight over the fields” moment launched me into the training, the community and eventually into launching Carolina PPG, so other locals don’t have to hunt alone like I did.
That’s the short version: a dream nearly put on hold, reignited by a sight in the sky, and turned into a passion, a community and a way to make sure others have a smoother launch into this sport.
Q. What do you want people to know about it?
A. Powered paragliding is easier to get into than most people think. Sure, it’s not cheap, but it’s a lot more affordable than buying a boat or a Harley.
Most pilots are in their 40s to 50s, and the average pilot age is still hovering around the mid-40s. But that doesn’t mean you’re too old if you start later — my dad began paramotoring at 70, and plenty of pilots learn well into their 60s or older.
Once you’re past the learning curve, that’s when the magic happens: you connect with amazing people, discover places you’d never thought of visiting, and see the world from a whole new angle. It’s not just a sport — it’s a hobby that opens new perspectives and friendships.
Q. Is it a hobby for you, a business, or both?
A. It all started as a hobby. Back when I got into PPG, there weren’t many local pilots around to lean on, and it was tough to find help. You don’t know what you don’t know. So I created a Facebook group for Raleigh-area paramotor pilots to connect, figure things out together and build a little local flying community.
I genuinely enjoy helping people get into the sport. That passion turned into Carolina PPG — a gateway for locals to safely learn powered paragliding with guidance and support. Training here isn’t just a quick eight-day course and you’re off on your own. When someone signs up, they officially become part of the Carolina PPG family, where we continue to support and mentor you as you grow in the hobby.
So yeah, it’s both a hobby and business. The hobby drives it, and the business is focused on safe, personalized training for foot-launch and trike-launch systems, led by USPPA-certified instructors using proven curriculums and gear. We make sure you don’t just get airborne, you learn, connect and become confident in flight.
Q. Have you had any special or unusual experiences flying?
A. I’ve had some incredible flights over the years, and one of my most recent favorites was the Moonshiners Fly-In in Mountain City, Tenn., just beyond Appalachian State. This event pulls in pilots from across the country and drops you into some of the most gorgeous mountain scenery imaginable. Think rolling hills dotted with Christmas tree farms, clear lakes, open valleys and flight conditions that feel absolutely perfect.
Another of my all-time standout flights was at Salton Sea in Southern California, followed by cruising around the Glamis Dunes during a fly-in. The air there is surprisingly smooth, thanks to the below-sea-level lake, and it’s a desert paradise for foot-launch and trike pilots alike.
I’ve also taken my paramotor across Central Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. Each place has its own unique vibe and landscape. And just this year, I got out to Puerto Rico. Flying above crystal-clear water and sandy beaches was nothing short of breathtaking. The views were some of the most pristine I’ve ever seen.
My bucket list isn’t finished yet. While I couldn’t join this year, our crew has plans to fly over the Pyramids at Giza, Egypt. Imagine launching over one of the world’s most iconic ancient landmarks. That’s a next-level paragliding adventure.
Q. What is the best time and place to fly?
A. The best times to fly are early in the morning or late in the evening. Those are the hours when the winds are usually calm, thermals are minimal and the air is smooth and predictable — perfect for takeoffs and landings. Pilots quickly learn you’ll know more about weather than you ever imagined, or they meet someone who really lives by it and shares all the insights.
As for where to fly, you want open, well-kept fields with room to run. Ideally flat, free of trees, power lines and obviously far from busy airports. The point is safety and peace of mind. Wide areas with no obstacles make life easier and safer, especially when you’re learning.
Q. What should someone do if they’re interested in learning about powered paragliding?
A. Just give me a call and fire away with your questions. For training, we provide all the equipment — paramotor, wing, helmet — the whole package. If you’re still on the fence, try out a PPG Discovery Day. It’s a relaxed, one-day experience where you get to handle a wing, feel the thrust of a paramotor on your back, and meet a few pilots, including me — your certified, licensed tandem pilot.
During Discovery Day, you’ll also have the option to fly tandem with me. I’m USPPA tandem certified, meaning I can take you up for an instructional flight under the FAA tandem exemption. You’ll get seat time in a real two-place setup, experience flying firsthand and even take a few controls under guidance. It’s the best way to get a taste of the skies before you commit.
Q. What do you love most about powered paragliding?
A. The community and friendships it brings. There’s something special about being part of a group where everyone genuinely wants to help one another succeed. Each pilot brings a different strength — whether it’s wing control, navigation, gear knowledge or just sharing encouragement — and they’re always happy to show you the ropes.
I also love the fresh energy when new folks get involved. They ask questions, bring excitement, and remind us of what it’s like to be stepping into PPG for the first time. That keeps the vibe fresh. And then there’s the flying itself — there’s nothing quite like the views from above, the serenity of cruising through the air, and literally disconnecting from the chaos on the ground. It’s a real reset. That’s what keeps me flying.
Q. Anything else you’d like to add?
A. Powered paragliders are incredibly fun. The experience of drifting through the air — just you, the motor, and a paraglider wing — is unlike anything else. Whether you’re watching a sunset from a few hundred feet above or cruising low over farmland, the freedom and perspective feel special. The controls are simple, just throttle and brake toggles, and most flights stay under (an altitude of) 2,000 feet.
Like any aviation sport, there are risks. Prop strikes and obstacle collisions are the most common issues, but those are mitigated through structured training, reserve parachutes and weather awareness. The wing design provides good glide performance even in engine-out scenarios.
In short: powered paragliding is easier to get into than most people expect, as long as you respect the learning curve, choose solid instruction and stay mindful of conditions. It’s an empowering way to fly without the barriers that come with traditional aviation.
For more information on powered paragliding, visit carolinappg.com and follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CarolinaPPGLLC.
