PUEBLO, COLO. — Jake Hutzler, a 28-year-old air traffic controller in Pueblo, Colorado, commutes to work by paramotor once a week, weather permitting. He made his first paramotor commute to work in June 2026 after starting his role as an air traffic controller earlier in 2026. "You could be having your favorite song playing in your headphones, and you just can relax and take in this awesome experience," Jake Hutzler said.

The paramotor commute takes approximately 20 minutes at a speed of 35 mph (56 kph). Hutzler begins his commute by laying out the wing on the road outside his apartment complex and running to take off. He flies over fields, a highway, and a water tower before arriving at the airport.

Before taking off, Hutzler calls the tower to notify colleagues of his departure. He coordinated with his manager to ensure two-way communication with the tower when entering airspace for his commute. Hutzler provides updates on his location and altitude while airborne because he does not appear on radar. "I’m very small and I don’t show up on radar, so they’ll want to kind of keep track of my location and get updates on my progress."

Hutzler waits for authorization to land on the airport ramp and lands by jogging briefly upon touchdown. After landing, Hutzler packs the wing and changes into his work shirt to begin his shift directing aircraft. Paramotoring requires calm weather, as winds of about 10 mph (16 kph) or ground-heating updrafts can prevent or disrupt flight.

"In a paramotor, you have a view that almost nobody gets to experience. You have no cockpit, nothing in front of you. You’re just sitting there in the air and total freedom to go wherever you want."

Hutzler’s grandfather took him up in a small four-seat aircraft during his childhood. Hutzler completed about 20 hours of training toward a pilot’s license in college but stopped due to cost. Hutzler decided to pursue paramotoring after seeing a viral video of a man flying a paramotor to McDonald's.

"After I saw that, I was like, ‘I’m sold.’ I gotta do that." Hutzler began paramotor training in Florida in 2021 and later became an instructor. Hutzler trained his wife to fly paramotors and proposed to her using a ring hidden on his paramotor after simulating engine trouble.

Hutzler and his wife had their paramotors present at their wedding altar. Hutzler has a 2½-year-old daughter. Paramotors do not require a license and are subject to federal ultralight vehicle rules, including daytime-only operation and avoidance of congested areas.

Why It Matters

Hutzler's commute illustrates how ultralight aviation operates within specific regulatory frameworks while providing personal utility. The activity allows individuals to bypass traditional licensing requirements under Federal Aviation Regulation Part 103, which governs these vehicles. This regulation permits operation without a pilot’s license or aircraft registration but restricts flights to daylight hours and prohibits travel over congested areas.

The cost structure of paramotoring presents a different economic model compared to certified aircraft. A paramotor typically costs between $8,000 and $9,000. Other estimates suggest paramotors typically cost between $8,000 and $15,000, less than the hundreds of thousands required for certified aircraft, making them a more accessible entry point to aviation. The National Weather Service reports that Pueblo, Colorado, experiences average wind speeds of 10-15 mph during autumn, which aligns with the optimal conditions Hutzler requires for paramotoring.

Timeline

Hutzler started working as an air traffic controller earlier in 2026. Hutzler made his first paramotor commute to work in June 2026.

What's New

Jake Hutzler became a certified paramotor instructor after completing training in 2021, which he later used to train his wife and others in the sport. Paramotors are governed by Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 103, which allows operation without a pilot’s license or aircraft registration but restricts flights to daylight hours and prohibits travel over congested areas. Paramotors typically cost between $8,000 and $15,000, less than the hundreds of thousands required for certified aircraft, making them a more accessible entry point to aviation.