Since 18 years of age, Eric
Dufour has lived his life fully and with passion through aviation
sports.
He started in the aviation sports as sky diving instructor and
private pilot. Now at 53 year old, he is a Sport Pilot #10291955
(USA), Transport Canada Ultralight instructor #Q211928 and
USPPA
(USA) training committee member and instructor examiner. He is also
rigger for paragliders.
Pioneering in this sport in North America, he is also one of the
leaders in paramotor teaching and has innovated in this new
discipline with the simulator trainer, the winch take-off for first
solo flight and the training bar.
Dufour's new teaching techniques make learning easier, safer and
faster. This is the reason why some of his techniques are now used
in different schools across America and Europe.
He is now also consultant in the PPG business.
He is the designer of the SD paramotors, called SD (for
Safe & Strong Design) and has innovated in paramotor technology,
with the twin engine paramotor, the new
SSS steering bar for paramotors on trike
and the adjustable J-bars, which incorporates the advantage of high
point attachments with the ability to shift the pilots' weight and
feel the glider in flight.
Picture by Ted D'Eon
Eric Dufour obtained his American green card
through his 0-1 (Extraordinary Ability) visa, which is the
highest level an immigrant can get.
Dufour won first place at the US national paramotor competitions in 2003,
2004, 2005 and 2006,
as well as first place for spot landing with engine out during the Basse-Ham 2002 fly-in, France and Pizzo 2003 fly-in, Italy. He
has quit comps in at the end of 2006. Video of the
2003 US national paramotor competitions
He is currently the most qualified person worldwide to manage and
direct the world record event of the most paramotors in the air and in
2000, Eric Dufour was part of an expedition with the prestigious National
Geographic to fly over an area known to be the most prolific in volcano
activity, Kamchatka, Russia.
Proud of his achievements, since 1992 Eric
Dufour has taught with his teams, more than 1,000 pilots (including instructors) in Canada and the USA. He has come up with one of the best
paramotor training curriculums available in North America for foot
launching and trike techniques and some of the best PPG pilots on this
continent can be counted among his students
(Richard Good: American aerobatic pilot, Stanley Kasica: 1st place
champion at the 2007 American National Competitions, David Sigier: 5th
place at the 2007 World Competitions in China), which he says is the
best reward any instructor can get.
