Aerial Photography By George Steinmetz

The whole thing packs up into three bags weighing less than 72 lbs (32 kg.) which is the limit for standard baggage on most commercial aircraft. Thus I enter most countries without significant problems from customs or aviation authorities. I don’t need an airfield for take off or landing, only a clear area a little larger than a basketball court. So far I’ve flown my aircraft in China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Botswana, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Oman, Chile, Namibia, Chad, Niger, Mali, Rwanda, Kenya, Morocco, Mexico, France, Germany, and the United States. The US aviation authority considers it an experimental aircraft, and no license is required for either pilot or aircraft. Upon arrival I have to spend a few hours assembling and tuning the motor, and then it all fits through the rear door of a 4x4 car, or onto the back of a camel, speed boat, or canoe. With ten liters of gasoline mixed with 2% oil, I can fly for 2-3 hours. It’s a beautiful thing.
For taking photos I rely on one camera body and a couple of lenses. Digital cameras have made my life much easier, as there is no film to change and many of my Canon lenses have image stabilization built into them. They also get exceptional results with higher ASA settings than I could use with film, which lets me shoot in dimmer light. I prefer zoom lenses in flight as they save me from having to change lenses often. On a motorized paraglider there is nowhere to put anything except for a few zippered pouches strapped into my flight harness. Flying this kind of aircraft is an exercise in minimalism, and anything that adds weight or complication detracts from airworthiness.