6 things you need to know about the Icarus Trophy

Billed as the “toughest air race in the world”, the Icarus Trophy is a near 1 300km test of ultimate endurance and pilot skill. The race will start on Wednesday at Bill Harrop Balloon Safaris in Hartbeespoort Dam and will end at the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

1. It is the first Icarus Trophy to be arranged on the African continent and it will feature new elements such as crossing borders and landing at mandatory checkpoints.
2. In total there will be 31 racers from all over the world.
3. Paramotor is a generic name for the propulsive portion of a powered paraglider. The aircraft consists of a frame that combines the motor, propeller, harness (with integrated seat) and cage.
4. It provides two attachment points for the risers of a paraglider wing that allows for powered flight. Pilots who fly these engage in paramotoring, which is also known as powered paragliding.
5. The engines are small, and are favoured for their high output power and light weight. The pilot controls thrust by a hand-held throttle and steers using the paraglider’s brake toggles.
6. This mechanism is similar to that of a sport parachutist’s. The parachute on the paramotor helps the pilot glide when he chooses to turn off the engine.

Read more on Francois Theron and Eugene Cussons:

Epic Icarus Trophy in aviators’ sight