Paramotor service by Southwest Airsports
updated October 28, 2024
1. Cost
Estimates and labor are charged at $120/hour with a (1) hour minimum charge. The only exception is the flat-rate charge for rebuilding a carburetor.
Occasionally, we receive engines that are severely damaged or in need of a complete overhaul, including a new crankshaft. The cost of a complete overhaul is about $750 (as of 2023) less than buying a new engine. Why is this? It takes hours to disassemble, clean, and prep an engine for all new insides. This is something the factory does not have to do when assembling a new engine. However, when we finish, the engine is as good or better than a new engine. Our quality control is better than the manufacturer. We are proud of, and stand behind, our work.
2. Form to complete
If you want us to repair your equipment, download and complete this information worksheet and email it to info@southwestairsports.com. Give as much information as possible. We will check the information and then give you the OK to send us the equipment.
3. How to pack and ship equipment
Clean up the engine/part(s) before shipping to us unless you wish to pay us to clean things up.
a.) Parts (other than an engine) – Make sure you pack things so that the box could survive a 2' drop.
b.) Engines ONLY – If you are sending ONLY an engine (not the entire paramotor), purchase a heavy duty plastic tote like the one below. A triple-walled shipping box may also be used if shipping a larger engine.
If you are unable to pack an engine, take it to a local household moving company. They can take care of everything, including insurance. DO NOT USE UPS OR FEDEX TO PACK YOUR ENGINE! It must be a professiol moving company.
If possible, do not detach the muffler from the engine. It is shock-mounted and helps protect the engine from damage during shipping.
On ALL engines: Detach the throttle from the carburetor, remove the spark plug, remove the air box/cleaner including the filter attached to the carburetor, if there is one.
The engine must be TIGHTLY PACKED using 1" hard foam (best), layers of cardboard (better), or old carpet or padding (adds to the weight) so that it *CANNOT* move inside the shipping container. A fuel tank may be used as padding if it is protected from puncture damage from a screw or sharp edge.
The packed equipment should be able to survive a drop of 2' from any position.
Below is a sample engine and how a paramotor should be oriented for shipping in a tote or crate. the exhaust system is attached, the spark plug is removed, the air box is removed (the carb is attached), throttle is detached from carb, and the redrive is towards the bottom of the box.
The photo below shows the redrive of the paramotor covered with a piece of foam and cardboard securely attached with stretch wrap. This is the side that should face down in the tote. Cardboard and/or foam protects the redrive from shock. A long, stiff piece of foam is attached to the muffler to protect it.
Before putting the engine in the tote, put 4-6 layers of cardboard on the bottom of the tote to help protect the padded redrive and exhaust.
The motor put in the tote. The stretch wrap firmly holds in place the foam and cardboard protecting the redrive.
Bubble wrap or foam should be used to cushion the ends of engine. A few layers of cardboard was put on the starter side of the engine. It sticks out of the tote and will be folded down and over the that side of the engine.
Bubble wrap is placed on top of the engine and on the opposite side to protect the cylinder and cooling shroud.
The tall pieces of cardboard are folded down over the bubble wrap that was put in earlier. Cardboard and bubble wrap are light and will lower the cost of the shipping the engine.
Secure the lid with nylon zip ties.
If we get an engine not shipped in a tote nor in its original box (in good condition), we will buy one and add the cost to the invoice.
c.) Entire paramotors – If you have the original box that the paramotor was shipped in, use it. These instructions are helpful in how to ship a complete paramotor (frame, harness, cage). The carburetor and starter are the more fragile parts of the engine and must be adequately padded. The spark plug, throttle cable, and air box must be removed. UPS and FEDEX shipping centers *DO NOT KNOW* how to ship a paramotor! If you cannot ship and pack an entire paramotor, take it to a local household moving company and pay them to ship it to us.
4. Who to ship it with and to where?
Send via UPS or FEDEX ground INSURED to the address on the contact us page. Air freight costs more but there is much less chance that the equipment will be damaged. If you have to use a moving company, they will have their own way of getting your paramotor to us.
5. Payment
Once repairs are completed an invoice will be created and sent. You may pay it via check sent to our address. If you prefer to use PayPal, add 3% to the total invoice amount.
6. Post-service
If we are servicing a complete paramotor, it will be tested at sea level. If you are at a different altitude, you must adjust your carburetor accordingly. Humidity, temperature, and altitude all affect how the engine runs so all pilots must be familiar with how to adjust the carburetor on their engines. This web site has detailed instructions.
You are responsible for reassembling your paramotor and adjusting the carburetor correctly. This website has all of the info needed.
We apologize but Southwest Airsports cannot give help via phone. Thank you for your understanding.
