Some paramotor pilots from Puerto Rico organized ahead of time and showed up for the international Brad Apples Paramotor event, held in Salt Lake, Utah, USA, from October 8 to 13, 2025. This event brings together many paramotor pilots from across the U.S. and is organized by Brad Roper, one of the sport’s well-known figures in the country. Puerto Rico proudly made its presence known on this occasion.
Pilots from Puerto Rico present:
- Fio López
- Wilkins “Chino” Morales
- Jomar Crespo
- Berto García
- Edgardo Rivera
- Darwin Hernández
- Omar Colón
- Emilio Santini
- Sam Travis
This trip had some complications from the beginning, but the pilots managed to overcome each obstacle and enjoyed some great adventures at the event.
Paramotor transport issues…
This was one of the first challenges they faced. The plan was to bring some paramotors to Utah by plane, but that didn’t happen. They were taken off the aircraft and couldn’t be transported. Fortunately, there was a Plan B: fellow pilot William Montalvo was near the airport and took charge of the paramotors so that the pilots could continue their journey.
Problems renting a paramotor at the site…
Fortunately, Edgardo Rivera made connections in the area, through paramotor pilots that are friends of the family of Team Kamikazes Paramotor Puerto Rico. They recognized him for his skills and stories in the island and managed to get him a paramotor so he could fly. Also, Darwin Hernández had a paramotor in the area, but it needed modifications for the rest of pilots to use it since it was configured for use with a trike. The organizing committee, from what I was told, wasn’t prepared or inclined to rent out paramotors in the area.
The weather…
According to pilot Chino Morales, the flying conditions were much more challenging and turbulent than those at the previous Bad Apples event in Georgia — which is saying a lot. Additionally, the flying area was full of dust and mud that dirtied the wings as soon as they were laid out. A major concern for some of the pilots.
Due to the weather conditions, all pilots in the area only flew at sunrise and sunset to avoid difficult flying conditions. At one point, bad weather led to more than 15 paramotor incidents caused by turbulence. It’s worth noting to mention that Edgardo Rivera was one of the only pilot who flew during midday turbulence. It took to him three days and three attempts to reach the nearby mountains and canyon by air.
After the event — Visit to Las Vegas…
After the Brad Apples event, the pilots visited Las Vegas City…
