Source: Fortune.com
Summary
Jake Hutzler, an air traffic controller in Colorado, commutes to work by flying a paramotor, a type of powered paraglider. He flies about 20 minutes each week, navigating above fields and highways while communicating with the tower. Hutzler, 28, started flying after being inspired by a viral video. He says the commute is more enjoyable than driving, even though it takes slightly longer. His job requires him to coordinate with the tower to ensure safety during his flights.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story.
Hutzler flies 20 minutes weekly to work.
He communicates with the tower during flights.
The commute is more fun than driving.
Air traffic control and personal freedom collide.
Author: Evan Null
Jake Hutzler’s Unique Commute
Jake Hutzler, a 28-year-old air traffic controller, has a unique way of getting to work. Instead of driving, he flies a paramotor, a powered paraglider, over the fields near Pueblo, Colorado. The flight takes about 20 minutes at a speed of 35 mph. Hutzler starts his commute by laying out a large wing on the road, firing up the motor, and running to take off. He flies over highways, water towers, and the airport, all while listening to his favorite music.
Flying to Work
Hutzler calls the tower where he works before taking off and keeps them updated on his location. He says he doesn’t show up on radar, so the tower needs to track him. Once he reaches the airport, he lands on the ramp and begins his shift. Hutzler says the paramotor gives him a view that almost nobody gets to experience. He describes the freedom of flying without a cockpit, just him and the sky.
A Childhood Dream
Hutzler has been fascinated with flying since childhood. He used to go up in a small aircraft with his grandfather and even took flight lessons in college. However, the costs were too high, and he stopped. Everything changed when he saw a viral video of someone flying a paramotor to McDonald’s and eating a hamburger on the way home. That moment convinced him to try it.
Flying as a Family Affair
Hutzler started training in 2021 and became an instructor. He says the sport is accessible and affordable compared to other forms of flying. There’s no license required, and the cost is much lower. However, paramotors are still subject to federal rules, such as only being flown during the day and avoiding congested areas. Flying became a part of Hutzler’s life story, including training the woman he would marry and even using the paramotor for a proposal.
The Airborne Commute
After starting his job in air traffic control, Hutzler found he had less time to fly. His solution was to start flying to work. He approached his manager and made sure to follow all the rules, including having two-way communication with the tower. He made his first flight to work in June and has been doing it ever since, weather permitting. However, paramotoring is a fair-weather sport, requiring at least 10 mph of wind to stay airborne. Hutzler says the commute is more fun than driving, even though it takes slightly longer.
