Imagine skipping traffic jams by flying to work instead of driving a car. Jacob Hutzler, an air traffic controller from Colorado, United States, has attracted attention online for his unusual commute using a paramotor, a powered paraglider that allows him to take off without a conventional runway.
Hutzler shared a video on Instagram showing how he prepares his equipment, takes off near his home and flies towards the airport where he works. His journey offers a striking alternative to the daily rush-hour commute. According to reports, the flight takes around 20 minutes.
How Does His Flying Commute Work?
Unlike a conventional aircraft, a paramotor combines a paraglider wing with a motor and propeller carried on the pilot’s back. The pilot runs to launch the wing and uses the motor to maintain powered flight.
Hutzler uses a Parajet Maverick motor paired with an Ozone Sirocco 3 wing. In his video, he shows himself preparing the equipment and checking it before taking off.
The setup allows him to launch on foot, eliminating the need for a traditional runway at his starting point.
From Home to the Airport in Around 20 Minutes
Hutzler’s destination is Pueblo Memorial Airport in Colorado, where he works as an air traffic controller. His route involves more than simply taking off and flying towards the airport.
Before entering the airport’s controlled airspace, he must establish two-way communication with the control tower. He coordinates his arrival and landing with the relevant air traffic controllers.
The process highlights that even an unconventional commute through the sky requires careful preparation and compliance with aviation procedures.
Why His Commute Has Gone Viral
Hutzler’s video has attracted attention because it offers an unusual solution to a familiar problem: getting to work without getting stuck in traffic.
Social media users have responded with amusement and admiration, with some joking about avoiding road congestion and others wishing they could adopt a similar routine.
For Hutzler, however, the flight is not just a way to travel. It also reflects his long-standing passion for aviation and the freedom he associates with powered paragliding.
Is a Paramotor a Practical Way to Travel?
While the idea may sound appealing, paramotoring is not a simple replacement for driving or public transport. It requires appropriate training, suitable equipment, favourable weather and compliance with airspace rules.
Strong winds, rain and other changing conditions can affect whether a flight is safe or possible. Hutzler’s commute is therefore an unusual personal arrangement rather than a solution that would work for everyone.
His story nevertheless shows how a passion for flying can transform an ordinary journey to work into an extraordinary experience.