Coming to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this year is newly formed paramotor team Airythmia. Team members Travis Burns, Todd Scandrett, Andrea “Aly” Yancy, Alexis Quintana, Justin Fox, Scott Baxter, Steve Reed, and Kyle Mooney are excited for their team’s debut performance.
“We’ve all been flying for a long time, and are just excited to get to do [AirVenture],” said Kyle, EAA 668420. “We’re just humbled to be asked to be a part of it … of course there’s a little bit of nerves as there always is, but everyone’s really excited and just ready to go out there.”
With so many different teams out there, what is it that makes Airythmia different?
“People will see that on our team it’s not just mid-20s, fit kids,” Kyle explained. “I think 25 is our youngest pilot and our oldest is reaching in to high 50s. … it’s kind of nice to have the broad range: there’s women, there’s young people, there’s older people. It was a really cool way to do it rather than just a group of 20-year-olds, because then it seems out of reach for the average Joe at that point.”
Helping bring all these different people together are mutual friends, similar businesses, and years of flying, with the goal of reaching more people.
“Our goal is to show this type of flying to everybody,” said Kyle. “I can pack my gear up in the front of my wife’s MINI Cooper and take it anywhere I want.”
When it comes to paramotoring, many people are scared of the safety risks. The idea of being high in the air with just a motor and some wings may sound dangerous.
“It’s as safe as you make it,” said Kyle. “If you chose to drive your minivan 100 mph, it’s going to be dangerous. If you fly in conditions that are safe and … get proper training, you’ll always be safe. Even if you’re scared to try flying, try anyway. We tell everybody, ‘flying will ruin your life in the best possible way.’”
Travis Burns has been flying paramotors for more than 10 years. Before that, he was a pilot in the Coast Guard for about 20 years. He owns a paramotor business called One Up Adventures along with team members Kyle Mooney and Andrea Yancy.
Todd Scandrett, EAA 1310078, was taught to fly by members Travis and Kyle a couple years ago and hasn’t stopped since. Todd came up with the name “Airythmia”, stemming from the medical term arrhythmia, a condition in which the heart beats irregularly. Todd spent over 20 years in the military and continues to work with veterans today. His non-profit called Resurgence PPG teaches disabled veterans how to fly.
Andrea “Aly” Yancy has been flying paramotors for three years and is one of the owners of One Up Adventures, along with Travis Burns and Kyle Mooney. Andrea lives in Florida in her van and loves to customize her paramotor, which is currently pink.
Alexis Quintana, EAA 1195939, has been a paramotor instructor in Texas for over two years, but is soon moving to Wisconsin with her boyfriend. She hopes to continue teaching there.
Justin Fox, EAA 1247474, has been flying paramotors for more than six years. Justin is currently serving on EAA’s Ultralight and Light-Sport Council. He also co-owns Fly MI PPG, a paramotor flight school in Michigan.
Best friends Scott Baxter, EAA 813891, and Steve Reed, EAA 1413465, have been flying together for more than 10 years, but have been friends for more than 20 years. The started the company Midwest Parajet in 2010, which is based in Illinois.
Kyle Mooney has been flying for 10 years and is self-taught, something he doesn’t recommend. Kyle is one of the three owners of One Up Adventures, along with Andrea Yancy and Travis Burns. He has flown at AirVenture, SUN ‘n FUN, and numerous other air shows in his life. He has a four-month-old son at home in Florida.
