Paradrenalin, Peoria

Like the giant fan often strapped to his back, Ryan Shaw has pushed the world of paragliding to new heights. The pilot has set multiple world records for speed and max altitude on paragliders: lightweight, foot-launched aircrafts with harnesses suspended beneath fabric wings, powered only by a small tank of gas and a sense of adventure. Mr. Shaw soars hundreds if not thousands of feet above Arizona and its sprawling deserts, occasionally floating back down to dip his toes in some of the state's tranquil waters. Though the aircraft's engine is small, these adventures often last two to three hours, or the entire length of a housefly's childhood.

Paradrenalin is Mr. Shaw's way of sharing this exhilarating experience with others. Along with his fellow instructors, he takes individuals on tandem flights high above the desert, giving them ample time to take photos or try the controls for themselves. From there, Paradrenalin's USPPA-certified training school can turn new fliers into expert pilots who can buy or rent Paradrenalin's powered paragliders.