PARAJAM IN THE HAM 2026: AN EXTRAORDINARY COMMUNITY OF PILOTS.

Between V-Check services and shared flights, the first edition of this event proves to be a success.

When we heard about Parajam in the Ham, we knew it would be a major event, but we could not have imagined such an exceptional result. Hosted at Richmond County Airport in Rockingham, North Carolina, this fly-in exceeded every expectation from its very first edition: 290 registered pilots, an extraordinary turnout, supported by an organization that gave its all to ensure that the gap left by the Bad Apples fly-in was properly filled.

As always, our V-Check proved to be one of the most appreciated moments. For three days, the schedule remained fully booked, and our technical team worked without pause to assist all the registered pilots. What made all this possible was an outstanding team: our mechanic Angelo, who came directly from Italy, supported by Cameron Mac, a highly respected technician, pilot, and private instructor in the American scene. Completing the team was the valuable support of Kris Harrington from SkySportsUSA, an essential presence to complete the experience.

The V-Check is not just a technical inspection. It is a moment of listening and discussion. Every engine tells a story: flight hours, usage habits, environmental conditions, routine maintenance, and small details that, when brought together, become valuable information that helps us continue improving.

On Friday, inside the Event Tent provided by the organization, we held a talk dedicated specifically to the V-Check and to the broader topic of maintenance. It was an opportunity to share with pilots the data collected during the latest V-Checks carried out in the United States in 2024 and 2025, turning them into insights, statistics and concrete takeaways.

When we talk about maintenance, there are many fundamental aspects to consider. For this reason, we wanted to involve highly valuable speakers, each with a different perspective.

Ghada Baz, Pilot and USPPA President, explained the role of the USPPA in the United States and the importance of certified flight schools and organizations in training, safety and the promotion of a proper maintenance culture.

Agata Lanz, Pilot and Rumbo Expedicion CEO, reminded everyone that the pre-flight check is a simple habit, but also one of the most essential before every flight.

Tom Prideaux-Brune, Parajet Sales and Operations Director, explored the value of scheduled maintenance, regular inspections and following the information provided in engine manuals.

Björn Souren, Helix Business Unit Manager, spoke about the importance of approved propellers for proper engine use, and about the collaboration between Vittorazi and Helix, with a focus on Fast Acceleration propellers.

Rob Condella, Adventure Pilot and Photographer, presented the Handy Box as a practical item to help pilots with routine maintenance and engine care: an essential tool for those who travel and need all the most commonly used parts.

Finally, Brennan Michael Morgan, Freedom Flight Academy Founder, reminded us that in August 2026, the US Paramotor Endurance Championship will take place in Rough River, Kentucky. This Category 2 competition marks the first ever FAI sanctioned paramotor sporting event in the US.  

The talk was also the perfect moment to present everything Vittorazi offers pilots: not only engines, but an entire ecosystem of services, support, expertise and relationships that accompanies every person throughout their flying journey. Global support, continuous training, community, warranty, customer care, online resources and the R&D department: these are the elements that give value to our products and make Vittorazi, every day, More Than An Engine.

The presence of so many manufacturers gave the pilots attending the fly-in the opportunity to engage with some of the leading players in the industry, ask for product information, test the available demo units, see displayed paramotors up close, access event-exclusive promotions, and much more.

Special thanks go to all the event organizers, in particular Darren Locklear and Allen Surratt of Carolina PPG, to the volunteers and to everyone involved, who did an extraordinary job.

There is one thing we always bring home from events in the United States: the warmth of the community. And at Parajam in the Ham, we felt it strongly, authentically and constantly. Seeing the satisfaction of pilots after a V-Check, receiving positive feedback, hearing words of thanks and speaking face to face with those who fly with our engines every day is what gives meaning to our presence in the field.

290 pilots is an extraordinary achievement, especially for an event in its first edition. And what filled us with pride was seeing that almost all of those pilots fly with a Vittorazi engine. This confirms our presence in the American market and, above all, the trust that pilots continue to place in our products. For us, More Than An Engine also means this. Not stopping at the product, but building relationships, trust, and sharing the journey together.

For us, the community is the added value of our work. Without it, without the pilots, without their passion, so evident and tangible, these results could never be achieved. All the warmth we received makes us extremely proud of what we do, and also acts as a new source of energy that drives us to keep improving.

Although they are two distinct fly-ins, with two different organizations, we know that part of the success of Parajam in the Ham is due to the affection that pilots have shown in the past for Bad Apples. We therefore feel it is only right to thank all the people who helped make Bad Apples great, because it is also thanks to them that this Parajam in the Ham 2026 achieved such an important result.

So all we can say is: thank you, thank you, truly thank you to everyone. Because it is thanks to this beautiful community that the Vittorazi staff returns to Italy full of emotion and with even more determination for the future.

We are already excited for next year, and we will be there.

Let’s rock the sky!