He likens para-motoring to sitting in an office chair, but surrounded by the immensity of the sky rather than four walls.

The veteran of 25 years’ flying will join about 20 other pilots for the inaugural Corryong Adventure from May 23 to 25.

Instead of his usual high-speed, low-altitude scene, the Corryong event will be about cross-country flying focusing on enjoying the spectacular scenery.

Event organiser Matt Smith said Corryong was already a well-known free-flying site, with a lot of competition for paragliders and hang-gliders.

Mr Smith said he only got into para-motoring about a year ago and had taken others to Corryong to try it out.

“They all loved it,” he said.

“We asked for permission from Towong Council to fly there and the regional development officer was just amazing in encouraging the idea of setting up such an event.”

Mr Smith said that support prompted him to give the event a go.

“Corryong has a really unusual microclimate,” he said.

“Because it’s protected by a mountain range all the way around it tends to have light winds very often,” he said.

“And the Corryong scenery is just to die for — it’s a really gorgeous region to fly over, and the road network is brilliant.

“A lot of our fellas don’t like to fly over wilderness with the motors, they want to be able to track reasonably close to roads in case they have an engine out.”

Mr Marshall, of Albury, agreed Corryong was a beautiful place to fly.

“And at the end of the day that’s what we’re all doing it for,” he said.

“Where (para-motoring) is unique is you’re completely exposed — you’re hanging in a chair.

“Because the wings are 8 to 9 metres above you, you can’t see them.

“We go out to Lake Hume and fly at 10 metres all the way around and up to Tallangatta — that’s a fairly exhilarating thing to do at 70km/h to 80km/h.”

Mr Smith will run a series of semi-organised cross-country flights just to introduce people to the area.

“The council has been unbelievably friendly, helpful and encouraging — a real asset to the region,” he said.

Mr Marshall said anyone interested in the sport could call him on 0406 959 506.