Seraph

The Seraph, produced by the French ultralight pioneer Back Bone, entered the market in 1999 as the company's flagship paramotor. Conceived by founder Bruno Dutertre, the Seraph was designed to combine lightweight construction with reliable power for both recreational pilots and competitive racers. Its all‑aluminum frame and carbon‑fiber propeller housing reduced empty weight to just 15 kg, while the 28 hp Sky‑engine provided smooth thrust across a wide RPM range. A distinctive feature is the integrated fuel‑monitoring system that displays remaining endurance on the cockpit panel, a novelty among paramotors of its era. The aircraft also introduced a quick‑detach harness that allows pilots to transition from ground‑run to foot‑launch in under a minute. Over the next decade the Seraph set several national distance records in Europe and helped popularize paramotoring as a sport beyond hobbyist circles. Its influence is evident in later Back Bone models, which adopted the same modular design philosophy. Today the Seraph is regarded as a milestone that demonstrated how thoughtful engineering could elevate ultralight aviation, merging safety, performance, and accessibility. Its legacy continues to inspire new designers, and restored Seraph units are frequently showcased at international airshows, reminding enthusiasts of its enduring impact.