ParaPlane was the first company to produce powered parachutes.

in March 1981, the P-1 was created by Steve Snyder, Adrian Vandenberg and Daniel Thompson. the powered parachute suffered from torque problems. It took 2 years for them to fix these problems, and in 1983 they formed the ParaPlane corporation to produce first commercial PPC

As aeronautical Engineer, Steve Snyder, was implementing and perfecting the use of square ram-air parachutes, which had properties of a lifting wing, he found that increased glide ratios were developed. He therefore assumed that if the person or payload suspended under the chute had some thrust added, the distance traveled could be extended. With more power, it could fly level or even climb. He then decided to pursue this idea with the objective of creating a safe and simple aircraft that even amateurs could fly easily.

With the help of Adrian Vandenberg, who had expertise in metalworking and machining, he completed the first basic frame design in March of 1981. Daniel Thompson, a small engine expert, was brought on to the project three months later to produce a power plant. He fitted the aircraft with two small Chrysler engines and the P-1 (prototype 1) was born.

Ram air parachutes of the day had a flat profile and offered limited control. More anhedral (downward curve) and ribs were added to the chute ultimately giving the craft more stability and pressurization on the P-1's parachute thus solving the control issue.

While the parachute control solutions were being worked out, Dan came up with an improved airframe design, and with Steve's idea of folding landing gear for portability, the P-2 was completed in January of 1983. The problem of torque was also solved by having the propellers counter-rotating, thus canceling out each others' torque effect.

Three months later the P-3 made it's debut at the Sun & Fun Airshow in Florida. Response was overwhelming, and the ParaPlane Corporation was formed