simon_payne

Hi all, Just had my first morning flight of february 2008 with ideal launch conditions here in oxford. The flight was cut short to an hour and 5 mins due to the wind strength picking up. Nice and crisp in flight with frost on the ground at launch. Power on landing with horizontal windsock was not ideal for landing though. Good to have got out early and made the most of the small weather window Thermals were quite strong as well as the sun melted the frost ( beware of sring thermals ). Safe flying Simon P PS: check out todays photos in my album

Hi Denis Yes in the spring we will push up from south to north oxfordshire to do more flying. Keep watching the forum for updates as the weather improves Simon P

Just to finish january off nicely, a great evening flight for an hour and a half around Oxfordshire. Took of as the wind was dying down and watched a beautiful red sunset go down, before landing at my new field at Milton common. Great to get flying locally again after many trips down to wiltshire. Bring on February and some better weather and longer days

Hi, Your choice of wings are not really beginners wings. Both are dhv 1-2 intermediate wings for free flying. I know you can fly them with motor risers but there are ( dudek synthesis) easier + safer wings to learn on. Simon P

Hi to all This harness has now been sold thanks to all those who enquired

Sounds like a good trip Francis, Having flown in the pyrenees several times before it is a wonderfull place, BUT i am away flying in Brazil for 2 weeks which clashes with your trip. Casternon De Sos is one of my favourite flying sites just inside the spanish side. Hopefully i may be able to do another later in the year Have a good time Simon Payne

For Sale Gin Genie 3 harness in medium size. AS new condition, complete with back protector and stirup and carabiners. Latest spec reserve container for faster opening ( much better than genie 2) perfect xc harness Offers in the region of £260 Call Simon Payne on 08451707050

For sale Gin Zulu paraglider wing in orange and light grey medium size. Excellent condition just had full inspection service at aerofix. DHV 1-2 rated flys beautifully, great xc wing very safe and stable Complete with gin rucksack Offers in the region of £1250 call Simon Payne on 08451707050 for more info

For sale Dudek re action 29 in Gobi colours (blue and orange). Low hours as new with tst (tip steering toggles). excellent wing with speed bar, stuff bag and rucksack. Offers in the region of £1250 Call Simon Payne on 08451707050 for more info

Hi John I fly a re action 29 and a plasma 28. I am 80kg The 175 does have the thrust but other factors like if flying downwind, sink,etc can effect how much throttle is used. Flying the plasma on full bar is something i dont do often, as the fuel consumption on full throttle does suffer. Flying on full trim is what most of the flying i do anyway on the plasma, just using bar when needing that extra bit of speed. The plasma is just a nicer wing to thermal. Hope this helps Simon P

Hi Rob Have often popped across the border to Bucks, as its only 2 miles away and flown the chilterns. Having grown up in High Wycombe and moved to Thame i often go to Wycombe to see friends so could always met up some time to go flying. Last year 3 of us were paramotoring around west wycombe and i think it was you and Bob were also about that evening too. Hope to meet up for a fly round soon Regards Simon Payne

HI Simon I can still do the 10th january date but am away on a coaching course the weekend of 12/13 jan. Still hopefully there will be days to fly before then Simon P As posted on 29th dec, still cannot change this weekend. The van is also being used that weekend by staff for an installation ( noing that it was needed for 10th origanally, the job was put back to the weekend) sods law. The following 4 weekends are all clear for me and van though. hope this is of use. See you soon. Ps i did do 2and half hours flexwing flying yesterday, just to keep my hand in. Simon P

HI Simon I can still do the 10th january date but am away on a coaching course the weekend of 12/13 jan. Still hopefully there will be days to fly before then Simon P

Hi Ian I have the 1.3 mtr prop version with 175 electric start. I fly with a Dudek Plasma or Reaction depending on mood. Into wind expect 2.5 ltrs hour use with nill wind cruise at 2 ltrs hour. Use of speed bar can have dramatic increase in consumption, as with all motors. As for spares/ parts i cannot say as it has never needed any Simon P

Having brought the 175 Bailey this time last year ( one of the first 175 engines), i can say it has performed excellently all year in a variety of flying conditions. The Bailey unit is quite heavy, but you tend to carry less fuel than on a 2 stroke equivalant for the same flying time. As a motor for the begginer i feel the weight ground handling is the biggest problem you will have to overcome, if you launch first or second time you will have no problem but after that you will need to sit down and recover. As for reliabilty i have had no problems at all, it has never let me down starting, and apart from oil changes thats all i have had to do. The bigger Parajet macro has a lot more thrust for taking off with, but the Bailey always gets me off the ground 80 kls in nill wind. As for noise, the Bailey has a sound of its own and is certainly not noisey, bearing in mind you only ever need max half revs in steady flight anyway. Hope this helps but i am a little biased Simon Payne

It is also possible to fly paramotors from Booker (Wycombe Air Park) I would be very interested in talking with you about this possiblility, as Booker was were as a boy i got my very first flights flying in the glider tug plane, at about 14. Having grown up in Wycombe and no ing the area, it would be a real treat to fly it again. It is good to no that you have contacts in the right places, that has made this possible. well done. As for Chalgrove, the airfield is owned by Martin Bakers and they do get really upset if anyone flys around or too close to the perimiter. Although only ever used weekdays, on a rare day an aircraft does land . This area is only flown in evenings and weekends after checking with MB and posting Notam. Andy you need to speak to Simon Westmore for more info Good to have you around the local area

Hi Simon Count me in please, It was a long time ( 20 years ) since doing my last course. Simon Payne

Hi Richard, Its great to have you along on this speacial flight. See you at training camp soon Simon Payne

Hi all, I have always owned mercedes sprinter vans, and although expensive to buy, service, and repair have always been 100% reliable till this last one!!!!! Sprintshift gearbox needing total rebuild (£2500) and a complete new wiring harness( £4500 fitted) not so sure now???? All my other sprinters apart from servicing never went wrong, so it was about time i had a friday afternoon one sooner or later!!! Good luck with what ever you choose Simon P

HI Martin, Paul, and all in the Oxfordshire area. I fly locally around Thame, Chalgrove, Oxford, and into Bucks Aylesbury way, and hope to go further north as soon as the weather starts improving. Hope the flying suit fits Martin (dont eat too much christmas turkey ) and see you at the Lambourn xmas dinner if not before. There are a lot of local pilots who fly Oxfordshire, and it would be nice to all meet up in the new year to discuss/fly the different sites that we at presant fly. HEARS to the better weather in the new year Simon P

Sounds ok with me too. Air ambulance should also be included though. Simon P

HI Simon Yes i would love to fly this route, and am happy to take photos too. Loan of van available too. Hope the weather is kind to us though

Hi Simon Does a bhpa sphg rating count??? Also very interested in Italy next year.

It might have been blue skys, but it was still quite bumpy between 300 to 600 ft even in a flex wing microlight. Once the frost had started to melt and the sun warmed up all those nicely ploughed feilds, the thermals were still popping off nicely.

Hi Simon Count me in for the xmas dinner please, Thanks Simon P