custom-vince

Yes, on the scales it is 15.4kg pull-start walbro carb version.

I don't know about BH claims. I would say all paramotors can get away with butt landings but then some happen differently and they don't get away with it. I know from personal experience, I was pushing the limits from landing out, rotor in a bowl, rough ground and a small wing. I bottomed out on launch full speed run, full power onto my back side. Im 90kg on the nitro race. no damage to my machine just to my pride. The angle is very strong compared to a curved skid design. The skid style would slide better but more likely to bend. Its not poor design, its an evolution of design and come about for a reason, nothing is accidental on the AC.

Lots of discussion on this video on facebook. Heres some info from my website that explains weight saving. This can apply to other machines that save weight in the same manner. Mac Fly as an example. If you can save weight without sacrificing strength then you are on to a winner. Simply put the Titanium frame is stronger than the alloy frame of similar type or style. You could how ever over build a frame from alloy to make it stronger but then it would be heavier than standard. This could be a good thing for the right pilot. Here a link to that info about why lighter can be better: http://www.custom-air.co.uk/Custom_Air_Paramotors/AirConception_features_in_more_detail.html here is a video of me standing on the carbon spar, in a crash these can break, but at that time it will help save your frame from more damage. Titanium, its lighter, its stronger. Its not some magic material that does not bend. I have seen a few accidents that have not done any damage at all, I have also seen some that required some straightening. Getting it welded is not so hard now days. 10 years ago when we first had titanium frames it was harder but you will find many places can handle it easily. Just for thought. Titanium and carbon are used in large and small aviation from boeing to red bull planes, on the road in million pound hypercars from the likes of ferrari, porsche, mclaren and formula 1, motor bikes & bicycles etc. Some snippets of information from the web: "Fatigue limit, endurance limit, and fatigue strength are all expressions used to describe a property of materials: the amplitude (or range) of cyclic stress that can be applied to the material without causing fatigue failure.[1] Ferrous alloys and titanium alloys[2] have a distinct limit, an amplitude below which there appears to be no number of cycles that will cause failure. Other structural metals such as aluminium and copper, do not have a distinct limit and will eventually fail even from small stress amplitudes. In these cases, a number of cycles (usually 107) is chosen to represent the fatigue life of the material." From: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatigue_limit https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanium_alloy

love my mx5 as much as my nitro. It fits the roads around me really well. The way I see it, only worth a van if I can put my motor in whole. It breaks down and fits in the car, but with my local field about a 1/2 mile away and 2 others within 5 miles, I want to be set up to go. Just Lazy really.

This is the simplest Paramotor rack I have ever made. I say made, I designed it and got made locally. It's an evolution of past racks of past cars.

This is more like what I used. In heat shrink wrap. The one above is more made up ready. https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/321826799837

I've used 12v to 5v USB adaptor before. Here's an example. £3.50 https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/381560965113

No she has the adult car, that ones mine. She called it a single woman's car. lol.

that depends on the pilots credentials. I will be bringing what I have at the time. heres a little video from a weekend or so back. Nitro and GTS19, taking it easy as I'm still getting used to the GTS, good fun though. [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]

I would think the side on vis of a curved wing is better than front on. I removed the control box and heat shrinked the circuit board. Bit of rubber and cable ties are more vibration friendly. Haven't fitted yet. Still looking at position in between working.

Aviator ppg in USA is having great success teaching on the airconceptions. I can see potential drawbacks of the design for a beginner, with correct teaching though, none of it is a problem. The light weight makes a bigger difference than the other things you mention. Eg. A slight tumble on a heavy machine is a nothing on an AC, or vice versa a slight stumble on an AC is a potential face plant on a heavy machine. The hoop is stiff, clutch vs belt? Yes maybe a clutch is better for that first launch but with correct teaching the instructor would not have them launching till ready and in control. Many schools taught on the Parajet Xt engine which is belt. Some teach with mosters. Double hoop or a completely enclosed prop I think is a good idea for teaching. It's not possible to simply say double hoop as flat top has a double hoop and prop sticks out just the same, the original custom air machines were single hoop but enclosed the prop, you could lay it on its back with prop spinning.

Ive also seen round table covers used. Winter patio furniture cover. Not a table cloth.

I got one on an AirConception. It's 1400 cage and fits almost fine. Comes up a little short. About 5-10cm of the bottom still showing. Keeps dust off though. It's shaped and works fits over swing arms.

There has been working prototypes but not been 100% happy with them. Got to remember Air Conception offer at least 2 years warranty. I have seen recent developments and it is coming, don't know when. More testing being done, to early to say. At one point I thought we were getting a clutch version before electric start but it wasn't upto the testing so electric start nitro got here before clutch.

Synergy 5. Brought in from the USA for a special project, its not being used and now available. It is new and at cost price, I can show all receipts, including import. This paramotor, fits into a medium large suitcase, it is ideal for travelling abroad. Price includes. Paramotor frame, internal fuel tank, apco slt harness, thumb throttle. Just add an engine with prop. more info on> http://www.synergyparamotors.com It's fairly unique and full of little design innovations.

How / where have you mounted them?

Let's hear everyone's thoughts and wants. I was replying on Facebook and remembered ideas I was once chasing. For ease of walking up the field an adapted golf caddy works really well. The weight is balanced, the wheels are big and it becomes effortless to walk a half mile up a track. Can I have that built into my frame please. (Keep it light though) The air impact vests you get for horse riders and motorbikes. It inflates to high pressure to protect your vitals incase of an accident. Can I have that built into my harness. Full carbon fibre back support plate to protect my spine, built into the frame or harness. Could even be produced now as a strap on add on. I would like my whole paramotor to fold and open as easy as an umbrella.

I do lean over forward. I think that lifts my prop clear of lines while I power up. The only one i have seen on video is the ft one in America.

Are you on a high hang point machine, launch with trims out a little? I have heard of it happening with type of machine with reflex wings. If the trims are our the d lines are more slack and on the high hang the lines come around to the top of the frame more than low hang which are more at the sides. The slack then hangs over the prop. If this is combined with a bit of forward lean, it could cause a wind in right at launch. If your talking a wind in during the fanning phase, where your blowing over the wing. It could be due to a slight tangle from left to right or the fanning caused a tip to lift pulling lines up before ready.

Yes I like my LEDs Ever since I got a 1 single cree style led torch. It's bright like an arc light from a welder. Now a few years later, my house is fitted with cob led corn lights in the standard fittings and the rest are led of sorts. I think every bulb has been swapped out. It made a difference to the bill. My led bike lights are very directional beam. These are car strobe lights are designed to be seen rather than project, cheap, small, simple and 12v with strobe effect included. Pretty simple. Could screw 4 to a block of wood for 360. I think just 2 cable tied will suffice.

There's always been strobes of various types. I have been looking at a cheap off the shelf LED options. Probably not as bright and effective as some but if you consider some alternatives are over £100 then this £10 setup is pretty good value. I'm thinking a pilot with a £10 is more likely to be seen than a pilot without a £100 strobe as I know I was not about to spend £100 on a strobe which I don't need & haven't needed. That said a £10 strobe I will consider the visibility benefits when flying on dull days or late evening landings. Here's a pic of my components. 50p for scale. Haven't tested in flight yet. I expect visibility to be 500meters in day light and 1km in poor light, dusk etc. It will be a mere twinkle in the sky, but probably enough to raise attention of passing air traffic. Lipo battery £6 Strobes £3

First pics have been bounced about online. Electric Start Nitro is here.

Good to know. I discounted tension2go as it was all only continental belts, but i see the hz part still works regardless. I haven't checked accuracy on that one. Will give it a go.

I would replace to be sure and then look at repairing the other as a spare, could even send it off to be repaired.

On the nitro engine we dont use deflection test for belt tension, we use a variation on what the belt manufacturer sells (gates sonic tool) its a way of measuring frequency. This is a new method for me but seems really accurate. Below is a quick video of me checking my belt tension using an iphone app. [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]Below is a link which has a little explanation of the original tool and a link to iphone app and android app. Its a great method as no special tools are needed and its very accurate. No special tools so long as you have an android phone or iphone that is. the 370hz setting is only for nitro engine. Other engines may have a different optimal setting. http://www.custom-air.co.uk/Custom_Air_Paramotors/paramotor_files_nitro_engine_belt_tension_setting.html Seems better than hanging a weight off a spanner as I can accurately check tension without loosening a single bolt.