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Do you think this is real? [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]

Pick

Thanks very much for the recommendations. I think a Crimble pressie is there amongst them. Also thanks t-andrews (don't know your first name) for a great ground handling playlist. Dan

Kind comments. Thanks guys! Had a bit of a problem on my last couple of flights in that on my approach, out of the seat, the harness slipped off my left shoulder leaving the whole thing hanging off my right. There was absolutely nothing I could do about it and was left wondering what was going to happen when I hit the deck. I've posted the vid of the landings below. It doesn't look very dramatic, but I have to tell you I was crapping myself on the way down. I tightened the chest strap and went off again and the same thing happened again Unfortunately, that was my last flight, so I didn't get to the bottom of it. Maybe I've got slippy shoulders! [youtubevideo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSQXpWk6zqE[/youtubevideo] You'll notice the comment at the beginning of the 2nd landing about the launch starting well and then.....well, turning to rat shit. Bottom line was I used too much brake to get me off, then the torque, then my attempts to put things right, Alex jumping up and down screeming down the radio. Makes for a very cringy video clip.....which I suppose you want to see. Actually it didn't feel anywhere near as bad as it looks on the vid, which I suppose is not a good thing because the wing looks a bit too close to stalling for comfort and I should have been feeling that. Damn, I was doing so well, building quite a nice reputation as a competent newbie Anyway, definitely a lesson learned. [youtubevideo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73iu_l6Ec3o[/youtubevideo]

Hi Not really a blog (cannot sit at the computer for long enough), just a quick account and a video. I've read about and watched so many other pilots first flights that I really thought I knew how it was going to feel. It looked so easy. I was wrong. What you can't see from watching a video is the amount of information going through your head and the amount of weight going through your spine as you set off for a forward launch. F**k paramotors are sooo heavy! Anyway, after some unfortunate and untimely injuries (knackered lower back and then a broken big toe, 2 days before my course started), I finally made it to Skyschool for a week of training at the end of October. I found the whole experience a much tougher than I anticipated. In my 46 years I have faced lots of technical challenges and even more physical challenges, but not many that are together as technically and physically demanding as launching a paramotor for the first time. I think, watching experienced pilots, that a lot of it is down to technique, such as NOT leaning forward as you run. So, I survived my week without any further injuries and came away with: 6 forward launches 3 reverse launches * failed launches 1 cross country 1 huge smile If you watch the video, you'll probably be smiling at my lumbering, bent back launch technique Now, I cannot wait to get my kit, but like Tom, I cannot imagine launching myself without that reassuring voice in my ear shouting "POWER, POWER, POWER!" [youtubevideo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7UHIecfZUM[/youtubevideo] Cheers Dan

Hi I'm under pressure to come up with some Christmas present ideas.... Can anyone recommend a good ground handling DVD. I've just done a PPG course, have an old wing, a good beach, but no motor yet. So, I'm keen to practice my ground handling. At the moment I've got forward launch and reverse launch to practice, but there must be more stuff to do on the ground to master the wing? Or, for that matter any really good educative PPG DVD's Thanks Dan

It's just been neglected, for over a century: Check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caminito_del_Rey They're actually going to restore it, although, this is Spain, so don't hold your breath. Dan

I think it must have been the same dodgy contractor

If anyone finds themselves down my neck of the woods and fancies a walk, drop me a line. Don't forget to bring lots of bottle and a smattering of insanity with you.

Tell this guy to get a motor on his back and start living. Great to hear from you Slapper. Inspiring I'll pass that message right along. Now, just his missus to convince Thinks I'll tackle this one the insurance route Did you never fancy rock climbing? There's a place just up the road from where I live called El Chorro.......

Well done Tom!! The pictures look great, especially the sunset flight. I'm hoping to get out to Ordis in a couple of weeks, if I can manage to stay in one piece between now and then Just out of interest, what should you have done to avoid that grazed knee Cheers Dan

Come on! If I'm gonna sell a famous Tom Jones lyric to my 66 year old mate 'It's not unusual to be..... paramotoring at 66 years old', I need to see some 60 somethings stating their age and declaring their youthful pursuits. We're a decade off at the moment Dan

Great idea Thanks Simon

I'm trying to persuade my 66 year old friend to join me at Skyschool later this month. He really wants to learn, but he says that he thinks he would feel out of place in a school full of much younger men. He feels that paramotoring is a young mans sport. Although I instinctively disagreed, stating that a lot of young people haven't got the money to afford the training or equipment, it did get me wondering: What is the average age of the paramotor pilot in the UK. Any ideas? Dan

I'd appreciate that Phil, Thanks

For a beginner, £300 on a new training wing or £300 on an old, ground handling only, full size wing off EBay Which is best

Hi Dave Thanks for the offer, that's around the price I was looking to pay....except I'm 81kg and I think I need to go smaller rather than larger for GH practice. Ta anyway Cheers Dan

Hi Tom I hate to admit it mate, but I'm totally envious that you're getting to go and I'm stuck at home .......... with the in-laws (wife wanted some company whilst I was away. Seemed like a good idea at the time ). I don't quite know why, but I'm sat here pissing myself laughing at my own misfortune. I think it's a case of laugh or cry! Anyway, quick question. Did you get a motor yet, or have you just been practicing GH in between your courses? If so did you also get some sort of harness? Have a great time on the course and do some circuits for me. Cheers Dan

Hi My sole focus of the past 6 months has been Paramotoring and getting trained. I chose a 2 week course at Skyschool in Spain starting tomorrow 20th Sept and I have to say that I haven't looked forward to anything as much as this since losing my cherry However, following an injury to my back a few weeks ago, I really thought that the course was in jeopardy, but I had hope, I worked really hard and did all the right things to get it right and I've managed it. The course was back on track. Literally around 3 days ago I got the go ahead from my doc Having packed my suitcase and organised my course insurance yesterday, I just nipped out to collect my daughter from school on my scooter and somehow, parking up, I managed to trap my foot between the curb and the bike....breaking my big toe (30 years riding bikes, not one incident) Anyway, the bottom line, is that I am down, but definitely not out. The dream lives on. The reason for my post in this particular section is that I probably won't be able to do the course now until next year, but do not want to waste the winter. And, as I keep hearing 'ground handling, ground handling, ground handling...you can never practice enough', I thought I might get myself a second hand training wing, or even an a small old paraglider. The problem with the old gliders on ebay, is that I suspect that some may be so old that they could be difficult to launch over head. Does anyone have an old training wing that they no longer use and wish to sell cheaply? I may be wrong, but I imagine these training wings would pass from beginner to new beginners and have little use once you have bought your full size wing and have built up a few hours. From a safety point of view, as I intend to do this alone, a training wing would be more preferable than a full size glider. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Dan

Did I metion that they turn the milk sour as well. BAN THE GPS ON ALL ALL CIVIL AICRARFT!!

Yes, but don't forget the high powered built in communicatios blocker, standard on all GPS's. And not forgetting the device that prevent the wheels ascending and descending Dan

Hey Phil Thanks very much for that. I don't think it's an option for me, but want to looka t all the possibilities. Dan

Just to back up Phils comments, I've used a fairly large Garmin 196 (GA) on several flights. The first time, I played it by the book and asked a member of the cabin crew if it would be ok. She took it to the captain and he said that he had no objection provided I didn't use it on take off or landings, to which I adhered. (Not sure I understand about the take off and landing restrictions ) I think my fellow passengers found it more disconcerting than anyone of the flight crew. We do live in suspicious/ paranoid days. Also, you will need to hold it near to the window in order for it to see the sky. Have to say it's mildly amusing to see nearly 500knts on the display. However, once the novelty wears off, my Archos PVR was much more interesting and made the time pass much quicker. I don't think that that a GPS, designed to be used in an aircraft, will upset any of the flight systems on board. But there is one person who above all of us is in a better position to answer this question... Over to you Norman. Dan

Thanks Fanman

Would be nice if someone out there could some info on the PAP motion wing. Is it really a completely unlnown quantity? It's unlike you lot not to have an opinion Dan