nigel_d.

Go for it! I am always monitoring this forum, can fly anytime, just say when and where.

Nige

How much do you weigh Davieboy? I may be looking for a home for my Rad MXL with spare cage and prop.

Nige (in Northampton, as it happens)

I am always apprehensive of flying when going on holiday unless the pilot says its going to be a smooth flight. Also turned down a cheap balloon flight one time. I think its the panic that might bite when you realise you cant get off - even if its not actually unpleasent.

Its what I would use, but the exhaust design is not ideal. I fly a Rad mxl and am 81 kilos.

See if you can find a medium Apco Thrust. The first ones produced should be selling for around about that figure. Its what I use with my Rad MXL , so easy to launch it can be done no-handed, on the other hand the wing I had before that was a large Apco Fiesta which was hopeless, not so much the wing but the size meant that wing just didnt want to know on forward launches, always falling to one side. The old Swing Arcus,s used to be easy for ppg also. I tried my mates small Apco Tetra, I flew it but I wouldnt recommend it to a beginer weighing what I do (81kg).

Where and when was that 8.5k flight?

Nige

Its using the same pics as the one currently on ebay.

I was thinking of myself primarily!

Dont forget that most Pilots are old codgers with failing memories..

Rads tend to have a large degree of "up-thrust" when mounted on the thrust testers i,ve seen so a smaller reading is to be expected. Using wall and scales I believe mine is about 42 kg,s.

Dave24, my rad is particularly light, which is handy if i have to walk some distance to the take off from my car. I think the only main reason for changing it is power, not so much to make launching quicker but mainly to get height back quicker if I should try a little low flying. The rad is much maligned but it does have a number of good points, it fits in my Zafira with no dis-assembly, prop breakage will only set you back about 15 quid a blade, the radne engine is not the most powerful for its capacity but is reliable. Any bits you might need are easily obtainable and replaced. Mine has an over the shoulder pull start which can be restarted in flight - no flat battery or busted starter to ruin your day. So when I eventually do change my motor I will enjoy new advantages but I will also leave some good points behind. As for the high hang points, its all I have ever flown with.

Hi Dave, although I've had a motor for 6 years I am in the same boat, in that I want to get a new one. Keep an eye on the forums for fly-ins, its about as much as can be done. I read loads of posts re opinions and the only solid conclusion is that my next motor will not be a heavy one and probably will have high hang points. I currently fly a Rad MXL which caused much grief for the first 6 months but its problems were ironed out with time. The best advice I can say is not to choose a particular machine because everyone down the local field has one - it doesnt always follow that there ar'nt better ones.

Nige

Hi Mat, Northampton usually buzzes with pm,s myself and a couple of other local guys, but its too damn cold at the mo. I live in Duston, are you nearby? I used to paraglide up Derbyshire but havent been up there for years.

Nige

Bet there will be a few provisos from the tenants!

Bring it on!

Just replaced the plug today as it had been playing up recently and now it starts like a charm. The raket manual says that plugs get destroyed by repeatedly trying to start a flooded engine, certainly explains why plugs need changing often but I'd like to know exactly what happens.

I have this problem from time to time, so much so that it puts me off going to a field in case it wont start. Have tried carb kits but have found changing the plug seems to provide best results. Unreliable starting seems to start happening after about 8 hours of plug time. plug colour shows slight richness.

Take offs are reliable but often challenging in nill wind

I am the same weight and fly a Rad MXL which is smaller than the arrow and I fly quite well although climb rate is about 130 ft/minute. Would like a more powerful machine but love the lightweight and it fits in my Zafira with no dissasembly. I also believe that you are more likely to stay on your feet during a "sinky" fast landing due to its lightness.

Hope this helps

Nige

"X" marks the spot I see! How do the microlighters let you use it, do they have a club you have to join or is it a day fee or what? I was at the Oxford flyin recently and although I dont think I met you I did however see you leave because someone pointed out to me that the guy just launched was flying back to Rugby, impressive to me as my current record is to Daventry and back from Blisworth.

Hi Bignos, hope you didnt get stuck in M1 traffic if you came that way, where do you fly from, is it a delicate spot or can we all dive in!?

That was me, Lindsay and Tim. I use pmr 7/17 whilst flying, you must drop in next time maybe later today. The field that we used has been extensively ploughed so probably wont use it for a while but there are one or two others nearby. Incidently someonone flew over my house in Duston last saturday, wonder who that was.

Sounds like a mini fly-in, lets go!

Hi Guys, I live in Northampton. I see some locals to me are having trouble finding somewhere to fly, give me a ring on o785o 975863 and I'll tell you where myself and a flying buddy fly from thats just a mile from where we live. Not completely ideal sites but have been using them for years. Only been aware of this club recently and look forward to linking up with other fliers. Regards Nige

I am usually a strong contender for the most drunk, I find it such an easy thing to do, only thing is I,ve missed a few good morning flights through being wrecked.