nigel_d.

Look forward to having that

Aahhh Har!!!.... Nige

They have a number of member photos on their site, see if you can see him.

The loop of cord on the starting handle makes reaching it easier. Nige

Never mind, one day when it isn't "on" for Ringstead you'll be able to fly it as any other precious hill site - as long as of course you observe the 500ft rule.

Mattress? I once suggested somewhere about using bubblewrap and carrying it in a centre wing cell. What ya reckon? Nige

Yellow is my upper limit! Nige

I think mine must be an inch or so further back, I normally reach to the back of my helmet and rest a couple of fingers on it then push my head back so as to extend my reach, but like I say its no good if the handle has moved to the side. I,ll have another harness adjustment session when I get a minute and see if I can get it nearer. Cheers Nige

I can vouch for this man, he has fixed mine and is beautiful... the prop that is.. Nige

Cheers Simon, it's safe, the loop hangs in a semi circular arc off the bottom of the starter handle rather like the step/loop on a speedbar. Mark, I have experimented with the straps, I have about a foot of strap sticking forward of the buckles. It could just be my shoulders not being able to reach back as far as others but I have heard of other owners with similar problems. It is worse when wearing lots of layers. One time I stood up and found it impossible to reach because the handle had swung round and layed flat against the cage however I overcame it by going down on one knee and allowing the motor to be pushed up my back by the back of my knelt boot pushing the bottom of the frame if you can visualise. The frame is then much closer to the back of my neck and the handle is within reach wherever it hides. Cheers Nige

I have 45 hours on my Bailey V5 and have no problem starting it as Mark describes (I was almost reduced to tears when it took 20 pulls as winter came after the carb was changed..) The only niggle is the difficulty reaching the handle whilst on my back, its never easy but I shall attach a short loop of cord to the handle so that its 2 inches nearer and also it will be possible to hook it with one finger rather than having to grab it with finger and thumb. Will let you all know if it works. Nige

Yesterday was a bit all over the place Rob, I visited a few fields and the wind socks were all over the place, it was a little thermic in fact on one field I visited 2 guys gave up and drove home. I got away alright but sometimes a couple of failed attempts will have me screaming at it - made worse by having ear defenders on. Nige

Hey Nick, not too far from me, I haven't tried the zenith but own a bailey v5. I would have to agree with Carl - it belongs in a bailey frame. Are you training locally? If you weren't aware there's a pretty good school in market harborough if that helps. Cheers Nige

Buzzing!! Was going to have a local flight this weekend, think I might drive to the coast for one instead! Nige

Well done! Thought it might have been too subtle lol! Nige

Can we bring a partner?...

Really Stuart? Please tell where I might find this, I haven't seen Dells stuff for some time - could do with a laugh Nigel

The first fly-in of the year is the end of next month if the weather allows, have you been to one? There's nothing like discussing the days flying round a fire with old friends. I'll introduce you to the local guys and show you where some other sites are. I noticed that your motor isn't the most powerful machine I have seen, I saw it struggle during your launch attempt. One thing I might suggest if you don't mind is that you lean back slightly, I believe you would have made flying speed if you hadnt been leaning slightly forward. Nige

Nice to meet you yesterday, its a shame I didnt have more time to chat. Catch you next time. Nige

I had a large fiesta2 for a few years, I am 83 kilos wet. It was fine as a paraglider but a pig to launch under power. I might have got on better if it was a smaller size. I found that it would often fall to one side in low/nil wind conditions however I was using a Rad MXL at the time so the low power wouldn't have helped also. Nige

Mariusp and Clive, thanks for taking the time for providing me with such detailed reports. I doubt now that downsizing in my case won't significantly reduce fuel/climb performance, my reason to change the wing was to be at a more ideal size for my 13 stone wet weight. Vince, the GTX certainly sounds good but that big dot in the middle does nothing for me! Thanks fellas Nige

Do people who changed their Nucleons to a smaller size so as to be at the top of that models weight range find that their climb rate/fuel consumption has changed? Did you find the downsizing was a good or bad thing? Cheers Nige

800 was what I heard a couple of years ago but I cant remember the source (might have dreamt it) Nige

I'm sure there will be lots of fly-ins this year, its gonna be great weather and we are all gonna have a jolly good time Nige

Nice. I had a fly today but got mud everywhere. Nige