Mike

Hi Meds, Look on the PPG forum, Francis uses the name Mildred quite often and he is a regular poster on there. Mike

Hi Pete, glad to hear you can become airborne again. I still have to tweek my motor, but should be flyable myself next weekend if all goes well. Will PM you. Mike

Probably stating the obvious, but l fly with throttle in right hand and am right handed. It feels comfortable and natural, once in the air (strait and level flight) l put the cruise control on (knurled nut) and if needed place it in my mouth when l am taking pics, putting gloves on having lunch etc. Mike

Just to add a little about Carabiners, l use alluminium ones up to about a year ago until l was advised to use stainless steel ones, but all metal conponents have a life and for approx £20 a pair its worth changing them periodically. Also 100% agree with what Pete mentioned. As for SIV type flying or pushing the limits on "G" forces in my opinion is a no no with PPG personally, with PG its fine as its been well tested but time will tell. Mike

Hi Dan, l take it you didn't fly it. I havn't yet but seen it being used by other pilots. got my motor back the other day and run the engine today (it sounds good) can't wait to get up there again. Hi Dave, thanks for your PM reply, see how things go. Regards Mike

Malc, l forgot to mention that it is a DHV 1/2. I can't go lower than the price l stated as its a fairly new wing and still PG flyable. Mike

Hi Malc, as l have just PM'd you about the wing, just to add that it can be flown as a PPG wing but idealy it is a PG wing but for ground handling it would be good for you. It has remained at about 40 hours use as l have mainly used my synth or the revo. I am in no rush to sell it but if you want it, its yours. Mike

Hi Alan, personally l take off with trims at take off settings then when comfortable and at a safe height l let the trims right out and into full reflex mode. The whole wing then is more stable. If you like me have WTS, l normally fly with these. On landing its the reverse procedure and land with hands on brake lines as normal. Mike

Also just to add to Gordons post, if you do get a second hand wing get it checked out with a place called the Loft or other reputable place and ask for a porosity test. Also check the certification label on the end or centre of the wing that should give you the year of manufacture etc. Good hunting Mike

Great vid Malcs, always brings back the event and as Slim says the chorus stays with you for ages after. Off to play the DVD now for the 40th time. Mike

Sure is Dan. Pilots either park up in Park Lane or there is a lay by on the A30 but you have to climb a small fence. The field South of the A30 l believe the Basingstoke Council has banned us from using. That was in force a few years ago but not sure of the latest laws. Hope that helps a bit Dan

Getting a bit stale meself. l'm sure it will all come back to me. Seems a blxxxy long time though. Have you got loan of kit yet or has insurance paid up? Dan, Blacklands is waterlogged and so a no go. but Kay and Paul inform me that the common is flyable as it is on higher ground but watch the power lines. This is the field north of the A30 a few yards East of Blackdam roundabout. RUSH ON THE SPRING and flyable kit eh!!!!

Hi Dan, If the farmer hasn't changed the field in the clip, the one shown is a big field and the trees only line two sides thinly. Plenty of landing out fields. so a great airfield for us as long as its not waterlogged as it is very flat. (ringing Paul later for update if he has one) Mike

Hi Dan, I would imagine its the same as the flag pole with all the past rain we've had, as l am grounded at the moment after my knee op. also my motor is still with Parajet. Best person to ask is Paul Sayers (blackbird) but l will ring him later anyway and find out for you. Mike

Hi Steve, My mostly visited site is Lambourne which is an hour away from Farnborough but if you wish to stay local then there is Barry Gardners field in Normandy which is a stones throw away from Guilford (havn't got the details at hand but with 62 days to go you have time to look. Also Blacklands Farm in Basingstoke. Both need payment. Barry's field costs £10 a day but that includes camping if you wish. Basingstoke is as far as l can remember £20 for a season. Pete, op went well, knee still a bit stiff. Motor still with Parajet but all should be up and running and me in the air within the next month, hopefu lly. Mike

Hi Simon, just got back from Spain, didn't see you over Malaga but lots of news about you, just read your still in France. Hope alls going well with you and the team, good luck, see you when you get back. Regards Mike

Hi Pete, not to put to much of a damper but l have had dealings with a few insurance claims and some can take months to settle. One RTA claim that Jackie went through took three years. (l hate insurances as they are keen to take your money but blxxxy slow on paying out. Therfore if motors and kit are being lent to you, go for it. My motor has finally arrived at Parajet getting fixed (took it down myself on Monday) so l will be grounded for a few weeks, PPG anyway. so will probably get a few needed hours on PG. but as Malc says its cold so will probably service my equipment and look forward to the spring (unless of course my motors fixed before then ) regards Mike

here here, well said. I just lurk on the other as l can't be bothered with all the politics either. This sport is a fun thing, wer're not flying leer jets for gain or anything like that. Also as Richard said about the DVD, 200 hours of footage was taken, reduced to an hour and a quarter. If all went well the interest wouldn't be there. As someone said in the past, bad news is good news in the end, as look at the flock of interest raised, which is all good for the charity. Just to add that in the other190 odd hours there was some good footage both from in the air and on the ground but the producers couldn't produce a DVD for longer than 75mins, shame really but hats off to them also as they were always there in the thick of it filming away. Mike.

Easy Easy,

Happy New Year to all. and wishing for better weather in 2009. (getting that in before all goes grid locked at midnight)

Count me in but don't let Pete near any baby wipes (he will know what l mean haha) Mike

HiSimon, Strobe is on its way to Eddie at microavionics. Has my motor reached Parajet yet. Looking forward to warmer weather now and a flying machine that flies haha. Sounds like everything is improving ie: tracks dry and people getting in the air. BUT isn't it cold. Well done to all on their first and second flights.

Simon, off to bed shortly, cos l get stiff in the mornings but had to say what a great party tonight. The DVD had many good comments and the food laid on was terrific. I heard about 15 didn't turn up, shame, but l suppose they all had good reasons. Well done again to Lynwen and Dave, looking forward to watching the 2010 Tip to tip when its published. May be 2 years away but like the T2T 2008 it will soon be upon us. I am without motor at mo (its in dry dock for mods ) but hope to be in the Sky with many of you soon. Have a great Xmas everyone and a happy flying New Year. Fly Safe Regards Mike and Jackie

Hi Si, got it in the post this morning. BRILLIANT DVD. See ya Sat. Regards Mike

Hi Tom, If finances are good go for the wing that you will be flying with, that way you will be used to at least half your kit when you team up with your motor. Groundhandle your wing on a nice flat large area with no obstacles, stones, barbed wire etc. Make sure the wind is not to strong that if it gets away from you it drags you into fences or trees. This way no harm should come to you or your wing. Oh and wear a helmet. Lastly if your not sure of your wing bring a mate who can stand behind the wing and can grab the lines if it gets a bit troublesome. Regards Mike