surrey-dad

Put that way - it is sounding cheaper by the minute ! Andy

Simon - how about this for your new clubhouse? Very conveniently located for the flagpole, and loads of space for fly-ins ! Full details here:Country Life: Ashdown Park (£4.5M) Just got to get a few metal detectors and scour the flagpole fields for a hoard of Anglo-Saxon treasure... Andy

Great shot Dave - what camera are you using for your aerial pics ? Andy

DISCLAIMER: These are not my own video clips. As a newbie, they are just some of my favourites found whilst researching PPG. Well here are a couple more video clips to add to my list of favourites. You may have already seen the first in in a suggested Paramotor Holiday destination to Simon. This is a favourite because it gives great coverage of what has to be one of the best (foot launched) aviation festivals in Europe. It looks like awesome fun... [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]The following link to the wider format gives a better perspective: I know much of this video focussed on the amazing fancy dress flights, but the group filming were PPG'ers, and there was also a load of interesting PPG gear on display. Can anyone identify the minimalist paramotor at 1m04s (with the propeller that looks like some weird chariot wheel) ? The festival is set against the backdrop of the dramatic 'Dent de Crolles' in the Chartreuse Mountains, 20km north of Grenoble. If you are wondering why it might be worth flying there, check out the following clip - from 1min onwards. Forget that the video was taken by a paraglider (PPG'ers don't need to hike up the mountain with all their gear ). But take a deep breath before 1m50s - and enjoy the view ! [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]To get the FULL effect click for the larger format HD version - awesome ! Andy

Hi Mark - Sorry if I somehow gave the impression that this was my own video - hence the "newbie reference". Anyway I did leave an email with the guy who took it last week, asking for info on the kit he was using. I will let you know if I hear anything back. Cheers Andy

Glad you managed to sort it out Alan. Unfortunately windows has not been strong on handling video, although Win7 is rumoured to be more promising. A couple of years ago my hospital spent a small fortune on a maxed out top spec PC, high end graphics card, Adobe Premier etc. and we spent days trying to get an easy workflow for our surgeons to create video clips of operations. Out of desperation I brought my sons old gen iMac in the next week, plugged the camera in and used iMovie to make a movie in minutes. After that they never looked back... Anyway I digress, does this mean you will soon be posting some video clips here Being a newbie (still tied to the ground), the video clips are what keep me motivated. So many great places to visit, so many PPG adventures to look forward to - hence my 'Video of the Week' thread. Cheers, Andy

Hi Alan Sorry to hear you are having a few problems. But can you give some more info ? Have you got video clips on your hard disk that you are unable to view, or are you having trouble downloading video from your camera to your PC ? If the former, what file format is the video in? If the latter what is your camera, and what are you using to download the video ? Andy

Simon - I like the website design. Nice job ! - and I can see the desert influence from your recent Skycar expedition You mentioned that you and some of the senior members are looking into a number of additional trips into 2010 and beyond. You may well already have this one on your radar, but any chance of a group of us attending Coupe Icare 2010 in September ? As looking at the following clip, this has got to be one of the best (foot launched) aviation festivals in Europe. It looks like awesome fun... [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]Direct link to wide format version here: I know much of this video focussed on the fancy dress paragliding, but the group filming were PPG'ers, and there was also a load of interesting PPG gear on display (including Parajet). Has anyone attended any of the previous (36) festivals? *** UPDATE *** Check out the amazing additional clip of flying off the Dent de Crolles in my latest addition to the Video of the Week thread : Video of the Week: Flying off the Dent de Crolles Andy

As I have unfortunately had to cancel my trip up to Lambourn today for family reasons, I am consoling myself by reviewing some of my favourite video clips. This is a favourite due to the quality of the video, which gives newbies like me _some_ idea of the visual thrill of flying over this lovely french countryside. The Chateau flyover adds a nice focal point at the end. [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]The larger format YouTube HD mode gives a much better perspective - link here : Here is the corresponding Google satellite image of the area: Le Chateau Interdit Andy

Hi Mark / Nick - yes it was. Great to meet you guys today. Was also well impressed with your glider Mark, and your camera gear Nick. Boys with toys Anyway hope that you are both now planning to come up to Lambourn on a regular basis. In which case, look forward to seeing you both again soon. Cheers, Andy

Well here is my next video link. It's a favourite because it demonstrates just how portable and accessible PPG can be. Yes I'm sure flying conditions were perfect, and he is probably skipping a few safety checks etc. but can't help be impressed with 4mins to unload from truck, takeoff, circuit, land, and pack back into vehicle. N.B. If Dell S's delivery bugs you, be sure to mute the sound [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]Andy

Thanks for the update Mark. Look forward to meeting you and Nick tomorrow... Andy

Simon Great - but is that for everyone or just Full Members only? Wonder whether it can be applied retrospectively, as placed an order with them only last week, some of which hasn't arrived yet. Andy

Thanks for the feedback Simon. Another really gorgeous evening, just hope that many of the folks here are able to take advantage of it. And if they do they can post some good pics... As it turned out I couldn't make it over today, as totally swamped at work - and will be working into the wee small hours to clear some of it. But will definitely be up there tomorrow, although forecast showing winds of only 1-2mph (sods law). Anyway looking forward to 'officially' starting my training tomorrow. Just got to find some spare time to start a proper blog... Andy

Thanks for the update Simon. Great to hear that the program has got a confirmed reschedule, as have had a number of colleagues asking me for an update, having brought a couple of them along with me to the SkyCar presentation at the RGS. If the program is half as good as the few clips we saw at the RGS, it should be a fascinating program. Just got to make a mental note now, to clear a load of my sons cartoons from the DVD recorder before the 19th Cheers, Andy

Hi folks - did anyone manage to get up in the air this evening, as it looked like perfect weather - with great visibility, a gentle breeze and lovely sunset. (I love the light quality at this time of year). Anyway the weather forecast looks set for a sunny weekend, but almost nil wind on Saturday again - so will no doubt be doing more GH front launch practice Simon/Colin - am definitely planning to be at the Flagpole Saturday morning, but was also wondering whether anyone was likely to be there from mid afternoon tomorrow? Andy

Your right Pete - as Bear Grylls can testify to with regards to the World Record.Andy

Now I know why you told me not to worry about France Simon - great idea ! Andy

It looks like it is there for the taking, as category PF1Tm currently indicates 'No Record' for the UK ! Check the following link to the Records section of the UK Microlight & Paramotor Aircraft Association website at http://www.flymicro.com/records/index.cfm?record=listclass&class=PF1Tm Andy

Dave - which FT model are you after then? The 200, 200S or Evo ? Have you had a comparative test with it yet ? Meanwhile where are you advertising your current Beast ? Cheers, Andy

Thanks for the link Dan - they really chose the right week to fly this route ! Is there any further information or blog giving more information on the actual route they took, flight times, some of the challenges they faced, how their equipment performed etc. ? Andy

There again... [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]Andy

Thanks for a really interesting post bignos. Lots of practical tips - I particularly like the eco (and wallet) friendly) cooker option of a catfood tin Just in case you haven't come across this yet, here is a good related article based on feedback from Franck Simonnet after his 'para-bivouacing' trip over in France :http://www.paramotormag.com/articles/2009/01/710/ Also like your name for this branch of the sport 'para-trekking' - has got a good ring about it. Maybe you should do a similar article based on your own experiences, and the slightly more challenging British climate? Cheers, Andy

Thanks Phil - that is another useful URL to add to my rapidly growing list of PPG related bookmarks... Andy

Just to let you know that I signed up with Simon today, so look forward to ground training with you again soon...Andy