surrey-dad

Simon/NormanIf this trip is now likely to be over subscribed, is there any chance of something additional being arranged at Airvault? There may be a number of us who would not have clocked up many hours by then, and so would have second thoughts about doing the whole trip. But would still enjoy doing some flying down there when you high milers come through? Just a thought, as Norman arranged something down there last spring which had great feedback.... Andy

I have also found xcweather very useful for tracking winds (easy interface for a newbie like me) Just a shame that cannot zoom into a region of UK map, as Lambourn is a little hard to place. Although taking it as SW of Benson with recent NE'lies, it seemed bang on for last Saturday. It may be a coincidence, but xcweather was also offline a few times last week... Andy

What inclined to speaking Spanish? Andy

Here is another favourite - Flying downtown in Daejeon, South Korea. Cannot believe the freedom allowed them to fly so low over motorways, government buildings and through residential blocks. Must have been an amazing experience. Unfortunately the quality of this YouTube clip is only fair (as 2006) : [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]For a much better video of the same event (albeit from a slightly safer angle), check out Dan Burtons brilliant HD movie here : http://www.vimeo.com/1008723 (be patient it is worth the download). Just realised that Dan is the same chap that was aerial photographer for the great TipToTip 2008 DVD which I finally watched at the weekend. Not sure if Dan hangs out here, but great work on both ! Andy

Sorry if I somehow gave the impression that it was my vid clip, because I haven't got off the ground yet. But these clips keep me dreaming of that day... The video was by Seb Naulleau - search his name on YouTube or Vimeo if you would like to contact him for more info. Cheers Andy

Hi Jason Great to meet you yesterday, and hope you had a bit more breeze today? As far as a cheap wing, Simon posted something about one only a day or two ago. I'll check the link and add it back here. Added: Here's the link: http://www.paramotorclub.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3708&hilit=training+wing+%C2%A3300 Cheers, and hope to see you at Lambourn again soon. Andy

Hi Phil. Yes he does come over as a marmite sort of a bloke. You may be pleased to hear that he has just come out after a very brief spell behind bars (nothing PPG related). But bounced back with his own typically modest report on the experience : http://dellschanze.blogspot.com/ The reality was they were probably glad to get him back outside But got to admit I do enjoy his flying clips, and would love to try a FlatTop one day... Andy

Hi Dave - that was one of the videos that I had lined up for my Videos of the Week. Great minds and all that Amazing flying - Dell Schanze may bug a lot of people with his politics when on the ground, but you can't ignore his flying skills (or b@lls) once in the air. Anyway here is some technical data on this wing : http://www.revairmont-parapente.com/index.php?/voile-sky-paragliders-modele-cima-k2.html?keyword=parapente Here also is his other related clip - comparing the stability of the K2 to some other wings [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]From what I have read it appears that he is the person responsible for wider distribution of this wing based on his testing. If it is half as good as he says it is (he has been known to exaggerate a tad ), then it looks pretty competitive at ~€2900. Andy.

This has to be my first clip, as it could have been taken by the same paramotorist responsible for getting me interested in the sport in the first place. This clip is taken just a few miles north of where I saw him appear over a sand dune and head off along the beach into the sunset. Watch this in HD if you have the bandwidth. Some lovely footage over the beautiful island of Noirmoutier in the Vendee region of France. I particularly like the windmill fly-by (~1:42) Enjoy, Andy [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]

Since discovering the sport of paramotoring just a few short weeks ago, I have been trawling the web for interesting paramotoring videos. Must have watched hundreds already... Anyway I thought that some of these might be of interest to others, and so I am starting this thread - with the intention of adding at least one video clip per week. Please add your own favourites... adding a brief comment as to why it is a favourite. Cheers, Andy

Hi Gulfstream1 - here is another video answer to your question High tech approach to making wooden prop [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]Low tech approach - a bit of indian craftsmanship [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]Anyway hope that these clips are of interest, and there are some additional related YouTube links after the clips. And yes, before anyone says it, I know that I am spending too much time trawling through every paramotor related video clip I can find... Andy

I finally managed to get up to Lambourn today with Simon & co. - nice to meet some of the regulars that I have read so much about, plus Mia and Poppy of course. Anyway it turned out to be a beautiful day up there, although there was very little wind. Simon kindly let us have a go doing some ground handling with a training wing. But front launches only due to the lack of breeze. Later Colin bravely lent us his own beloved Fusion - fantastic feeling with that great thing soaring over your head. The high point of the day was Tim doing his first solo flight. It was great to see how everybody got so involved, willing him into the air. We needn't have worried as he did what looked like (to my newbie eyes) a textbook take off and landing after a few circuits. But it was a great moment to see his feet finally leave the ground. 'll try to upload a couple of pictures later. Anyway I just wanted to thank Simon, Colin and the folks for making this newbie feel so welcome ! Andy

Thanks Tom. Yes I intend to ! Was up at Lambourne with Simon & co. today getting a taster of the sport. Fantastic day. I'll post some comments and pictures in another thread. Cheers. Andy

Wow that was close. Could have left permanent skidmarks ! Interesting machine - but looks risky with such exposed props and no cage. Andy

Here is the YouTube clip now properly embedded: [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]Andy

Duh ! A bit of a Homer moment there, as have only just spotted the YouTube syntax tags. Yes I am a newbie around here Hopefully this will work better... although my original link is for the HD res version, which these tags don't appear to support. Andy [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]

Dave - you have come up with almost the exact design spec that I have been trawling the web for. But odd that you should be the one raising the question, as I thought that your paramotor was probably closer to my ideal than most. Especially as my build reflects that I have been known to have the odd pie and pint or two Would be interested to hear your thoughts on your flat top - does it seem too heavy, too powerful or too noisy at times? With the new rules around larger tanks (>10lts) on the horizon, your machine is dual tank capable already. So does it matter that it may be a little thirstier than others ? Anyway perhaps someone will have designed such a beast by the time I have finally saved up the £££ to buy some decent kit Andy

In just replying to Gulfstream1 elsewhere on the subject of night flying, I came across this mad video clip of a supposed night time paramotor flight where rockets (albeit of the firework kind) strapped to the pilots legs and triggered electrically : Cool effect, but looks mad as hell ! Food for thought for your bonfire night fly-in Simon ? Andy

It's certainly technically possible - here are Team RedBull 'Lighting up Trinidad' Plenty of other vid clips around of others trying it to varying degrees of success. But chances of flying into things, or injury from not spotting the landing correctly has got to be an order of magnitude higher for mere mortals... Andy

Hi Alan - YES !!!! Actually I got in contact with Simon as soon as I got back from my recent holiday in France - having had a paramotorist fly over me and along the beach at sunset. Awesome sight, and must have been even better from his vantage point. Then managed to get to the Skycar talk at the RGS, which stoked my interest still further. Having read most of the forum threads since then, plus view just about every YouTube and Vimeo movie clip, I am totally hooked on the idea - and haven't even put a harness on yet ! No doubt like many of you at my stage, I am dreaming of that moment of getting my feet off the ground. But thanks to the folks here (especially the likes of Norman) I realise how much I need to learn first. But it doesn't stop me dreaming though... I am planning to be at the Flagpole on Saturday morning to finally meet Simon and hopefully some of the other regulars, and see what is really involved first hand. Having said that my 'Fly Another Day' video arrived this morning (thanks Simon), which I am currently watching for the second time. For newbies like me it gives a great insight into some of the highs, lows and challenges of the sport. All I have to do now is (a) save up the £££'s for the kit I am going to need, and (b) work out how I am going to sell it to my better half Are you planning to join in on the trip next April over in your neck of the woods ? Best regards, Andy

Hi Tom I think that this might be the one you are after: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3010 Am just a newbie - but have read nearly every thread on the forum over the last few days Cheers, Andy

[Although I have been lurking for a couple of weeks, reading up on all the threads - this is my actual first post.] Managed to get to the RGS tonight to hear the SkyTalk Expedition talk. Not sure how many others from this forum made it, but it was a great evening, and good to see it so well attended - packed. Simon - although I wasn't able to make it through the crowd at the end to say hello, at least I now know what you look like Anyway I am really looking forward to seeing the C4 programme on the SkyCar Expedition, which Neil mentioned was expected later this month - 28th Sep.? Can't wait ! Congratulations again - it must have felt awesome being part of aeronautical history. Andy