christian

In my experience, wooden props are tougher. I live in SW France, so a bit of a shlep for you. But you are welcome if ever you are down in this neck of the woods. Have you tried the Facebook UK Paramotor group? Between this forum and Facebook you should be able to find some pilots local to you. And the guy who runs the FB group is both very knowledgeable and a Miniplane fan.....if that's not a pun Fly safe, Christian

Having suggested e-props, I wonder whether a timber prop wouldn't be better for you at this stage. Only because they are cheaper and therefore there's just a little less stress when you are taking-off. I know that when I started out that the last thing that I wanted was an expensive prop behind me. Just saying.........

I have a 'large' frame, designed for the 1250mm prop, but I've had a 1300mm prop on it for years without a problem. As for the actual model number, that will depend on your gearbox ratio. The ratio will be marked on your gearbox. Also, e-prop have recently launched a newer model, scimitar I think. If I was buying a new prop today, I would get the new model. If you are not sure, give Annie a call. Christian

I have had a Miniplane since 2011, a lovely machine. E-props make a good prop. It's very light. I am not sure how much additional thrust is generated, but because it is so light it spools up very quickly. I wouldn't be without one. e-props are in France, but Annie speaks good English and is very helpful. I think that there are some e-prop dealers in the UK Mecafly have really good exploded diagrams of the Top80, which makes it easier to order the correct part, even if you don't buy from them. And you will not find a better resource of tutorials and 'how to' videos for the Top 80 than Southwest Airsports Fly safe, Christian

Poz is really a japanese gangster, he's only posing as a paramotorist as cover

There's nothing wrong with going for 2nd hand equipment and there's loads of good stuff on the market. But there's also lots of rubbish, so the important thing is to find someone experienced who can advise you, so you don't end up with shite or inappropriate stuff. Good luck. Christian

I bought a 2nd hand Technofly Octagon (same as the Nitro) and have been pleasantly surprised at the fuel economy. For the last seven years I have flown a Miniplane Top 80, the fuel burn doesn't seem to be an higher on the Octagon. It came with a 3 bladed Peszke prop, which might help. Last weekend I went up with my Octagon with a mate on his Top80 and we both burned the same amount of fuel.

My flying buddy and I have both had e-prop 130's on our Miniplane Top80's for several years. The speed of spool up is really nice, but it's a long time since I changed from a wooden prop, so I can't remember how much extra thrust is generated. We are talking about a 'big improvement', but not a 'game changer'. Annie, at E-props speaks English, which will make dealing with them easy.

I never found mine anything but docile. And landing speed was lower than I expected. Hope that you have as much fun on yours as I had on mine.

Adam, I am not sure that I can give you a useful comparison because I dropped from a 24m2 Sirocco to to a 22m2 Speedster, besides there are a thousand and one other variables. I normally fly with a friend and we got our Siroccos together and he's still on his. I notice that I catch up much quicker than I used to, but let's be realistic, it's still like a race between two Reliant Robins. I think that the Speedster 2 has a broader speed range and I can fly really slow. For me the most important feature of a wing is not it's speed, but it's launch characteristics. It doesn't matter if a wing is fast if launching in nil wind is difficult. I found the Sirocco really easy to launch in nil wind. From my own experience, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Sirocco.

I had a Sirocco for just over a year. I thought it was a great wing. I replaced it with a Speedster 2 and I am not entirely convinced that it was an improvement.

Flying Monkey? That's very old school. We all use Lamas

No problem at all. I wear mine under ear-defenders, I am not sure how the QC20's would be without them.

No, I'm not using it upside down. It's just a different pattern of fencing stake, I didn't realise that they were different in the UK. You can get 10 for €20 here https://agrifournitures.fr/piquets-metal/312-piquet-de-fer-avec-isolateur-queue-de-cochon-gallagher-10-unites.html Or get a local blacksmith to make you one. Or you could use these ones. https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/4ft-Plastic-Fencing-Stake-Event-Horse-Paddock-Poles-Safety-Mesh-Post-5-Colours-Orange-10/1612685505?iid=221347002730 but they are not as robust in my experience.

I tape an extending fishing rod (less than €10 from Decathalon) to a temporary fencing stake. They are very cheap, especially when nicked from wife, but could be bought at agricultural stores. To get them into the ground you can either stand on them, or bash them with a hammer. Christian

had the same problem

Here is the link to the newly updated basulm. https://basulm.ffplum.fr/ It shows a huge number of small airfields with basic info and contact details and will be useful for anybody travelling through France with their paramotor. There's also an app for your phones. Go to the Bases tab and then click on Carte des terrains. You can move the map around and zoom in and out. Click on a base and the details will come up on the right. Hope that it's useful for some of you, Christian

I bought a Miniplane back in 2011, it now has 250+ hrs. I am 80+ Kg and fly a speedster 22. My flying mate also has a Miniplane, he is 90kg and flies a 26, but has been up on a 24. The Miniplane is light, reliable, quiet and fuel efficient. And there is an extensive and reactive support network. Those who don't fly them say that they are not robust, but that hasn't been my experience. I would definitely look at the Nitro.........the only other motor that I have lusted after.

Does anybody have any suggestions for training to do footlaunched tandem? Thanks, Christian

I started on 1.5% Castrol Power 1 Racing with 95. The paramotor mechanic that I go to every couple of years suggested 2%, which I changed to about 3 years ago. I have 250 hours on my Miniplane Top80, still runs like a dream. Christian

Just got the Bose QC20 ear buds. Amazing, a game changer. I can still hear enough of the engine for re-assurance, but I can hear even the quietest music clear as a bell. I definitely recomend them. Christian

The O ring and the gasket are different things, although they should be replaced together. On this engine diagram 11a is the O ring and 14a is the gasket. In the past I have bought a selection of gasket thickenesses because you don't know which one you will need until you come to re-assemble. When the engines are new you are supposed to re-torque the head at 2 hour and then 5 hour intervals, after that every 20 hours. Christian

I don't know if it would have any effect on starting, but yes, replace it with a proper gasket. They do them in a variety of thicknesses. Look up the correct 'squish' value, I would start here Southwest Airsports , they have loads of step by step 'how to' guides. However, I think that I read somewhere that the early Top80's didn't have a gasket..........but I'm not sure. I check the torque on the head of my Top80 every 20 hrs. Good luck, Christian

Great video Ian. I will definitely change the way I hold the throttle. Thanks Christian

£1650 Green, white and blue 2015 +/- 40 hours Like new, well maintained Bought in June 2015, (registered with yellow card in France) Great wing, stable, forgiving, but most of all, very easy to launch Only flown form grass fields. Always concertina packed after every flight, kept at home away from damp and sunlight Comes with backpack, interior bag, compression strap and speedbar Viewable South West France. Between Toulouse and Biarritz. 32230 Blousson Serian Photos available but I have been unable to upload photos onto this forum since October 2016! Just email me and I will send photos. Christian