davieboy33

Hi Ryan, We are moving up to the Baslow area in the peak district, middle of May so will also be on the look out for fields and sites to fly from, I know there are a few clubs around further south but i don't see the point in traveling too far to fly for such a pretty place to fly over it seems relatively quiet when it comes to finding people to chat to about flying sites I have been flying for about 3 years so still learning lots all the time, however i know a fair amount about wings, motors, kit needed and kit not needed but preferred I have no affiliates with any makers so can give you some unbiased opinions on what you need and what you don't, I say speak to instructors and gain knowledge of kit but please speak to as many as you can as they "can" be very biased to selling you kit that they stock. Obviously they make money from sales and they are running a business which i fully support, just make sure you are buying whats right for you. By the way if you have found some members or flying sites since you posted this id love to hear about them many thanks. Dave.

Thanks Alan I raised this point as i had read in the Paramotor Mag that the law in Germany, France and the UK was above 150 m. I love flying low and anything over 1000ft doesn't really hold that much interest for me as i've seen this pleasant land many times under a parachute at these heights, that does not mean i do not like a good view every now and then Anyways thx again. Blue skies and soft landings Dave..

Can somebody in the know just clear something up for me please. Can we fly below 500ft as long as we stay 500ft away from, let's just say Anything... Or is it a min 500ft agl Just a simple answer will do yes we can. No we can't. Lol I do enjoy flying low and hope I am following the rules. I know somebody here will know what's correct. Many thx. Dave.

Hey James. Have you managed to get up much since we have been back ? I fly over at Alconbury sometimes, nice site Geoff has loads of knowledge and doesnt mind giving it up to people keen to learn. or come to the farm in Riseley we have two runways you can take of from in any direction.. A couple of guys i know fly from a lake near Rushden but haven't managed to get down to watch or fly there yet... Failing that i will pop up to Northampton to have a fly with ya.. Had a cracking flight this morning, flew to work wizzed around the tunnel a couple of times and then headed home Hope you are getting up.. so to speak.. Have you got your Parajet yet ? Dave..

Cool many thx just who i wanted to reply as it was your post's that i got that from..... :) any views on the dune.. Dave..

Hi all.. I have a quick question. I am thinking of going to Dune de Pyla to get some canopy handling training. Does any body know a school that are running courses during october ? I understand i cant fly a paramotor in france without a licence but think the canopy side of things will help a lot. interested in members feedback

Hiya all.... Does any body know of a simple way of getting a camera up by the wing ? I have seen this on lots of videos but am wondering if there is anything on the market for this....Or is it mainly home diy stuff to get your cam up there..? Dave.

A quick question for all. What are peoples best advice when it comes to insurance ? which companies offer good cover ( if any ) lol Dave.

Hi. At the moment near Bedford but will probably move soon towarda nothampton way. And you. ?

I cant wait to be honest... never thought i would utter the words low and slow but im really looking forward to that. bit like a sponge at the moment soaking up all this info.. As for the BlueTrak to student thing... then no is the obvious answer, but then at its time it was the equivalent of a Pd Velocity in todays canopies. It was 1 of the fastest canopies around im sure you will agree... with my little knowledge i still feel the Fusion is in no way at the edge of the most extreme para gliding or motoring wing ? I could be wrong of course ... It goes without saying that it should and will be treated with the greatest respect... anything that goes up should be. I know after being to a few sites im going to really enjoy myself and its all the better because she will be with me and not waiting for me to get in on nice days to go for a walk or anything...lol.. Dave

Hi Ed. Very cool post thanks for adding your comments, i am taking everything people say on board be sure of that. i started skydiving in 91 and was the first to go through a raps course in Cyprus, 120 jumps later, got my first 120 stiletto. a purple bluetrack flying close to me while i was attempting a fast landing at a beech in florida took my mind of what i should of been concentrating on and i nearly buried myself that day on that beech... i cant say how lucky i was to survive at all let alone walk away with a thick ear from my boss and only a bruised ego... I too have lost friends swooping or hooking it in. That was the start of the learning curve about training and coaching. I am not saying i havent put a foot wrong since but thats the whole thing about training giving you the chance to spot something that is just not right soon enough to give you the chance to do something about it. The Fusion is in the post so not a lot i can do about that... i know i will not fly it until ive had training and im pretty sure that the guy who trains me will put me on a beginners wing first. I know everyone on here means well i think its a much more rounded community if that makes sense. well more than the skydiving community, which i love as well.. but there are some fruit cakes in that sport that im sure just wana push it beyond the safe edge... lol... Will for sure love to come to your fly ins one day. Dave.

I love this... Defo my new saying of the day...

Ok a few things i feel i need to answer. Hi Simon i find myself agreeing with you once again. to put a value on canopy time... i dont know the % but its v high 80-90% at a guess, of most skydivers use a canopy to get from A-B (opening to feet on the deck and packing) Even some of the most experienced skydivers i know do not "really" Pilot their canopy as just enjoy the ride to the ground. There are a few of us that really want to try and understand it, and surprisingly enough not all are young extreme sports fanatics. There are quite a few old and bold CRW pilots ( Canopy Relative Work) that do the exact opposite (we call them crew dogs) of which i like to say i was one. although younger that just use the plane ride and 3 sec,s of freefall time to get under a wing and then go crash into your mates... lol... ( well thats what it looks like sometimes...) and then some of us want to fly as small and fast a wing as possible to get that swoop landing spot on, 80 mph + with your feet flicking through long grass... wow even NOW just typing this my hair on the back of my neck is standing up and i wish i was jumping again.... )))) So yes somebody with a few thousand jumps has quite a bit of canopy flying but i know for a fact that doesnt always mean they are in the slightest bit clued up (or want to be) about their wing. Hi Morgy. this particular point i feel i must comment on, this is a prime reason i find it hard on forums to be completely understood as i type what i am thinking and cant reply to somebodys (quite right without prior knowledge) observations with out promt reply myself. I am. I Think.. a pretty modern thinker in the sport of canopy flying (skydiving swooping) To that end . Yes in some circumstances i would tell somebody to get a fast canopy and teach them to swoop on it (and have done) The old school thinking for swooping was at least 2000 jumps before you even thought about it... YOU WILL DIE... I know of 1 World Champion that was swooping from jump number 40.. yes 40.. So there it is i KNOW its possible to do, so CAN NOT tell somebody else that they cant either... You have no idea how many arguments this has got me into...lol.. I would then tell them this guy is pretty amazing and is 1 in a million (and lucky to be alive), they should really think it through again when they are sober but that said if they want to go down that route they MUST get training and learn from professionals ( A LOT) I did, luckily for me the army helped with the world champion coaches at the time so saved me a bundle in money and i also know that that training has at least 3 times saved my legs AT BEST.. My point here is i guess the advancement in training and knowledge. People have already made nearly all the mistakes possible and we learn from that. we have drills and skills we practice to keep us current and safe... A mindset that is all about self preservation and learning as safe as we can. I still have this mindset and want to bring that to my paramotoring, push myself to a higher level as that is where i do my best work and learn the fastest. I am not stupid enough to think it does not come without a higher risk. but I do like the phrase. (and try and live by it... Not just say it or write it) Lets not turn up at heavens gates looking old and bored but rather sliding through the gates of heaven sideway with your hair on fire screaming oh my god what a ride.. Thats pretty much how ive done things (im not nuts by the way...))) as an epitaph that would be a bit extreme (cool) but a bit extreme I have a very healthy view of mine, and others lives) im 39 and still in one piece, all be it the pillow lines take longer to fade and when i do get hurt it takes a hell of a lot longer to heal and hang overs last days not hrs... Sry Morgy as i could of quoted from a few posts but that one was just pretty relevant to me, I smiled when i read the rest of yr post.. made me check my tracking number on Fed Ex bummed i am gona be in Japan when it arrives.. not all bad as that will make 12 wind tunnels i have flown in and this ones military so quite exclusive I do really appreciate all the feedback.. negative and positive. as i know it is just people concerned for my safety and also the public image of this sport, its not good in any sport for people to get injured and end up all over the press as being dangerous. I take that fully on board as well.. Blue skies and let the wind blow really really strong BUT only indoors... yes i know that will probably be me Dave Wow just read that back (for once) thats really long sorry... I too have learned S**t loads from this club and hope to meet a few people when im up and about Ps: My girl friend is also taking up this sport and i am making here buy a GoFly..

Ok i can see i have opened a can of worms here so think i should just add a cpl of things to hopefully clear this up... But i know it probably wont.. Firstly Simon i agree with what you have said. I will point out one of my choices for the Fusion was based on a conversation with you about the fact there are no second hand Fusions on the market, if i think its beyond me i Know i will sell it quick... Secondly, The person that is selling me this wing KNOWS me... Knows my back ground and how i go about learning. I am a skydiver and i know that will send even more alarm bells ringing... lol.. I fly a very fast wing when swooping and a nice slow one when i am making canopy formations, in short i love all canopy flight and want to keep learning as much as possible. I teach swooping and canopy relative work. To do either without coaching is highly unwise and would probably end in a fatality every time. I do understand the importance of correct training and it was MY decision to go for the Fusion. That said ,it is why i will and have put aside a considerable amount of time for training. I also know you cant make everybody happy all the time and understand that people will not agree with the route i am taking. But i also am aware of a lot of people i have spoken with that do agree.. its also quite difficult in a forum to come across exactly how you would like without sounding arrogant or fool hardy of which i hope i am neither, I have read a lot on this site and can see quite clearly Simon and most people in fact are top draw when it comes to advice. I think i will leave this here as i am feeling a little like a scolded dog... hahaha I did know i would get these comments and totaly appreciate any concern people may have as i do when a newbie tells me he wants to swoop.... Dave.

I have been trying to get into this sport for a year now... listened to lots of advice from lots of people which was all good. buy a new wing and a second hand motor, 90% of this sport is all about ground handling that sort of stuff. So last week after many months of saving i bit the bullet and ordered a Paramania Fusion 26 brand new... got a danm good deal too.. thx..you know who you are... Obviously i was looking at the eBay stuff but didn't want to go down that route for a canopy .... BUT now i'm looking for a motor plus a cheap as chips Harness that i can use for ground handling. All was good at first there seems to be a few bits to choose from.... Then i read a few post's on this site about eBay Scammers and now have completely lost the bottle to bid on anything...lol... ok ok its not that bad and i am not that worried about bidding on eBay but I would like to thank this site for opening my eyes a little, I almost certainly was not looking for scammers in the paramotor world on eBay but now have a much healthier approach to what i look at on ebay and what i dont... Congrats on a great Site and helpful friendly community. Dave..