norman

Just introducing the Somerset Branch of the Paramotor Club - "The Teradactyles'. Motto:- "Onward & Upward!" I think Simon always had the idea of a central organisation sprouting off Clubs in their own regions and this is the first such. We should really be called the West Country Branch I suppose because that hopefully will be from where we draw our compatriot pilots but it sounded too grand. So Somerset it was. I am about to move to Babcary in Somerset (11th Dec), just North of RNAS Yeovilton and will look around for somewhere to fly from. I already have the offer of a field(s) to use (another paramoteur) but would not want to abuse a kindness by suggesting it turned into a club flying field. There are a great number of open spaces over here and farmers who might welcome a spot of diversification... We will have to see how things develop. The map locates us, it will be a while before we are up and running as a club proper, the best things develop slowly. Perhaps this corner of the main forum could act as a point of focus for anyone down our way to find the like minded and maybe meet up in the air or elsewhere? Who knows. It will be what we make it either way. Either way, please feel free to join. I can assure you that the welcome and ethos to be found at Lambourn will make its way to Somerset.

We will be opening the 'Teradactyles' forum for anyone who wants to join. It is designed really for those who live range but hey, there are no rules here as I understand it and it will be fun to look across and see what other Paramotor Clubs are doing. Unless of course members want/vote to have their forums private.... naaaa! Far to anal.

Relax gang, they are only a spelling error. This is just announcing the formation of another branch of the Paramotor Club courtesy of our maestro, Simon. Being tucked away so far down the road in Somerset makes getting to Lambourn regularly a bit of a trek so just for a laugh I/we (that is Simon and I) thought it would be a good idea to form a branch nearer home as I will be flying from there anyway. Of course we don't yet have a flying field though one or two are identified as being suitable within range of my kettle and fridge, but time will provide I'm sure. If you want to join the usergroup please just drop me a PM and as soon as we have the 'Somerset Corner for grazing Teradactyles' (forum space) I will let you know.. All I need to do now is exchange (23rd) and complete on our new place and we will be good to go. Oh yes, we have a (notional) Clubhouse, it's called The Red Lion, Babcary! As soon as we are able to take inbound traffic I will let you know. Contact will be 124.93 "Terra base' And 'Yeovilton Radar' 127.35 for traffic information as we are at the edge of (but clear of) their ATZ, but well within their MATZ.

Chris, it changes with each game and when you fiddle with the settings. Very compulsive.

Another compulsive game; without points this time. http://www.stickpage.com/bowmangameplay.shtml

Trev, Talk to Gilo at Parajet, he may have a few ideas.

Would it not seem wise to make them people with lots of paramotoring experience and a measure of respect from the community? The Christmas party ain't an AGM but as lots of people will be there maybe there could be a mini meeting around the table (all very light hearted) to discuss this and other issues before we get too pissed to focus? There should be quite an atmosphere I'm thinkin'

Hi Pegasus1, good to see you!

Bugger! I must try harder...

That friggiin' frog, soooo satisfying!

Mike, Did you press the link? It was the landmimes....

788.6

D'ya think I'm bored or what? Just about to poke of to visit the Ockers.

It does look as though they have pulled all the weight they can out of the structure - it looks strong though...

Link to Penguin Game 270.6 Beat it

Thanks everyone who responded to this thread, I found the responses really useful and have logged them all. Fire away if you feel you want to add something. Kind regards, Norman

Try this graphic to get an impression of how the 2 stroke cycle works. Let the graphic load up, it may take a moment or two before it does its stuff. Cool stuff eh?

Francis, I'm with you on the reasoning which is why I was (and am) intrigued by the idea of the trike. Joking apart, so is most of the US PM community as they are taking to it in increasing numbers for all the reasons you eloquently provide. I think for the moment I will continue dangling until I gain sufficient experience and inclination to give trikes a try. [Wondering what you have up your sleeve but understanding your reasons for stuum on the subject.]

Hey ArcusFlyer, We are from different worlds but in a similar position. You sound as though you are prepared to pay a reasonable price for what you need and value the benefit of quality instruction. Paying for the mediocre from the indifferent has always gripped my lower intestine. The good news is that Simon, despite being a tad ugly and blessed with a dubious sense of humor, is an excellent instructor and has a firm grip on the first two sentences and a fine appreciation of the third. You will find none of the foolish prejudice that exists elsewhere here, quiet the reverse - they even let me join. :lol::lol: The rest is bubble-bath! Join in!

Col, Glad you like it, the badge system i a straight rip from the Gliding world - obviously. But if you are designing something to do a specific job, then it is bound to look similar to one of the better systems out there isn't it. Ultimately (as has already been said here) some form of recognition is highly desirable as it makes your qualification portable to some of the more attractive flying sites around the planet, but it could be a start. What would you like to see as challenges within a system like this?

How about this as a starting point for discussion. All suggestions for tasks welcome. Bronze Club Pilot Equipment practical test complete. Training to solo complete to syllabus. Aviation Law exam complete. Introduction to aviation weather exam complete. First three solo flights complete. Handling Task Land to within 50 feet of a defined spot after motor shutdown from 300 feet. (Three attempts allowed without hazardous maneuvering.) Silver Club Pilot Paractical Meteorology exam complete. Navigation Examination complete. Thirty logged flights completed. Twenty logged flight hours. Handling Tasks One unaccompanied cross country flight of 50 kilometers. Either a declared goal or a declared triangle with photos of turning points. Gold Club Pilot Produce a training paper covering an aspect of paramotoring that would have value to both Bronze and Silver pilots. The value of the paper would be judged by club pilots anonymously. 60 logged flight hours. Handling Tasks One qualifying 100 kilometer cross country flight with one land away. A goal or triangle flight with three nominated photographic targets recorded, one leg being not less than forty kilometers. An altitude gain of 7000' above launch elevation. GPS/Barograph evidence must be produced. Three consecutive spot landings within twenty feet of a nominated spot after motor shut down from 500 feet. Three Diamond Flights Suggestions please..... let's have some fun with this one.

Back to Simon's question above (the word license set the ball rolling in the regulatory direction didn't it?) From a club perspective a local 'rating' or 'qualification' would be a great idea. It would define a standard and indicate a structure to those who were looking to fly with the club. It would give our pilots a ladder to climb and an achievement trail to set out on. If we learn anything from GA it must be that the churn rate of new pilots qualifying then dropping out is massive. I believe that half the reason for the tailing off of interest is due to there being no exciting and meaningful achievement trail to follow, just a series of organizational milking opportunities for the schools. PLUS - Anything that helps bring down the cost of insurance and increases the standing of the club and its pilots has to be a very positive step. Food for thought?

Ian, I am intrigued by trikes of small and large sizes. I do tend to agree with you though, the less aeronautically redundant junk you have to haul off the ground the better. The idea of one man, a wing and a motor arrives with a frisson to it that just evaporates when you add aluminum box section and wheelbarrow wheels. Some countries are reporting a rapid rise in the popularity of the trike though. I wonder why?

Francis, Yep', a distinct difference between a licence and an approved qualification. Yes, if only the FAI had a licencing system (like gliding) for paramotors and all the rest then life would be sweet across national boundaries. Simons idea is a good one but expanding it into a full internationally recognised qualification would take time and money wouldn't it? When I think of the volume of paper and the ferocity of the counter arguments from the other vested interests I reach for a copy of Private Eye and a pint of Guiness I'm afraid. We need to be careful here that we don't start to create the same mountain of wussy crap that the BHPA and others seem to revel in. That would be playing their game and it would probably take us in the same direction it took them. Not that I want to decry individuals who are doubtless devoted to their sport, it is just the politicians and f*&^wits that hardly ever fly and couldn't get on to their Parish Council that do us all a disservice. No, I don't see the CAA taking a heavy hand either unless they are forced by circumstance. But I can see the circumsatances forming to prompt organisational changes that would place paramotoring under an 'umbrella' for 'guidance'. I think there are issues out there that need addressing and that has to happen within a framework. In the US there would be an outcry if freedoms were removed, here the vested interests would line up nodding then fight it out for the fees and influence they would rake in. I'm cynical about some things - please someone, tell me I'm wrong. Reading between Simons lines I think he wants to create a structiure to our PPG operations and a ladder that people can climb with defined goals along the way. He will of course speak for himself but I get the impression he wants the 'room temperature' to refine his plan. Any aviation training organisation will need to create a structure if it is to survive deep scrutiny after accidents or serious incidents. A sylabus, training material, student records, recommended reference works and accident plans join many other things in the pot as fairly essential in the eyes of investigators when they measure you up for the drop (or not). Affiliation to the BHPA orr something like it might solve one problem but would open a can of wiggly things. Do any of us want to go that route? What is the general veiw of these organisations amoung our members? Have I got hold of the wrong end of the stick? Nature abhors a vacuum - some see lack of regulation as a vacuum. If something falls out of the sky and doesn't do any damage, someone somewhere will wonder what would have happened if it had fallen on their constituents heads.... Sorry about the rant folks....