norman

Gilo and Marcus tell me that you can power stuff from the Parajet. I don't think the generator is up to selling juice to the National Grid but it should charge the battery and run a radio/jacket.

Hi Warwick, welcome. I will have a go at answering your question but hope that others will attend to it too if they have anything to add (jump in guys). To recap, there are two main forces acting on the paramotor in flight, torque (engine) and precession (propeller). Engine torque produces a down force on the right hand riser and therefore a turning tendency to the right. Precession.... well, as you say in your post, Noel tells us in his book that there is no identifiable effect manifested by precession from the prop that he could detect. To investigate this a little further, precession acts at 90 degrees in the direction of rotation from where it is applied. So if the propeller rotates to the left (viewed from the rear) and we apply a force to the left of the disk (yaw) that would be transfered 90 degrees and actually be felt as a pitch up on the rig. Trouble is, we do not have a control that applies yaw in a paramotor. If we get a riser twist that is probably about the closest we come to it and that would certainly be felt though by how much is unknown to me. Theory has it that it should be noticeable. How fuel would relate to precession I could not say, nor could I get a handle on what you were looking at when you mentioned rotation, but if liftoff was the focus of your question, yes - as we lift off, the motor/prop does tilt backward so we might expect a yawing moment to the left. This graphic might suggest that this happened to me. My motor is very powerful and I did lean back at the point of rotation. I am not suggesting that is what actually happened, but it might explain the different directions being taken by the wing and the motor here and illustrate the point? Or was it just me.... I don't seem to have any right brake applied at the moment the picture was taken. I hope that was helpful and again, if anyone has anything to add, please step in. Norman - too much time on his hands in Atlanta.

For those new to flying. Laminar flow is an expression you might hear used at the flying field. The holy grail of kiting sessions and early paramotor launches, laminar flow makes the job so much easier. Simply put it is smooth, constant flow with no ripples or undulations contained within. See this video (ignore the first part) to watch laminar flow striking different surface forms to get an impression of what 'laminar' means. Hold the images in your mind and apply them to your visualization of what happens to air when it strikes trees or any obstructions. The result is the tumbling rotor that makes kiting difficult and flying under a parachute challenging. 'Non Laminar' flow. You might ask yourself where would you find some of the best laminar wind flow? That would be the place to go for early kiting practice. Look out for loonies tho'. Still, you could always try Scotland. .

Togsie, Very impressed with the NOTAM collator. Comprehensive! I want to keep it very simple with GPS, TRK and GS should do me with the compass display probably being handy too. The joy of this kind of flying is its basic nature; at 20kts I have all the time in the world to get lost and find myself again. The sophistication of a GPS generated moving map will spoil it for me I think. What does interest me is the display of flights on Google Earth with elevation and timing. Couple that with an ability to overlay flights on a 3D topo and I am intrigued. GPS is a fascinating toy isn't it?

Col, smashing! 'Makes me want to get up there and buzz around; I have always fancied doodling around the Highlands and Islands and you photos rekindled something. When the sun shines in Scotland there is no place like it.

Thanks Togsie, FWIW - Good decision I reckon. If you don't want the air map stuff (I don't) the 60CSX is about as good as they get. I will be picking one up in the US in September. The Google Earth track upload facility and Mac compatibility is what I am after. TTFN

Fantastic Dan! Now you know why when we all land and walk away from whatever flying machine we just deposited back on the ground, we have stupid grins on our faces. For most of us it takes around sixty years for it to leave. it is only replaced buy a knowing smile that lasts for eternity... The real meaning of the word achievement floods your mind doesn't it. Really pleased for you - very nicely written too if you don't mind me saying so. Here is someone who had the same idea, it makes me think he actually made it. It is well known but loses none of its power for repetition. "When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." Leonardo da Vinci

Parababe, Nice idea if you are that way inclined - why not have a section here in the forum called 'Logbooks'? Each pilot could have his/her own 'topic' where they stored their log, available for all to see. You couldn't lose it as it is electronic and you could print it off at will to store a hard copy. What is more, there is no complex programming to do to achieve it - that costs money that could be better employed buying toys or beer. Date --- Wing --- Motor --- Dep --- Arr --- Time --- ~Remarks any format you want - you create it. It wouldn't self calculate the times but who minds a few sums? Another bonus in doing it this way might be that you can add links to your album, GPS generated tracks and any other references you want. Pimps!

PM sent Simon. I wonder is there any interest in a spot for members Google Earth track downloads? I am looking at it at the moment. Google Earth makes them look pretty cool and they provide a unique perspective to a flight and add interest. You can link posts to them and fix graphics to the ariel picture too as any user of Google Earth will know. Plenty of GPS units produce the files these days and transfer isn't rocket science once you have cracked it. Any thoughts anyone?

Ere' Togsie, If you decide you want an all singing, all dancing 'Air' GPS I would be very interested in relieving you of the 60CSX..... ? I have been looking at that model for a while. PS: I have a Garmin GPS12 (as featured in Paramotoring - A comprehensive guide (Noel Wittal) going if anyone wants it. It won't dent your wallet too much - promise! Not cutting edge but sturdy and reliable - takes AA batteries.

Congratulations Gazza, you sound well impressed. Its a drug though, and it lasts forever. Laugh along with the rest of us...

Oh! sorry Dan. <> I thought you were being brief and modest and remarking on ground observations... I will pack the congratulations in scented tissue and bring it out in the near future then. Stick at it, it's going to be tremendous when you lift off - only a matter of weather and time.

Another bird man makes it into the sky! Congratulations Dan. I see you have the photos to prove it?

Thanks for the response gents. May I assure you that I asked the question with no desire whatever to dig at anyone. I love low flying and have indulged in it with relish in times past - got paid to do it even. It is just that being new to this magical sport, I see people coming in with their eye on the 'bottle' not realizing the there demons contained within, and being acutely conscious that we all have a responsibility to educate and give direction to those new to aviation. I just don't see that climate being generated and nurtured by the sport's periodicals and advertising material. My last words on the subject - take care up there.

Thanks Powelly, that should do the trick. Here are a couple if anyone wants them until we generate our own or decide 'its a crap idea' or 'who wants them anyway?' Just paste them into the box provided at the bottom of your profile. http://www.thedigitalaviator.com/Avatars/action_gt.jpg http://www.thedigitalaviator.com/Avatars/everest_motor.jpg http://www.thedigitalaviator.com/Avatars/clif_motor.jpg http://www.thedigitalaviator.com/Avatars/moon.jpg http://www.thedigitalaviator.com/Avatars/ozone.jpg http://www.thedigitalaviator.com/Avatars/parajet.jpg http://www.thedigitalaviator.com/Avatars/revolution.jpg http://www.thedigitalaviator.com/Avatars/sunset_glider.jpg http://www.thedigitalaviator.com/Avatars/sunset_2.jpg http://www.thedigitalaviator.com/Avatars/dudek.jpg http://www.thedigitalaviator.com/Avatars/synthesis.png http://www.thedigitalaviator.com/Avatars/action_gt2.jpg http://www.thedigitalaviator.com/Avatars/action_gt3.jpg http://www.balpa.org/intranet/avatars/1864.gif http://www.balpa.org/intranet/avatars/Dangermouse.JPG http://www.balpa.org/intranet/avatars/Gandolf.gif http://www.balpa.org/intranet/avatars/Hank-2.jpg http://www.balpa.org/intranet/avatars/Jack-Sparrow.jpg http://www.paramotormag.com/forum/images/avatars/19819362684648d411b5982.jpg http://www.paramotormag.com/forum/images/avatars/148493365546253357504eb.gif

Simon, Getting there - but there are no avatars in the gallery, nor any way for us to upload them.

great! I can bin the 'Status Quo' and 'Free Nelson Mandela' ones now then. They had holes in anyway...

FYI folks, just a handy snippet as the Autumn draws across the horizon and the cowpoo collects in the meadow. Thanks to Elisabeth Guerin of Paramotor City. A useful website. http://www.paramotorcity.net/PPGglidershop.htm It also gives an idea of what is repairable.

Welcome Oisin!

Simon, One of my colleagues may well be in touch about one of the taster days. His name is Cliff Nichol and he may well pop up here. I did mention that he might come to Parajet but the taster would be better for him.

Some more background information from Jim Carolan, recently resigned BPMA Chairman and Lemmings Safety Officer.

Pictures of the accident as it happened. 'Keep those brake handles out of the prop' seems to be the lesson here.

Dan, Thanks matey, brilliant NOTAM site - bookmarked!

[delete]Another colleague coming along on Saturday. Cliff Nichol - thinking hard about giving it a go.[delete] It looks as if Cliff may well be trying for on of the taster days if he can make it.

]Link to the helmetabove for assquaddie.