norman

I'm in for either option, don't expect me to state a preference as I am a training newbie. Anything that gives me the greatest opportunity to fly gets my vote - if it came to voting.

Hi Simon, I return from my travels on the 7th, have gardening and domestics on the 8th and 9th. My motor will be ready for collection on the 8th (Gilo assures me). Certainly I am available for training on the 10th, 11th and 12th (I have the required pink chits) . The latter two days being allocated to the Grand Days Out. I thought that I could either meet up with the clan at Mere on the first stop or make my way down the road to the second to assist there. But in truth, whatever you want me to do, I will do to support the invasion of Dartmoor. I might just give you a ring tomorrow to discuss so that we can both plan (Skype from Singapore).

Hi Simon, Not that I want to chain you to your computer as you must have been really busy recently, but what has been happening over the last few days. Been flying much?

Hey Stuart, Listen to Simon, he has seen it all before. Learning to fly anything is full of hurdles, hills and dips. As you so rightly say, the effort and perseverance is worth it - the result as you crest the wave is fabulous. I have seen a tendency in myself when fighting a problem to focus on my internalized solution when what I needed to do is listen and think about what those teaching or mentoring me are saying. When I have cracked whatever it was that was causing me grief, most often the solution was exactly what those voices were advocating. Obvious perhaps; but it is very easy to keep doing the thing that your muscle and brain memory have been doing to that point, not the new and correct moves that will defeat your challenge. Chill Stuart, remember that you are treading a pathway well worn. You will make it very soon. As an aside, here is a link to a site that can make for interesting reading. I don't say reading and research is the whole answer by any means, but just occasionally a different perspective or form of words can set off a lightbulb. 'Launch psychology' might be a good starting point. Oh, and if you want a real laugh, wait until I start my training! Again - "Per Ardua, ad Astra" - "Through difficulty to the stars" - if it was too easy, everyone would be doing it!

Come on Slim, how did it go? Reached the stars yet?

"A deep reach for the hearts and minds of your rabbit colony requires ---- this!" "Trouble is, it makes landing back on rather.... risky. But it (they) would encourage spot landing accuracy."

Slim, Fortune favors the brave matey, good luck with tomorrow. The first rule of aeronautics - 'hurry up and wait!' Tomorrow morning looks good on the forecast if the wind is a little light - failing that Saturday doesn't look to bad AM.... The exhilaration of making it up and around by yourself will wash away the disappointment. It should take at least a week to get the grin off your face. "Hals und bein brukke!"

Slim, Jeez, sounds like you were enjoying yourself! Not much of a breeze then by the sound of it... I admire your tenacity and hope that today you will soar with the eagles though I have to say the forecast for today or tomorrow doesn't look that promising. Saturday morning may be a little better though (forecast). Still, I am far away at the moment and looking forward to my share of bruises and swallowed earth on the 10th. "Per ardua ad astra!"

Slim, Reading your notes helps me breath a little easier. I drove down the A303 to Heathrow on Monday evening during a glorious evening knowing that almost perfect flying conditions were here for a few days at least. I was so peed off I did consider going sick and grabbing my wing.... well, just for a moment or two. Like you (and probably every other newbie here) I have been kiting whenever possible. Your experiences certainly echo mine and probably everyone else's as well. I managed to glean the the following, experts - please step in to correct me if I am wrong here, your input is highly valued. 1/ The wing needs to be properly laid out as prescribed to give a clean launch. 2/ The wind needs to be at 90 degrees to the wing if you want to avoid crab like skitters to make it so after the canopy has left the ground. 3/ In light winds, setting the trimmers to the 'high lift' takeoff range must help. Perhaps those skilled in these things could comment? 4/ Sometimes the wind is either so light or 'flukey' that virtually anyone would have major problems getting the wing off the ground and keeping it over their head. Give up and try another day - admitting defeat in the face of impossible conditions is no defeat at all imho. I found Mike Kungs DVD 'Playground' which deals with ground handling to be really useful and informative. He is an acknowledged master of the art and makes it look easy. He demonstrates the fundamentals extremely clearly and makes this DVD a must for me. I have watched it through about ten times, almost as many veiwings as the 'Never Ending Thermal' which is inspirational. Good luck on the 'big day'.

Ah Simon, Local knowledge always beats three aces and nothin' beats a bod on the end of the phone. You talk about getting excited, I drove past Mere on my way to work this evening - the weather is spectacular and I am going to be missing it - £%$^£! See you on the 10th!

Hi Simon, Yea, they are not exactly co-located but Tavistock is about 8nm due west of Princetown and the nearest town that the website will throw out. The wind might be a little brisker up in the hills (hopefully) but the weather should be much the same. Getting excited yet? The light wind and the high pressure bodes well for the transit down there.... finnigers crossed.

Here is the long range forecast for Tavistock (just down the road from Princetown) from DanTheMan's excellent recommended met site.

~Invaluable! thanks Hairsy - More please!

Hi Dave, The weather puzzles us all doesn't it? I hope the bits below help. The met Office has developed well and become really useful over the last few years with just about any info you could possibly want. The ballooning forecast shows promise for analysis of relevant conditions. The animated synoptic with attached timings makes a lot of sense of what you see out of the window. Here is a link for Swindon. You need to register but it costs nothing to do so. Notes offered in good faith. Proper forecasting is a slow and painfully acquired skill (I don't have it), the weather is seldom typical and the big picture can sometimes be confusing. The way most of us play it is to study forecasts and the synoptic charts in order to understand what is on the way. Learning the basics of climatology (and I mean just the basics) does help the construction of the weather picture, and make a little more sense of things as the characteristics of air masses affect the nature of the weather actually being experienced. Eg: At the extreme, cold damp Arctic air vs damp but warm maritime flows from the southern Atlantic - the dry, icy blasts from Siberia etc. I find some of the most 'Mickey Mouse' bookson weather very useful as they pitch the explanations at the right level for my slow wits for things obscure. I once gave a Met briefing for a navex to a bunch of students and saw three of them conferring quietly at the back of the room; they bounced back with intelligent and challenging questions that I had to think really hard about. They weren't being awkward, - they were Met Officers learning to fly and were just working mentally at their level. I dragged them into the process and we all learned a lot that day. Watch the weather over time, make note of the timing of synoptics and the when you expect say, frontal passage through your area and the slow arial ballet of our weather systems start to make a little sense. Understanding something of the weather takes a lot of the anxiety and uncertainty out of cross country flying, knowing a little of what is over the horizon can give peace of mind and help enormously saving days wasted mooching around an airfield waiting forlornly for the weather to clear up. "You need to pick up the rhythm man."

Thanks Ian, Enjoy Delhi, drop me the note when you can and I'll make contact with your brother. I can't knock your strategy for survival having sat at the edge of redundancy myself with the charter carriers. Good luck with your course, whatever its on - you will enjoy the bounce in job satisfaction like us all. Glad to hear you are impressed with paramotoring, it does seem to be the answer to what I have been looking for for a while. A truly 'pocket rocket' with the emphasis on pocket and a superb camera platform. TTFN

How about Avatars? Y'know those small graphics where you can upload a picture to help form your identity and easily identify your posts on the forum.

Tony, I have got to know Gilo and the Parajet team quite well over the last couple of months and can heartily recommend them. Gilo is probably the most talented engineer/designer I have ever met and his build standards and product quality must be very hard to beat. I am sure that should you want to have a look around his facility and talk Parajets either he, Marcus or james would be pleased to show you around. I have no doubt that Simon has filled you in from his perspective. Parajet contact details. PS: Order your machine through Simon tho' eh?

If you fancy wandering around some stunning pictures and a very informative site try The Cloud Appreciation Society. Example ; This link will enable you to see examples of the different cloud types and formations that Simon mentions above. For skywatchers, and we all become that in the end, the graphics are an invaluable resource as well as being truly beautiful in their own right. Also, forgive me for directing you to my blog - I don't want to engage in shameless promotion (totally non commercial blog by the way) but this post talks a little about the Society and provides links elsewhere that might just amuse and amaze. The Morning Glory Lenticular wave clouds; Altostratus Lenticularis.

It is surprising how many of us are, I am keeping three people up to speed and the interest is palpable from others. Your bruvvers name? I may know him. Sounds like fun. I can appreciate an Airbus man's desire to stick with the product. We all love the skin we are in don't we? Personally I wouldn't want to miss the 787. It will a pleasant and simple type to operate if the 777 is anything to go by (they are going to dual rate it with the triple) and it has legs. It looks to be quite a jet and a big improvement on what's out there at the 'mo. EFB as standard, electric packs and state of the art ergonomics. Hmm. Flip the coin eh - aren't we lucky to have the choice? Yep' a Paramania Revolution (with an 'Independence' reserve), I have been kiting it for a while but still waiting to (this foul weather) hang underneath it as yet. I am a complete newbie as yet I'm afraid. The Parajet Macro will be my steed and it should be ready on the 8th August. I am really looking forward to leaping into the air! I look forward to a sherbet and a chat v23b. ATB

Thanks V23nb, Yea, 777 and stayin' clear of the -400 due to route seepage and mental degradation. Though it was the happiest seven years of my time with BA on the big lady. 4 is best! Happy days weren't they? From the photo albums, you are on the 340 - going to the 787? - what! only two engines... See you in the fullness of time. ATB, Norman

Thanks Tony, I'm gettin' that warm feeling already! Simon, (Of course you do!) Paramoteurs makin' progress then! Thanks for the welcome! See you soon I hope.

AAAhhhhhh! Stop it Simon! Uh! OK then - upload the pictures....