stevec

I've got a couple of general aviation headsets that I bought about 15 years ago when I used to fly light aircraft. One of them is a Dave Clark HD10-20 which is very nice. It has a large (6mm?) jackplug. Does anyone know if these headsets can be adapted to be used for Paramotoring. I'm not at all clued up on the radio side of things. If not, I'll bung it on ebay and get a suitable pair. Thanks

I think I’m getting there slowly. Despite the common notion that we rarely have light winds in the UK, the biggest problem seems to be finding days with enough wind so that you can get some time with the thing above your head. I’ve done a couple of sessions with a dummy motor now and it’s like starting from scratch. It’s a low attachment point system like my pap, and when I first tried to pull the wing up in reverse, I could have sworn there was someone standing behind me stopping me moving back – the strangest feeling. It is of course the pressure of the wing felt through the harness rather than through the straps of my ground handling harness. A few forward launches with that thing on and I’m pooped! Also ran around the field with the motor on a few times looking like a noisy headless chicken. I’m trying to get as far as I can in the next few weeks as the nights are drawing in and I can only spare evenings and the odd day on the weekend.

Fanman. It is the 1400 I’ve got with 1250 prop I believe. What motor/wing have you got? I definitely wouldn’t use the wing for free flying. If it were the small, I would consider it, but if I ever felt like free flying I’d buy a dedicated wing. I did my PPL in Florida many years ago and learnt the FAA stuff and had to come back and relearn UK airlaw. I don’t fly PPLA any more – too costly and bureaucratic. I’ve still got the books somewhere but they would be 20 years old now! Is there a good reference for airlaw specific to ppg?

Thanks chaps I’ve only spent a couple of hours with Alex in Braintree – who was great. You must need a lot of patience straightening out a wing for a student once it has flipped over for the 50th time! Equipment choice was mainly my own, although Alex and a couple of others I spoke to mentioned the Top 80. I’ve done lots of research and can’t find much to fault it apart from the fact that some prefer direct as opposed to clutched units. The low hang points on the PAP are also a discussion point. The wing was a little controversial. Some reckon that it is not suitable for a beginner, but it seems very similar in features, performance and safety to the Revo, Synth and other “beginner” reflex wings. With trims on it seems the same as the basic Thrust, which is hailed as a good beginners wing. A couple of folk heartily recommend the HP for beginners, and say it is easy to ground handle! The field I practice in must have dirty air! Also, the couple of times I have been out I have been accosted by friendly mutts, wrapping themselves in lines and slavering over them. It’s only a matter of time before I have a tug-o-war with the fabric. I must find somewhere else. I’m 72kg, so I think the Top 80 is perfect. As for the wing, I would probably have gone for a small, as an estimated 115kg all up, I am towards the bottom end of the PPG weight range (100-165kg). My rational was firstly availability of 2nd hand kit (I know I shouldn’t let safety dictate), but also the fact that it is similar in size to a small Apco Thrust, so as well as a slight reflex profile, Apco must be loading the HP wings heavier to make them faster? Also, if they can also be used for free flying, then people would in any case be using them below the min PPG weight range. Open to debate possibly. Anyway. I have no intention of even letting trim out until I am happy flying it with them in, and same with speedbar. Thanks to all forum members for comments so far, what with that and digesting the “bible”, I’m beginning to get my head around it. Steve

Well in the last month or so since the seeds of PPG were planted I’ve done 2 hours training and gone and bought myself a Pap Top 80 and Apco Thrust HP Med wing. I’ve completely demoralized myself trying to ground handle it – how do the guys advertising wings get them planted above their heads without as much as a tug on brakes or risors? I wanted to fully familiarize myself with ground handling the wing before going back for training to save time and money – doesn’t seem to be working, and all my past experience on skydiving canopies counts for nothing. Mind you, ground handling them consisted of packing only except for the odd day when we were blown out at the airport and took them to the coast for some very short flights down to the beach. When putting the motor on my back for the 1st time I was stunned by the weight of it, and could not imagine landing with it, especially with my puny pins. Need to get to the gym I think. The motor has had only a few hours use and spent most of it’s time in garages. I drained the old fuel out and it starts 1st or 2nd pull. Needed some tinkering to get tick-over right but otherwise sounds great in the garden. Cat has left home though. I’m too scared to rev past 6k as it feels like it wants to come alive at that point. Just confidence I expect. Anyway, I guess I’ll have another session at ground handling before I get some instruction and hopefully get myself airborne in a few weeks?

I work at Martlesham Heath and I'm looking for some land to do some ground handling in the evenings after work (or further South on A14/A12), or maybe even sneak out lunchtimes for a drag . Anyone know of a suitable piece of land. Many thanks, Steve

Thanks for the info. How about the other end of the scale - an Apco Thrust HP medium (100 - 165kg) with me at 115Kg all in. So at the lower end of the weight range. I don't care about speed at the moment as long as it is safe. If this wing is flow as a PG wing only the weight is obviously much less, so it must be safe with me+motor+reserve etc??? Thanks, Steve

Any opinions whether a Revo 24 would be ok for a beginner weighing 70kg and using a Pap top 80 1400 with reserve? Total all up weight would be about 115kg, so in theory the 26 would be better but I can't get one in my price range. Any other wing suggestions welcome. Being an ex PPLA, I quite like the idea of a reflex. Thanks

Hi all. Just wondered if anyone could give me a little advice about getting started? I’m 51, and don’t have any previous paramotor experience. I do have a Private pilots licence but the last time I flew was over 10 years ago. I have also skydived (around 600 jumps), but again, my last jump was around 15 years ago. I’ve even run down the slopes of Rhosilli in Wales with a 7 cell canopy (wing) to do some impromptu paragliding. Having given up airsports and had the kids, I’m looking to get airborne again. I’m guessing that I will need to start virtually from scratch and so I’m looking for training and kit in Essex. I’m from Colchester. Ideally I’d love to get to the stage of buying kit (2nd hand probably) and flying by the end of the summer, so local training would be best as I have limited time that I can take off work mid-week. I'd also like to pop along to a site and have a look/chat, but don't mind travelling for this. Any advice appreciated. Steve