alan_k

Hi Simon, I've just watched the 2nd half of Ray Mears Walkabout which covered the exploits of John McDouall Stuart who succeeded in crossing the Australian continent, on horse back. Maybe you could watch it on the BBC iPlayer, there may be some useful facts to learn for the tip to tip. Cheers, Alan

They are all taking the p**s. Thankfully I am paying very little tax in the UK. Alan

Well I've got the leather trousers but no leather cap Alan

Oh yeah More macho really I think. Alan

Brilliant pics Gordon. You are a great ambassador for PPG with your enthusiasm coming through your postings. Just thinking your 273hrs postscript is probably a bit out of date now Cheers, Alan - in comparison a paltry 28hrs now

Hard luck Dan having your exitement dashed. I got permission from a farmer to use a field about a mile away, flew from it twice then the farmer asked me to stop using it because his sheep in the next field didn't like it. Oh well. Alan

Where did you find your brain then Pete

Keep what quiet Don't know anything here in France Cheers Norm, Alan

The way this thread has developed has brought back memories for me of riding a moped when I was quite young. I wasn't into motorbikes so the term fizzy is new to me. Where does it originate? Cheers, Alan

Thanks for the opinion Norman, my motor is actually a Fresh Breeze Airboss. Having looked at other motors there does seem to be more movement in the motor mounts compared to others, when the cage is 'lent on'. Does the monster have stiffer mounts Alan

Lovely conditions last night so up up and away. Flew about 14 kms with an eye on the clock so I could work out my flying speed. Outbound worked out at 40 km/h and inbound 36km/h on speed bar, I really though my wing was slower than that. One of the villages I flew past: A line of pylons stretching into the distance: One of the 1000 lakes that are in the Brenne National Park: By this time the sky was a lovely deep colour but my wing got in the way of the view up: I thought I'd take a shot of the sunset before landing but I had to focus on the ground detail before it would show correct focus: I then shot the sunset: I went back up the field this morning but unfortunately slipped on the wet grass trying to control the inflation and took the tips off the prop again Oh well I'm getting good at fixing it now Happy flying all, Alan

Seconded Phil, very well put. Alan

Have just received my copy of Microlight Flying and found this reference to a YouTube clip. It demonstrates the power of the wake coming off a wingtip rather well: Cheers, Alan

Hi Justin, I fly a Fresh Breeze with high hang points and a normal paraglider with standard risers. I don't find it a problem on take off but it is a full stretch to grab the handles when they are parked. My shoulders ached slightly after some of my earlier flights but I think that was because I just wasn't used to having my arms in the normal flying position. Cheers, Alan

Hi Dave, You can find a few home designs if you search hard enough, here's one I found some time ago: http://www.aerocorsair.com/id51_m.htm I have another one in mind but can't recall where I've seen it. Will post when I can remember. Cheers, Alan

Wow, I have to say the same to you. I had not come across modulated tesla coils before. Alan

Sounds brilliant, how was the Bailey Alan

Years ago I bought a pair of battered electrostatic speakers from a friend of my fathers. After lovingly restoring them to their former glory I have enjoyed fantastic sound reproduction. I had some custom stands made to raise them off the floor, higher than the original wooden legs. I have read that raising then even further off the floor gives an improvement to the sound. Now that the ceiling height has been increased I have suspended them from the ceiling beams and the sound is sublime. Whereas before there has always been a compromise of distance from the wall, partial obscuring by airmchairs or other furniture, now they are completely in the clear the sound is just amazing. Lifelike doesn't begin to describe it. Given that the feeling of flying a paramotor is 'being grabbed by the gonads, I'm really alive' type feeling then listening to quality music grabs you by the soul and transcends all usual woes. Last night we listened to The Beatles Sgt Pepper, the Stones 40 Licks, Willie Nelson Countryman and Mark Knopflers guitar among others and it was superb. I think the feeling was a very close 2nd to the envolvement of paramotoring. If you have the space, good equipment and see some electrostatics for sale at a good price then grab them, a pair went for £425 on ebay late last year. Alan

Looks like a great machine. Are those conra rotating props Alan

Hi Pete, Is this guy nuts 45kmh wind and no helmet He certainly was determined. Had to watch it twice to quite take it in. Edit: Having posted at the same time as Gordon and Dave it seems we are all in agreement. Alan

Fantastic photos Dan, the quality of light really gives them some punch. Cheers, Alan

Thanks Dan, yes it was too warm for the usual flying suit and as you may have guessed I'm not too bothered what I look like to fly Cheers, Alan

Hi folks, The jacket is a cyclists jacket by Karrimor, charity shop jobbie for not a lot. The military looking pouch is my radio pouch, Shirley knocked it up for me out of some canvas type material, it has velcro straps to attach to the harness webbing. You can just see the helical antenna behind my right arm. Cheers, Alan

Trousers - you haven't seen my bright yellow ones have you Cheers, A totally fashion unconscious Alan

Thanks Simon, I did realise I had applied rather a lot of brake and made a mental note not to do it again. The picture rather confirmed it to me. I was half expecting to draw some comment but many thanks for your input though. Snowman, thanks for the comment, you'll be there soon. Not too much brake though Cheers all, Alan