alan_k

My Brother in law is visiting so I dragged him with me up to the field to act as camera man. Here is my preparation and flight in all its technicolour glory. Warming the motor up: And this smile was BEFORE I had flown, never mind the feeling after: This was all strapped in: A full power check before take off: Then run run run and lift off: One of the many pictures actually flying: One of the low passes over the field: A lovely picture of me with the sun setting: Coming in on the landing approach: Back on the ground: A very enjoyable evening flight with photographic evidence of the guilty party Safe flying, Alan

Hi All, It's been 17 days between my last two flights (I flew yesterday evening) but it seemed like FOREVER. Does anyone else get this feeling Also I felt totally out of condition so it took two attempts to get off the ground It's so good to be 'back in the saddle' so to speak. Just wishing the misty mornings and blowy days would GO AWAY. I've calmed down now, cheers all, Alan

Love the terminology Phil. Alan

Hi Jeff, This article is a little technical but is very informative: http://www.aerocorsair.com/id95.htm Cheers, Alan

Lovely pictures Dan, looks a great place to fly, Cheers, Alan

Nice one Mike, but why put 13 litres in Safe flying, Alan

Brilliant Snowman, looked like a smooth flight. It's great this sport isn't it Cheers, Alan

We need amusing viewpoints like Gallars when such issues are thought about, more power to his pen/keyboard. Alan

I'm fighting back the tears Colin. Really bad luck, hope you find a new motor soon. Cheers, Alan

Very good report Ken, you conveyed the enthusiasm and cameraderie very well I thought. It was enjoyable to make the trip to meet up with you and the others. It's great to read you have a lot more confidence now, it really makes for enjoyable flights. I had a brilliant one yesterday knowing the kit is in good order, in no small part due to Piers giving it the once over. Cheers, Alan

What a day to start a club ehh All fools day Having met you I know you're no fool Simon, let me thank you on behalf of all the members for making this a great forum. Thanks to everybody for all their input also Cheers, Alan

Brilliant stuff, I have enjoyed the reports Whitters Sounds like an excellent approach with Dave to let him rest before the big one. Pity the wind was just too lively, next time Dave Best of luck both, Alan

Well done on the AFI Pete. I like your get up and go attitude, good luck with the 'fodder'. Cheers, Alan

Not paramotoring but flying nonetheless: I wish my wing was as efficient as this one. Alan

Again, nice one Neil, sounds like you're well and truly hooked . Paul Haxby sounds like a No.1 bloke, I was hoping to meet him when I came over on Sunday. Please give him my regards and ask him if Amelia enjoys her tandem flights, from the picture I've seen it sure looks like it. All the best, Alan

I think that's a good choice Malcs. I like Lumix kit, I bought the DMC-FZ10 some time ago, it's the full size camera with 12x zoom. Having the large Leica lens on gives superb quality zoom shots, even when set to only 2M resolution. I recently bought the DCM-FS3 compact to use whilst flying and all my posted pictures have been with this camera. The zoom shots don't match the FZ10 quality because the lens is smaller but even so I think it is a cracking camera. The Aerial setting doesn't offer anything other than a prompt on turnon 'Turn off the camera on takeoff and landing. Follow the instruction of the cabin attendant'. There are plenty of other modes to choose from though You can probably find a manual on the Panasonic web site to peruse before you actually buy it. I downloaded an English version for mine as of course it came with a French one Have fun, Alan

Good one Neil, I've read your blog, keep at it the improvements will come thick and fast Alan

Malcs thank goodness you are OK. It does look a far too crowded view from take off. I always say a good pilot knows when NOT to fly as well as how to. I'm glad you've learnt the lesson without any damage. Much better to feel a sense of dissapointment but go on to an extended flying experience for a lot more years. Cheers, Alan

Glad you liked the beer chaps. Got to restock for myself today. Safe flying, Alan

After leaving Airvault too soon to get a flight in when the wind dropped early in the evening, I had a good flight this morning. I knew the wind was going to be low so had kept all the kit in the car overnight. I went to the local field and had got all set up for a northerly take off when the little wind there was decided to change direction to easterly. Par for the course when there is little wind and it's not the crack of dawn. Did a successful forward launch and climbed into the inversion layer, seemed to be quite a deep layer and quite cool at over 2000 feet. I was glad I had my flying suit and warmest gloves on. I headed out towards a village called Belabre, I had flown this way before but not around the village itself. I took a shot from overhead: On reaching the other side I took this photo showing the river running through the village: I continued flying over a couple of landmarks that I have now come to know and by the time I was returning to the field it was about 11:15 and I was feeling the thermals starting to rise off the terrain below. A bit of a bumpy descent then back home for a nice cup of coffee. It's great when an anticipated flight comes together. Cheers, Alan

So Norman, nick my photo would you? No seriously it was good to see the course in action and I was only too happy to provide some pictoral record. I have sent you a PM. Alan

Had a very enjoyable day visiting the strip at Airvaut to put some faces to the names. Here are a few pictures of the dayhttp://s601.photobucket.com/albums/tt97/Paramotorpilot/Airvault/ A pleasure and a priviledge to meet you all, the very best of luck for the coming week. Cheers Alan

Nice one Whitters. It's sharpening you all up nicely eh? See you Sunday, Alan

Good one Malcs, a nice report. I also get the feeling you described (very well I thought) but put it to the back of my mind now and enjoy the flying. I think my only slight concern is if the motor stops and I'm stranded but it hasn't happened...yet. I have now done 51 flights and have nailed the landings, even enjoy them. I also didn't start to get good landings until after my first 10 flights. I found that loosening the seat straps so the seat is lowered (might be different on yours, just push your legs out of the seat as much as possible) and getting ready for the running position helped tremendously. Hope this helps, Cheers, Alan

With all the activity reported at the flag pole over the weekend I felt something was definately missing from my weekend. Wind, wind, wind, lots of wind......oh bu**er Well I got one in yesterday evening, short but sweeeet Got up to the local field, the wind was still quite strong but the direction was good. I did all the usual preflight, flying suit on then a little waiting until the breeze was in my comfort zone for a forward launch. I had got into a slight habit of relying too much on the motor to assist with inflation so I now put more physical effort into the inflation with consistent good results. I was off the ground in my shortest run ever then as I climbed I found the air was quite bumpy at a few hundred feet, but enjoyable to be feeling what the wing was doing. I got to 1000 feet and realised that on this flight I certainly wasn't going to actually go anywhere, but what the hell it's still flying My wing is a slow one. As I sat there in mid air I studied the fields below and mentally traced the walk I had done last week through some of them. I had thought at the time that some of these fields would be very good take off sites. I then turned to get the T/O field back into sight, went downwind a short way, turned again and then found I was sat there flying sideways at a very slow rate. I had not experienced this before but rather enjoyed just drifting slowly and studying the local fields. Almost hovering I thought. I did another circuit, lots of small S turns (more enjoyment) to get down then a great landing in the middle of the field. A short walk back to the car and Michel was waving from the gate so had a quick chat about the flight. Another one for the log and a return of the tigger jig feeling, whoopee Wishing everyone more good flights, Alan