alan_k

Bad luck Phil, but a salutary lesson learnt, hopefully for a few folks reading this. Thanks for posting. Alan

Thanks for that Dave, there are days when it's flyable over there and it's poo over here, then I'm the one wishing for better conditions Cheers, Alan

He is in the program, searching for basking sharks I think. Cheers, Alan

The morning visit to the field found the ground still wet from the dew and where the forcast got 5km/h wind from I don't know. It was bouncing around a bit so rather than return home straight away I did a bit of ground handling. Returning to the field at 1700 found a much better prospect so up up and away it was, on my 50th flight. I headed out East towards the motorway. On the way I overflew St Civran: The village has a moated chateau, as I've mentioned in a previous post, but this time I had the camera: After a very enjoyable flight I had the field in sight and took this shot looking ahead: Another good day. Safe flying, Alan

(Tried to post this yesterday but couldn't get a line.) Well I was waiting for a good day and today was the day ......and it's my birthday. I had my longest flight, at 1 hour and 13 minutes, absolutely brilliant. I have taken more pictures on this flight as well, a bit of camera shake when on zoom on some of them, but I will try harder. I have reduced the size of the pictures so they display better. I flew the local area but a bit further, firstly there was Le Chatelier, a chateau that is not easily seen from the road: Just along from there was a long weir in the river: Then I flew a little further and took a shot of a very pretty village called Belabre: On my way back I photographed another local chateau called Chateau de la Garde: I was really enjoying the flight and took a typical shot of the general scenery, boots included for effect: Lastly when I was flying over the air strip I took this one, it's the ULM Prissac field: When I came in to land my friend Michel was waiting to say hello, he is a fellow paramotor pilot who has just taken early retirement from the Gendarme, very nice to have a welcome on return to the field! When I got back home I had my favourite beer waiting, courtesy of my wife Shirley, a lovely glass of Jenlain. I will be bringing a little taster for you lucky folks who are coming over to Airvault shortly. A lovely day, a fabulous flight, it doesn't get any better than this, I am a lucky sod. Cheers all, Alan

Well done Woody, I did think that was a superb shot capturing some of the great feeling of freedom within a fantastic sky. Alan

Hi Leadweight, Welcome to the forum. So you're about 93kgs, the F3 is usually specified for a max pilot weight of 90kgs. I don't think you will have a problem particularly if there is some wind to help with lift. Any beginner wing with a rating of about 130kg all up should get you off the ground. Good technique makes it a lot easier but that only comes with more flights unfortunately. Good luck with your search, Alan

Yes I saw it Dave, I'm looking forward to see what it has to show. Alan

I think it helps if you try to speed read it. Understood all of it, superb. Alan

Neil, brilliant to see such enthusiasm. I am also from the West Midlands originally. I am hoping to meet up with you guys on the 22nd to say hello, as it's only about 90 miles away from me. Safe flying/training, Alan

Great video Dave, well done on finding that one. Alan

I like the spidey sense, to get some do you have to grow more legs That might help with the landings as well. Alan

Fabulous pictures Dan, it's my turn to be jealous of you guys that are getting some flying in. You are in the middle of the high pressure whilst I am not, not quite settled enough. Alan

Hi Coggie, Firstly apologies for any inexactitudes in my posting. I do not have any info on near misses or reports, sorry. There are over 600 listed ULM (microlight) bases in France so I don't think the French air force avoid known flying fields, as there are so many. During weekdays the ULM activity is going to be pretty low anyway. The French organisation for microlighting is the FFPLUM. I am sure they could advise if knowledge of activity could be passed to the right quarter. Their number is 0033 149 81 74 43. I don't speak good french otherwise I would make enquires myself. France is split into four 1/2 million charts, I have the South West (Sud-Ouest) and Airvault is on the very top edge. There is a restricted zone above Airvault, reference R149B, from 800 feet ASFC to 1500 feet ASFC. The site I use for NOTAMs is http://www.sia.aviation-civile.gouv.fr/ ... aip_uk.htm and this shows ZONE R149B BERRY 0900-1100: NON ACTIVE for today. What you are supposed to think for the rest of the day I don't know Maybe this is the only time that was considered for today as possibly active. I live 35 kms outside of any marked restricted zone, the nearest being zero to 1500 feet ASFC, but jets do come over this way sometimes as mentioned previously. The best advice is probably going to be from anyone local to Airvault as to the frequency of occurence, and whether jets stay within 800 to 1500 feet. Sorry I can't be more precise, Alan

Just a point to keep in the back of ones mind. The French air force consider the whole of France to be their playground. From experience they tend to fly at 200-400 feet. Various sources give the following advice: Please note that most high-speed, low-altitude, military flights are carried out below 1500 feet (above surface) during daylight hours, Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays). As these flights are not confined to notified danger and restricted areas, VFR pilots are advised to cruise above 1500' ASFC. Note the 'not confined to...' Safe flying, Alan

Great little video Gordon, good to see you in all your kit. More please. Alan

'Trust, compromise and understanding make for a good marriage foundation. ' So that's what makes your eyes wobble in their sockets Pete That is you in the top corner isn't it Seriously it is great to hear of others that have a wonderful relationship. Mind you I don't know what I'd do if SWMBO said I couldn't go flying Alan

Hi Snowman, Some good questions, it's apparent that you are giving considered thought to your choice of kit. From a convenience point of view the way the cage breaks down for transporting is worth some consideration. My choice of car, a Berlingo, was partially based on whether or not the paramotor would fit in easily. The original cage of my Fresh Breeze did not have a big foot area so the paramotor would fit into the Berlingo in one piece when tilted over about 30 degrees. The small foot area was a pain on uneven ground though to prevent the motor falling over. This was on old 2 part design of cage and when I broke it (my fault - poor technique and judgement, better now) I opted for the newer 4 part design. The 4 part is both stronger and more convenient as I can keep the bottom half assembled with the motor on. It now fits in the Berlingo standing upright and behind the rear seats. The extra weight of the 4 part (a few kgs) isn't noticable now my technique is good. The dry weight is 30kgs. I have seen on another post that a compact Parajet fits in the back of a Kangoo without disassembly. Regarding fingers and hands hitting the prop good training and common sense will prevent this. Starting the motor having checked the throttle previously for free play and minimum setting, with a good grip on the frame (manual start), is all part of preflight checks. I can only comment on flying with high hang points, but the flexible connection with J bars of the Fresh Breeze setup does allow some weight shift steering. The high hang points also prevent any possibility of brake handles coming into contact with the prop. From an 'arsewards bump' scenario you should always try to use the provided landing gear Most netting will only prevent large objects from contacting the prop so it is essential that all items carried have a safety line secured to your suit or harness. A large cage with correspondingly large prop is also a little quieter that a smaller cage and prop, as the lager prop will be rotating more slowly. Hope this helps a liitle, good luck with the search. Alan

Great vid, pity about the cheesy grins though What had you got the camera mounted on or was it all hand held? Safe flying, Alan

Cracking joke, it's made the missus and me laugh out loud. Cheers, Alan

Brilliant thinking Gordon, making use of the tools available. Safe flying, Alan

Try this link Norman, http://www.meteociel.com/getprevi.php?code=29290 I always use this site for my forcasting, cheers, Alan

This one's called 'Wind Waiting' Thanks Dan, I was doing things in the wrong order. Alan

Good news Jock, has your motor got the power (expansion) exhaust or not Hope you get a flight soon, Alan

Cracking pictures and well done on catching the weather window Alan