alan_k

well no Norman, got to make hay while the sun shines eh? Actually it's too windy today so I'll have to have a day on the ground Alan

of the paramotoring kind. They say this pastime is addictive and 'they' are right. It wasn't a particularly high or long flight but it was very very enjoyable. The day started with bright sunshine after a frost overnight. The world always seems a better place when the sun's shining, don't you think? We even had lunch outside in the bright sunshine, then following on from 'First Photo' I went up the field. I took my time with the preflight and layout as the wind was performing a little ballet and not deciding where it was coming from. I got all strapped in and noticed I had an audience of 3 people on the track at the side of the field. Oh no I thought, that is usually the kiss of death for a successful first launch but fortunately I gave a good showing of how it should be done. I even gave out a whoop as I flew over the audience but I don't know if they heard me or not. I noticed as I was gaining height that there was a bit of an inversion so I decided to climb above it. I climbed to 2440 feet and marvelled at the view. Check out this photo, the sky was crystal clear and I could see the two columns of steam rising from the two cooling towers of the nuclear power station 50 kms away. I did a broad circuit of the field and took a photo of Prissac down throught the inversion. If you look at the photo you can just make out the airstrip at about 8 o'clock half way out from the centre of the picture. The two runways intersect across the field with the hangar on the left hand side. I had a little pootle around the local area heading towards the village I live in and managed to take a picture of our house, The part to the left including the porch at the front is what we call home. I then headed on back to the field and had a great landing, they certainly are getting better, and more enjoyable strangely. I thought what a brilliant flight, I will post it on the PMC site when I get back. Sorry to those with unflyable conditions at the moment, but hope you get a little buzz from reading this. Cheers all, Alan

The village is called Les Places and is about a mile from home. I was on my way back to the airstrip yesterday afternoon. I am flying again today, hopefully, so I will try and get more shots around about. The sun's out at the moment so could be some good shots. Thanks for the encouragement. I have only just started taking a camera as Shirley has bought me an early birthday present, a compact one. The other camera I have is far too big and heavy. Alan

This is my first aerial photo. Slightly misty but you've got to start somewhere. I look forward to taking much better ones when it's warm and sunny http://paramotorclub.org/forum/album_th ... pic_id=689 Cheers all, Alan

I just love your avatar pete b. It really sums up the feeling sometimes when the computer thinks it's cleverer than you, and insists on doing it's own thing! Alan

Flyalot, I have a Fresh Breeze and am extremely happy with it. It has a solo 210 motor and is well made and quiet in comparison to others. I am also about 80kg and have plenty of thrust. Fresh Breeze do a Solo Eco model for 2952 Euros. Check out their web site for info. Just my two pennorth, Alan

Congratulations Frazer, welcome to the lighter than air club. Any chance of a report? Fly for fun, Alan

Thanks for the replies chaps, I was just wondering if the simonini would be noisier on the air intake because it is a higher reving engine. I can only relate to the solo as that's what I have on my Fresh Breeze, with a muffler fitted. Fly for fun, Alan

I noticed on T_andrews shot of his simonini that he hadn't got a muffler on the air intake. Wouldn't it make the motor quieter if a muffler was fitted? Fly for fun, Alan

WOW - stunning photographs. I wonder what resolution he shoots at? Fly for fun, Alan

Full democracy probably not, but a considered prognosis hopefully so, as we don't yet know the facts. Ian, just curious, where do you get 20 years for this sport from? I thought paramotoring was de-regulated in 1996, was there that much activity before then? Fly for fun, Alan

ArcusFlyer, I am resident in the middle of France and fly whenever the wind is low. This tends to be when the periods of high pressure come over. For example I have flown on 13th, 19th, 29th of November, 8th, 12th, 21st, 30th of December, and the 5th and 11th of this month. Check out http://www.meteociel.com/getprevi.php?code=12828 for the forcast where I am, or enter in a village near to where you are interested in. Hope this helps. You would be very welcome to fly from the local ULM field that I use. Every pilot I have met over here is very friendly. Cheers, Alan

With apologies to those who have seen these before. A bit of light relief for those not flying due to weather, work, wife or whatever........... Gripe sheets filled out by Quantas pilots, P=the problem logged by the pilot, S=the solution and action taken by the mechanics. P: Left inside main tyre almost needs replacement. S: Almost replaced left inside main tyre. P: Test flight OK, exept auto-land very rough. S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft. P: Something loose in cockpit. S: Something tightened in cockpit. P: Dead bugs on windshield. S: Live bugs on back order. P: Autopilot in altitude hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent. S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground. P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear. S: Evidence removed. P: DME volume unbelievably loud. S: DME volume set to more believable level. P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick. S: That's what they're there for. P: IFF inoperative. (my favourite) S: IFF always inoperative in O-F-F mode. P: Suspected crack in windshield. S: Suspect you're right. P: Number 3 engine missing. (my 2nd favourite) S: Engine found on right wing after brief search. P: Aircraft handles funny. S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious. P: Target radar hums. S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics. P: Mouse in cockpit. S: Cat installed. P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer. S: Took away hammer from midget. Fly for fun, Alan

Thanks Simon, I am further south in central France. If you do get more details that would be good, but don't put yourself out as I'm sure you are very busy. Cheers. Alan

Simon, have a great trip. What route are you travelling in France? It would be great to see the expedition go past or even to be able to say hello. The A20 is the nearest motorway to me, off junction 18. Alan

Jock, I have a Fresh Breeze with a solo 210 and Bing carb. The needle and jet size is also dependant on the air intake muffler that is fitted. When I changed my old horizontally mounted muffler (worn out) with the new vertically mounted one I was advised to change from the original needle and 155 jet to a 160 jet and 6L1 needle, which I did. The clip is on the top position of the needle. I have the high power exhaust but can't say what difference a standard one would make or need to the carb setting as I have never tried it. Alan

Brilliant video. Lots of action, just what we want. Well done Kev. Fly for fun, Alan

Unbelievable, almost. I'd rather have a controllable wing anyday thanks. Way too dangerous for me. Alan

Dan wrote I couldn't agree more Dan, anyway how can PilotsPPGclubUK say no experience when, for example, we have Gordon Dunn on the forum? FFF (Fly for fun) Alan

Hi all, I found this interesting as an alternative technique: http://www.sydneyparagliding.com/articl ... rse_Launch I have not tried it yet but certainly intend to. Anybody else use this technique? Safe flying, Alan

I like your answer Pete b but it might get a bit overloaded in this household if it were true. Well done t_andrews you are correct. As I said earlier I know it should be a clear lens but I only have an orange one. It started out as a very old photographic flash gun, bought at a boot sale for 5 Euro. It is now a self contained strobe with rechargeable batteries, 12 flashes per min, duration about 2 hours. Anybody got any more query items?

A clue is that the top cover should really be clear but I had only got an orange one. If anyone can get the image to show please do, it wouldn't work for me.

Following on from 'What is it and how did it happen', what is this and what was it originally? To collect your beer you'll have to come to France, but that's probably not a bad thing anyway. Alan

Hi Simon, Great statistics, I am proud to be a member also. I feel a little detached because of the physical separation but the cameraderie of the members more than makes up for it. It is great to feel the connection with the trepidation for the newbies, of exhilaration for experienced pilots and of the sheer enjoyment that paramotoring brings everyone. When I first started training I always felt a little nervous but I thought to myself if others can do this why not me? Now I have done 38 flights I have the confidence to enjoy every moment of the flying experience. It is brilliant to be part of a relatively small band of intrepid aviators when a lot of people think you're mad or foolhardy. If only the exitement and enjoyment could be adequately described with mere words then maybe more would take up the sport. Unfortunately there will always be those who see the whole exercise as too dangerous for them to contemplate. It is true that fellow aviators share that special bond and kinship. Well done Simon for training another 40 last year, keep it up. Safe flying, Alan

Cheers Frazer and Dave, Congratulations Dave on your 2nd flight. I had a 33 min flight yesterday, very good, cracking landing, but pretty cold. I am looking forward to the warmer weather in spring 2009 even more now that I can fly , no doubt you are as well. Happy new year all, Alan