alan_k

There shouldn't be any reason to prevent you flying for 4 hours. Some engines have a time limit for climb at max revs, perhaps 5 minutes, but if you are just at cruising revs there shouldn't be any problem. I have looked at the Atom 80 manual and there isn't any such restriction in it. The usual pre and post flight inspections will cover everything. Vittorazi recommend checking the prop bolts tension before every flight.

My take on your questions: The wing will react more with the same pilot input, so small and gentle inputs are required when heavily loaded. It is likely to be more stable and will be more resistant to collapse, however you don't get this for free. If you do suffer a collapse it will be way more dynamic when heavily loaded. Yes. I can't comment on the Nucleon as I have never flown one. I would say yes, the 160kg range is intended for trike flying I think.

Your determination is magnificent Andy. I'm gobsmacked at your faceplant total and the fact you are keeping a running total. Didn't I see you put your kit up for sale recently? Presumably that has changed. It would be fantastic to see you fly at next years PMC. Good luck, as if you need it, you make your own by the sound of it.

10 minutes spare? Everyone should watch this video. Sun fun, cameraderie and skill, a great advert for paramotoring. Excellent cinematography Steve, cheers. Clive @ 5:38, lol.

My initial guess is that it will be way underpowered. Most ICE lawnmowers are about 4 or 5 horsepower, why would an electric one be designed to be any more if that is adequate for cutting grass?

Generally if you want to enjoy it about 10mph tops, with low gust figures on top. Though 5 gusting 10/12 is doable with a bit of rock and roll on takeoff. Others will go out in stronger winds but you will get bounced around.

A good question and topical for a large number of pilots I guess. This year has been dreadful for weather with all the repeated storms and displaced jet stream. I know pilots that have had 4-8 flights but I have had only one this year due to other factors, including a cataract operation, an aversion to flying in freezing conditions and a field that is too wet. I had 47 flights in 2021 and 33 in 2020. If you are working and that limits you to flying at the weekends for half the year that can limit opportunities a lot.

Firstly check for any air leaks in the whole fuel system.

Alan have you got a crystal ball for the weather, I think it's going to be needed even more this year. Also keen to know when..

It's always quiet on here when the weather is rubbish and there is no flying.

Hi Steve, well this is a laugh, I was wondering how these work as well when I bought a motor with them on. As I didn't understand it at the time I didn't realise that the blocks were actually fitted on the wrong side. I flew it for quite a number of flights before understanding dawned, then I swapped them to the correct side. It is actually quite simple how they work. Think of when you weight shift in the harness to instigate a turn, the centre of mass is moved to one side or the other and the wing is angled slightly in the horizontal plane, creating a turning moment. Although the offset distance of the blocks doesn't seem like much, they offset the centre of mass enough to counteract the torque turning moment.

I learnt with Andy Moon as well. I fly close to an airfield so always talk to them, extra safety all around. I have a frequency for hot air balloons, do they all use the same generally? Nice to share the champers!

The usual suspects..

You could try Parabatix.com or on facebook.

Double post. You'd think I knew how to use a computer by now..

Nobody wants others to crash, plus some of these look very old, but find me a video with a worse commentary. It is beyond dire!

Welcome to the skies Steve, an old timer here. Sounds like you have a had a really great introduction to the joys of paramotoring, keep up the blog as it's always interesting to read of others experiences. Sorry to hear of your fathers rapid demise but take it in good heart that something good has followed.

What a stunning flyin, so much thanks to Simon and crew for putting it on. 1. Excellent location (quite local to Geoff and myself for a change) 2. Excellent company, fab to see faces old and new. Plus the usual craic and aviation banter. 3. Excellent weather, flyable every day. 4. Absolutely stunning fireworks display on Saturday evening, even more thanks to Simon and Casey for helping out. We setup next to the tape so had a ringside view of events. A shot from Friday: Showing some lovely ladies and unfortunately one old fart. Having the location next to the river (I originally thought it was the Severn but realised it was the Avon) I had bought a cheap dingy the week before. A shot of it being launched: Just had a short time on the river, going around in circles for a little while. A narrow boat was coming the other way and Geoff and myself were wondering what side we should be on, turns out it is the same as for aviation, pass to the right. Geoff is not shy in coming forward so asked if we could have a tow,the answer was affermative so we had a tow back to the launch point. Lots of fun. After our first flight on Friday, the inevitable post flight beer, lovely: A new member to our midlands posse is Damian, now on around 10 flights since training some while ago. His enthusiasm is quite infectious and to be honest he is making it look quite easy under Geoff's excellent tutelage. Damian coming in to land: Talking of landing, I had a little cock-up coming in to land on Sunday morning. The though process was to come in low over the fence so I wouldn't have too much of a walk back across the field. I cut the motor before the fence then hit sinking air, then had a sh!t me moment when I realised I wouldn't make it over the fence, I yanked hard on the left brake and had an 'arrival' in the adjacent field. Good thing it was quite soft. (EDIT On reflection it wasn't sinking air, it was pilot error. I cut the engine when still on a little power and too soon, resulting in a more dynamic descent. Oops!) Fortunately nothing was damaged, many thanks to those that lined the fence to make sure I was OK, I was on the radio affirming the same before I took off the headset to let them know everything was OK. A take off from the same field got me airbourne again and blow me the floaty air second time around had me half way across the field on the proper landing. A great time was had by all, plus a lovely photo posted on Facebook which i will finish with: Probably my best side.

I'm always properly dressed, you're not refering to my dingy photo are you? Always have outlandish trousers on mate.

I say I am looking for an open field and I need landowners permission. Always face to face. Then go on to explain what is involved in PPG take-off and landing, adding that no damage is done to the surface and I have 3rd party insurance. When it comes to benefit for the farmer/landowner the offer of an occasional bottle of malt is usually most welcome.

Thanks for sharing.

Matt I use EasyVFR for my moving map and airspace awareness. It is a free app that you update the airspace data on monthly at no cost. If you have an old phone that has GPS you can run it even without a SIM card, so it is dedicated to PPG. The battery lasts longer that way as well. I do always carry my regular phone for communication in case I need it.

That sounds very limiting if you are completely surrounded by trees. Engines do fail and you don't want a tree landing. It sounds like you will need to travel to more open country to enjoy the sport.

Pictures or it didn't happen. You never mentioned the kilt..