gavrob

Thanks Tom.. Have had a look at a couple of reviews & that certainly is worth considering. The price is good too! More ideas & thoughts welcome.... Cheers, Gavin.

Simon & Morgy... thanks for the responses & ideas so far. I've ammended the thread title to 'Altimeter / Vario' as that better reflects what I'm looking for! I agree that I need to keep it simple - the less buttons the better for me in this game (I have enough buttons in the day job!!) All I really need is something to tell me how high I am & also an 'up / down' indicator (which I appreciate the altimeter will do - over a slightly longer period) I still think the new Colibri II might be a good little box of tricks (only 1 button!) & can be set to show Altitude & VSI functions before launch... It also has the simple gps facility which could be set with the launch site & used as a 'get me home' facility... should the need arise! Seems a good price at present :approx £200 (due to increase significantly once it receives certification). Morgy, I take on board your comments re getting something simple & easy to use (which is what I need ). How do you think the ones you mention compare to the Colibri? Another question... re the sonic varios... Can you hear them over the engine noise & is it not a bit annoying having something bleeping or whining at you all the time? Surely we come paramotoring to get away from that

Thanks Simon. Also just stumbled upon the 'Colibri II' which looks like an interesting bit of kit - at a good price... - fairly new to the market. Seems to pack loads into a small box & could be ideal for the paramotor pilot who just desires a few basic bits of info... GPS, vario, altitude, plus... Basic navigation functions: North indicator Distance to and bearing to selected TP Ground speed Track being achieved Wind calculation from Wings and Wheels

I'm considering purchasing a simple vario. I'm looking for something that will basically tell me my altitude & show me if I'm climbing or descending (vsi)... I keep coming back to the Ascent wrist vario. Review here More details here Best price seems to be from here Does any one use one of these & would you recommend purchasing one? Any other suggestions?? Many thanks, Gavin.

Yes... !!

A picture ... more to follow later!

Excellent video Simon! How did I miss that police car... I saw the others!! I'll try to get the photos to you soon. Cheers, Gav.

For those going on the Spain holiday...(& others!), the following may be of use if you have not yet arranged insurance cover. Following a suggestion from 'Aquatix' (thanks!) on this thread, I have been looking into the question of insurance. Most policies only seem to recognise 'paragliding'. If you would like 'paramotoring' to be specifically mentioned on your policy documentation, it may be worth considering the following :- Call 'holidayinsuranceweb' on 0800 068 0060 .... option 2 'Holidaywebinsurance' are a part of 'Columbus Direct Insurance'. This number puts you through to their customer service department (there is an 0870 number if you want to pay...!) Ask to speak to Garth. He will complete the process in about 5-10 minutes over the phone and prepare documentation with specific cover for 'paramotoring' & email the policy to you. I have opted for the 'Gold single trip' level of cover... cost £16.09 for 8 days. Details here I think that this should provide a good level of cover if taken along with a 'Joint Aviation Services' policy. For the 'JAS' policy, the details are HERE Call them and speak to Sonia. She will email you the proposal form which you need to complete and email or fax back to them. Regards, Gavin.

Simon, Have just placed my order via ebay! Look forward to receiving it. Regards, Gavin.

There is a panel to the right of the pictures that gives these details :- Camera make: GoPro Camera model: YHDC5170 hth. Great pics!

Jock, Many thanks for the reply, explaination, and the link - looks like a very useful site. Regards, Gavin.

Jock, You say... ALWAYS CHECK RASP Could you elaborate? Many thanks, Gavin.

Morgy, I stand to be corrected but I think the 250.000 charts only show airspace upto 5000' inorder to avoid clutter ... ie. they are 'low level' maps. The 500,000 chart that I have is Edition 32 (2006) & so is well out of date. It shows Class A airspace at FL75 just North of you, FL105+ to the SW of you and at FL125+ to the south. (this may well have changed...) I can't stress enough the importance of obtaining an up to date chart and checking yourself. Best to avoid any possibility of endangering yourself & others who may be going a little faster. There is very busy airspace above you, as I sense you realise! Hope the above is of some help - no doubt someone will be along with info from the latest chart. There certainly seems to be an area to the SW of you where you could go fairly high but it would be a case of ensuring you did not drift into the surrounding lower controlled airspace & receiving the fright of your life... ! Regards, Gavin.

Simon, Many thanks to you, Pete, Colin and all the guys at Membury. A fantastic day! What fun... the ground handling training is awesome and extremely rewarding as you develop a new skill but nothing tops that 'first flight'. The briefings were great, as was the support from all around. I've been flying for 25 years and the flight today will be remembered in the top dozen.. It's not often that you get to do something as exciting as this for the first time Thanks again... I see a long journey ahead and lots more learning! Regards to all, Gavin.

Stu, Fantastic pictures of an area I adore... The caravan & camping site shown in your second set of photos ( Oban Caravan Park ), belongs to my sister! Did you stay there? Regards, Gavin.