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Yeah, hows it going Mike??? Saw you at the field a couple of times a while back but haven't heard anything from you for a while. Any closer to getting into the sport? Best regards, Ian.

Hi Simon I am lacking a naff gold star and am a paid up full member, number 011. Cheers, Ian.

Hello and welcome! I mostly fly near Maidstone, on the Isle of Sheppey or down on the Romney Marsh and you are very welcome to come along to see what it's all about. I have a few back copies of Paramotormag which I can share with you too. I would strongly recommend driving up to this weekends fly-in. That way you will get to put a lot of faces to names and see all sorts of wings, motors and other gear. I won't be there though as I'm off to Portugal on Saturday for a week! Best regards, Ian.

If they had a motor and wing attachment which could be mounted onto the back of a Hummer to make it fly, now that would be the ultimate "skycar"!!! That's what I hoped was going to happen in the video! Ian.

In truth I didn't need to be that eagle eyed. He had pulled a biker over down a country lane and was lit up like a christmas tree!! He would be a lot harder to recognise without the lights flashing though. Worse than not slowing the traffic down as a fully day-glowed cop bike undoubtedly would, there have been reports of the unmarked bikes goading other bikers into riding faster! Completely counter to the official mission statement from the police of improving road safety. Apparentley they also use a Honda Fireblade. Sounds like toys for the boys, they'll be getting paramotors soon like the Americans! Lets hope they do, then they will be sitting waiting for the wind to calm down like us!!! Ian.

Just a quick word of warning to anyone coming to or through Kent. I saw a very un-marked police bike today. A standard looking Suzuki GSXR1000 with a blue tank cover, flashing lights hidden in the front of the mirrors and on the side of the rear light pod! The copper was dressed like a normal biker too in 2 piece black leathers with a GSXR fleece over the top. Sneaky ba***rds! Ian.

Never clever to fly above or below hot air balloons. They can climb like rockets or drop like stones in the blink of an eye!!! That's without any danger from the thermal activity around them. Just my 2 cents worth. Hope the guy gets better soon. Best regards, Ian.

Happy Flying!!!

The north/south devide is obviously still safely in place....... I just wish they would police it properly!!! Ian.

I'll be quick as your post is taking shape nicely and I don't want to hijack it! I always wear a helmet whenever I'm going to get into the paramotor or ground handling harness. Just impractical to list all of the additional gear or it would be a long, boring list! Good luck, hope the post and regional chat continues to build!!! Best regards, Ian.

That looks interesting. Have you tried them? Cheers, Ian.

Just a quick hello from a southern namby pamby who has had 9 flights so far this month thanks to our glorious weather dan saaf!!! As Spock might say - There is life above Birmingham Jim, but not as we know it! Best regards, Ian.

I love this forum. Ask and you will receive! Thanks guys!!!

Thanks Pete. Concise and to the point as hoped! I looked at the PilotsPPGclubUK forum but it gave me a headache trying to work out what order the posts should be read! Is there a trick that I'm missing? So that I have a better understanding of what I'm embarking on, what do you mean by a lot of head work? Cheers, Ian.

Hello All. I have been inspired by the phenomenal success of Michel Carnet and Co at the Paramotor World Championship. It strikes me that competitions could be fun, will undoubtedly improve my flying skills (although I understand this could also be seen as increasing the danger by pushing my limits) and is a great way to meet more paramotorists who I have found with very rare exception to be amazingly nice people. The thought of one day being "World Champion" also has a certain attraction to it!!! The closest that I have come to a competition is visiting the UK Nationals last year purely socially to put faces to names and to see what it was about, with my paramotor gear safely back at home! I have so far clocked up 25 paramotor hours over 44 flights since starting in spring 2008 so am still relatively new to the game, but am looking for advice on the best way into the competition scene. So my questions include - 1) What is the best way into competition? 2) How many comps are there which are accessible and relatively local (UK)? 3) Who are the best people to talk with and best places to go for advice? 4) What are your general thoughts on the competition scene? 5) Is this a foolish notion at my stage of learning? I look forward to your views! Best regards, Ian.

I'm properly gutted! This is going to be one amazing trip. I was the first to put my name on the list but if the date is set as the 1st April then it is with serious regret that I will have to be the first drop-out. It's my wifes 30th birthday on the 4th April next year and I promised her that we would meet her parents at their Florida house to celebrate. Please accept my apologies. Best regards, Ian.

I always use ear plugs. Had some custom moulded for me by these people - http://www.sensorcom.com/ Couldn't get on with earplugs before but these are so comfy I forget that I am wearing them. I actually bought some with channels drilled and filters inserted for shooting. I then screw monitors into them for use as earphones for radio comms or music. Best regards, Ian.

That might be partially my fault. I said that on my revo it carries a lot of energy so I bleed off speed level with the ground using a bit of brake and then bury the brakes when I have slowed down a bit and am over where I want to land. Probably lost in translation somewhere Mike buried the brakes a bit high! Lesson learned, don't try to give lessons!!! Ian.

Lovely flight. Great site you have got there. Wind was strong. At one stage over the brow of a hill with full reflex and full speedbar the GPS was showing 2mph ground speed! With the landing, I think you forgot to put the undercarriage down!!! I did grab a quick video on my phone. The image is a bit small, dark and grainy but it gives you the idea (sorry for laughing by the way but I could see you were alright!) Cheers, Ian.

You should move dan saaf. It's been lovely down here!!! Ian.

I fly with a guy who has a Fresh Breeze Monster with the double crossed prop which he uses for tandem and solo flight. Even quieter than my instructors Bailey 4 stroke, massive thrust and good economy. The engine is so quiet that my instructor and I could talk while standing in the thrust without having to shout! Designed and tested by the Germans to meet their stringent noise regulations. Ian.

Nice one!!! I bet you wish you had tried it ages ago, but as confidence is half of the battle you definately did the right thing waiting until you felt ready for the transition! This means that you will be able to keep up with us when we are out and about. Also means that you have a larger window of conditions which you can fly in should you choose. Happy days!!! Will give you a call to see if we can sneak in a cheeky flight early this evening. Ian.

Snap! I have had 7 flights so far this month (about six and a half hours) and loving every minute of my newfound Parajet reliability. In amongst those flights have been a couple of gems which I will remember forever! Flying around the entire circumference of the Isle of Sheppey, and a flight along the south coast over steam trains, safari park zoos and racetracks. I often find myself unconsciously Wooo Hoooooing with a crazed happy smile on my face! Unbeatable sport. Best regards, Ian.

SOLD! That must be some kind of record??? Thanks, Ian.

Good timing on this post! I had recently decided to sell the Marlin as it had sat untouched in the understairs cupboard for a few months. My instructor was going to offer it to one of his new students but has gone on holiday to Portugal until the weekend, so it will be available early next week. It is bright orange and is in fantastic condition as it was brand new when I got it and I am the only one who has used it. Great for those high wind days when you need a ground handling fix but daren't take out your full size wing! (up to 25mph winds apparently!) Yours for £250 including carriage to anywhere in the UK. You won't lose much cash on it as there will always be a market for it when you have moved on to your flying wing full time. I am on 07949 988770 or PM if you would like any more info. Best regards, Ian.