Malcs

Very many congratulations Mark. I'm just at that frustrating point of not quite making it, and it's driving me mad. Your post gives me hope and inspiration.

Just don't give up Phil, I learned something at each of my aborted launches and over the last few times at the field I just felt I was getting closer and closer, its so much to think about in one go, I now find I don't have to think too much about strapping in my harness and grabbing the brake handles and A lines in the right order etc so I can just concentrate on my launch and running. It really doesn't matter if it takes you another year, there's no hurry and you don't need to prove anything to anyone, that thought helped me and I always make myself look forward to going to the field just for the sake of being at the field, if you fly thats just a major bonus!

After months of aborted take offs (about 50) through that little devil on my shoulder saying "Don't do it Malc", the devil said to me this morning "your wing is up straight, you have a bit of wind and loads of field in front of you so nail the fecking thing", and I did!

Perfect quick take off, didn't get properly in the seat straight away but got some height and got in without a problem then went off for a one hour flight over my old stomping ground where I grew up and flew over 4 of the houses where I've lived. Felt so comfortable and relaxed that I parked both brakes and weight steered for the entire journey there and back and even got my camera out and took a heap of pics!

Came in for landing in my huge field and used all of it, touched down perfectly and softly with both feet but just toppled backwards onto the cage.

Can't begin to describe the relief and elation, I was honestly beginning to think I would never do this, it's all been worth it!

Worth being in debt for, can't wait to go again!

If I can figure out how to work the album here I'll upload some pics, they are already on my facebook if you are a friend!

Cheers

Malc

you can download the manual from the pap team website, but basically i'd agree entirely with francis, i'm just under 100kg now so have moved mine back to D position!

Any one coming next year?????

Pete b

Yeah I'll do it, how about tip to tip of Lundy?

I drove up the A9 in May and remember thinking how wonderful it would be to fly around that area, they must be nearing Aviemore now which is breathtaking scenery! Bloody shame about the weather though!

Umm, you can't, its illegal so I guess there's not much point in trying!

Thanks for your input.

Well no offence meant Phil but you didn't indicate if you were aware of the laws of this, or even why you want to achieve it.

It only needs for you to have an incident or get in to trouble and it stuffs up the sport for the rest of us, I cringe every time I see someone taking off without a reserve or liability insurance for exactly the same reason.

Umm, you can't, its illegal so I guess there's not much point in trying!

Hey folks, anybody up the Lamboourn field today, or anywhere else within an hour of me.

I have a lovely field near me but absolutely nobody around to make sure I don't crash, not confident enough to go it completely alone.

If anyone is flying please give me a call on 07894 707965 as I prob won't be on the net again now!

It'll be a real shame to miss a flight tonight!

Cheers

Malc

I like my N95 but the GPS certainly is crap, I had a free trial but didn't go beyond that as the bloody thing would rarely connect.

My mrs has a new Blackberry though with sat nav which connects instantly and the battery lasts forever!

Paul (Bathboy) saw 2 pilots over the Kelston and Weston area of Bath last night.

Just wondering if it was anyone that lurks on here.

Paul asked me to post this as he has no net access today!

Cheers

Malc

Chris at Skydragons is pretty knowledgeable about tandem kit.

I filmed this short flight last week

Unless its pissing down we shall be there for the camping and the possible bonus of flight!

Just asked but she in the wrong department for that type of thing. You'd need to look at the corporate sponsorship side of them, I guess the same department that sponsors the hot air balloons!

No idea how but will try to find out!

I have the Vodafone dongle, its cheaper, faster and has more coverage than Orange and probably always will have! Even the connection in non 3g areas is pretty good as I found at the Lambourn fly in!

http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/mobile-broad ... uration=24

Of course mine is even cheaper again thanks to having my Mrs working for them!

He he, poor old Colin. My fault as I said to a new chap, watch the little Scots guy, he'll be in the air almost the moment the wing is above him!

If these copies are as good as they say, we would never know until it was to late, and then it's tears before bedtime, or worse.

David

Its better up there.

This is kind of what worried me hence my above post. The last thing we want to happen is a newbie thinking they can do this sport on the cheap and then go falling out the sky! Personally I would only buy a new motor and wing of a reputable brand, I realise not everyone can afford to do that but if I couldn't then I wouldn't bother until I could.

Simon, although you only mentioned it as an example I'd be inclined to delete this entire thread, just my personal opinion of course but I don't think it reflects well on any of us and good old google picks up the negatives along with the positives!

Malc

Agree with all said above, cracking company, great to put names to faces.

Jen asked me "whats all this I keep hearing about wife maintenance?"

I said "I'm taking you f***ing camping aren't I?"

Was I the only one to come home with a crispy face last night, that sun must have been stronger than I thought, look like a bloody panda this morning!

Cheers

Malc

Which forecast are you looking at Simon? Looking at the met office it looks pretty darn rough, to a newbie at least!

Ooh, are you offering joy rides Francis? I need to get the missus in the air but you might need the big A380 for that!

Malc

PS: Don't tell her I said that!

Thats sounds worryingly cheap Simon, are you sure thats not just the VAT or insurance even? It costs me that to send a poxy box one way in Europe with insurance!

New kit just arrived for my mate Danny who was on the same training course as me so thats another one joining us this weekend!

Looking forward to it but not saying anything about the weather!

If you get there first Pete, we'll all just follow your scent!

Have to agree with you there Phil. I don't confess to being holier than thou and use a bit of text language on the mobile but purely because my sausage fingers take ages to type a text properly.

ders no need 4 any1 2 do it on an internet forum m8

Will there be any um 'facilities' on site this weekend, ie: bog, water tap, showers, jaccuzi, massage parlour etc?

And what was the latest on the music front, are we doing a guitar thing either with or without amplification?