Steve

I was just wondering where all these 'professional' pilots end up. What's the qualification/syllabus they offer - BHPA?

Bit of a bizarre strapline there: "Paramotor School - Creating professional UK Pilots since 2012". Wonder what it means.

Welcome to PMC Saiwha. You have a bit of a grand ambition there, not just crossing the channel but doing it at two or more miles high. I'd give yourself a bit of experience (actually quite a bit) before you think about that kind of undertaking. For large water crossings you'd also need boat cover, emergency buoyancy and lots of other stuff to think about. If I were you I'd just focus on getting some training for now. Steve at Axis is a good guy. A lot of people just go straight to PPG but you'll need to learn to control the glider before you add a power unit. Whereabouts are you located?

Lots of options from jiggle syphon tubes (eg, https://www.amazon.co.uk/JIGGLE-SYPHON-DRAINER-EXTRACTOR-SOLVENTS/dp/B00BBVQURE) to electric pumps (eg, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222210324370).

Why not give Parajet a call: 01747 830575.

Good move having other interests - stops you having to hang around with paramotor pilots all the time. The missus and I fancy having a look at ISUP too, we're going to try it out in a few weeks. I run in the hills and mountains and have a passion for caving and cave diving. But sadly time is for those is tight as I'm always hanging around with paramotor pilots.

Hi Guy, Can you get over to the Summer Fly-in or Parafest? I imagine a weekend surrounded by pilots will do you a lot of good.

Have a talk with your instructor after a few lessons to get a better idea of what kit will be best for you.

The first five words of the thread suggested the same.

Have you had any training or flown with other pilots? What size wing/your weight/your motor's output? Is the wing overhead before you go for it? Are you applying any brake to lift off?

Hi Daniel, welcome to PMC. Which kit to buy is probably the most asked question in the universe - the stock answer is always to wait until you have had some training and discussed it with your instructor. Your school will supply kit for learning and you will be in a much better position to know what you want and need later on.

It's important to treat any forecast as just a guide - you make the decision based on what the conditions and indicators are on site. There are some good books which are worth reading to help you read the conditions. The one I initially learned from is: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pilots-Weather-commonsense-meteorology-Commonsense/dp/1840370270/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=PNH2S14K0EXMVCR5N3GP You're always 'allowed' to not fly, no matter how much effort it took to get to the field - even if it's looking like weeks of unflyable weather to come.

Sorts the men from the boys.

Welcome Adrian - Nice to see another diver, there's a few of us in PPG You can manage the door at the next fly-in then, Andy.

I wouldn't bother with XC Weather. Meteo Blue is good. Also use the Met office balloon forecasts, very good for predicted conditions at various altitudes.

Might be worth leaving the new motors until the bugs have been found and ironed out.

In fairness, it should be pointed out that you will inevitably end up going to fly-ins and hanging out with paramotor pilots and talking bollocks. And drinking beer. And talking bollocks.

Well done, it will get easier very quickly.

Nice one Stu.

Nice try.

Ha. Putting pressure on Simon to have a fly-in. - As if that were possible.

Congratulations on your progress. You should think about wearing a helmet for ground handling and also some thin gloves.

I've had it quite a lot on my paramotor that has a PWK carb - float bowl carbs are more susceptible.

Uhhh, that's the worst one of the week ...