Steve

I'm sure we'll try to keep it on the level.

We may have an uphill battle on our hands.

On Wednesday evening I misjudged the conditions quite badly. I flew from a field I've used a lot, there are big trees and large hills some distance away (standard here, we don't do flat) and I've flown from here in good winds before. I was slightly complacent, probably because of over familiarity, and should have been more careful. The first hint was the wing was hesitant to launch despite the good wind. After lift off the wing steered left and momentarily went into what felt like free fall and then it was a fight to gain height. Landing back was impossibly dangerous and I had to abort and land somewhere much more sensible (with a long walk back). The turbulence reached for a considerably greater distance than I reckoned it would at a site I knew well (I'd checked forecasts, wind speed, local weather station live data, etc.). Big lesson learned, I am now reassessing all of my sites with regard to potential obstacle turbulence risk. I may also have to campaign for the Brecon Beacons to be levelled. Fortunately, last night's flight was a gentle waft around the hills which made up for it.

In my experience, if you're visible then a quiet area can become busier as people come to watch you. I try to stay away from anywhere like that for this reason.

Give me your E-mail address and you can have mine. Very thoughtful Pete but it's too little too late.

I feel particularly unloved as I haven't received any.

We turned round just before we got there. Next time we may fly up towards Barmouth a bit. It's stunning coastline to fly.

The best fun I've had in ages, perfect air. http://youtu.be/q33N55YsNUE

It's often the other way round here, fog forecast to clear by 9.00am but still there at 3.00 in the afternoon.

http://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/ http://rasp.stratus.org.uk/app/town.php http://www.metoffice.gov.uk http://www.windfinder.com/forecast/fan_gyhirych http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/cgi-bin/expertcharts?LANG=en&MENU=0000000000&CONT=ukuk&MODELL=gfs&MODELLTYP=1&BASE=-&VAR=pslv&HH=30&ZOOM=0&ARCHIV=0&RES=0&WMO=

I don't know about the best phone apps, but I always cross-reference several sources like XC Weather, Rasp, and local forecasts when planning. If you can find some local weather stations to log into that gives you bang up to date info on the day for wind speed and direction, humidity, etc. Sometimes when it looks unsure, if you sit tight you get a break in the last hour before sunset.

Friday evening was superb here, the best air in ages. Not so good now, back to normal

Unless he's giving it away I wouldn't buy a paramotor without seeing it first. If it's been welded there's a fair chance it's had a smack. Is there a link to where it's for sale you can post? My first paramotor had its frame bent by UPS despite it being properly packed in a wooden crate so I doubt you'd want to send anything which isn't completely broken down and packed away (not that they'd take it like that anyway).

If you're towing a big advert wouldn't that make it commercial?

For me the main concerns are hands (Gin Alpine Gloves) followed by feet (one pair of good outdoor socks, not too thick) and making sure that draft at the back of the neck between the balaclava and jacket is minimized. A quality base layer, fleece top, outdoor/army trousers and wind proof jacket is usually enough. Base layer and flying suit in very cold weather. Too much bulk is uncomfortable. Sent from my iPhone using PMC Forum mobile app

You can buy diy kits on ebay or there are loads of companies offering repairs for a lot more money. I doubt many use genuine parts though.

You should always start a sentence with a capital letter. SW

What a knob.

What a great place to fly. Excellent video.

Okay. Sent from my iPhone using PMC Forum mobile app

Awesome mate, much better than using Safari on iPhone for the forum.

Testing ...

I find farmers are generally approachable and friendly, I have over a dozen different sites I use regularly which are farmland. Just respect their livestock and be straight with them.

I wouldn't run it without the prop.

Nice work Si. I hope Stuart and the others appreciate the fame