stuartasutherland

Bring on the good weather! Did you record the flight? I reckon you were up longer than 12 minutes. Stu

Thanks for the suggestions, I was thinking about a secondary option "during flight" so many of these would not help me unless I wanted to lose fingers or burn my hands The main on/off switch doesn't kill the engine. I reckon I'll look into a separate kill switch. Cheers Stuart

Thanks Alan, I've actually fitted one of these to my speed boat. Just need to check the wiring. I wonder if the Parajet kill switch opens a circuit therefore if it did break or malfunction, the engine wouldn't start / cut out. Cheers Stuart

Hi, I have a Parajet Macro and was wondering about another engine kill option should the kill button fail. The on / off switch doesn't kil the engine. The only other options I could think of was to pull out the fuel pipe from the tank - which is not realistic / safe as it is near the exhaust. And to pull the HT lead and disconnect the power to the spark, might get a shock though. Anyone fitted an extra engine kill option? Thanks Stuart

Simon, just out of interest, why is the Macro restricted? Stuart

Optimate charger now hooked up and says all is well.

Many thanks for all your comments/advice.

Any advice would be gratefully received. I went out to fettle with my motor tonight and found white power (corrosion) around the battery. A bit of sanding and a wash and it is okay, but I thought a sealed battery was sealed! It's a Parajet macro and the battery sits on its side (does this matter). I've been topping up charge via the connector every couple of weeks in anticipation of my first solo flight (hopefully next week). Is it wrong to charge a battery lying on its side? Any Parajet macro owners had the same thing? Did I buy a duff battery? I'm just using the very basic charger that comes with the motor. Luckily no damage done. I attach a couple of photos of batteries used (the one on the left is the problem) And some whitening of the aluminium from the corrosion. Should I take the battery back?

Thanks Stuart. Will try to find some of this ....maybe at the garden centre? Its a bit more agricultural than a garden centre. It slows growth and is used in cereal crops in the UK to reduce lodging (the crop falling over - making it harder to harvest).

Plant growth regulator - trinexapax-ethyl Ask your local agronomist!

Whitters, really appreciate your story and food for thought. To help me out further, would you mind saying what you feel you missed on pre flight / post take off checks? Thanks Stuart

Pete, we were all practising reverse launches that day, most had never done it before. The wind was okay at the start of the day so we were sticking to a few steps backwards then step forward for take off for the first run. Poor simon got an unexpected gust for the second one! Clearly I only put up the funny videos, which generally show someone doing something wrong!

Oh, and if you are bored, here is me learning to tune my new motor. [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]I have to drive a mile away so as not to bother the neighbours! Like paint job?

Well, like Dugald, it was an excellent day's flying on Saturday. Our first proper sustained flights (soaring not engine). Propery fantastic, dodging others and trying to stay up. My instructor has emailed to tell me my wing has arrived so I'll check that off below. [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo] This was obviously when the wind had died down a bit I also filmed Simon (who is learning to paraglide) attempt some reverse launches in windy conditions. Watch the first bit of this if you want a laugh. [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]So looks a bit windy at the moment and I can only do Sunday this weekend - fingers crossed. Kit list goes up as cash flow dwindles. Got Motor: Parajet Macro Wing: Dudek Synthesis 34 (heavy motor you see) Helmet: Fly UL Icaro - on order Training: working on it. CP plus motor conversion. Radio: 2M Alti: Suunto X Lander Need Reserve GoPro Flying suit More money

Ganers, many thanks. I do like the shape and style over the Go Pro. Lookingon you tube, the GoPro seems to have a better colour saturation, but if you dont have something to compare to - I bet the Drift looks plenty good! Any more reviews? Thanks again Stuart

Dugald, on the lookout for a new wing already? Scared you won't be able to keep up with me?

LooK forward to your review.

Having had a look about, the Go Pro certainly does produce mice results but is pretty ugly and protrusive. The Drift HD 170 is slick, mounts anywhere, has a remote (not fussed about that) and a screen. Contour looks like it is side mounting only. I do like the Drift - has anyone got one? Feedback? Will there be a better Go Pro soon? Got more important things to buy before a camera, but was just researching! Thanks Stuart

And it is running sweet!

Hey Dugald, I got some Gin Winter Alpine gloves for when the cold weather comes again (recommended on this site), and some cash from various family members to go towards a helmet, the radio I've just bought and I may have a bit left towards a reserve. Doubt I'll see you tomorrow!

Birthday today but still no flying! Hopefully tomorrow. Got some PPG related presents though. Got a chance to give the motor a good run this week and am pretty pleased with it, runs and starts really well. This week I also got the chance to catch up with a couple of experienced Scottish PPG pilots. It was good to chat about local flying sites, experiences an kit choice. Hopefully the wind will drop soon!

Looks a wee bit windy! Fingers crossed, I'd be happy to practice ground handling.

While the weather has been rubbish, I've been painting! Ordered some netting too. So, newbie question....is a little oil leaking out the split in the exhaust easily sorted? Thanks Stuart

In the original land of "where there's blame..." And, just as an aside, he is sending his students on their first flights right out over the sea!!

I was sent SuperDell's latest youtube video yesterday. I found it difficult not to comment on him instructing ground handling and PPG flights with the student not wearing a helmet. [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]I said "For a man who goes on about other equipments failings in safety - I find it strange you send a student away without a helmet on! Nice vid though." Dell Said "Yes there are many many many extremely important factors to paramotor design that people need to know as their life depends on it. Helmet use with a Flat Top, on a beach, near water is not one of them. That's why it is important to train with true experts that know what is and isn't extremely important to your safety." Someone else said "I am sure that you are a very good intractor to be with, I can see you running around your students and helping them all the time. This way they are going to learn very fast..!!! Just one question, why dont you give them a helmet? This dune must be between San Francisco and Los Angeles right?" Dell Said "A helmet has very little importance in this scenaro. Certainly not enough importance to even waste a comment about. I could explain in great detail both sides of that but the bottom line is that it is not important enough to even discuss. People making comments about helmets are only those with very limited experience and knowledge in this industry" The oracle has spoken.