phil1975

I haven't used one personally but I'm looking into options for carrying my motor. My main criteria is that the motor stays built up as it takes me ages to set up & I can't be arsed faffing around assembling/taking it apart all the time. Security is my other concern. I've spoken to as many pilots as possible & have made my decision based on their input. I'm about to have an old trailer converted into a box trailer as this seems to me to be the best compromise - I'm sure others will not like the idea. A van would be easier but I like all the toys in my car & the economy is good too. Also had to laugh in the face of the van salesman when I heard what he was prepared to offer me for my car!

Simon, just sent you a PM about this. Phil

Does this mean your days of trying to hide in a wing to get a flight are over? (yes I have the video to prove it!). Concratulations - great feeling isn't it. Looking forwards to flying with ya soon.

Have a good one! Taking the opportunity to fly in Wilts this weekend as it may be my last chance before moving to Surrey. See you next time!

Worked OK on my computer!

Thanks for the info. Plenty of food for thought & a couple of things I hadn't thought of. It seems the simplest way ahead is to use my existing PMR's with pilots that use these & buy a separate 2m to use with pilots that fly with these & just plug in whichever is appropriate. I still like the look of the FT-60, but maybe just using it as a 2m when flying then putting it on the window sill to listen to the local air traffic when grounded & ignore the PMR bit if it's incompatible with "real" PMRs. Although, as I seem to be getting the impression they can be a pig to setup, I may well end up buying something simpler - like the Alinco. I'll do a bit more research on this before I make a final decision. I didn't really to go down the air band route (although I realise they may be the best option in terms of range etc) due to the whole licensing pullava & I haven't met any local pilots that use airband. Too much choice out there, it's frying my brain trying to decide what is best!

Wish I could take photo's this good!

Now I am starting to fly with other pilots it's time to start looking for a radio. Most seem to be using either PMR or 2m. I don't want air band Tx, although the geeky side of me fancies RX so I can listen to the big planes (at least I'll get some indication if they've seen me). I've had a quick Google & managed to confuse myself however the one radio that stands out to me is the Yaesu FT-60 as it seems small, well priced, can Tx on 2m & PMR & can Rx airband - the Alinco's don't seem to have this option as far as I can tell. So does anyone use one of these? what's your opinion on them or are there any better alternatives? Phil

Hi Pete, I have been very lucky, which is the main reason I've managed to progress through training so quickly. My only advice is to try to find someone who: a). You trust (sounds like you're there with that one). b). Fairly local. That way you can commit 100% & be at the field anytime the weather looks promising. If the weather looks good try to get time off work & get down the field training because, if you leave big gaps, you tend to forget bits & then you need to work half a day or so to bring yourself back to the point you left off, which is frustrating for everyone. I'm lucky because I managed to beg, borrow & steal time off work & generally the weather was kind to us (especially the Indian Summer). Good luck with it - looking forwards to another training blog! Phil

Thanks for leading me out today. Have seen loads of videos of you both it's great to finally meet you. I know it's a bit late but count me in. See you both at 8 Cheers Phil

Glad you got the wing sorted so quickly, hope you get the belt sorted before the weather turns. Sounded horrible from where I was, but at least YOU are OK. Look forwards to seeing you up there - it's got to happen soon, you're running out of excuses to not fly now!!

Great to meet you Dan. The next time we meet you'll have to teach me how to take decent aerial photo's - mine were all terrible!

Morgy, I'm based in Pirbright. Just recently "passed out" from the Steve Haze academy. I fly a Bulldog & Synth. Looking forwards to meeting some of the local pilots (I've met a few already) & getting out flying as much as possible.

Fri afternoon is looking hopeful (workwise). Hope to meet & fly with a couple more of you soon.

Steve, you need to put the bike down, you missed a great flying day Saturday. Darren, your time will come! Every flight I take I manage to experience something different, most of which I feel privileged to be able to experience. My bike is getting sold soon! If anyone is after a bike give me a shout (I need the money, Paramotoring makes you poor)!!

Second time lucky? [vimeo] [/vimeo]

This is a short video of one of my flights from Saturday. I had to put this vid on as the light was stunning: [vimeo] [/vimeo]

Be careful with the Bulldog. If you leave two of them alone for any period of time you get this...

Looks good. I'm in!

+1 for the template please Gordon if you're happy to share it. Have just started taking my first flights & have been extracting flight information from my GPS track logs & recording them in a Word document, along with notes on the flight, met etc. However I would produce an Excel spreadsheet like yours to supplement this ...if I knew how to do it. Excel to me is a complete mystery! Cheers Phil

I have relatives in that neck of the woods & I'm intending to "drop in" on them sometime soon to show them what my new hobby is all about! Am more than happy to come & chat if you want?

Steve is in Redhill but uses fields around the local area to train. All the flying is just outside Guildford. Best to go meet both & then decide who you feel most comfortable with / who is in the most convenient location / who makes the best brews etc & go from there.

Sorry to hear the bad news, still at least no lasting damage done! Am down the Kempsey field but it's deserted & the mobile number seems to be wrong - going to give it half an hour & see if any one turns up?

Richard, I would love to fly in, but probably best to arrive by road this time as I don't know the area & the landowner here doesn't want me to fly out of here (plenty of big fields, so it was the firat thing I asked!). Looks like today could be a cracker though!

It would be good to come over & meet you tomorrow. I tried to phone you earlier but got your answering machine. Could you let me know when you'll be there & how to get there (am staying near Stanford Bishop). Cheers Phil