lukebanks1

I have been contacted by Francis Rich. I think this should be common knowledge. Dear Luke Greetings As you may know I am banned from posting on PMC. Were I able to post there I would have liked to correct one point you made. It was not a matter of choice to send the maillon to the BHPA, I was required to do so. The Chief Technical Officer of the BHPA is the AAIB appointed investigator of "Reportable Incidents" in paragliding and paramotoring. On the day this maillon failed I was the CFI in charge of a school in which a legally reportable incident happened. It is the law of the land that I report it immediately to the AAIB Chief investigator and that is quickest done through the BHPA reporting system, since a direct report to AAIB would eventually reach the AAIB appointed investigator at the BHPA after several days delay (particularly since it occurred on a weekend). That is what happened, I reported by telephone and I was instructed to remove the maillon and several others and post them, recorded delivery, to the AAIB appointed investigator, Mark Dale. I had no choice under UK law to do anything other than comply. In addition to that I was in telephone conversation with the supplying dealer appraising him of the facts complete with a photo and he has gone on record as reporting within the hour to Paramania head office. Paramania knew everything that is now publicly known and proved on the afternoon of the 2nd July within hours of the incident. I feel it is extremely important for all to understand that paramotoring is subject to the law on reporting incidents and whether one likes it or not the legally appointed investigator of paramotoring incidents is the BHPA's technical officer. So I did not choose to send the maillon to the BHPA I was ordered to do so by the AAIB. If you wish you may use any or all of this in any public post you wish to make. Kind regards, Francis

Any initiative that could prevent an accident gets my full support

The point is: the maillons are substandard. Paramania are ultimately responsible for ensuring standards of their products at the point of sale. The manner in which Mike Cambell Jones dismissed the issue outright (via Theron's email) was in my opinion very regrettable and immediately made the issue a brand war. What should have happened was an immediate safety notice issued to all owners via Paramania dealers whilst a investigation was undertaken. This did not happen wihtin what I am told was an acceptable time period and suggests to me that Francis was right to send the maillons off for independant analyisis with the BHPA. Should Paramania have been offered the opportunity to examine the Maillons first? In an ideal world yes. I have heard several people in person and on various forums pointing fingers at Clive accusing him of scaremongering. I believe this to be untrue. Of course you can argue he should have contacted Paramania first but ask yourself what is the quickest way in the UK of allerting PPG pilots to a potential safety issue - I think the forums. No, this shouldn't be the case but it is! Paramotoring really needs to sort its act out. These perpetual pathetic battles between PMC and the BHPA are a total waste of energy and prevent the sport moving in the right direction. Issues between brands are an unfortunate part of economics but should not prevent them from striving for the highest possible standards of equipment safety together. For all those regulation fearers out there the best way of staving it off is to unite and regualte ourselves by pressurising manufacturers to conform to what we expect of them. Is this achievable without the sort of regualtion seen in microlighting - I hope so. I have no brand axe to grind as I am the proud owner of both Paramania and Dudek wings. And yes the full report should be made available to all those who wish to read it.

I'm keen

Hi Peter, Thanks for coming on to the forum. You are very welcome as has been said, to fly with us whenever you can. Please give me a call if you want to meet up. (07770 235256) Luke

Nice pics Peter Hope all well. Your Garmin 60csx should have all petrol stations loaded on the basemap. Go to find then petrol stations. Works well - I intend to use it on the USSR rally tomorrow.

Hi Slapper, I simply untied my brake handles and put some toggles on. They lie just above the metal swivels on the brake handles and do not prevent the brakes from returning to the pullys properly. Doesn't sound like it would help but it really does. Another option is to fit the acro handles from sky paragliders that do the same in the form of a small t-bar on top of the brake handle. Regards, Luke

I fly a Nucleon 29 and Fusion 26. Nil wind landings I have trimmers set half open for improved flare authority. Yes you can land the Nucleon at full slow in nil wind but you'll have a softer touchdown and better flare with more airspeed. High wind and gusty conditions between half and fully open. This for me improves 1: penetration into a gust and prevents the diving surge to the ground having been pinned by said gust and 2: improved flare authority with the associated increased airspeed. However, the flare is far more physical at trims fully open and there is an appreciable gound rush. BUT all of that speed can be converted to lift with the flare and round out. Whatever the conditions airspeed is the key. As Andrew elluded to, any glider on full slow to start with has a limited flare authority. It just so happens that at full slow the Fusion lands better than the Nucleon, I feel because of the Fusion's shorter brake travel and therefore more useable flare authority at that airspeed. I have added toggles above my Nucleon brakes as the brake travel is quite long and I prefer reaching for the toggle than taking a wrap on the brakes. This was initially suggested to me by Michel Carnet and I was initially a bit sceptical but use it everytime now. Just watch his spot landings at the competitiions and you'll see it works. I would also say that in windy / gusty conditions I always keep the engine running to facilitate either a go around and try again or a powered landing if its required. Similarly for nil wind take offs I have the trimmers set at between 2 and 3 past neutral trim. This works for me and again was something a wise man showed me once

I have quick connectors to the fuel tank (Miniplane). Best ground mat is bubblewrap and then all you need is a tarp and sleeping bag. If going on a train take a couple of bin liners and to diguise your motor with. The USSR rally is this weekend - perfect opportunity!

Yes

George, Contact Clive Bunce. I'm sure he'd be willing to sell you some netting. This arrangement is the same as the initial Bulldog netting (now riveted and cable tied - you'll know what I mean when you see it.) You'll need to rivet the new netting in - easily done. Prop: Have a look at: http://www.born-propeller.de/Propeller/ ... s/Sky-100/ I was pleased with one I bought from them a year or so ago. Give me a call when you're flying if you like. Nice vid Regards, Luke

Pete, Surely that depends on wing and prop size I am 85kg in birthday suit and fly a Nucleon 29 on a Miniplane top 80 125cm prop. In still conditions I stay level at 2/3 power with trims fully out (slightly less with my 130cm prop) My PAP top 80 provides similar results. I love the top 80

What a beautiful place. I'd love to swim with those sharks. Keep the vids coming! Luke

Looks amazing Seymore Count me in for next year or sooner! Luke

Ok Michel and Laura might be up for flying too - he's going to give me a ring tonight to clarify. Will call your land line on my way home from work about 20:30 to firm up plans

Hi mate, I'm off tomorrow - let's go for a coast run...? My number is 07770 235256

Hi Seymore, You lucky git! I know a nice guy who lives up there called Andrew McMahon. I'll text you his details. Look forward to the pics! Luke

Call it payment for the ride in the atom warp drive That thing is incredible PAP all fixed Have Fusion for you too if its flyable soon and my brother isn't using the kit.

I know Seymore - some cracking footage of Mark on a 2 stroke. The way it's meant to be. Shame he broke it! Parts arrived today Morgy - you can have another go soon I promise Seymore, it gives me a warm feeling inside to know even YOU have the odd hard landing. See you soon, Luke

Anyone up for some coastal flying? IOW?

Hoping to fly after work around 08:30 - 0900 probably from Barry's though

Nice one Barry. Look forward to seeing it in the flesh soon.

My brother is also coming Kev is also keen (I am picking up the motor from Theresa) Will bring a picnic

Great Monday then. I can fly Tuesday too - see you then Steve. Michel is lending me a Miniplane to use while I wait for my new frame. For anyone reading Michel Carnet has gone out of his way to sort out any issues I've had with my Miniplane since I bought it from him - excellent customer service