tophatter

Second flight in the bag Back at Membury of Friday following a little accident last time I was there that resulted in scraping across the ground on my backside and dinging the end of the Props So with nicely repaired props, thanks to RAF Colin, I was ready to attempt my second flight. Things didn't look good with two different people unsuccessfully attempting their 1st flight. I had to abort my first 2 attempts, 1st as the wing wasn't stable enough when it came up and 2nd because my knee straps slipped down below my knee and amost tripped me up. A few adjustments later and I began my 3rd attempt. This time, the wing was a little unstable but I perservered, wheeling off to my right somewhat . I finally got to max throttle and I was swept off the ground. For some reason, as I took off and headed towards the edge of the airfield something inside of me said "stay within the airfield" and I started to turn right only to be met with Colin shouting "full throttle" to me through the radio as I cleared the trees by about 10 foot! This time was so different to my first flight. I got into the seat without any problem and athough I thought that my 1st flight was enjoyable, this one was in a different league. This time I was taking so much more in and practicing many more turns and finding the right amount of throttle to give me a level flight. After several laps of the airfield and some practice landing approaches I came in for my second ever landing. The practice approaches had helped and I locked into the wind that brought me in line where I wanted to touch down. Consious of not lifting off the brakes once I flared, I did it again, not quite as bad as last time and so the landing was gentle but just enough to bring me to my knees rather than completely face down. Can't wait to get up again but the weather isn't looking good for the foreseeable future Dave

Sounds like more around my way than I realised! Will certainly catch up with some of you guys when the timing is right. In the meantime it would be worth popping by when the guys in Braintree, Southend etc. are about to show my face.

Cheers outkast and thanks for the tip - wouldn't want her forgetting what I look like, lol.

That's the spirit Thanks mate - great experience and lovely motor Just need to be able to get in the seat properly now!

It's probably a little early as I've only just had my first flight but I'm starting to think about what happens when I finish my training. I'm currently training with Simon down at Membury and living just outside Epping it's quite a trek down there and so whilst I'll want to keep in touch with the great bunch of guys down there and go for the occasional fly with them I really need to find somewhere a bit closer. Any clubs more local to me? Dave

Been back yet Michael? I managed to get back yesterday and get my first flight in. Hope to see you down there again soon. Dave

Well it's been a while! A combination of work and terrible weather has meant that its taken me what seems forever to get this far. I got to the stage of being ready for my first flight during the middle of 2011. Then, mainly because of strong winds and living around 2 hrs from the field (couldn't take advantage of last minute breaks in the weather etc), it was almost 3 months before I managed to get back to the field It was like starting again, from scratch. Seriously, it was like everything I had done before was just a dream and I hadn't really been to Membury before! After another couple of days training it was starting to come back, together with my confidence. So much so I decided to buy a wing off of Lee a club member. The proud owner of a revo 2 meant I could practice a little ground handling a little closer to home. Circumstances meant that I didn't return to Membury for another 2/3 months but this time it was like I was just a little rusty and, after my second days training over only 3 weeks I had shown enough to Simon to say I was ready for my first flight! Then came winter and another big layoff! Returning last month, just a day of ground handling Simon was happy again that I was ready for my flight. Now it was a waiting game - weather pro was my friend - studying it for those close to perfect conditions! It came - 14th March 2012 - so turned up at Membury at 9:30 only to find thick fog and 100 yard visibility! I wasn't giving up now - sat around drinking tea and watching DVDs until about 2pm when it finally started to clear and blue sky was starting to appear. Took out my wing for some ground handling practice - three good forward launches. This was looking good, sun breaking through and for almost gone! RAF Colin turned up with my Parajet Compact I'd recently bought from Simon and I practiced a couple of launches with the motor on my back. Boy that was hard and the sweat was dripping from me now! Time for a rest and some paramotoring chat. After a while I started to phsyc myself up for what was about to happen - carefully laid out my wing and then had my flight briefing from Colin B. wow - a lot to remember. Headphones, clipped into my wing and ready to go (after all the more-flight checks of course!). Well - seemed I was a little nervous about putting too much power in and almost ran the length of the field before I plucked up the courage, squeezed the throttle and, hang non a minute, I was airborne! I think it was the shock at getting up that meant I momentarily left off the throttle again, only to have Colin B shout in my ear - throttle on and up I went! By this time I thought I was in the seat but, after a couple of minutes it soon became clear that I was perched on the edge of it somehow in some crazy awkward position - oh we'll, it would have to do. Feeling the controls in the air was a strange experience - not knowing how hard to pull on the brakes to steer but I kind of got going in the general direction I wanted to go! The only real panics moment was when I almost crossed the M4 - I swear I could hear Simon's voice telling me not to go over it because if I came down its a long way to come and find me! Now for the landing - approach was fine other than a bit nerve wracking cutting the engine. Instinct was telling me it was a bad idea! Came down smoothly, 1st flare, suddenly I start to rise again, instinct cuts in again and I let off the brakes instead of holding the position, whoops - flared again but came down, took a couple of steps and then ended up face down. Luckily the ground was soft and no damage to me or the equipment, not even my pride as I was soooooo happy!!!! What a great experience. Lessons learnt - power on earlier, hold the 1st shoulder lever flare on landing. And learn to get in the seat properly!! Can't wait for my second flight now My Mrs video'd the event but somehow managed to not get my landing. Shame because I would to have loved to see it! [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]Excuse the editing- playing with my new Mac Book

Sounds like a great adventure Simon - keep the updates coming! Today it's an injury, tomorrow it's a story - good luck Dave Horn

Hi Michael, Great read. Guessing you're the Michael I was running round the field with yesterday practicing launches with the motor on our back! Don't look too long before we take to the air. Dave

Still waiting for a brew from you myself!

Glad to hear it shaggydec. I've got myself a Revo 2 23 - just waiting for my 1st flight now

Depends what you're trying to achieve with it because if it's to help prevent theft then it shouldn't be possible to remove them at all and if its to identify inconsiderate flyers then I'm guessing those type of people wouldn't register.

Ditto!

Hi Tom, I'm also training with SimonW - I've had a couple of lessons on ground handling so still at an early stage. Hopefully catch up with you in the field when the wind drops! Dave

Hi there, I'm currently training with SW and I'm only a junction away from you on the M25. Would certainly be interested in joining you for some flying once I've completed my course. Dave

Well done guys, I'm soooo jealous. Hopefully it won't be too long before I'm up there! Dave

Well, what can I say, training paid for and met SW last weekend. Too windy to get a wing out but had a good introduction to the Motor. Now just keeping my eye on the iPhone Weather Pro app! I've had no flying experience before and can't wait to get going. Dave.