Patrick1

Two two, More reverb here please. Two two.

Ps - whilst it’s clear for the gov website, it’s only ‘guidance’ that says private pilots should not fly so it’s not specifically illegal to go up. However, you may struggle to explain to a police officer (or magistrate) why the travel to the flying field is essential. Though I just can’t imagine anyone taking an interest to be honest. if you are reckless enough to fly, the only people who will notice/care will be other pilots.

Cor blimey! Surely everyone knows by now that the way to beat cv19 (again) is by not paramotoring? Did you learn nothing last time? It was only thanks to heroic ppg pilots not flying that the NHS wasn’t overwhelmed last time. Im sure no one on here would be selfish or irresponsible enough to take advantage of a whole month of empty skies and good weather just because they had a flying machine with no identifying features that doesn’t require an airfield. Remember the well rehearsed arguments; it would bring paramotoring into disrepute (because everyone is really bothered apparently); you are certain to crash and then infect a paramedic and take up a hospital bed putting untold strain on the NHS and what else? Oh yes, travelling to your field will definitely cause someone to catch the virus. Now who could possibly fail to be convinced by these cast iron arguments?

This guy sounds like a damp wank tissue. I’ve just seen his post on Facebook paramotor group complaining about an ‘airfield incursion‘. It was out side of controlled space so he’s got delusions of grandeur if he thinks he owns the sky over his field, the paramotor pilot has as much right to be over his field as he does, or anyone else. There were no other aircraft active in the circuit at the time anyway so this is one of those bleating complainers who probably writes letters to his MP in green ink and then pleasures himself whilst biting on an orange ball.. The only mildly valid point is that the ppg looked to be within 500 feet of an overgrown shipping container hidden in the trees that the ppg pilot probably couldn’t see. it looked like 500 feet to me, and if not, move on, it’s a 2 stroke hanging under a bit of fabric, not a Lear jet. Knob.

Hi, Spotted someone enjoying a peaceful flight yesterday morning west of Reading, Thought you’d like the picture! Must be someone on here?

Not strictly a paramotor flight but I got up to 7500 feet yesterday In a microlight which is by far and away the highest I’ve ever been and it took me clear above the clouds. A very particular experience. I’m actually a bit scared of heights so tend to stay under 2000 and avoid clouds like plague so it was a real experience being right up with the gods. What made the flight even better was the presence of a fellow aviator who swooped in to capture the moment in film! They say you never forget your first flight above the clouds, I dont think I will forget this one!

Watching people’s head explode across Facebook as they react to being told they can begin to use their own judgement. Seems a lot of folks can’t operate without big brother telling them very precisely what they can or can’t do and get panicky and anxious at the idea of taking responsibility for themselves. I hope that’s just a vocal minority.

I’m not sure the general public are interested in the slightest. Joe Public don’t really differentiate ppg/gliding at the moment from cycling and horse riding etc and that flight barely registered on the ‘giveafuckometer’ for most people. I think there’s an awful lot of sanctimonious pilots who have a lack of perspective and think that everyone must be terribly interested in you and your hobby, you will be disappointed to discover that they don’t and most normal people don’t spend their time thinking about paraglider pilots and what they are or are not doing. You just aren’t that important. The only people obsessed with who’s flying in lock down are other pilots. Get a grip and stop whinging. Very few people outside of aviation circles is listening, and no one cares.

I fly mainly from a local community playing field. Thankfully, no one has ever complained, I actually get a lot of support and positive comments from neighbours. I occasionally use spots around local farm land when there are no crops on animals, never had anyone say anything or complain. I once landed on a large village green/football pitch and I knew that there was a by-law against powered flight, so I killed the engine before landing. Some guy came striding up to me and I thought, here we go, I was ready to be apologetic and mumble something about engine trouble and precautionary landing but he said “that was brilliant, really amazing, how high can you go”. Never really met anyone who didn’t like it. I probably don’t often enough to irritate anyone, Will start giving people birds eye shots of their houses if I detect any negativity!

What’s your favourite flight? Mine was a x country in almost nil wind, end of the day, blue sky fading to a sunset. Route was over Highclere castle (Downton Abbey) and then along the top of water ship down, staying about 10 feet from the top of the ridge line. That’s a great route if you fly anywhere near Newbury. Though watch out for Leigh side rotor on the down if the breeze is in the wrong direction. I’ve never managed to fly in Cornwall but I’ve seen one of you cruising around the Camel estuary (Rock/Padstow)) and that’s on the list.

Well, this is vexing. Whilst it’s probably technically against the law insofar as paramotoring isn’t daily exercise (though hardly the crime of the century), the only decent argument I’ve seen not to fly is around saving NHS capacity for those who need it. If that capacity is not being stretched at the moment, reasons not to fly are pretty thin.

So... what I’m hearing is we should go flying now, before lockdown is lifted whilst A and E is quiet? Controversial but I can’t fault your logic.

Ps.. yes, boredom really is getting to me.

Is there going to be a surge of post lock down hospital visits as the uk population are allowed out again? And are we also going to see an increase in Covid cases as we start moving around more? If so, there will be more stress on the NHS than we have at the moment. Should we, as a community, collectively refrain from any flying well beyond lock down?

Sheer bloody recklessness. I have spent the past 6 weeks hiding under my bed, where I shall remain.

If you are a glider pilot then apologies for the lesson in egg sucking on airspace. Still, might be useful info for other aspiring pilots. Its a big sky and looks like you are in a perfect place for paramotoring!

Your instructor will cover this off with you but I had a quick look and its absolutely fine to fly there and you can fill your boots. However, you do need to be mindful/cautious before you barrel in because whilst it’s a disused airfield, it looks active as a gliding site and a very quick google search suggests they might have a winch too, you will want to avoid flying into a winch. It’s a great idea to pick up the phone and chat to the club, most people in aviation love to talk and give advice and you may be surprised at how helpful they are. Not everyone hates paramotors! If you look at your map or skydemon for your local area, you will see that some larger/busier airfields (like Old Buckenham) have a circle around them on the chart, you need permission to enter those. Large airports (Norwich for example) similarly have larger areas around that you can’t enter (without permission) but other small airfields like Hardwick or Horham are in open space, but it’s considered bad airmanship to blunder into an active circuit. Your instructor will take you through all this. Hope you get up in the air this summer,

Clever. Spitfire flypast for Captain Tom. One sure fire way to get airborne without anyone raising an eyebrow and solid marketing for the Business too. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/17/captain-tom-get-spitfire-flypast-100th-birthday-provided-department/ now, where do I get hold on an NHS flag..

Subtle.

I’ve had an email from my local council announcing a trial scheme which allows Hampshire residents to pre-pay Corona fines. Has anyone else received the same?? This is actually quite a smart idea, raises money for the local council and allows those with the financial means to enjoy a bit more freedom but essentially, should mean Hampshire PPG pilots can fill their boots (at a cost)! They’re launching the website next week where you can pre-pay before going out and they’ve published a price list which ranges from £20 for a non essential drive and walk (up to 45 mins from home) to £1500 for a party with up to 15 guests. I’ve emailed the council to ask if they can specifically add paramotor flights and GA flights to the price list and given the solitary nature of PPG, suggested that it should be the same as a dog walk (ie £20) per flight. Will keep you posted!

Sorry, thought I’d been pretty clear on that. Whilst I don’t think it’s a massive issue (depending on your circumstances), it’s clearly not advisable and SHOULD NOT be done for all the reasons I and others have given. You’d have to be pretty selfish and have an unhealthy relationship with the rule of law to consider flying on Friday at about 5/6pm.

We will have our resolve tested again this week with a good weather forecast, particularly for Friday. God knows how you’d explain it to the police if they happened by as you were leaving the house, particularly with some of the keener trigger happy types. ”it’s a body mounted leaf blower officer” probably won’t cut it. Won’t be a problem for me of course, I’m a better person and wouldn’t dream of flying and I don’t want to be accused of encouraging anyone else... but hyperthetically speaking, I suggest we all go up at the same time, they can’t get us all.