mike1714

Yep I'm coming. I might actually fly in? Subject to weather etc. I am taking a leaf out of Whitters book. I must admit I was inspired by Richards meticulous planning of the French trip and have planned my route etc. So see you all there. Lets hope we have the weather !? Mike ps havent flown since France (work) so chomping at the bit!!

Pete, Does the food option include for morning bacon butties?.........cup of tea? evening option? i have my own tent or two or was that three? (French trip!!) Mike

Simon, I have dropped off the box today to Ben.....................he was asking about the others???? Mike

Hi Tony, Well didnt get to use the map holder in France so wouldnt know? I tend to have my elbows behind the risers (ie closer to mt chest) with my elbows resting on the swing arms of the PAP. Then I can fiddle with cameras and gadgets.......sit back and take it all in!!!! etc Mike

Simon, Have you got the address for Alton please. What sort of money re buying the box? Mike

Fingers crossed for Sunday (looking like a possible Sunday morning here in sunny Swanley!!!!) Mike

The boss gave me the day off today (boss=me)!! Lovely day for flying. So got two 20ltr jerry cans mixed up for a day of flying. Had a XC route planned down to my brothers house in Robertsbridge. the idea was to fly down have a coffee and chat and fly back. In addition a few local flights from my flying field when I got back and a few before I went. Had an appointment at the doctors this morning 7.20am (yes!! that early so I could have the whole day to myself). It was to solve a shoulder problem I got sledging with my son at Christmas, doctor suggested hydroquartozone (excuse the spelling) to repair the muscle. I agreed and after it he told me do nothing for the first 24 hours and then slowly work it. In a nut shell..............no flying today!!!!!!! Boy am I tempted to just ignore him and go out and play.......long term it might not be a good idea. But then Sunday is a possible for me this neck of the woods.............wonder if flying could be classed as 'gentle exercise'? All those flying......have a good one!!! Mike (jealous?......nahhhhh............................not many Benny!!!!!!! )

Nice one Neil!! Landings on feet will come...................eventually...................I'm still waiting!!!! MIke

Dan, I have a two part framed PAP. The top-cage pops off in 2-3seconds, then I drop the part of the rear seat and it goes in diagonally.....sorted. Mike

Hmmm, now that looks interesting, wonder what power source would be needed? There is also a bendable version which would be useful? Has anyone used this yet? Bignos.............are you going to be the first one trying to use this? I am not that adventurous (or skilled enough)in drilling holes in my tank to find it doesnt work? Fuel gauges have been a big topic of debate until someone comes up with something new? I do use a mirror, but sometimes in bright light it becomes difficult to assess especially when you're really down low on fuel? When someone comes up with a full proof method of accurately reading fuel in the tank everybody will start modifying their tank. Mike

Wind is just outside my comfort zone, so I am out practising with my wing in between some tendering work. Getting excited about France!!! Mike

No room for my snowboard then? ha Mike

Doc, I bet I can do a crapier landing than you?! Marks on my flying suit are proof to that!!!!!! I think i will just about shoe-horn most of it in...................I think. ...........now where is the mankini going to fit? Mike

Fred, Lets say I once tried to set up but security told me Jonathan Palmer flies in and out on a regular basis and so I would be a hazard of sorts? They have a lovely grass car parking area (its massive) and only used by the dog walking fraternity - shame! It just so happens that Simon taught someone who will be flying out of there................................I wonder if it was him? Hmmmm Mike

Hi Mike, sounds like you had a nice flight!!..... By the look of the weather it does'nt look like I'm going to get any more flight time before we go to France.... I'll have to settle for getting as much ground handling practise as I can in the next couple of weeks... Neil.. Neil, There's still a week mate and don't forget the weekends. The weather will play ball with us when we're out there.....I know it will (the ever optimist - thats me!!) I bet you cant wait to really get stuck into it? Not long now. Ground handling is what i do when I cant fly.......you just cant never get enough of it!! Mike

Its been a bit quiet on the Kent side of things, I am assuming that was down to bad weather. Well that has gone now and it can only get better?!! Had my second flight out of my field (now dry) was going to attempt to fly out to circa QE2 bridge and have a good full on 2 hour flight but decided on an hour as it was mid day and the wind was changing direction a lot. All in all went well apart from a reverse launch that I almost lost but recovered and took off. The trimmers work well now that I have taken the slack out of them. Lets hope this year is a good one. The French trip will be a good start to the year for me! Mike

Neil, how much was it? Does it come in sizes i.e. medium / large? I dont think we will be experiencing that type of cold............................gulp.....will we Simon? Mike

Wow for that sort of money it will be cheaper to cuddle with Pete around the fire - ha ha!!! Seriously though, i bought a cheap sleeping bag and got cold at the last fly-in!!! I know - 'wussss' Best get the best you can afford and make up the rest in layers of clothes or women or something!!!! The last thing you need is to be cold and have a miserable time. All smiles........ Mike

Ive heard about people like you!!!!!!

Hope you are all packing thermals..........looks cold according to the weather?! Mike

Pete................that's it !!!! A gathering loop.....simples!!!! I was trying to work out how to take up the slack but then that would hinder the trimmer operation......but a gathering loop of sorts!!!! Nice one....thanks! Mike

Simon, When are you out and about training and I will visit with wing...........I have to pop into Dorking this week for a meeting so can then pop along to you?????. Mike

Oh just another question........do you know if there is a Paramania dealer this neck of the woods........Kent? Thanks Mike

Thanks Simon. It does make sense and I understand the mechanics of straps but thats about it. I will adjust. Mike

I hope the above shows the risers? This is the first time I have uploaded a picture? Thanks for all comments. Eddie, you are right we both fly the same kit I remember from the last fly-in. As per your earlier post showing an extract from the PAP manual it does seem to make sense to be positioned at point E as opposed to where I am currently positioned - point C. But it does also state that the ideal pitch from vertical to be 20 degrees. I did do a hang test when I got the kit originally, I set a 20 degree line which I pulled and then sat in my paramotor with my daughter advising whether both the line and paramotor were parallel..........this was point C. I have now set up to point E and will wait to hang test and then wait for a suitable flying window. Mike