bernoulli

Oh well, decision time - sell my M3 and buy a paramotor or not. Having done my research, spoken to several Paramotorists (?) done the taster day, seen the kit and spent hours observing on the relative forums, I have decided this 'sport' is not for me. Without doubt the main factor is the 'fun time' when all the factors come together to make it a practical hobby: Launch / recovery sites. Time available. And above all else: weather window (3 - 10 kts) which is ridiculously small for a country like GB. For all of the above to come together often enough to make the hobby enjoyable - is very very infrequent. And so, I shall look elsewhere to get my adrenalin buzz. BUT a big thanks to everyone who found the time to help me with the Q's and A's and I wish each and every one of you a safe take off and landing. Happy motoring.

Gordon, there's no 'legal height' of 10,000ft. The ATC guy doesn't know whether you are configured for flight at height, or not. He will simply tell you to climb/descend accordingly. The only legal bits are OUTCAS and INCAS regs. OUTCAS has the 3000' rule and that's it. Glider pilots frequently go above 10,000 without oxygen whilst soaring, admittedly not by much and not for long. Same with helo pilots especially in the mountains. It is not recommended by the way to stay above 10 grand without oxygen for long. Finding0 There is an APP available at the moment that is an auto pilot for the paramotor. You could plug this into it and it would take over if the pilot failed to respond after a while

Thanks guys. In the grand scheme of things that wind envelope is marginal isn't it. Being generous it looks like between 2kts and 10kts perhaps and without gusts.

What a complete asshole. Thank god he didnt take anyone out with him when he crashed. So much for the 500' rule. Wazzer.

Did my taster day at Airways this past w/e.....well half of it! I have to say, the staff are exceptional up there at Darley Moor. Can't do enough for you always smiling/chatting/interested. I had a very young (Lorrie) instructor who was years ahead of himself in maturity and his teaching technique was exceptional - thanks L. I got the distinct impression that this company was most definitely a BHPA operator practicing to a very high standard (As a helicopter instructor with 000's of hrs it's easy to spot the cowboys). Anyway - I digress. Got the hang of this ground handling well enough to get hooked up to the winch just as the wind peaked at 18kts and gusting. It meant the day for me ended just as I was getting worked up! Another visit is planned to complete the taster day. I have a question for you 'expert's' though: To go paramotoring as a novice and hopefully intermediate shortly thereafter, would it be true to say I would need a wind operating band of between say 5 and (max) 15 kts to enjoy the sport? Anything less than 5kts means lots of effort trying to get airborne and anything > 15kts means shutting down for the day. Second question: How many of you go flying on your own, or do most PM drivers hook up with the local club, other drivers to enjoy the sport? Third Q: How easy is it to find a suitable takeoff strip within close proximity of your home. Fields / beaches / commons etc....... Ta in advance.

Keep us informed Pete - got my taster day at darley moor this w/e??

Tom, that was excellent - very well put together and thanks for sharing it with us.

Thanks for your time guys. Much clearer - don't fancy running 100m for a launch Enough to put anyone off.

I'm still planning on entering the Paramotor fraternity with a Baileys V5. Why? Because it's quieter than the 2 strokes and seems to be more fuel frugal, reliable sturdy etc. But it is obvious that nearly all the franchises have restrictions on sale prices and a V5 cannot be found anywhere for les than £5000+. Can someone suggest a comparable alternative for new entrants into the market please? Something that above all else is reliable, electric start stop (in flt), robust and for a lot less than a new V5? Ideally something between £3-4000? Ooops - nearly forgot: must have good after sales maintenance availability. Many thanks.

Back to the thread. So when looking for suitable Paramotors, do you measure your stand alone self when considering thrust, or do you include everything you are taking airborne before considering thrust? Finally for someone like moi - 75Kg what sort of thrust figure would suit me, please?

I'm sure this has been answered before, but I can't find it quickly: When someone says their Paramotor is good for, say, 100kg thrust, does this mean it'll propel a person FULLY laden at 100kg - comfortably, or does it mean just the person WITHOUT all the kit ? Thanks

I live in rhosneigr near RAF Valley. The MATZ is very very busy in the week. Of course by law you can ignore this but not the inner radius of its ATZ. Lots of jet training and helos. But outside of a 2Nm radius its game on. The NE is Red wharf bay with massive sands - firm and flat Easy to access by car too. Nice pub nearby! The nearest GA airfield is: Mona in the centre of the island. Next nearest is off islan but only a few miles as the crow flies: Caernarfon airfield. Good owner very enthusiastic. Cafe/museum/hangarage etc. Best beaches are in the SW near Valley unfortunately! I'm a newbie to this and if you do plan to fly your ParaM on the Island sometime give us a call perhaps you can introduce me to the equipment first hand? PM me. Regards, B

I know the rules are "see and avoid" for minor airfields. The rules also state that pilots are to make blind calls near the airfield and if there is no response, they are to treat the zone as live. But if a radio is being used perhaps it should be available to all and not just those using the airfield? Safety Matters, no?

Hi Simon, Thanks for your diplomatic reply to my query earlier! I would like to add support to morgy's request purely from the grounds of Flight Safety. A LOT can happen between his fone call at say 0900 and his arrival at say 1400!!! Can I ask: Is the airfield a recognised AIRFIELD. IE: is it on maps and charts? If it is, it should realy have a live frequency when there is traffic activity, to safeguard those inside the ATZ. Or is it just some farmers field where the odd flight lands / takesoff? All in all, if it has an ATZ (and that ATZ is live) it needs a radio frequency. If it doesn't have an ATZ on maps and charts, you shouldn't be surprised to see GA flying right through your operating area without prior knowledge - possibly right in front of one of your students on short finals? And that is no good for anyone. Radios' make sense and your land owner friend needs to understand this. It might even impact on his insurance???? Perhaps your site rules could be amended to advise incoming (PPR) traffic to call (when it is quiet on that frequency) at say 2,3 or 5 miles out, and advise they are inbound in "X" minutes. This could be done on your 'training' frequency at a pinch...no? What are membury's co-ordinates please?

Thanks for finding the time to show us all this!