Cessna

Hi Tim

Did you get my e-mail?

Cheers

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Hi All

I know this is a "how long is a piece of string question"... but here goes!

I weigh 98kg, + clothes + a typical power unit (possibly Bailey?) what would be a good wing?

I am told Dudek are pretty bullet proof any thoughts????

Cheers

Cessna

Hi All

Thanks for all the offers of "services"....the only problem for me with Membury is the distance from where I live. I used to fly out of the airstrip at Hook (M3) and the driving became a real pain in the arse!

However still looking at options, I have been talking to Andy Morant who trains in north Kent and I will in the first instance be doing more practice with the wing I have for ground training.

Will keep the blog going

Cessna

PS I'm not sure how the £2000 course fee/equipment deposit is split by Flybubble, they're real nice people, but obviously paragliding is their thing. Buying free flight equipment would be using funds I would need for my paramotoring.

Day 2)

Not sure if trying to train in the winter was such a good idea, with other commitments and bad weather almost 2 mths have passed and a lot of Day 1 was forgotten. Much lighter winds (although a little variable), beginning to think I can do this, although I still get confused with what seems like an awful lot of lines!

By the end of the day I was controlling the wing better, and even started doing some hops, but now have a dilemma. Flybubble have "re-jigged" their training program and to continue with them I need to commit to a full 10 day training course, with deposits for equipment purchase.

As I really want to go down the Paramotoring route I think the £2000 would be better spent on dedicated Paramotoring training, its just unfortunate that Steve Haze is laid up at present

Hi Steve

Sorry to hear about the injury, can you pm me your e-mail so we can keep in touch. Currently doing an intro course with Flybubble paragliding, but thinking of moving across to paramotoring sooner than later.

Kind regards

Cessna

Is Steve Haze back from vacation, web site doesn't have a contact number?

Hi Paul

Thanks for the encouraging words, the conditions weren't ideal but a lot was learnt. I am glad I've selected two good training solutions with both close to where I live.

Kind regards

Adrian

Day 1)

Just trying to recover from Saturday's training session with Flybubble. This is a very friendly Paragliding club based near Lewes where I am doing some initial training. Very hands on with just two trainees per instructor. Practiced both snatch and reverse launches within the first couple of hours until the wind picked up then further reverse practice with a 12 mtr speed wing (very twitchy!).

Overall impression at the moment..the sport is impossible, however once the aches and pains subside I'm sure it will all come together. I have a second day booked and then hope to move over to Steve Haze at Wing and a Chair (if he's back in the UK). However cannot speak highly enough of Flybubble and maybe will try to keep paragliding as well.

Thanks for the advice, I have to agree about the PPL bit (although coming from a gliding background, my flying has always been more about "feel" than playing a "numbers" game) When I did my Silver C conversion my first instructor went ballistic if I didn't have a 1/2 mile separation between me and other aircraft in circuit!

It's the freedom element that attracts me to Paramotoring

Cheers

Cessna

Hi Pete

Many thanks for the info, it has confirmed my thoughts but as I am working outside my area of experience so I thought I would check.

Cheers

Cessna (Adrian)

Hi All

Finally started my training, have booked some paragliding training with a local club.

In the meanwhile gradually collecting the necessary equipment. Quick question with the very narrow speed band of a paramotor (when compared against my fixed wing experience) is the ASI function on some alt/vario instruments worth having?

Kind regards

Cessna

Hi All

Many thanks for info, I'll keep my eyes peeled for a late-ish model.

Cheers

Cessna

Hi

Hoping to start my training this summer, due to budget limitations I will have to start with 2nd hand equipment, but like the idea of Bailey 4 strokes, is there any particualr model to avoid?

I'm around 90-95 kg

Cheers

Cessna

Hi All

Are ADVENTURIDGE boots any good, been offered an almost new pair in my size.

Cheers

Cessna

Hi

Been away from the forum for sometime, had an enquiry about preparing a risk assessment for a fly-in. As a H&S professional (I know someone has to do it!) I do a lot of risk assessment work and hopefully keep it all easy and practical to apply.

Is this an area members have problems with?

Kind regards

Cessna

I know the feeling well! (but not yet from a paramotor)

Cheers

Cessna

Hi All

Was it one of our members flying over Cowbeech last Sunday (9th), watching from the ground and very envious!!

Cheers

Cessna

Hi All

Get all set up to start ground training and the British "summer" rains constantly!

Hopefully now the sun will come out and the fun begins

Cheers

Cessna

Hi

Should have realised you all would be ahead of the "games" (think the restrictions are going to be a right pain in the arse!)

It's going to be very busy along the south coast during Aug!

Cheers

Cessna

Hi All

The CAA just showed me what they do with some of my money and sent me an excellent "glossy" detailing various regulatory changes including the restricted flight zone. As this extends over most of the SE how does this info get out to Paramotor pilots?

Cheers

Cessna

Hi All

I'm afraid its more "silly" questions from me!, looking up various PPG models, and saw one with a high mounted fuel tank, is that really a safe option?

Seems to me that any leak is going to ignite on the hot engine below!

Cheers

Cessna

Hi All

Many thanks for responses, food for thought!

Cheers

Cessna

Hi

Just a quick question...some years ago I went flying with a chap in a Thruster microlight, I found the spare microlight helmet and separate head set a bit bulky, and noted he had a rather tidy helmet set up.

It turned out to be a standard motor cycle helmet (open faced) in which he had installed speakers and a small boom mike from a motorcycle intercom. All fairly standard components and it worked rather well!

He got good engine sound attenuation and a very comfortable set up. Are there any problems with this approach for PPG? I was thinking the helmets would be heavier than a PPG/microlight helmet, but once you've added the headset I doubt there is much in it?

Kind regards

Cessna

Hi All

Silly question...

Is there anywhere in the SE where a 95kg potential PPG pilot could get an air experience ride?

Cheers

Cessna

Hi All

And many thanks for your responses.. we all know the saying "there are Old pilot's or Bold pilots.. but few Old-Bold pilots" and I guess as I have been flying regularly since 1981 I'm not very bold!

I risk assess much of what I do (it's my profession) and with family responsibilities your views provide confirmation of my own concerns.

Think it will be some basic Paragliding training to learn the ground handling, basic processes (wing handling, takeoff/landing) and then onwards to the "motor" and limit my exposure to the limited options-danger zone.

Cheers

Cessna