bilbosmeggins

And, even after your instructor has explained it to you, you will still find it hard to believe until you have experienced thermic flying for yourself. The sheer power and ferocity of a stonking great thermal truly beggars belief. You can get catapulted skywards whilst your balls beg for mercy. And your vario, instead of giving a nice pleasant, reassuring 2-up beep-beep, will scream at you like the banshee from hell, scaring the living piss out of you. And that's assuming the thermal has chosen to take ALL of your wing with it. Only the very skilled cross-country boys/girls who need to brave out the mid-day stuff in search of the big distances will be out at noon. Oh, and the very stupid

Well, I've looked at the Icaro and it looks just the ticket. Will look into radio options before I order one. Another sodding minefield, lol. Thanks both

Thanks for that, Morgy. I will check them out. So am I right in thinking that I have zero options for my existing helmet then?

Hi all Part way through training at the mo' and have, up 'til now, been using a free flight helmet (open-faced Lazer). Not trained with motor running yet so not had need for ear muffs. However, the time is fast approaching that I shall need something. Thing is do I have any options for my current helmet? If not, what helmet/headset options do I have at the "ahem", budget end of the market? If I wait until Airways make their recommendations I shall leave a very poor man Ideally I would like to be able to incorporate radio comms into the equation.

Or do it at Airways. A snip at £600

Fantastic video. Loved the soundtrack. Created a wonderful mood for the film So much better than the frantic guitar crap that accompanies most videos. Keep 'em coming

Glad you are pleased with the service that Airways are offering. I'm booked in there myself to do my power conversion course so that's real good to hear. As regards strength of wind, speaking as a free flyer you understand, you need also to factor in gust strength. Big variances in wind speed can be catastrophic for a paraglider wing. I might bump into you soon at Airways as I'm keeping a close eye on any available opportunity to fly at the mo'. But then aren't we all

Thursday may be looking good for you. It's got "I'm working" stamped all over it for me

I feel your pain. I was banking on the high pressure settling things out, but all the while believing that it just wouldn't pan out that way and would still be crap for flying. Was booked in at Airways and had the "cancelled" message this morning. Am booked in for Tuesday also. Hopes are low

I have seen some tat touted on the net over the years but nearly choked when I saw this ad on gumtree earlier: http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/parag ... /102150560 The mind boggles. I'd be loath to pick it up never mind fly with it

The onset of sleep took quite a while, lol. Thanks for the offer of a little coaching. Certainly wouldn't say no to a few pointers here and there. Fingers crossed for the arrival of decent weather and let the unfurling of wings commence. By the way, I had a peep at your take off field on google earth and nearly PMSL when I saw you on there with your wing all laid out and ready for action. Are you sure you occasionally do some work up there? Take care matey and see you soon

No problems, even though my name is Andy . Really great to meet you and your partner, and see what a great arena you fly in. Was suitably impressed with the power of the FT. And yes, you were right............. I lay in bed last night thinking "Bugger. I should have gone for it" As regards the starting, I think it's just a case of getting familiar with the machine's nuances 'cos I struggled too with my long arms. Once I know exactly how much priming/choke/tugging it wants it'll be easy peasy. Really looking forward to when I'm next down your way. Maybe we can do the Bude/Exmoor run. And you can deffo get the test flight as promised.

Will bell you when I get down to your neck o' the woods

Can't see that record ever being beaten. Good on her. And I don't think I've ever seen a sweeter tandem landing so hats off to the pilot also for landing her so gently

Holy sh!t. That is truly the most remarkable flying I have ever seen. Acro on a speed canopy . Things are really moving forward at an incredible pace. Me predicting what field I may or may not land in seems far less impressive now, lol

I might be interested, but I thought you loved that machine? It is good but I prefer the Simmo 200, despite it's extra weight. It may be my ignorance, but I cant get the economy with the Moster and it seems to run hot. Apart from those two things it's a superb engine. Any tips to remedy would be welcomed. I'm sure you'll enjoy the V5. 4 stroke would be my choice if I wasn't over 90 kgs. Perhaps I should buy an old V3 with a stuffed motor and stick a Simmo in it. I Hi Dave Was a bit tentative with 4-stroke due to me being a tad heavier than you, but have been assured that I am still within range. Watched a youtube vid of someone who looks considerably heavier than me having a great climb out so am highly optimistic. Subject to a hang check (I may need a larger harness) I should be collecting the machine friday. If you fancy a peek then you will be more than welcome to pop over. I shall be staying with my sister just a stone's throw from you after picking up the v5. She's at Pathfinder, near Tedburn.

Ah, thanks for that. But I would prefer the next size up as I would also like to use the wing for free-flight, and, at 16.5 stone I would be pushing it on your wing. But much appreciated

More than happy to bang it on the scales, but it looks like Morgy has sorted it out for you. I shall weigh my v5 as a matter of course when I finally get my sticky mitts on it. And yes, the wait is already starting to kill me. I'm getting twitchier by the day

Will look forward to it, Roy. Not too sure when I shall be ready for take off. Fingers crossed for the v5 next week then I need to try and source a wing. i've overspent on the motor already so shall be looking for a good 2nd hand wing. Then there is the small matter of training which will probably be done back at Airways, who taught me to freefly some years back. Really looking forward to following the severn though

Hi all Just thought I'd show my newbie face . I'm a CP rated free-flyer who has long wanted to get into paramotoring. Well, I've just taken the plunge and ordered myself a V5. There is the small matter of grabbing some training and a wing then it's all systems go. Would be nice to team up with some of you local pilots at some point. I'm currently based in Stourport and quite often see a pair of flyers following the severn towards Bridgnorth. Any of you lot? All the best, Andy

Well I took the plunge today and ordered the V5. I knew in my heart of hearts that it just had to be the 4-stroker. Just waiting now for the happy day when I get to pick my new baby up. Thanks to everyone who offered their tuppence worth

I might be interested, but I thought you loved that machine?

I have done some free flying from Sopot in Bulgaria and it was superb. And there is so much space that I should imagine paramotoring would be every bit as good.

Having read the above comments I am fairly sure that he is not a scam merchant. According to his feedback he has had some very happy US customers to date and I am reasonably reassured by the website. I sent him an email regarding shipping costs and was quoted £90-100 depending on postcode, so the price would still remain remarkably cheap. I do however agree with the spares issue, although I think that time would be the only real problem there. And yes, I had noticed the hang points as being a little basic. I will give it some thought. Truth be told, I now have enough money in place to bagsy the bailey v5 but, now that it is crunch time, I am finding it very hard to justify five and a half grand. That is the equivalent of a very nice MX5 and a decent sports bike parked on the drive. As regards buying second hand, I am constantly scouring the ads, and ebay for something suitable but haven't seen anything yet. Thanks all for your input. Much appreciated

Although I'd kinda set my heart on a bailey v5, I have also heard nothing but good about the Moster engine. Well, after perusing on ebay I spotted this very keenly priced machine - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Paramotor-Mos ... 630wt_1413 Now I realise that postage is likely to be very high, but does anyone have any thoughts regarding the general spec of the machine? I'm a bit concerned about the cage mesh, but all looks good to my untrained eye otherwise.....