tigger_2

I heartily concur with the comments above. Some say simple common sense should be applied at all times. The problem with that is, if you haven't flown for a while and want to get airborne, it is tempting to fly in less than ideal conditions or with equipment that isn't 100%. Remember, it's better to be on the ground wishing you were flying than being in the air wishing you were on the ground. Experience is a great thing but must be built up over time. Know your limits and steadily increase them as your experience increases. Assess the risks of what you plan to do and, if in doubt, don't do it! We all make mistakes but if you are not outside of your comfort zone and you keep in practice with your basic techniques, your errors may result in financial loss but little else except hurt pride. My most enjoyable flights are those where the conditions were smooth as silk and I could sit back, relax and really enjoy the whole experience. Being chucked around by turbulence while fighting to make a landing or distance goal is not a lot of fun!

Does anyone know if it is possible to get hold of oversized pistons for the HE120 engine as mine seized today so I now have a duff piston and a damaged cylinder barrel. Pity, I was having such an enjoyable flight at the time!

Hi Norman, I tried to use an online photo album but the link wouldn't work so I have added three pictures in my album on this site - hopefully you can access them. I was in Oman on loan service from the RAF as a Fighter Controller so was based at the radar site just down the road from the main base. Flew on just about everything that came trhough Thumrait as a result of that and even got a trip up to Seeb and back in a Hunter. Very, verrrrrry low in a Jag at very high speed! Did some desert trips using the desert rescue long range Land Rovers out into the Empty Quarter, amazing place - wouldn't mind trying to cross that in a paraglider as suggested by one of the guys here. Weather here still rather unsettled and we even had some rain today! Temperature around 18C at the moment with clearing skies and a fresh wind. Hope the WX in the UK isn't getting you guys down too much. Best wishes, Martin

Quote "Great to hear that, 'Cheetah' by any chance or SOAF with another hat? I wish paramotoring had been around in those days - imagine the fun we could have had with that sea breeze and those hills!" Sorry for the delay in the response, Norman - seem to get caught up in all sorts these days. With reference to my flying in Oman back in 82 to 84, it wasn't paramotoring or paragliding, it was a bit faster and heavier! I had the privelage of being talking baggage in both the SOAF Hunters and Jaguars at Thumrait. Still have a cracking video of some stunning fast-jet flying from there, a great bunch of guys who really knew how to get the best out of those jets. With reference to our "band of brothers" here, we now have 4 qualified PPG pilots, including myself. I've now got just short of 30 hours using a shared He120 and Revolution 28. I have tried the Gofly, Fusion, ActionGT but still like the characteristics of the Revo - great wing! If I ever figure out how to get my piccies linked to these entries, I will post some up to date ones. No flying for me today - rather unstable conditions with a front going through. Pity, the sun is shining as usual!

Can you give me an idea on what you are looking for on the wing please?

Hi Folks, not too surprisingly most of our flying is done either early morning or late evening as we tend to get pretty strong winds due to the sun's heating - and, of course, lots of thermals and rotor. For the Westerners, we are delighted to have been given such a warm, friendly welcome from our Saudi compatriots - their hospitality is second to none, it really make flying here a pleasure. Don't think we have all the best here though! We are now into our winter so early morning is very cold and getting colder (I saw -7C last year and it is predicted to get even colder this year). The big difference for us is little or no rain so, as long as the wind is not too strong, we are flying! Yes, we have lots of flat sandy areas but they tend to have lots of rocks sticking up which are ideal for damaging lines and wings if you aren't careful. We also have camel thorn - think of the most viscious gorse bush and multiply by 4! Having said all that, we generally have blue skies so it certainly beats being in the UK until we get back into our summer where we will see +40 to 50C - nice! I will try to get some additional photos and put them on the sight in the near future. Oh, by the way, I had a sunset flight yesterday for 1 hour - it was excellent! Best regards, Martin

Hi Norman, I was also in Oman in 82 to 84 working initially in Seeb and then at Thumrait - best flying club ever!! Alan has started up the web posting for a group of 5 new trainees with the hope a quite a few more joining us. Still waiting for my first solo - next week - inshallah! Best regards, Martin