Lee Jackson

... it has its issues. Launching is heals is proving tricky!

Well done mate... its lots of hard work for you but I'm sure it'll be worth it! Now please don't hate me, but I'm really not fussed about fireworks!!!! So there's no flying below 500ft on the camp side of the river (unless using the field)? Not a problem, just making sure I've got it right. It may pay to have a rib or something to assist if anyone decides to land t'uther side of the river or go for a wetty (I won't mention Dickie at all here)!

So it must be you and me booked on to his course Mark. It looks like March 13th is the day. I'm looking forward to it. I couldn't agree more with it being a low cost when you look at what you gain from it... hopefully.

No... no regrets what so ever. Mark is giving you great advice above. Something I am really not placed to do. I have to say that I'm also a bit surprised by some of what your dealer has said. Note I've got the snake 1.2 after 180 hours and its not my main wing. And in my opinion, it doesn't feel more stable then the Nuc xx in turbulence - nor a better all rounder. In fact in the slightest whiff of a thermal, gust or any turbulence and it oscillates (it is a wing that demands to be actively flown). Its easy to dampen, but the Nuc xx just ploughs on without correction. The Snake landings are fast but not an issue if you're adept at landing trims out for a long, high energy finish anyway.

I'm now flying the 22m Snake 1.2 As its not my primary wing I could also have gone for the 20m, but I chose the 22m as its correct for my weight and I knew I'd fly it a lot more than occasionally. I absolutely love it and can see exactly what Mark is saying above. There isn't a rush here and this is a logical step towards a more dynamic wing. I seem to find myself flying the snake 1.2 when I'm on my own and the Nuc xx when flying with others, or flying a distance.

I'm also at 135-145Kg all up and have been flying the Nuc xx 24m for the last couple of years. Its been great. TBH I could also have got away with the 22m.

Alan, thanks to you I'm now on Andy's waiting list! As you say, he does these sessions in groups so I'm just waiting for a few others to join and then he'll run it. Cheers mate

Great pics! That really does look a beautiful spot to fly... one day!

Doh...

Hi Alan, great information here! If OK, I'm going to contact this chap as I have always wanted to gain my FRTOL. I even have my trusty unused icom A6 gathering dust in the garage. Hopefully he still does these courses and would entertain the idea of helping a PPG flier. Thank you Alan!

I genuinely do not know the answer to this! I know its the lightened version of the Speedster 2 and the one below the Freeride in the Ozone range but other than that I just don't know enough about Ozone wings. I may be shot for saying this... but from my limited experience Ozone wings seem slower than Dudek (for the same wing size). But speed definitely isn't everything. If anyone knows better/more please do feel free to put me right!!!

I was very, very tempted to get one... I hear great things about them. But then I'm genuinely really happy with my Nucleon XX - I still really enjoy flying it (I did a couple of flights with it Sunday). In essence I don't feel I've outgrown it. So in my mind I went with the Snake as more of a play wing to compliment the Nuc for XC. As I understand it the hadron is slightly more XC and so I decided not to have two XC focussed wings. That's my logic anyway.

I've certainly never heard that it isn't good in turbulent air, nor found that to be the case. I've flown in some mucky old shite too! I do know you need to keep it pressurised in deep wingovers though, but I do that anyway. The Nucleon xx is pretty fast (i'm at the top of its weight range but cruise at about 32mph) but the Snake 1.2 feels much faster (but then it would). As such it needs to be respected. Personally at face value I think you may want to look at a good intermediate wing like a Nuc xx, Report Air, Speedster 2 or Scirocco 2. A friend has recently moved from a Nuc xx to a Scirocco 2 and absolutely loves it. But it also depends upon what sort of flying you want to do. IMHO I think you should talk to instructors like Simon, Clive or Chilly as they all have loads of experience, they know what to ask you and they know the wings better than someone like myself. You may even get to try before you buy that way! Best of luck with it and fly safe!

TBH it depends upon which Snake you're talking about. I'm now flying a snake 1.2 for 'fun' but kept my nucleon xx for XC flying. The snake is a really great wing but I was warned away from the Snake XX with my experience level (about 180 hours). I think it is recommended at 300+hrs! TBH the snake 1.2 is noticeably unstable compared to the Nuc XX... and great fun, but nothing scary. Its definitely a hands on wing 80% of the time. I have used it for XC's but it will oscillate due to being a that bit more unstable, but that is easily dampened out once you're hands on. Its just great fun to throw about and is extremely precise - a real pleasure to fly. I guess like all these things if you treat it with respect all should be OK. If you do make a mistake, or misjudge, the penalty on a feisty wing you're not familiar with could be catastrophic. I saw this first hand in the U.S. with a very experienced pilot... and this helped steer me to the 1.2 over the XX! I'm not familiar with the Spyder, is that on a par with the Dudek Nucleon xx?

Oh dear... I'd nip that in the bud asap! You're potentially going to be cheating gravity... and there are inherent dangers in doing so. I doubt any stats out there will allay any of her fears. Personally I just tell the Mrs I'm popping out to go Bullfighting.

I've always liked Baileys and I live very close to their outfit... but I didn't buy one all those years ago as I'd seen the issues people were having with support. Such a shame as the engineering is so good. Totally agree - they could have been a far greater force with a bit of business acumen.

Awsome cinematography Simon... I loved the Chinook doing a hand break turn! Makes you want to join the RAF

For me cloud flying and low flying are where the fun is at - but low flying is obviously dangerous! So forgive me stating the obvious, but always run an aerial check of anywhere you're going to fly low first... pre-decide your route, and keep energy in the wing! Either this, or only low fly low in a very well known area. This way there hopefully won't be any unexpected obstacles/wires etc. If you do need to make any sudden manoeuvres every little bit of energy gives you a 'chance', but don't depend on it! Sorry if this is a sucking eggs thing!!!! This whole flying thing is a privilege and I'm also cautious of upsetting anyone/anything. My rule of thumb is - if an animal looks at you (or becomes agitated), you are too close! It doesn't mean you may not occasionally stumble close to a dog walker or field with something in it... but I always try to avoid it (especially horses). Obviously don't overfly houses, villages and towns etc. There's plenty of space out there! Oh, and I find winter flying very rewarding. The cold dense air is great for wing control... plus you can fly all day long. Just dress accordingly! I don't wear anything heated and I'm always toasty. My iPhone battery doesn't like it much though. So to answer your actual question... I'll transit anywhere between 500-3000ft (depending upon local conditions). I'll go above this to play in clouds or find clean air and I go below this if I'm going to interact with the furniture!

I'm still amazed that someone flew a drone around me, whilst I was flying, and I was utterly unaware of it! I had been out playing in the mist on my tod, quite oblivious to the world... just avoiding livestock and dog walkers wherever I chanced upon them (i.e. looking down a lot of the time). I went to work and thought no more about it until, 8 hours later, a chap I didn't know sent me a 'is this you' message on Facebook. I was completely dumbstruck... firstly that he'd be flying around me without me even seeing a drone, but also that he'd managed to track me down! There is an argument that he was naughty to do this, as I certainly didn't know the guy or pre-agree to it, but I think he just chanced upon me and it was a bit of luck for both of us. He also didn't come too close or compromise my lines so I'm not fussed in the slightest. I'm actually grateful for the cool footage he shot and we've now agreed to meet and plan a filming session somewhere later in the year. I honestly think the future of drones is assured by sheer practicality. These things are modern day UFO's. They will almost certainly get bigger, become much more numerous, get cleverer and be heavily regulated. Anywho, here's the footage the chap, Alex, sent me:

Yep, Winglands is a great place to start. Plenty of cool customers fly from there and some great XC's from there to Hunstanton and or Cromer. You're also very welcome to come down to Cambridgeshire for a flight!

Oh dear... what a genuine shame. Personally I think you should go for a weekend in June anyway Simon ? Speak to the sirens, read the runes, divine the entrails of sheep - do whatever you normally do to bag the best of the weather!

I'm selling my Nucleon WRC 29 wing. I bought this wing in 2016 and have flown it for just over 70 hours before I moved on to my Nucleon XX. It has been an amazing wing to use to progress. I initially kept the wing as a spare but, in all honesty, I just don't fly it any more. As such its time to let it go. Its still in good shape and thought to have about 100+ hours on it. I'm the second owner with an instructor being the first. The wing has the added benefit of having 2D steering fitted. It really is a great wing for Cross Country flying. Its fast and it just seems to cut through any mucky air. My Nucleon xx will bounce around whereas this wing is far more solid feeling. It launches easily and behaves well. It will land fast if you like a swoopy long energy landing (trimmed out) or if you crank the trimmers in you can just step out of the air. I always thought I'd keep this wing, but it just seems such a waste it sitting on the shelf never being flown - so I decided to fly it one last time and sell it. I've put it on eBay so I can't change my mind!!! It may go cheap, but it will go for whatever it goes for! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Paramotor-Wing-Dudek-Nucleon-WRC-29m-inc-2D-steering-fitted-Orange-Black-White/302936329864

How cool was that... as Alan says Steve, totally brilliant video!

Wow the weather looks amazing for the whole weekend. Sooooo dischuffed not to be going... have fun people. No pictures, videos or write ups please! ?

Tony, you may want to have a word with Dave (aka Julie) as she has one on order and has done some training with the peabee guys. All very positive from what I’ve seen. I looked one over in 2017 at Brads flyin, looked very cool to me.