Skybluerob

Laurie I concur. I have resorted to launching, landing and flying in some unsuitable areas. As you say, the most obvious places to fly are countyside areas but farmers are unhappy. Fly in semi urban areas and you can be unpopular. Fly where paragliders/gliders fly and you are unpopular (in my case the Pennines). You can't win!!!!!!!

Notch I've had two bad launches. The first due to me sitting in the seat too early, the second has had me scratching my head. I was airbourne, about 10 ft...75% power and brakes only slightly on, flying into wind. Suddenly it was as if a large lump of downward moving air forced me down. My immediate action, rightly or wrongly was to pull brakes and full power but had no affect. I feel that this incident was out of my control and a freek of nature. As for repairing props, I imagine a patch or surface damage repair is feesible but I wouldn't like to fly with the two ends re-bonded

I have repaired the bottom left of my Bailey frame and bottom left of the cage twice now. I bought a new AC/DC tig welder (£350) aluminium tubing, argon bottle and BOC license. All that cost about £800 I'm not a welder as is obvious by the welds I do but Aluminium can easily be filed to look better. I can repair my Bailey aluminium parts in a couple of hours now. Quarter frames are £160 and main frame, I think over £600 so the kit has paid for itself. Pitty props aren't repairable

Chears for the heads up padeakin

Hi Gordon The people I talked to (brokers) talked to Easyjet and nothing was mentioned about draining the system however I most certainly will. I will ensure the transparent pipes have no fuel in too but leave the carb alone. I just know something will go wrong.....usually involving baggage handlers or damage to something....very aprehensive. Oh well, I will post the outcome on my return to the UK for all to benefit from my experience.

Dan Thompson won't transport paramotor engines. Ange and I are booked to come over on the 8th March for a week. (Easyjet). We're staying at the hotel Las Chapas. It's costing about £100 for V5, Nukleon return.... Hope the weather's ok

Hiya Dan I'm planning the trip to Marbella as we want to come across even if I can't paramotor. I can't get any airlines to give me a price for flying the paramotor across but I've PM'd Simon asking what he's paying and the airline for the Africa trip. Are you still toying with the plan to sell on Ebay and me to hold it for you in the UK until you have a buyer? Plan B I may take my kit across if I can get cocts and you don't like the plan A. I'm overdue a break..!!!!

That all sounds good Dan... Leaving it last minute? .....Why not eh..!! Will there be a wing comeing back Dan? The weather has been great the last 4 days..!! Went flying Fri, Sat n Sun....Got it all on Go-pro. Made a frame that extends rearwards and allows cameras to be mounted. I have 3 cameras every flight in all directions. Anyway, hopefully a plan may transpire

Hiya again Dan Hiya Mr B (Holloran) Dan...after our Emails and chatting about moving to Spain, me and my missus are going to do a recce (hopefully coming over on the 8th March for a week) I've phoned airlines but they do not know what paramotorring is but say they'd get back to me when they've investigated....They just don't get back!!! Regarding the use of paramotor in exchange for selling it in UK, I'm not discounting it but I'm sure it isn't as straight forward as that....good idea though. Dan, you reside in Spain...is this a spare paramotor? I have a V5 and Nucleon and have become rather attached Dan, do you know of any suitable van/pickup rentals and paramotor suitable accommodation? (Marbella) Also looking at estate agents...

Hola..! I'd have thought this topic would have been discussed but not found anything on here. Has anyone done this recently and has any top tips...Which airline, etc etc? Ta

Morgy I know how Jaco is feeling. People suggesting or even insisting that it is your technique at fault is frustrating. If Jaco is getting the same symptoms as I was, which is clear by his posts, then there is certainly something not quite right with the set-up. Now that my V5 is set up correctly, there's no technique...just pull...!!! Hope you get it sorted Jaco.

Hello Darius The Bailey online manual (you can see for yourself of course) says 0.004 in for both exhaust and inlet valve clearances. The top being inlet and bottom exhaust. The V5 exhaust valve isn't a regular set-up. The easy start system pushes the exhaust valve down a very small amount when you pull the starter. In Jaco's case (Jaco has the same symptoms as I had before I adjusted the exhaust valve) the easy start mechanism isn't pushing the exhaust valve down enough, .....compression is too high etc. I suggested making the gap smaller or making it absolutely certain that the cam lobe was at its lowest. Ta Rob

Jaco I flew today and started/stopped the engine many times. I'm a very happy person but this doesn't help you. Yes, that's agood idea, using a motorcycle mechanicalthough I'm sure others would disagree. If you are still haveing the same symptoms with the correct valve clearance then my engineering head tells me that the easy start mechanism isn't pushing the exhaust valve down enough to allow the release of pressure in the cylinder. I don't mean to insult you but are you sure that the cam is at its lowest point when you measure the gap? I would try reducing the exhaust valve gap even further just as an experiment. Not too much that the valve hits the piston head though!!!!......Just a little.. My last comment will probably cause one or two people to ridicule my suggestion.....Let's see

Anyone reading this post.... IF YOU BUY A BRAND NEW v5 AND HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING IT.... SYMPTOMS: COMPRESSION LOCK, POPPING, KICKING BACK WHEN PULL STARTING, DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE VALVE CLEARANCES WERE CORRECTLY ADJUSTED IN THE BAILEY FACTORY AND DISCOUNT THAT AS BEING THE PROBLEM. The easy start system involves a mechanism that only slightly pushes the exhaust valve down and reduces the comression in the cylinder during starting. If the exhaust valve clearance is too much then the easy start mechanism effect is reduced or not at all. I'm so happy that my V5 is all good now and at no cost...!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jaco Oh man...I am soooo extatic. The V5 starts every time BEFORE the end of the pull..!!! When I took the rocker cover off and rattled the valves on the lowest part of the cam lobe, it was obvious the exhaust valve clearance was way too much. I adjusted it (.004 inch), cover on and breather pipe and the V5 started first attempt and non of that compression lock. The easy start system is integrated into the exhaust valve and it is imperitive that the gap is correct. I have spent 15 joyous minutes just starting and stopping the engine... Jaco...Just look at your clearances.....5 minute job..!!!

Jaco Just come off the phone with Bruce from Bailey, helpful bloke. Our problems aren't unique. They have a policy whereby they will sell you a CVK carb (which comes with a new inlet manifold) at a reduced price of £100. I will do just that but will first check the valve clearances as suggested by Bruce. Rob

Jaco I work away during the week...I'll take a look when I'm home...Thanks Obviously, I will keep you informed of any progress. I will contact Bailey and see what they say...I'll let them know that whatever they say/do it will be posted on this forum. I have spoken to Bailey before and wasn't happy with the outcome. I will be pleasantly surprised if I make positive progress after talking to them on this topic. Rob

Morgy My V5 has been like this from new. The sales person that sold it me must have known it was a difficult starter and the people in the factory must have known. Either that or they only started it when cold (as I've said it starts quite easily when cold). I don't want to drive down south and back and perhaps BnB for days. This would be false economy. I was a helicopter tech in the Army and have years of experience. Replacing a carb is a doddle but of course the tuning of the engine is something else. I'm certain Paul Bailey knows there are issues but isn't interested once the units have left the factory. If they know there's an issue with the certain carbs, they should ship out the correct carb. Bailey should pay for the posting, insurance parts and labour to solve this problem. The more I think about it the more agitated I get. Thanks though Morgy Rob

Simon, 1) Is insurance and/or a license required? 2) Would you be flying around desert terrain only or is there a variety of terrains? 3) Do you recommend special maintenance before the trip? ie sacrificial tape on the prop blade leading edge due to sand erosion. I am interested but need to clear it with her indoors.

Morgy Thankyou very much for being involved with Jaco and my V5 issue. I don't need to use both hands on the pulley rope as I have developed my tricepts. The pulley is attached to the prop guard and this distorts with every pull and the rope is becoming worn due to the unsuccessful starts. I think it would be impractical to have my unit posted to and from Bailey. I'd like to try this other type of carb though. Where can I buy one from? Rob

Yeah, I'd really like to go flying with ya...or anyone in fact. This is something I'm looking forward to doing. Your spot is a bit far away though. I'm planning on driving to Spain with my kit in August and may see ya en-route. The V5 should be sorted by then...hopefully. You are absolutely right regarding shooting from the hip and I hope it is me that looks a tit rather than any mark against you. We're going to get some decent weather soon...I can feel it...!!!

Mark I'm very very exyremely sorry....I've just found an old Email from the person I bought it off. Sabre ace..? You'll probably know him. Thankyou for being helpful but I just think that four strokes are inherrently difficult to start. My V5 starts best without choke when cold. When warm, it sort of backfires and pops and will never start from the harness. A friend or passerby may start it eventually. This indicates that it is running rich. All is still as from new. I like the power, sound, quality and build and if I could get it to start more effectively I'd be well happy. I have tricepts like Schwarzneger from the 80s and use a setup that has a rope pull on a pully in the gym and load it up. Believe my I'm no whimp. Again, I'm profusely sorry I wrongly pointed my finger at you....(made myself look a right tit now ;0) Rob

Cheers Simon Rob

Jaco Don't let anyone make you feel that it is you that is doing something wrong.... The person that sold me my V5 (and owns one too) attempted to demonstrate starting my new V5. He couldn't get it to start on his back!!! In heinsight, I should have refused to take it at that time but I had already paid for it. The only way to solve our problem would be for Bailey to take the units off us and return them functioning how they should..!!...There's not a cat in hells chance of that happening. I have been in touch with Bailey on another subject (claiming their props are 'carbon composite' when in fact they are a thin shell of carbon fibre and core of glass fibre); I don't want to get into that right now. I wasn't happy with that outcome..!!

Mark Remember me? Rob?I met you on the service station to take the V5. I bought the V5 off you in August 2012 and had a problem starting the thing from new. Remember me phoning and texting you with the problem? You say you don't know of any people you've sold these to that have had problems!!! Mine has been terrible for starting...easy start my arse!!...and it isn't due to bad technique as you suggested!! I need it sorting....