Hann__

I`ve been viewing videos on Ewe tube - freeflyers soaring at beach locations or`dune gooning` as it`s been described. Looks like great fun. A few Q`s; They seem to be able to fly at very low level - from just skimming the ground to 10/20ft height or so - how do they control their height? Also, how do they stay `parallel to the shore`while going up and down the beach, ie: prevent themselves being blown back over the dunes by the sometimes fierce-looking wind? Is it the strong, laminar wind coming off the sea that is the attraction at these sites or is it that they always need a bit of updraught that the dunes provide? If a PPG wing needs air flowing over it at a certain speed to fly - by being pulled through the air by the motor - , why isn`t it possible to fly the same wing on an open flat field say, if that wind is at a similar speed to the `flying speed` of the wing? I`ve notived that the wings the `dune gooners` fly seem to be very `slim` - not much depth front to back - is that a wing characteristic that`s needed for this type of flying? Just curious , Hann.

On a related note, what is the minimum windspeed required to get a modern (reflex) wing up and flying overhead (as in performing a reverse launch) or ground handling it for extended period. ie: not too little wind that it goes up, down....up...down.... but flying for a length of time so you can do all the handling manoeuvres? I know you`ll say windspeed at xmph, but how would you describe that - a slight breeze, a steady breeze, strong breeze, or...?

The motorcycle reference is an interesting one.. `Proper` PPG/aviation helmets look a bit pants to me - only cover the top of your head with temple/ear area totally exposed - apart from the headset cups if fitted. Similar to bicycle helmets. If you take a bump on the side surely the headset is going to pushed into your head or other exposed bonce parts could be liable to injury? OK so it`s only headset cups - relatively pliable, but doesn`t seem right to me. Coming from a bike background when i get flying i`m going to use a motorcycle helmet (open face). I won`t need a headset `cos i won`t be talking to anyone! If it`s good enough for a motorcycle it`s good enough for PPG. PPG helmet? You`ll be saying there`s dedicated PPG gloves, dedicated PPG boots, dedicated PPG suits, and dedicated PPG socks next!!

Great vid, but still very frustrating to a wannabee like me - this year i WILL fly! Were the conditions perfect yesterday? I was on my motorbicycle out `n`about in Hampshire/Wiltshire yesterday and it looked perfect - absolutely no wind at all. Must of been great up there? Cheers, Hann.

Why has someone just bought one for £76 when you can Buy-It-Now for twelve quid! Someones made a bit of a boo-boo (or it`s been shill bid...) Chinese shite!

Another way of quantifying the chances of death is the `micromort`. It`s the equivalent of a one-in-a-million chance of death when carrying out an activity. Saw a programme about it on TV last year. I suppose skydiving is (vaguely) comparable to PPG and they reckon that doing that carries a micromort rating of 7 per jump. Riding a motorcycle for 40 miles also has a micromort rating of 7! So i reckon i`ve done the equivalent of about 5000 skydives on a motorcyle! Strangely, travelling by canoe is considered just as dangerous as a bike. Taking up flying seems to be a safe option..

Are you into motorcycles too, Clive. I have four classic Japanese V-twins - been all over the place on `em...

......remember flying over the `Bum in the Mud` motorcycle rally on Mersea Island in 2011? I know the guy who shot this video (he`s a bit of a character) and remember this video he took - looks kinda` windy that day! [youtubevideo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZOy2u3tL9Q[/youtubevideo]

From page 1;

Yeah, but better in what way? What does the XT lack that the others have? At 170cc it has good power doesn`t it? Is it suitable for a novice or would something more docile be appropriate? No clutch though...

What`s wrong with the XT........?

Eh? No reserve or unecessary electrical crap will be used (any additional weightage will be limited to just a ham and cheese sandwich and bottle of weak lemon drink)......

So for this pilot, leats say naked weight = 92, + 15 + 28 = 135kg - that`s right at the top of the max in-flight weight, which is good isn`t it? Better to be near max weight or slightly over then too light or slightly under?

A 34 though, that`s a whopper!

What size Synth would this theoretical pilot require? Pilot (95kg) + motor (28kg) + wing (7kg) = 130kg. (with fuel 137kg...) Synth in-flight weight range: 29M @ 95 - 120kg, or 31M @ 110 - 135kg. The reason i ask is because it seems a lot of PPG pilots use a wing over the max in-flight weight.

Just how much real difference is there between high and low? The pilots with experience tend to prefer the low, is that right? Is this `cos they`re more responsive to pilot input (and turbulence!)? When i eventually get flying my main concern will be stability,confidence and ease of control.....

The Bailey engine - was it designed by Bailey Aviation from scratch for paramotor use or is it one that`s been modified from existing model, if so what is it`s origin? Jus` wondering:- it`d be quite an expensive project to design/build an engine from scratch, seems like a few of the two stroke engines used for PPG were sourced from other applications.

I have heated jacket, gloves and boots for my motorbicycle - all home-made for a few quid - which work very well and add much comfort on my winter rides. Do many (if so which models) PPG motors have a 12V outlet with sufficient output to power a pair of gloves - about 25W?

Cool, thanks. Cross country sounds like it needs quite some planning...........

Hi Morgy, did you fly all the way up from Chichester, and it took 1:40 hours? What was your approx route to Swindon? Also whereabouts did you stop on the way back - just a suitable/likely looking farm field somewhere? Sorry for all the questions, but that sounds like quite an interesting trip for a Sunday`s flying, and is just the sort of thing that i would eventually like to do. It`d be fantastic to fly to my parents house in Calne! Cheers. btw; `That will teach him not to do a preflight inspection after taking his tank out to refuel` what happened there?

So you`re saying it`s sooooo light and eager to fly, you had to grab it before it flew off by itself?

That`s a really cool video, but very frustrating for us wannabees!

If you can wield a soldering iron and make a basic circuit you can make an A/F ratio meter for a few quid: http://108.163.194.210/~dbbpcom/dbbp/tech-tips/mm.html Would it work on a 2T?

Yep, thanks for clearing that up,Paul. Just as expected though, you can`t have any fun in the NF unless it`s horse riding or doggi, err, dog-walking. Ref. my other post, my `intended`flying location` wasn`t going to be Stoney Cross, but out of a farm field SW of Winchester of a friend of a friend who`s trying to sort it out for me. (haven`t even started my training yet!) There was no problem flying out of SC in 1943, was there! edit* What are the laws concerning taking off on common land, as there`s a `common` not far from me?

What is the situation as regards flying from the New Forest? I live just on the edge - about 5 miles - but i`m not sure it`s strictly legal is it - lot`s of ponies about...? There`s a Youtube vid or two from a guy who flew from Stoney Cross - which would be absolutely ideal - but is it allowed? Or do you mean t/o from outside the NF and then fly over?