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!

Not sure if this has ever been posted. very clever...and didn't see paramotoring!!!!

http://www.besthealthdegrees.com/health-risks/

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;

For the record we are not fitting the Polini Thor 100 as standard, only to order. We've move over to the Vittorazi Evo 100. It's about 3/4 kg down on thrust, but returns much better fuel figgers.

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...

Polini over the XT all day long.....

I would go for the Polini lump rather than the XT

SW

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)......

Dudek Importer

Dudek Calculation as follows (other manufactures differ)

Naked Weight+15kg(average wing weight and pilot clothing)+Dry weight of Motor (no fuel) + accessories ( reserves, 20kg of non essential electrical crap)

Simples

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.

If you have a 12v out on your machine

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?

There's all that empty New Forest to play in

Paul

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?

Get yourself an up to date air map and study it making sure you dont breach any restricted airspace!

This is a snapshot of the area i hope to fly from - about 10m north west of Southampton.

Does this look a bit `busy` or fairly typical?

To be fair, most of the restricted airspace has a 2000ft base nearest my intended flying location: