Hann__

It doesn`t seem to bother the paraglider dudes - they have to fly in thermic conditions to stay aloft (assuming not ridge soaring), and their wings are much more floaty and lightly loaded than a PPG`ers.

Three hours before sunset is perfectly OK, the first hour might be a bit jiggly.

I was up last night and getting nerly 700`/min lift at 5000`.

Free lift is good!

Unwanted lift not so good (if there`s airspace above you...)

Bumpy air is like driving a car on a potholed road, most folk would prefer to drive on perfectly smooth tarmac..

Yes, i definitely do not want a heli flying over me...............

On 10/04/2019 at 13:21, benraven said:

 Chinooks have a ~100mph downdraft and that doesn't mix well with our wings  

I had a rotary fly directly underneath me this evening.......

Probably something out of Wallop such as a Lynx. I was at 1600` when i suddenly noticed an odd shadow beneath me then the `copter followed a second later, from where i was it looked like he was flying just above the treetops...Still an odd thing to see...

We often get Chinooks fly by our town on a regular basis, a few times a week - in the airspace i fly in.

Better underneath than above, i suppose.

I did see those battery operated pumps but thought they looked a bit gimmicky/cheap and potentially unreliable so gave them a miss. Not keen on replacing batteries often, either. Pleased to hear that they`re doing a good job, though.

In the end i went for the simple approach - a tap on the side of the jerry can and let gravity do the work. Simple, effective, quick and controllable;

I`m now of to the field for an unexpected flight, weather`s lookin` good.

Hann.

10 hours ago, DavidG4 said:

By the way, airspace boundaries are black and white. If you want proof try edging INTO one.  Seriously, you shouldn't start making  up buffer zones. The closer you get the more the radar controller might ask you whether "you are remaining clear, aren't you??"

 

My point was more that was it considered OK flying close to the edge of airspace on the *outside* , i know flying *inside* would be a no-no however small the infringement.

On the point of `buffer zones`, if i fly 10 metres from the boundary and a GA aircraft does the same *inside* that would make for a pretty close pass. You can`t just keep adding buffer zones to buffer zones, though, it`d get ridiculous. As long as i`m outside, all is good, then?

To be honest, i`ve had more `close calls` with GA stuff right out in the middle of class G than anywhere near any boundaries, they sometimes don`t mind passing by and giving a little `wave`...

As long as the GA fraternity don`t start tut-tutting at the paramotor pilot skirting the edges of airspace i`ll settle for that......and phone ahead where necessary.

Both good points, especially phoning ahead, noted.

In an effort to expand my flying options there is a route i would like to try but it would mean flying over an air traffic zone which is surface to 2000` Class G.

Would it be considered bad form to fly over the ATZ (probably at 2500` - 3000`) in a PPG or should it be best avoided?

On the subject of airspace what do folk consider a sensible distance to fly from the edge of airspace?

I`ve seen reference that 2NM  horizontally and 200` vertically to be the recommended distance for GA.

The vertical figure is no problem of course but if a PPG were to keep 2NM away from airspace you`re planning on flying around then that would be a huge diversion due to our limited speed and flying duration. I`ve hugged airspace boundaries on occasion on long XC`s which i can do without fear of infringement due to the GPS moving map on my device.

Do folk consider the boundaries as black or white. you`re either within or outside, with no further distance from them required while flying?

?

No bore chasing for me but that's a very kind offer Geoff.

Geoff, i can`t find anything on`t web about an Autoglym syphon, only car polish..

Got a pic or link?

I did get one from MM and it`s bloody massive! For 200 litre drums..

Since buying it though i`ve also ordered a brass ball valve with lever which i`m going to install in the side of my metal jerry can and just let gravity do the work via an attached hose. Shoulda` thought of that first before all this petrol-related palarver and decanting dilemmas...

Nah, it`ll have to be a syphon, i`ve tried decanting straight into the tanks with a spout on the jerry can and fuel went everywhere!

It`s difficult to hold a 20L, 10kg+ jerry can steady enough to pour accurately and slowly enough to fill the tanks on the Bulldog. A funnel would also obscure my view of the fuel level so i wouldn`t know how much more to pour in. I must admit, the tanks on the Bulldog aren`t the easiest to fill up having the harness in front of the filler caps, and i like to fill them to the brim on all flights (unless i know i`m going for a cheeky sub-1-hour second flight of the day for instance).

I`m off for a ride on my motorbicycle to visit MachineMart, they look like they do an OK syphon.

Can anyone recommend a good quality fuel syphon for dispensing from jerry can to motor?

Ebay is just full of Chinese crap.

I`m fed up with buying stuff that develops air leaks and makes dispensing frustrating, and no jiggle syphons, please!

The classic type with the rigid diptube, flexible outlet and a squeeze bulb at the top are ideal, but i`d like a good one.

Cheers.

Sorry, it has been sold, i`ll edit it now..

32mph seems a bit optimistic for a Universal does it not?

That`s Nuc or Hadron territory, surely?

That`ll be just the job for taking your paramotor to explore exotic and exiting new flying locations.

Like Scarborough.

Or Skegness.

Just be careful - `Power1` is semi, `Power 1 Racing` is fully synthetic.....

My moster is at 250 hours+ and i use Castrol Power1 Racing fully synthetic.

I`ve found the best price is from Opie Oils.

Buy 5+ litres and use an Opie coupon when available and it`ll come in under ten quid a bottle.

On 05/02/2019 at 11:29, Lee Jackson said:

I'm now flying a snake 1.2 for 'fun' but kept my nucleon xx for XC flying.

 

Did you try a Hadron/xx?

Know anything about them?

20 hours ago, thestone85 said:

Hey Everyone!

Does anyone have a good site with data regarding the safety of a paramotor and what it is like comparing it to a motorcycle / car / private plane?

 

Thank you!

 

Get the wife to research the `micromort` - it`s a unit of measurement to define the chances of death.

1 micromort = one in a million chance of death per activity.

For example skydiving = 8 micromorts per jump.

Do you have children? Giving birth = 120 micromorts!

5k is easily enough to get you some good quality used kit with low use.

If you believe all the ads on places like ebay you`d be forgiven for thinking that there has never been any paramotor or wing that has ever been flown for more than 12 hours....

Just don`t rush into buying anything yet, get training and whilst that happens you`ll get a better idea of what to buy and be able to keep an eye on the used markets to get a good idea of what`s available and likely prices.

.....it`ll be a shame if it has  - i used to refer to it quite often.

http://para2000.org/

So at full speed you`re now using 8.5L/hr on the Zorro?

2 hours ago, AndyB said:

Hi, I have only really had 18 months of flying time since training.

 

Ah ok, i assumed you`d been flying a lot longer than that - 100 flights in 18 months is good going then!

This was you`re 100th flight, Andy?

With all your time in Spain seemingly flying every day i had you down as passing the 100th flight mark a long time ago.

....and well done on getting back in the air after that major op.

On 03/11/2018 at 18:17, Marcelo Benzaquen said:

Hi everyone, I'm about to end my paramotor training, and just order a power2fly rs with its storage bag.

I ride a motorcycle, the car is almost always with my wife. I live next to the beach, about 5 minutes in the car, were I plan to take of.

My question is has anyone transport the paramotor, probably broken down into the bag on a motorcycle? How to do it? Any ideas?

Thank you all in advance

If i were you `id build a motorcycle monowheel trailer to transport your paramotor the short distance to your take-off area.

You could leave the motor fully assembled and it`d be a much neater method than balancing gear on top of a pillion seat..

Monowheels are great - you hardly know you are pulling one when fitted.

I spent two hours above the clouds this afternoon and it was awesome - bright and sunny, warm, and mega-smooth air at 3000`+.

Below the fluffy stuff though was a different matter - lumpy, cold, grey and moody.

I`ve noticed that phenomenon twice on recent flights - warmer at higher altitudes than lower down - noticeably so.