richjones

I’ve not put anything on there for months. Might have to add a little update one of these days

Many many good pilots are non bhpa. I’m sure it has benefits mainly the insurance but you don’t have to feel pressured into going bhpa. their training isn’t any better or much different from the other good non bhpa schools. In Rugby you’re on Clive Mason’s doorstep, give him a call and have a chat

I use the same oil, no oiling issues in 3 years.

Yes I fly regularly from a couple of sites near Penkridge. You’re welcome to meet us there one of the days if you want

Much better

It was a dark weekend…

Nice blog don’t beat yourself up about bad landings or takeoffs. Obviously you don’t want equipment damage though. Most of my first 12 months was landing on my arse. Never really found out why, I think a combination of bad timing on flare and simply lifting my legs. Even now over 2 years and 150 flights in I’m doing about 30% of my landings falling to my knees. My legs just go on strike sometimes when I land. No more arse landings though. looking at your last takeoff seems you’re leaning forward too much. Possibly got your arms a bit forward too but the video angle makes it hard to tell. Don’t know why you went left, but looks like that may be what brought the wing down to the right. Then you gave it throttle when the wing wasn’t stable which was the big issue as you should have aborted if you couldn’t correct. Depends on your frame to an extent but I can feel where the wing is and rarely look at it. Something you’ll pick up pretty quick. I think sometimes things just happen so quickly that you can’t respond especially in the early days but it will definitely get better. I have a blog on here somewhere and things like this are the best lessons you’ll be very aware on your next takeoff of getting it straight. I learned loads of lessons lol good to read a detailed blog keep it up

I use this too. I have an old android running ppgps and easy VFR. It's a great little app Well done on your flight, must have been amazing !

Finally got to put together the video from Durness in Scotland. It's here:

Lol just had a look and yes pretty isolated. I bet it’s a good long walk to the nearest people. I do wish it had been more stable weather because I’d have loved a long flight but I’m glad to have just flown at all.

I’ve freed up my space. You know when there’s not been much going on and you’re really looking forward to something.. then Boris the twat ruins it for you. seriously pissed off but I understand it’s unavoidable Simon. what really gets me is they can have thousands in Wembley watching football but we can’t have 200 in an open field. anyway I’ll have a week in Cornwall in July and take my kit anyway, and I’ll look forward to September

Gutted. That’s the one weekend I can’t make

Yeah I was cautious and kept away from both really. Mir was a short but brilliant flight. Such views

Had a couple of flights since my last update. Most notable was that I went with my partner in a camper van and spent 2 weeks driving the NC500 in Scotland. took my paramotor kit with me hoping to get a couple of flights in but that was a bit optimistic. However when I was at the very North West of Scotland, Durness, I got a short flight when there was a window of opportunity. We were camped at Sango Sands campsite which is at the top of the cliffs and the wind dropped.Forecast showed a flyable wind for a while - bearing in mind the location is near mountains so I was being careful about wind strength and direction. So, with something like 6-8mph inshore wind, I took my wing to a clifftop field next door to see how it felt. The wind was coming in nicely off the sea with an easy reverse launch acheivable. So I went and got my motor and got ready. I was a bit apprehensive being on the top of a cliff and relatively close to mountains. I set my wing up as far back as I could giving me room to get up OK especially with reverse. Deep breath, wing up, turn, run. Up I went and turned left before I went over the cliff edge which may have freaked me out I only got half hour as the wind picked up a bit and I was still wary of the mountain turbulence. But oh what a view! Simply amazing! A Bit disappointed I didn't get more flying time. I flew over the campsite and around the coast a bit just staying local and up to around 2500ft. When I felt the wind pick up and change direction a bit I came down happy that I'd got up even if it was only a short one. Easy approach and landing on my feet in a football field behind the launch field. (I could have taken off here but it was closer to houses and didn't want to annoy anyone) I've got some video footage but haven't had time to edit it. Ill add it to this thread later. FOr now here's a couple of frames from the GoPro. Happy times

no no no no no you want to drive to Cornwall 2 weeks running. Honest you do. you know it's the right thing to do