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

Well I was planning to stay until the Friday anyhow so one week would suit me perfectly as I’m already there. if it’s 4 weeks later I’ll still be there. 5 weeks later and I’ll be at beautiful days festival in Cornwall. Please don’t make it clash with that. Any other date I’m in.

You’re close to Clive Mason at CM Paramotors in Market Harborough. Give him a call and have a chat he’ll see you right. I bet I’ve flown over you going to his field from tamworth

Thanks mate. I enjoy writing them. Well, maybe not the ones where I make stupid mistakes but it’s all learning and maybe lessons for others

I’ve had a few more flights on my new wing now. mostly ass or knees landings however we went to Paul’s field last Friday evening. It was a surprise to get a decent day so met up with Paul and dave. off we went up and around Nuneaton for an hours flight. Came down with a nice long approach into a decent wind and got my foot landing. Very pleased after a period of messing up all my landings. So I decided to get a practice - took off with a slightly lopsided reverse for a 5 min flight then came in to land - on my feet again! So I had another one. Less wind and forward launch then straight in to come in too fast for my old legs. I think I timed my flare wrong and got dropped then fell on my knees. then pail and I went up for a last flight. Had 15 mins with a bit of low flying over the fields and came in for yet another foot landing One evening, 4 flights and 3 foot landings. I’ll accept that. here’s a couple of videos of the evening. the falling one is Paul not me

You'll probably find airfields rarely want paramotors, partly because we're slow I think. Possibly the noise too. There are some paramotor friendly fields Derby way - Airways is in Ashbourne is one. Generally we fly from friendly farmer's fields. Once you find a field you'll become very protective of it. Being slow, low and noisy around the fields often causes friction with local residents so you have to work round this and then tend not to want anyone else to come and mess it up for you. There's plenty of countryside your way so really it's a case of persevering and finding a field by asking about. Don't worry about it for now, get through your training and enjoy it. You'll get to know people as you go and find places to fly

NEW WING Fantastic flights and crash landings! I've had 10 flights since my last update - some good, some not so good. Couple of uneventful flights but had a run of landing on my feet OK. Thats nice. Way back in February I ordered a new wing from CM Paramotors. 58 day wait. Felt like 58 weeks! Finally on 9th April it had arrived with Clive and I went to his field after work to collect andn test fly my brand new custom colour Speedster 3 'Do you need me to show you over the wing?' says Clive 'No' says me 'I'm fine.' 'OK check the trims as they usually come set fast from the factory' 'OK no problem' So I fitted a new muffler on my moster then set up my new wing. Nice crispy new wing. Kited it a bit and checked the trims which were on fast. Pulled them in to the white line. (mistake) Now I had read the manual for my new wing several times during the 2 month wait for delivery. I'd read and re-read about the risers and the trim settings. I still managed to take off on 3/4 trim, whote line way past the red line. You know - the bit where you're not supposed to use your brakes Well, I thought that was a bit of a long fast run. Felt like the wing was trying to overtake me but I got up. There were a couple of trees ahead of me so I did a tight-ish turn around 50ft up and went over the field and away. Not very responsive on the brakes, I thought. Well, when I was about 1000ft I noticed I was doing 41mph. Not bad trimmed in thinks me. I'll trim out see how fast I go. That's when I discovered my mistake. What a dope. Won't do that again!! Lucky I didn't get a low level collapse pulling so hard on the brakes trimmed out! Well, I went a fly about for around 40 mins and it felt like a bit of rain so I headed back. Come in high and turn after the electric wires, keep away from the farm were the instructions. No problem. I came in, little bit side on to wind, but felt ok. Came down fairly quic and landed on my bloody arse ! Clive sodding Mason, it's his fault. He won another fiver betting on me landing on my arse and that's the first time I've done it since September. Oh well. Anyway, happy with my wing I was all smiles and couldn't wait to try it again. As it happens the very next day was flyable so went to Paul's field on the Saturday morning and oh god what an amazing flight. We had 40 mins up around 1700ft above the clouds. Circling round chasing clouds, touching the tops it was amazing. Short vid here: Don't go there's more - lots more lol Oh after the clouds I landed on my feet. Bingo! Since then I had 3 flights from Penkridge. Landed on my knees all 3 times. I did forget my boots for 2 of those and slipped in my trainers. That's my excuse anyhow! So now for the fun flight. I met Paul at Draycott in the Clay to fly from a new field. Hopefully we'd get over the Peak District and find Alton Towers. Well we did both. What a fantastic flight. Nice reverse launch and headed straight for the Peaks. 90 mins of great flying, over Thor's Cave, over Dovedale and finally over Alton Towers. Then we headed back to land about 8pm This is where it all gets interesting. You see the field wasn't ideal. Lovely field, plenty of space, not so nice pylons and electric wires.... Paul went in no problem and landed just fine. The approach to the field was with pylons on the right, then turn and land with pylons behind. They were in the next field but the seem really close when you fly by them.. So behind were the pylons, and on the left hedge line of the field were 3-phase electric wires on wooden poles. So fly in over the wires, with pykons on the right, turn and land. Easy right? I came in far too high and went around. Came in OK I thought, wary of the wires, but I was still too high. The glide on this new wing I had been told about - glides a long way on landing. So, down I came thinking I've got this. Engine off when I though I'd be OK. But I wasn't. On it went, past the vans, past Paul, towards the horses in the next field. Well, I almost had it! I could see the fence approaching. One of those made from real sturdy wooden poles. With a bit of barbed wire for extra fun. I couldn't slow enough, couldn't land in time. Engine was off. What choice do you have in the few seconds knowing you're going to hit it. I think I was trying to choose which body part to hit with. I was hoping I'd land and run into the fence but no. I didn't want to hit it with my body as I have enough stomach issues without nashing it on a fence. So as far as I can work out I opted to make a feeble attempt at getting my feet up but it didn't work at all. I ended up hitting the fence with my nose. Ouch. Legs went under the fence, tore my suit on the barbed wire and I lay there, turtled. Blood running up my nose & down my throat, wishing Paul would run quicker! Anyhow Paul eventually got to me, unbuckled me and got me up. His wife had called an ambulance and we cancelled that, Paul got my kit back to the van. The horse came to check I was OK too I facetimed my other half to let her know which gave her a good laugh Then sat and had a cuppa and a chat for an hour to make sure I was OK to drive home. Paul's wife wasn't impressed at my attitude but I was just being me. Priority when blood involved is to get pictures I was numb but fine and just having a laugh about my stupidity. I do however apreciate the help from Mr & Mrs Paul Page Post flight debrief was that the biggest mistakek was flying from that field at all. Pylons and wires everywhere and horses the other two sides. Asking for trouble. Have a laugh at this. And don't be like me. Be smart Had a fly yesterday after a swift repair to my frame. Straghtened and re-welded. I learned to TIG weld titanitum yesterday. Every cloud and all that .....

Cheers mate I enjoy writing them. Keeps my memories. I’m currently flying a spyder.

Well the last entry was almost 3 months ago! There hasn't been much flying going on due to lockdown, and the bad weather actually helped us through it I reckon. My first flight was on 27th Feb. Remember that Saturday when the sun came out and everyone thought that spring had sprung? It was a great day so I just got my kit and went to Penkridge. All on my own with a flask of tea and a sandwich for lunch. I got set up nice and relaxed, plenty of pre flight checking after such a time of no flying. The field has a tendency to be very sheltered so on the ground you get no wind but feel it soon as you're up. Unfortunately that means more nil wind forward launches! Forward launch, straight up. like riding a bike Got comfortable and flew NE towards the farm where I'm moving my business premises to soon. Builders there putting up the walls. Warm day and mid morning started to feel the bumps a bit. I flew back to the field, landed on feet. Good first flight for a while. Second flight about 11.30am 2 failed forwards, then got up. The breeze in the field was erratic and I think I took off downwind in the end. Bloody long run! I didn't enjoy this flight so much, definitely some thremal activity with so much sunshine. I lasted half hour then called it a day. Landed on my knees, just didn't get my feet right. I sat in the field soaking up the sun. Socially diatanced from the whole world, it was great. My next flight was on 8th March. It was generally accepted that paramotoring was allowed again so we went after work. Went to Tamworth, Paul and Dave were there. We flew arounf the local area for a bit but only did half hour as it was very unpredictable and bumpy. No point persevering if it's not fun. This was another forward launch and foot landing. Getting better at this! Later just before dark me and Paul went up again as it has calmed. Just got a 20 min flight in OK. Reverse launch and fell on my knees again. Maybe I'm not getting better at this! We packed up and sat drinking a beer and chatting shit for a couple of hours before going home. Moving on to the next decent weather and this weekend. I've been waking early so on Saturday I got to the field in Penkridge at 7am. However the clouds were a bit lowso I waited a while and eventually took off at 8.20 I could only get to 700ft before visibility became an issue but thats just fine. I had a nice hour's flight with a bit of low over the fields and just generally relaxing. So nice after the recent stress of work. It was a forward launch and landed on my feet. All good. Forecast after about 10am was gusty so I didn't stay for more flights. Quite good when you can get to the field, hours flight and home by 10. Got all day left to do the housework - great! Then yesterday went to Tamworth for a full day of flying. Paul was there and we went up around 10am. It was breexy maybe 7-8mph but fairly gusty and changeable. The windsock was having a right old time. Getting set up, I waited for a stable windsock and easy reverse laiunch and off the ground in a few steps. As expected it was a bit gusty but not thermic, not too bad. Had a 25 min flight then landed (on my feet!) to cook breakfast. Second flight wasn't so nice. The sun had come out and the bit of rising heat mixed with the gusts didn't make it a nice flight. It was another reverse launch - I've only done 13 reverses out of my 110 flights but I'm getting used to it. Flew about and wasn't enjoying the bumps so came back after 20 mins. I had promised to go live on facebook for my landing so I had done the takeoff OK. I restarted the live feed for the landing - guaranteed to mess it up! And I did... Came in with faffing about too much and not thinking clearly, didn't get my feet right again and didn't flare properly. Went on my knees and kept my chin up. Turned and brought the wing down. Facebook live didn't even know I'd messed it up The next couple of hours or so were eating and chatting, just waiting to fly again later. In the meantime Richard had brought his tandem gear out so he and Paul decidedto go for it as there was a decent breeze. Well that was amusing! Their first attempt simply didn't work. Ran out of field and got their feet in a bit of confusion. I guess it takes some practice. Setting them up again with a longer runway they just managed to get up and over the hedge. With a bit more practice they'll be OK. They had a little fly about and came back. Paul landed on his feet, Richard fell on his knees. Maybe it's the name?! I don't think they'll be making a living from tandems, they just want to experience doing it. I think Paul just likes sitting between Richards legs. A bit later we took off, around 3pm, NW towards Moira the other side of the M42. Nice flight even though still slightly bumpy. Took an hour or so. Was a forward launch with another landing on my knees. My wing doesn't seem to like to flare. Or maybe its me lol Came back, refuelled and took off again, another forward launch. This time we headed over Nuneaton. Tamworth is getting a busy place - while setting up 4 other paramotors were above us, and Dave joined us in the air too. We had a decent 45 minute flight, then landed. This time I got the brakes above the brake handles. It's hard to wrap the brakes with the throttle in hand but this did make a bit of difference. I came down and landed on my feet OK. All in all a great weekend with 5 flights, sitting in a field chatting to mates and generally feeling almost like normal. Roll on PMC Cornwall fly-in

Both really. I can’t keep up with others I fly with, even trimmed out. It is a lovely wing to handle and fly and although it’s fairly responsive on wing tip steering I just want something slightly more agile. I suppose as I’m over 100 flights now I’m ready to progress that’s all.

I'd say it's about right, I currently fly a spyder. My all up is around 140kg with max of 160 on the glider. I don't feel very heavy on the wing at all - it's a bit slow if anything. I've ordered a speedster 3 26m which will put me at the top end of the weight on that.