richjones

Cheeky sod

Not sure mate. Trying again tomorrow with paul watching and been chatting to Clive to get back to his field. Getting on my nerves now. 
I did adjust my hang point a bit tonight and felt a bit better. At least no arse landing. 
I logged on to update the thread but realised I Was still sulking

I’ll type it up tomorrow. 

This is doing my nut in

tonight I went to penkridge to practice landings. That’s exactly what I did. They were all shit. 
 

the end 

Cage fixed by a local welder. Just the job and all reassembled ready to fly Monday/Tuesday

Cheers Andy. There’s definitely a bit of reluctance for my legs to run on touching the ground. I’m going back to clive to a bit of landing assistance, see if he can see what I’m doing wrong. 

Busted frame

Well I came out of work yesterday to unexpected sunshine and still trees. A quick check of the met office weather forecast made a quick decision to go for a fly. As you do. 

home, shower, load up, shout at traffic, get fuel, get to the field about 6pm. Great for a quick flight

now the field at Penkridge is narrow and the wind needs to be going east or west. Ideally. 
it wasn’t completely ideal but the field had very little wind. I decided to set up and see if it was doable. I had to do a slight crosswind take off else I’d be in the barn! 

i fuelled up and got ready, preflight was ok until I noticed a crack at the bottom of my maverick frame. My ass landings are taking a toll after all
The decision was made to carry on and fly based on that the crack was on the bottom outside of the main frame or hoop. 

A couple of failed forwards, not sure why probably just impatient. Third one i got the wing centred and ran. Towards the barn. Kept running. Towards the barn. 
you know when you have to make a decision to cut it or go.... I went. Got it turned to the left of the barn and once off the ground I was away. Could have done with a bit more of a runway but I was up ok. 

As it was unplanned I didn’t have a plan . So I just got a bit of height and got comfortable. Wind was around 8-9mph at 500ft no problem and it wasn’t gusty. 
I had a nice little fly around the fields, around some trees and just generally enjoyed myself. It wasn’t too warm so I cut it down to about 35 mins. 
 

 I had been planning my landing bearing in mind the wind direction wasn’t ideal. I came down over the field and the wind socks were almost hanging down so I came in along the runway. Didn’t time it right and flew around no problem the decided to come in over the cornfield and land into the little wind that there was. 
Now I’m getting fed up of ass landings but I can’t seem to nail it. I got ready and leaned forward and came down over the corn onto the runway. All good. Then I still landed on my bloody arse!!

Upon post flight check I had made the crack even worse so no more flying until that’s fixed.

turns out that was flight 79

pic shows damage to frame which is now with a welder man and will be done tomorrow. Disappointed about the damage but had a great flight hedge hopping. video shows my somewhat risky takeoff. Live and learn

Landing out and meeting other paramotor pilots and a helicopter too close for comfort..

When one day becomes flyable in a week of shitty weather everybody goes flying

Left work early to meet Richard & Paul at Richards field in Tamworth for a fly out. Got there about 3.30 aiming for a 4pm flight. We were going to a marina about 14 miles away at aiming to land at 6 so plenty of time. 
Paul went up and looked a bit turbulent so we didn't rush, took off with a nice forward take off at 4.30 for a 40 minute flight. My log says 16 miles so I guess I didn't go in a straight line. It was a lovely afternoon, nice and warm but a little gusty. Bumpiest ride I've had for a while but nothing bad. 
We got there and I wasn't sure which field we were landing in. Paul had gone ahead and I couldn't see him on the ground so I flew round the site a couple of times the Richard came in and landed. I came in nice and gently for an arse landing ...
Paul appeared from somewhere and landed last.

Had a beer while we waited for the others. A couple came in (Pete and Joe I think). They both did spectacular arse landings too which makes me feel better

Dan and Wayne came in a few minutes later, Wayne on his arse if I remember right, and Dan prancing like a fairy o one foot across the field.

A bit of parabollocks later we got ready to fly back intending to have a bit of low flying and get back before sunset.
I got up first, forward take off again, flying around waiting, Paul got off second.

While we were waiting a bloody helicopter came straight at me a little bit higher. I was at about 300ft, and it wasno more than 200ft above me. I turned away and it went straight over my head. You'd think you would panic but I was just like 'oh shit he ain't gonna see me' lol
The video below is the return flight and the helicopter is about a minute in. The GoPro makes it look miles away but it was bloody closer than Tucker's one!!

Anyway, Pete and Joe got up and went off home, Richard was arsing about and managed a couple of failed forwards. Not sure what happened, he doesn't normally have any trouble. Then he got up and off we went. Once we'd left the area and got over a few pylons we came down low. I'm getting more confident with my own abilities to put the wing where I want it so don't mind the low flying now. Paul came up bedside me closest I've ever been to anyone, probably only about 100ft away. I was a bit twitchy but I know he's a good pilot and won't do anything stupid up close to me.

Had a bit of low over fields, a couple of waves from people too which is nice. The video has a bit of Richard and Paul low flying together. Went up high and over Tamworth where another pilot flew by, a bit too close for me not knowing him (I know who he is, just don't know him) but waved and went on his way. Then I followed the A5 back to the field.

The field is two football pitches and there was a kids match on one of them, bloody cheek lol. Wind direction was across the field and we had to come in and turn across the field. I came a bit high but there was enough field to land, lovely approach, fast with little wind, feet down, run then couldn't keep my legs up with the speed and went on one knee. Happy enough I was in control just too fast for me. I think I'm probably still flaring too early but not sure.

Flight back was 48 minutes. I'm now up to 76 flights and still as excited every time as I was when I started.

Fantastic. Flying 3 miles over the sea would scare me shitless

Having a van is great
On Monday 14th I loaded my kit up before work and it’s easy to just leave it in there all day on the offchance it’s flyable after work. As it turned out it as perfect after work and everyone and his dog was flying

The wind forecast was the wrong way for Penkridge but I wanted to test the limitations of the narrow runway so I was headed up there after work. Queue a medical emergency and some delays while mom got carried away in an ambulance and I made it to the field about 6.45pm.  I’ve had a word with mom and told her to be ill on none flying days in future !

anyhow it turns out there was almost nil wind so testing for wind direction didn’t really happen but I took off opposite way to what I normally do.  Giving myself plenty of runway I made it up with an easy forward and over the hedge at the end, the other way is about 200m long. At the near end there’s hangar/sheds for microlight storage and they get in the way. Ok I’m waffling again....

with the little wind being easterly I flew different areas to before which is always nice. Avoiding airspace at Overton microlight field I went over my sisters house which is right next to the m6 near Stafford, and circled a bit. I messaged her but the miserable sod didn’t even come out to wave

As the nights are closing in now (boooo!) I didn’t have long so headed back. Lovely smooth flight and came in to land with a long approach along the runway. I was practicing trying to clear up my arse landings and didn’t get ready enough so after racing alongside two rabbits I went around to do it again. 
I don’t know what’s going on really, I came in fast with no wind, completely out of my seat and leaning forward, got my feet down but couldn’t keep up and landed on one knee. 
I never do any damage or hurt myself  with these landings but it’s frustrating.

that was flight 74 - 25 mins with plans already afoot to fly next day in Tamworth

Yesterday 15th Sept..
To the pub we go !
met Richard and Paul at Paul’s field about 5pm with plans to fly out to a pub near Fradley. No wind again. 
Paul got up first go (makes a change) then Richard then me. I always feel a little more pressure when I’m last one up because they’re waiting but I don’t let it rush me. Anyhow it was another easy forward. 
Off we went, about 35 mins to go the 14 miles to the pub which is alongside the canal and next to a caravan park. The caravan park has a field especially reserved for paramotor pub visits
Being award that paul had a close shave with a telephone wire in this field last year I misjudged my first approach and came in high. I may have made it but chose not to risk hitting the hedge on the far side and went around. Came in and dropped down onto my feet
Now this field is very sheltered and the was absolutely no wind in there so why I got on my feet I don’t bloody know

We walked round and set outside the pub which was a very nice place, had a quick beer and chat with a couple of locals. 

back into the field for the return journey and we talked about how easy or not to get off in a field surrounded by trees and caravans. Paul got up first go again, his forward take offs are getting good
I went next nice easy forward, and as soon as I was off the floor the slight breeze over the trees was a surprise. Just meant I opened throttle and climbed but didn’t turn as I would have preferred to keep further away from the caravans. Richard came up next and we set off back home. 
So smooth and so warm, what a lovely pastime we have. Got within a couple of miles of the field and aware of the sunset but had time to come low over a couple of big fields and round some trees. I don’t foot drag but have come down 10-20 ft a few times just building up my skills. 
As dusk fell we went back, richard had already landed, then Paul and finally me. I simply wasn’t ready, tweaking the brakes on approach and coming in fast again I kind of landed on arse and one knee. I know my feet lifted as I approached and I don’t think I flared enough at all. Always learning. 

We then packed up and went to the local pub for a post flight debriefing (beer) 

brilliant evening, and so good flying with people when you’re familiar with their flying style and who can be trusted. 

Nil Wind + Wet Grass + failed launches = Wet Wing 

Up at silly o'clock this morning to meet Paul and Sean at Penkridge. Perfect 2mph wind, bit chilly, dew on the grass. 
So, after the normal chat we were ready to go. Sean is new, only his 9th flight. He had one failed forward and took off OK.

I had a failed forward, I should have carried on but it didn't seem right so I stopped. I don't think there was really an issue.
Paul had a failed forward.
I had 2 more failed forward attempts - the wing was sodden and just wouldn't come up overhead. I had a rest and Paul got up OK. 

I laid out my wing for one last try not really thinking it would fly being so wet. I tried kiting it and it went almost up so I thought I'd give it a go.
Took off my flying suit because I was melting and went for it.
I gave it a bit of power to get air in the wing and it came up maybe half way but I couldn't run any faster, so I gave it about half throttle to push me along. The wing was stable but not high then eventually it came up over my head and I gave it full throttle.

Well I still had to run. About 2 miles. But I got a bit of lift and into the seat but the wing was having none of it, just plodding along about 3ft off the floor. I gradually got upwards after pumping the brakes a few times then it was OK. 

I really didn't expect to get airborne but happy that I had, I took it easy until the wing had dried out a bit. Gradually the responsiveness came back and we were away over the fields  

We had just over an hour, a bit of low flying over fields but generally enjoying being up in the air. 
Now I'm at work  

oh... I landed on my arse

Well I’m back to arse landings !

drove to Clive field for a flight last night, but of a change. Almost nil wind take off, easy forward. 
Nice 50 min flight, round a hot air balloon, around market harborough. 
September and just starting to get chilly, and I didn’t go over 1300ft. Time to start wrapping up again. 
Came to land with zero wind and flaired too early. Slowed the wing but there was nothing left when I did my final flair and I came in fast. Almost caught it but not quite. Oh well. 
I blame Clive for betting I’d land on my arse!

that was flight 72. Now up to 54 hours air time. Still loving it

I used the parajet throttle RH for a year but fancied one that didn’t use the first two fingers on my main hand. 
when first starting using the camera/phone etc isn’t important but over time I wanted to do things needing my main fingers. Also I have my reserve on the right and wanted my main arm free just in case. 
I 3D-printed a throttle that uses 3/4 fingers and I put it on my left. For me it didn’t feel odd at all, I haven’t had a single issue with it except my little fingers ache holding full throttle to climb. 
It also gave me the opportunity to get the cable the right length to get it over my arm instead of under, and away from any chance of going through the net which happened with my old one. 

All a matter of preference I think but you won’t know which until you’ve tried both

Flight 71
location : Tamworth
take off: forward
Failed launches: none
Landing: arse

Well we took advantage of the one flyable day this week and was it a good flight!! 
myself, Richard and Phil met at Richards field in Tamworth after work yesterday. 
Nil wind or near as dammit..

it’s a lovely flat field just surrounded by trees and buildings. Phil was nervous as it does take a bit of getting used to and it was his first time there. 
With a few mishaps Phil got airborne, Richard was already up and waiting, I had been giving Phil the thumbs up for his take off so was last up. 
Hard run but up fairly easily and off we went. We were planning to fly to the pub and back but wouldn’t have had enough light so abandoned that and flew local ish. 
What an amazing flight down low over massive fields, flying round trees, generally having a good time. This is the most low flying I’ve done in one flight. The air was warm and smooth with little wind so was lovely to fly in. 
We had 1:20 hrs of flying approx and came back to land. In I came, engine cut off failed again so I’ve got some more investigating to do there! Promptly landed on my arse. No real reason why, I came in ok realised my engine needed to stay on and apparently abandoned all hope of a good landing . 
I wouldn’t mind but I’ve landed with engine on many times before. But I lifted my feet and planted my arse on the floor.

I’ve attached a video below of some bits, including my landing which was filmed on my phone because gopro had died. You can see the approach over buildings and appreciate Phils nervousness earlier but you do get used to it. 
Obviously phone fell on the floor on landing but no issues, no damage and just watching weather to get to fly again

Another update, I'll make it quick !

Sat at home after work on 18th Aug (Tues) and I noticed the dun shining. I wasn't expecting any good weather this week, so I was surprised when I looked on the met office app ad it said wind 3/6 at Penkridge. But .... it also said 50% chance of thunderstorms at 7-8pm

I lazed for a bit then at 5.55pm decided to go. If I can't fly then nothing lost. Quick shoer, load van and on the road by 6.20.

When  I got to the field the farmer who owns the land was there, so we chatted and I introduced myself and checked no fly areas etc.

The weather hadn't changed by 7.15. Blue skies with clouds over the Wrekin and up Stoke way but nothing local so I decided to go up.
I got to take off around 7.45 - nil wind forward take off nice and easy. Looking towards the Wrekin was rainy and dark, the scary clouds North were staying there. What little wind there was was westerly and nothing incoming. Nevertheless I decided to stay close to the field and didn't venture more than 3 miles just in case.

I flew over a disused wartime airfield at Wheaton Aston, around a reservoir and meandered about. Accidentally scared a field of horses as I didn't see them in time but I throttled off to reduce noise until I passed, and the cows are just stupid - tey run away when you're at 1000ft

Lovely 45 min flight, very smooth and didn't venture much over 1000ft. 

Came in to land nicely when a little rabbit ran across the runway in front of me. I blame him for spooking me and making me fall on my knees

Great evening shame I was alone but so glad I went regardless of weather forecast. If it hadn't been ok I would have gone home nothing lost, but so much gained by getting another flight in - my 70th one

Short video below, ignore the timestamp.. and catch the bunny at the end

I got BN2074-06

I bought 2m x 3m but because the net on the Mav is kind of cut diagonal I had to join it. Still loads left. 
That cost £4.96 including a surcharge for small quantity. Then it was a fiver postage. 
 

I’d probably buy 6x6 next time to get it in one piece and have enough for 3 or 4 nets. 
 

I’m enjoying doing these updates because I read back and remember how I felt on the days. 
Not so much a training blog now as an experience and learning blog. Hopefully it’s still useful / entertaining

On the way back from santa pod on the Friday I went to tamworth to fly with Paul and Phil came over from Wolverhampton. 
Scorching hot is an understatement. I was already stinky from two days in the pits and the heat didn’t help lol

Anyway we got set up for nil wind hot forward take off. Phil had his coat on and I swear he nearly died. Just when you want to get off first time the air was heavy and the wings didn’t want to fly. 
Phil took 3 attempts, then I went up 2 attempts and Paul took 3 attempts. Just one of those hard to take off days!

I flew over Mira test track for a bit while waiting for Paul then we headed towards ‘mount Judd’ which is a slag heap turned into a hill next to a quarry off the A5. Ive seen it many times from the road and wanted to fly there. It was shit lol. Just a pile of dirt covered in grass. 
I flew round the quarry while paul and Phil flew over it then we headed towards tamworth. We had a plan but I forgot the rest. 
paul and Phil went over Richard leishmans house and Drayton manor park but I got a text off a friend who wanted me to fly over her house just off the m42 so I did that and gave them a wave. Just as I left my engine misfired so I headed back just in case but it was fine after. 
I came back to the field for a nice fast landing - on my feet again. 
great flight 70 minutes. 
 

Then on Monday afternoon paul text to see if anyone’s flying. I hadn’t checked the weather so I went home after work to get my kit and got to the field about 6.30. 
another forward launch nil wind but a lot easier than Friday. no fails!
I forgot my boots so had to fly in my canvas summer shoes. That’s a first! 

Now this week has been all thunderstorms  so we were wary. There was rain around on the horizon and clouds downwind but upwind was good so we went to Ibstock quarry. Tee shirt flight this time it was so hot. 
taking off at about 7.15 it wasn’t even slightly bumpy which was a nice surprise. 
we had a blissful flight fairly low, I was about 600ft for most of it. Warm and relaxing. 
Paul went too low for my liking over the quarry it that’s his call, I stayed above and enjoyed the view. 
when we turned around we saw a massive cumulonimbus miles away and the air was getting a little bit bumpy so we headed back. Had a great flight back and then flew around a bit local until landing about 8.35. On my feet again. Paul fell over oops! It was a very fast run though. 
That was one of the most pleasant flights I’ve had, smooth and warm. 
Sat in the field and chatted to the farmer, had a beer and got munched by midges. 

I drove home being entertained by that massive lightning storm flashing constantly. what a night

photos of my shoes and me heading towards the big bad cloud. (Not really, it was miles away)

important update::

I have now landed on my feet more times than on my arse

I’ve just bought some netting from an online supplier called hucks nets.  I bought pidgeon net and it cost me about a tenner for plenty to replace my netting twice. It’s identical to the original netting. 
It took a couple of hours to figure how and to fit it and done. 
I haven’t fitted the boas or the sewn fabric hem at the ends of the net. Just ties in some dyneema cord and looped Ito we the puns. Works a treat just not quite as pretty. But then it wasn’t pretty held together with red string and cable ties  

Quick update because I’m still buzzing

ive wanted to fly over Santa pod drag strip for ages. I’ve spent many years here racing and partying, I love the place. 
today and tomorrow I’m here crewing for a racer and I brought my kit with me. 
I knew the forecast was good 7pm. 
it’s a private event with only about 200 racers and their crews so the big fields are empty. 
around 7.30 I went and parked my van in the field, I was a bit worried about security getting shirty. I waited a bit, the only vehicle in a big field and security drove past without batting an eyelid. So I got my wing out, nil wind setup. 
id already checked my motor and fuelled it in the pits so I just got it on and a quick warm up. Still no problems so strapped in and up. Forward launch with a bit of running in nil wind. Not a lot of lift so a bit of brake got me up. 
what a great flight, I went over the pits waving and taking photos then went out and about the local area spotting the posh houses. 
absolutely loved it. Flying around with my racing mates in the pits, taking photos of them. 
I came over the strip at 2200ft and came down to land by my van. Easy approach and a running landing on my feet again. 
I can’t see me ever getting bored of this! It’s just fantastic being up in the air. 
 

I’ve used a throttle off thingiverse. Printed it and used bike gear cable. Works a treat. 
 

Got a couple more decent flights in last night at penkridge. 

Met Phil and Paul at the field about 6.30 and it was a bit windy so we waited and got ready. Phil hadn’t flown for around a year and has about 30 flights under his belt so we got him up first just to alleviate any nerves. 

Quick reverse and he was straight up no fuss. Paul reversed and I went forward. I’ve done a few reverses but it was light enough to go forward so I did. 

We went northwest across miles of farmland and very few buildings.  We’re still getting used to the area so a couple of accidental sheep panics were had as we weren’t too high but discussed after and will be avoiding them in future. There’s also a couple of small airfields with airspace we had to avoid near Penkridge and Stafford. 

After some hedge hopping by Paul and waving to a lot of people on the ground happy to see us we turned back after about 40 mins. It was a lovely flight, we all took off easily and we all landed on our feet. 

Had a few minutes and got ready to go up again. 

Now my partner lives on the outskirts of Wolverhampton near j2 of the m54 and the wind had died right down so I said I’d like to fly over her house and wave. 

Phil had a little trouble with his forward take off but no real issues and we followed up and set off southerly towards Wolverhampton. Did a quick circle to check out the headwind for the return so we knew it would be a slow ride back and we knew we were on a time limit because of the time. 

It took about 15 mins to go the 7 miles to Dot’s house, flew over and waved. A couple of times we questioned whether to turn back or not but pushed on (my decision but anyone could go as they pleased obviously) 

As soon as we turned we knew it was a hard ride back, cross wind so fighting it all the way and couldn’t make more than about 18mph. I wasn’t worried and I knew paul wouldn’t be worried but then we found Phil’s wing was really slow going back, he’s a bit underweight for his 28m wing I think. 

Once back in the open fields I came down low to get better speed. Paul was ok his wing is faster, Phil was behind me and gradually dropped back. 

Realising he didn’t have any navigation with him and it was dusk, and he was starting to worry about not getting back I suggested finding a field and landing out before it got too dark. That way we could pick him up and not worry about him struggling to find his way back. 

Radio comms became erratic but he got the message. However we didn’t hear back from him. 

We landed at the field close to 9.30 pm, on the limit after crabbing most of the way back. It was a bumpy and tense flight needing hands on all the way. 

I had sent Phil a text message on the way telling him to let us know where he ends up, but we didn’t know whether he was pushing on or landing. It was a bit worrying for a while. 

When we landed I got a text from him saying he’s landed and then got to speak to him. When he told me he’d crash landed we were even more worried, but he’d got a lift off three friendly ladies in a Range Rover who brought him and his kit back to the field. 

Turns out he’d found a field ok and come in to land but saw power lines at the last moment and had to brake left suddenly. I wouldn’t call it a crash landing, he landed on his feet in a wheat field and fell grazing his knee. No damage to him or his kit otherwise. 

Oh.. I can’t forget this - Paul, the infamous Paul who landed in the river Severn, came in with engine off and had to glide past the field only to land in the middle of a corn field about 6ft tall crops. 

No damage just unfortunate landing. 

There was nil wind at the field and I landed in the other direction on my feet yet again 

Great evenings flying, bit of learning about being able to navigate your way home and Phil learned limitations of his wing. 

paul has some pics he might put on here, these are what Paul sent earlier.  I haven’t checked my cam footage yet but hopefully something good.

All fun, no major dramas, always more lessons learned. 

Loving it 

A shorter update today. 
And a more positive one

went to Paul’s field in Tamworth last night where Clive Mason was visiting and doing some tandems for the farmer and his family. 
I got there about 5pm when it was hot so I wasn’t in a rush to get in the air, so I got my new prop from Clive and fitted it, did my pre flight and got wing ready. 

a couple of tandems went up and we chatted parashit for a bit. 
I flew around 7.50 and went around Clive on a tendem then off towards Tamworth where I flew over a friends house and gave them a wave. It turns out I got the wrong house and was waving at some random people

pretty uneventful flight as it goes, nice and relaxed and thoroughly enjoyed it. I came in around the village and the no-fly neighbour who doesn’t like us for a nice foot landing. 
a beer and bbq were in order and we left the field about 10.30 after a great night doing what we do. 
a couple of rubbish weeks, still have to repair my net, but relax and don’t rush, nice easy evening and all is good again

Looking forward to flying in penkridge next week if the weather plays ball. 

Oh what a frustrating, exciting and expensive few days I've had!

Indecision, inexperience and simply making mistakes - I'm still a beginner. Time to take a step back and refresh the basics!

Let's start with failed reverse take offs. 
On Monday I went to Richard Leishman's field with a view to meet up at a pub near Nuneaton with a few others then fly back. The field is nice, flat but surrounded by buildings and trees so not ideal in windy conditions due to turbulence. Wind was around 10-12mph and gusting 14-16. I hadn't been to this field in this wind before, but now realise my limits.
After a bit of kiting and a lot of waiting Richard got airborne with a slightly dodgy reverse launch. 
I got ready and tried, and tried and tried. I failed 5 times, each time the wing going up OK but gusting and changing wind making it impossible for me to control and get off the ground. Eventually, after lots of swearing and a little tantrum involving a thrown helmet I came to my senses and stopped trying. Good call. 
Richard flew a bit and came back dropping very fast towards the ground. Generally not a good evening i this field.
Paul Page and Tracey Johnson  had flown over as they were at Pauls field so I went there to get some photos and relax after the efforts. The wind there was considerably more stable so I did some kiting and eventually decided to have a fly. 
Simple forward launch and up first time for a 25 min flight at 3-400 feet around the fields. I came back in and landed lovely on my feet.
At least I got my fix!

Tuesday the wind was the opposite - nil wind launches! 
Four of us went from Pauls field. I had a very quick 5 min flight while waiting for others to get ready, quick round the field and land - on my feet again
So far so good..
Then once we were all airborne, no issues, we headed for that pub in Nuneaton. I got there and two other people had already landed, so I came in after a go-around - I seem to be a bit nervous landing out at new places - fast approach and landed ok but on my knees.

There were 7 of us landed at the pub. Turns out the pub was shut lol

After a chat for a bit we all headed to the take off field with absolutely no wind. Any direction for take off.
It's a nice flat field and we all got up OK even though the doubters were forecasting a couple of props haha..
Had a nice fly around low as it's all fields there, then headed back. Lovely flight, a bit of low flying over fields near tamworth and followed Paul almost foot-dragging a test track then back to the field.
Simple enough, came in ok but fast and on knees again.
I don't think my old legs can keep up with the fast nil-wind landings.
No issues, nobody had any problems and a great evening had by all.

Then last night, Friday I went to meet someone new at a field near Penkridge in Staffordshire which we're hoping to use regularly. Met up with Phil and had a look at the field which is a microlight airstrip so well maintained. It's good with a long runway but narrow so wind needs to be in the right direction for us. 
It was very gusty but settled for a while and I managed to grab a quick flight. Did a quick forward and got off OK, promptly being blown sideways. It wasn't bumpy just gusty so I kept on the brakes and did a couple of circuits of the field. It's a lovely area with no neighbours to get upset, just fields but accessible to Staffs and Wolverhampton areas to fly around too. 
I came in to land having to keep adjusting for the wind but nothing scary - then hit some sink and dropped low before the field. Hit the throttle and just got in the field with my ass dragging through the hedge, came down and somehow managed to land on my feet. New field, should have landed further down the runway but didn't cause any problems.

A bit later the windsocks dropped completely so I got strapped in and Phil was going to follow. Sods law as soon as I strapped in the wind started changing direction again so I had to wait for a moment. Went for the forward, wing was slow coming up, got turned a bit and corrected but was heading for some crops. Big mistake not to cut power and tried to get up but hit the crops (wheat or something so not too tall) and took the ends off my prop. My new prop which was less than 2 weeks old

Bloody expensive game, making mistakes!
So now my plan is back to basics. Don't take off unless its 100% perfect just like when I was training. 

I think with experience comes more risk taking. Thinking you can do something but you're not quite making the right decision but decide to take the risk anyway. Silly game to get into, and costly. 

I've had a great week with 5 flights but ending badly because of a bad decision. I hope people learn from my mistakes

Heres a shot of the new field as I was coming in to land.

3 hours ago, Hann__ said:

Like most situations when things go awry it`s not just one thing that is the cause but a culmination of minor errors - the Swiss cheese model.

Your flight was doomed from the failed launch and busted prop onwards.

10:30 though, that`s late!

 

 

You learn something from every flight, though.

I wouldn’t say doomed from the start as we had two successful 25 mile flights. 
lessons definitely learned though. And yes it was far too late. Won’t be doing it again. 

3 hours ago, alan_k said:

Very honest report Rich, respect for that.

Treat every flight as a learning opportunity and you have had a full learning experience with this one. I think I would have landed out as I do consider myself a cautious flyer but given the pressure I'm not sure.

I don’t see any point in hiding mistakes, it’s all about learning and if it helps someone else that’s even better

The decision of going or landing was a kind of constant discussion on the way back, always had a landing spot available except when it got totally dark. 
When you can see it’s only 3 or 4 miles back to the field and you push on, then you realise you had to turn the phone off so you could see past the screen. I think that was the ‘oh shit’ moment. We knew we could get back, we know the area well. I may have struggled on my own as paul has flown there many times more than me.  Landing when you can hardly see the ground was a worry, and rightly so

To be honest if it hadn’t been such a cloudless night we would probably have had to land out. Such a good feeling to get back to the field though

Sometimes I don’t know whether I’m advancing or going back to novice!!

One evening, 2 props (one mine), 3 failed launches, turbulent flying and flying in the dark 

How not to plan your XC ....

Sunday’s forecast was perfect for flying early and late. I got to Paul’s field about 5 and started setting up. The wind was mild but changeable. We had decided to fly from Tamworth down to Clive’s at Market Harborough, have a break and fly back. Usually this is very doable in an evening of light wind. 

Setting up I found my engine cut off didn’t work so i had to bodge it so I could short the wires on my throttle cable to cut engine. Not convenient but worked. 

We set up to fly about 6 knowing it was going to be a bit thermic after a hot sunny day. Paul got up ok forward launch. I didn’t! 

Almost nil wind my wing came up a bit off centre which I corrected and then ran. I wasn’t sure I was going to get up as it wasn’t lifting (or I wasn’t running enough) but just as I got lifted for some dumb reason I loosed the throttle. Face planted into the ground. Busted prop and chewed up net. 

Tied the net up with some line Paul had, and he had a spare prop which had previously had a big repair but hadn’t been tested. So, thought I, I’ll use this and get a new one off Clive at the field. 

By this time the farmers family had come to watch and add to the pressure 

Tested the prop and it seemed ok so went for it. A bit of wind this time and Paul reverses easily. I clipped in and went for a reverse which went like a dream with the audience, and off we went 

The flight there was easy, a little turbulent but not too bad. Took 52 minutes and got to Marston about 7.45pm

I circled waiting for the field to clear as it was a busy evening then came in only to land on my feet! Getting good at this now 

Unfortunately I couldn’t cut my engine until I landed so had to let the wing come down in front of me landing all over another pilot (Nigel I think) 

Checked the prop and found it had a crack straight across it!! 

So I got a lift to Clives house and got a new prop from his wife, got back and swapped it over to fly home. 

Nil wind. Hopeless!

Two failed forward launches, so hot!! 

Third try I put a bit of power to help the wing inflate and got off ok. 

Headed for home and it was a lovely flight. But I hadn’t got up until 9pm and with sunset at 9.26 we were pushing it to get back within half hour after sunset. 

Anyhow we got going, then soon after going over the m69, about half way, it got bumpy. Really bumpy! To the point I pulled my trimmers in to get on the brakes a couple of times. 

I was only getting about 12mph and it was getting darker. I could see Paul’s strobes in front. Then my radio died too. 

Whether to land out and arrange a lift, or whether to push on hoping it wouldn’t be to dark is a difficult decision. We opted to push on. And on. And on... 

Eventually some of the familiar landmarks became visible and gradually we got back to the farm. Paul landed a little cross wind, couldn’t see the windsock (or anything else) from the air. He tried to call me on the radio and I could hear but couldn’t reply but he said which direction to land anyhow which was good. 

Came in, slippery condensation on the grass and landed on my arse! Back to normal 

It was only then I really realised the time, about 10.30 pm 

No bother, got the wings off the wet grass, had a beer, went home. 

Would I do anything different ? Perhaps not go the distance so late - but we didn’t know I’d get delayed going to clives for a prop.

Journey back with headwind - perhaps shouldn’t have gone until the wind was the other way. But it was forecast a lot lower than we felt. 

Should we have landed out? Probably. But making the decision to carry on wasn’t terrible. We could just see enough to find the field and to land. Balance that against landing in a strange field with the danger of wires etc etc and I’m happy enough we made it ok. In future we’ll plan better. 

I don’t know whether it was scary or exciting flying in the dark but I don’t want to do it again!!