richjones

Had a great day yesterday flying Yorkshire Dales and at the beach for the first time. Got up at 5am on a frosty Sunday morning to go up to Yorkshire to fly somewhere new. I met Paul at my work where we moved my kit into his car, and off we went at 5.30 for a 2.5 hour journey to Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales. It was so foggy we couldn't see anything on the M6 as we headed north, but it cleared around Cheshire I think. Breakfast time was at McDonalds and onto the field arriving at about 8.15. Pete who we were meeting there had been updating us on temps and we watched the car temp gauge change from 0degrees to -4, and Pete had -5 at the field. Sun was just coming over the hills as we arrived and we got on with setting up. I reckon it may have warmed to -3 by the time we took off about 9am. The field isn't a nice smooth one, it's more like moor land used for highland cattle grazing. Pete regularly flies there and he did a Benny Hill run with a full tank, his Bailey engine having a bit of trouble with all the weight. Anyhow the take off was OK and off we went. I was last off and the other buggers had gone off so I headed towards Morcambe to meet them at the beach. The scenery in the Dales is fantastic, such a nice change from flying in the midlands. As I got towards the coast I just headed to the beach hoping to find the others, which I did, they had landed on the beach as the tide was out. I flew over and got my trimmers and seat board down ready to land. Wind direction was offshore so I flew along the edge of the water and turned in to land. On my feet. Again !! That was 30 miles in 1 hour 35 mins. I'm flying an Ozone Spyder 28m and I was nowhere near as fast at the others, maybe I need a faster or smaller wing... The cold was mostly fingers and toes but I had a zippo hand warmer in my bag which helped on the way out. We stopped to get warm, had a chat and the took off again to fly around the beach a bit before heading back. We flew up to the north end of Morcambe bay, around into the estuary past Arnside and then back inland. Initially we had intended to fly north to Windermere before coming back but the wind had picked up a bit and the clouds came down so we couldn't even see the hills. Keeping low under the cloud at 600ft or so, I still couldn't keep up and we all got separated. Good old Google Maps Followed a rough idea of direction seeing a few landmarks I had noticed on the way out. It wasn't so cold downwind, and I was about 7-8mph faster on the return. I came in checking my GPS location then spotted the cars by the field. The windsock was all over the place but I came in OK and hit the mud, landing feet first the on my knees. Return flight was 1 hr, 16 mins and 41.9 miles including flying around at the beach. Back at the field me & Paul wanted to make the most of it and were going to try a short flight. Strongish wind for an easy reverse launch and if too bumpy just come back and land. I need ground handling practice, I couldn't get the wing to behave (I do mostly forward launches), and I pulled down low to get the wing on the floor, catching my throttle cable in the prop. No prop damage, and it cut through my engine kill wiring only. Easy fix. I've been meaning for weeks to adjust the cable to get it over my arm instead of under but hadn't yet done it. If I put it under my arm the engine wouldn't tick over without revving so needed loosening to cope with the bend n the cable. Guess I'll be doing that now then! Idiot. I got full footage with an action cam which I've never done before so that will probably be rubbish. Got a few photos, and got some great memories. Got home around 6.30pm very tired. Thanks to Pete & Ady for the invite, and to Paul for doing all the driving. Fantastic day even though it was so cold. IMG_4007.MOV the launch field

I don’t normally update this before a flight but... I’m off up north with Paul at 5.30am on Sunday to meet up with a couple of others and fly. The plan is to go from near Skipton, west to the coast and play on the beach, then inland via Windermere if the weather is good over the hills. Taking a lunch break at a pub or cafe somewhere and maybe take in Ribblehead viaduct too. I’m so excited I could pee myself

Sounds like a great plan to me. I had at few gliding lessons at 16 and always wanted to do something flying. It wasn’t until 2012 I watched bobby Frankham fly off around Loch Ness I knew what to do. Took me another 6 years to be able to do it financially. Been almost a year now and loved every minute, the training and learning, thevv BC flying and the loads of new friends with the same addiction. I enjoy filling in my blog on here for myself and to encourage others. We all learn at different places and hopefully my learning will encourage others. good luck, see you at the fly-in maybe

I did think that but chose to assume it was the passenger with the phone

Skived off work this afternoon to fly from tamworth. Richard and Paul who I normally fly with here couldn’t make it so just me. forgot my windsock so take off was by the grass in the wind method. got an easy forward launch in a slightly gusty field. My shortest run ever, about 5 or 6 steps and I was up. Must have just timed it on a gust had a fly up north of tamworth over where Paul works just to rub it in he came out and took a photo. Considering I’ve never liked low flying I didn’t go above 1100ft and was 550 over Paul’s school then 150 around some fields. I must be getting used to it as it used to scare me! Just testing myself and expanding my experience. i came back over the m42 which had a rolling road block. Seen a couple of these now and find it quite funny that I’m overtaking them. As I went across and came down over the fields I was spotted by Brad Quinn who sent Richard a video. He was in the traffic jam went back to end a 47 min flight nicely ON MY FEET !! Again!! warmed my fingers up and Richard turned up to say hello then I went up again, longer forward launch and wondering if it was going to climb over the trees at the end of the field. Funny how two launches can be so different. I flew over outskirts of tamworth and directly over Richards house just rubbing it in some more came back and had a weird approach, the glider didn’t want to come down. I came in far too high and went back up and around only to do the same thing again. I’ve never had a problem on approach to this field, perhaps there was some warm air or something?!? Third approach was ok but I still ended up landing at the far end of the field. Got my feet down ok but it was fast and I couldn’t keep up and went onto my knees. May least it wasn’t my arse an afternoon off with a couple of flights puts a smile all the way across my face my second launch and brads video from the m42 IMG_3941.mp4 IMG_3942.mp4

That looks lovely, ours was very grey. I’ve yet to do any coastal flying, I love that view.

Just in case you missed it I landed on my feet today. Twice

Then today 27 Dec got two more flights in and more learning. good wind forecast but low clouds, as I drove into tamworth I could see the clouds were low. Met Paul Richard and John there. Got in the air around 1pm, forward launch not too cold today. However the cloud base was around 300ft. Now I haven’t been a fan of low flying, I like to be high and safe, but there wasn’t a choice. At 400ft there was almost no visibility so went over the a5 to the fields and kept away from houses etc. I’d been a bit late arriving so the others had gone ahead and we got separated so when I went over the field and saw one had landed I went back. Came in over the a5 around 200ft which is scary enough but the field is right at the side of the road, with wind direction different to normal had to come in over trees. now after yesterday’s talk about my landings I’d decided to unhook my flight deck from my chest strap and loosen the strap as I could lean forward enough. I don’t know if that helped but I came in beautifully on my feet. ON MY FEET!!!! Richard went back up and I had a drink and got ready again. Up I went with no idea where they’d gone so I went up alongside the m42 to some big fields. Max 500 ft with zero visibility, I decided to try and get used to a bit of low flying. Never done it before and it bothers me that there’s no escape but gently as I could I practiced low turns and judging my distance from the ground. At one point my altimeter said about -40ft due to terrain so I hadn’t really any idea except I was about two tree heights knowing I was really low I kept away when I saw walkers etc but I had a go at flying along a path and flew down at 50ft or so between two trees. Not close together, loads of space. Only a 27 min flight but I had a bit of fun. If the clouds hadn’tn so low I would never have done it but I’m glad I did. I can see the attraction of low flying and I’ll practice it again but I’m happier safe and high. anyhow I headed back at around 250ft which is hard work being conscious of farm houses, keeping far away as I could. Last thing I want is to risk someone else’s flying field. came in sane as earlier, nice approach over the a5 and the trees nice and controlled only to land on my bloody feet again I’m hoping I can keep up the foot landings but we’ll see. that’s now 40 flights and around 30 hours air time. I’m really happy with how it’s going and love learning new things and new experiences on almost every flight. Just can’t get enough flights in with the rest off my life! Today’s flying friends and a video of my last landing IMG_3907.MP4

Christmas Day flying I don’t like this winter waiting. But Christmas week has turned out ok! Christmas Day got two early flights in. I was at the field at 7.45 and me & Paul got the Santa suits on for a fly it was freezing cold so only a short flight about 22 mins. The wind forecast was 6 gusting 17 so we were wary anyhow but it was dead calm at the field with hardly any windsock movement. So we went for it with forward launch, a couple of little bumps but really smooth. Trouble was at over about 800ft it was too windy to make any progress, my Max was 1200 and I was just sitting there not moving really. my hands were freezing so I came down for a warm. The grass was dead slippy not that that’s any excuse to land on my arse second flight was 18 mins. Just got up and had a bimble about, same wind if not stronger and a little bumpier. Landed at 9.45. On my arse again! Paul and Richard said I didn’t seem to be leaning forward enough so something to look at. the suits were awful, to be expected for £7 each lol. But it was a bit of fun and I’ve done a Christmas Day flight IMG_3906.mp4

Got two flights in before 10 then home to enjoy Christmas. Been up again today too. penkridge farmer went quiet, stopped answering the phone not sure why. So I guess that fell through.

I’ll be flying with a couple of mates at 8 tomorrow morning then the rest of the day as normal

Clive Mason at Cm Paramotors does just that. Market harborough 07729 783989 not exactly close but doable

Well it’s been a while!! The last flight was the only 20 mins in 6 weeks. Almost forgot what it feels like to fly. Met up with Richard Leishman today at Tamworth. We were going to fly near Henley in Arden but the field was too wet. Look forward to that another day. Loads of floods in Tamworth but the field is nice, just wet grass. Got two flights in today, first one was about 49 mins up the m42 towards Ashby but the clouds were too low up there. Easy take off, forwards no issues. At 1000ft I was into cloud. Little fly around settling myself into it again and kept around 7-800ft which for me is pretty low. I’m usually up above 1500. cold fingers but otherwise not too bad for November. Came in over the A5 to land. It was ok but didn’t get forward enough I think, slippery grass too. On my arse second flight was another forward, nice and easy. Wish I could say the same about my landings! We headed east along A5, I just flew about looking at stuff I hadn’t seen before. Out Hinckley was I spotted sunshine so headed straight for that. It was nice for the couple of minutes I circled in it, considering today has been very grey. Anyhow that’s about 30 mins in and was a bit downwind so we headed back to find the cloud has dropped considerably. At 500ft I was alongside clouds and ended up flying between 300 & 600 ft all the way back keeping up wherever I could. At one point it was raining a little and with that and the grim grey clouds we did wonder if we may have to land out. It wasn’t terrible but glad it didn’t get any worse. Made it back, getting to cold by this point. Came in to the field right behind Richard which is a first for me to land same time as someone else, had to lift feet a bit where the ground drops then promptly landed on my arse. I had forgot to kill my engine until just as I flared so my concentration was off a bit. But I don’t need to make excuses for arse landings, I’m an expert I’ve been told to say Richards landings were textbook perfect, a little wing over, a back flip and perfect landing on his feet. nice to be back up anyhow, might need heated gloves or something. I think I need a GoPro too, I’m hopeless at taking photos while flying but would like to capture some stuff. i now have a reserve too. Not that it would have been much use today! Also first flight with speed bar fitted. Bloody faff. Couldn’t get my hands down to release it so I’ll leave that off until another time. Just thought I’d see if I could. My wing is now all over the living room to dry off, and I’m off out for food and beer

26 days since my last flight and finally managed to get up albeit briefly I went to collect my reserve from somewhere over East Midlands so took my kit and went to Clive’s field at Marston. I’d been watching and had a day off work in case I could fly. when I got to the field it was a bit ok maybe an 8-9mph wind with some gusts. Did a little bit of kiting and got my new homemade strobe all set up, preflight done and engine warmed up. Seemed to take ages to set up, must be out of practice! now Marston is a dodgy place at the best of times, with the changing wind direction and rotor off the trees. Today was no different, windsock moving around 90 degrees every few seconds. anyhow the wind wasn’t consistent for a nice reverse so I just went for a forward and nicely up. Took a couple of minutes to settle as always after a break. considering the gusty forecast it wasn’t too bad and once trimmed out was quite nice but windy. At 300 ft it was quite strong and gusts blew me a bit so I trimmed out whilst climbing. at 800 ft I was pretty much stationary. I’d taken ten minutes to go maybe 1/8mile. Turned downwind and did double that in about 30 seconds. It wasn’t particularly cold either but I called it as the wind was too much to make progress anywhere. as I came down across the field the gusts were blowing me a bit and in my usual style I landed on my arse. still, I got a quick flight. Puts the smile back on my face for a bit

No. Only started paramotoring in January and just thought it time to get insured.

I just insured with Axa last week. No checks.

Oh something else I discovered yesterday. I’d had my harness on the frame wrong since I fitted my bigger Maverick tank. Beginners mistake and I’d even took photos. Although it didn’t seem to affect the last half dozen or so flights it’s possible it didn’t help me getting out of the seat to land as the motor position was very different. Double check everything, it could have been very different!

Yesterday was a great day and not so great day. Got to Clive’s field at about 9ish. Chatting and setting up , was nice to see a few people turning up. Flight 32. 10:45am It was some wind and a bit gusty but I went forward launch. Didn’t feel like a reverse was easily doable. I don’t really have much issue with my launches now but this time the wing came up to the right, then left, then right. I was all over the place fighting the dreaded Marston winds. After a few seconds of Benny Hill I cut the engine and stopped running, and the bloody wing sat there over my head laughing at me I think that’s only my sixth or seventh failed launch ever which is nice. anyhow, reset and a nice easy forward followed. I wasn’t making much progress into the wind at about 2000ft so I headed for some clouds to get a bit of video. I was near sibbertoft glider school when my engine misfired then started spluttering midrange. It would tick over ok and full revs ok but midrange was uneven and needed more throttle than it should. Weird. I climbed to 2500 to keep clear of the gliders in the even of engine failure and headed back to the field. Uneventful then until I came in to land. Engine was still running. The gusty approach was horrible, blowing me all over the place. The field is narrow at the moment as the crop area at the side has been ploughed and the wind was diagonal across the field. No way I could control that across wind so I went round. Coming in better into wind still very gusty at low level I almost did it, having to clear a wing laid out on the runway but ran out of room. Round again, horrible air and swinging about all over I came in third time lucky. On my arse. Everyone had issues landing yesterday just the changeable gusts at Marston giving us hassle, but it was by far the worst approach to landing I’ve had. Sad event of the day is one of our pilots came in fast and too far down the field. He was heading towards a van so he stalled it and came down hard, bouncing and rolling over a couple of times. Ambulance to the hospital and we found later he’s snapped his Achilles, broken his tailbone and one vertebrae. How easy it happens. He was in good spirits and hopefully will soon be up and about. Later on three of us decided to go for the clouds as they looked low. Took off at 2:20 and went for it. Up at 3000ft we started to clear some clouds and around 3500 John was taking photos. I then climbed to 4800. Highest I’ve ever been. I was going for the mile but the higher cloud was complete cover and I was going into the grey stuff so I bottled it. Not even that cold really considering it’s october. My engine was a bit better, I’d richened the mixture a bit to try it. I’ll be checking it over before flying again. Fantastic flight and came down to that bloody gusty field to land across again on a short runway. But I nailed it . Came in low over the ploughed soil just touching the throttle enough to keep my height, cut the engine as I approached the grass, lifted my feet over a parked wing and landed on my feet Always learning and new experiences all the time Photo is me at about 3500ft.

Got flights 29 & 30 tonight. From the same field as last time, should have been windy enough for a reverse but I just couldn’t get the wing over my head. So I went forward launch no problem. More ground handling I think. With motor on my back. Had a lovely 1:21 flight. Went high and low, flew around the tv mast at Tamworth and over Twycross zoo. I was a bit low which was accidental, I didn’t know it was the zoo until I was over it else I’d have gone higher. Still plenty high really about 600ft but I would have gone higher or avoided the zoo if I’d realised quick enough Although forecast was a bit gusty it was lovely and smooth with just the odd bump here and there. Came in to land ok but still landed on my arse. Paul reckons I flared too early but it didn’t feel like it. I did feel like my leg straps were too tight to lean out of seat enough. Flight 30 was a quick spur of the moment thing. We’d all landed with a bit of light left so went straight back up, almost no wind, forward launch, quick dash to the m42 and back. 7 min flight. Fluffed the landing by not getting out of harness enough and almost got it but went on my knees. Felt really hyper after the flights. I was buzzing more than normal. I could stay up there for hours, I just love being in the air

Penkridge seems promising. Farmer very approachable and let us look around his land. There’s several fields mostly used for crops but he’s willing and says we could move around. Best bet may be his motocross field as it’s grass all the time. We will need insurance. He’s checking with his insurance if it’s a problem because he knows nothing about paramotoring. He’ll want money which is reasonable. Not sure how much. Watch this space

Well decision made I’m still going. If I can’t fly we’ll have a weekend exploring a bit of Cornwall

I went a walk in Walsall arboretum yesterday. There is space to fly from but surrounded all sides by tall trees. I’m pretty sure the council would jump on us if we tried.

I’m going to try and speak with one maybe two landowners in penkridge this weekend if I get time. Theres plenty of farmland both Walsall/bloxwich and heading out around the m54. It’s just finding out the owners and getting to speak to them.