Michaelt

I've been told a reflex is best to start with by an Instructor, I've demo'd a wing but not purchased yet, so you'd suggest a pg wing would be a good starting point?

Hi everyone, After many of months researching and visiting visiting airfields and instructors, I am just as lost as I was a year ago! Reflex or pg wing? Which is safe? Which is best for a beginner and is it true that pg's collapse less or is that reflex? So many questions! I currently have an Airwave sport 1 M in my possession for beginner training and flying, however, is it worth selling it and buying a reflex?! I apologise to everyone who has seen my debate on this many of times, but I am still as lost as anything as everyone seems to say differently! Cheers, Mike

Simon, I remember you teling me this and I was very grateful for your very kind offer! Unfortunately I couldn't as I still can't drive and would be tricky! I agree as advice in person is best, I was just simply wondering about some basics of ground handling! I don't wish to cause any trouble here as we should all enjoy the importance of this forum of being flying!

Both points taken, but lets reframe from starting a debate, seen it several times on this website, its about the flying! People can help if they want or don't if they choose not too! Makes no difference! The aim is to all be a happy flying family! Mike

Thanks for saying that, I didn't dare say it myself and I still don't, but thank you to everyone that has offered me advice!! It is going well thanks! Progress so far is... Monday- couldn't get it in the air but practiced strapping in and laying the wing out and folding which is always good! Tuesday- got the wing above my head using A's and all of your helpful advice but kept cartwheeling it Wednesday- got the wing above my head and kept it there for a few mins, and even got lifted a few feet to bringing it back down and as happy as can be! Thursday- same as Wednesday, but the wind was churned up by the house so as soon as it got above my head, it would twist dramatically 90 degrees and I would have to run around it, then I got dragged and thought I would leave it for today, but good practice! Today- its a Friday and studying has made be shattered and not very concentrated, but tomorrow shows perfect weather so I'm going to the park for the day with a pack up and my brother and will give it my best shot ready for my instructor on Sunday! Just wanna get flying! Haha today is such a calm and sunny day, would be perfect! Cheers everyone!

Thanks everyone, I will take a look at both units, just need a basic one for now and will upgrade or put it on the Xmas list haha, I will take a look at some reviews! Do these both display height etc? Also, does anyone own an ozone helmet, they are cheap and I am tempted, but I want it to be safe! Cheers

Instead of a new thread, thought id post on here! Looking to buy a helmet, does anyone know if the Ozone helmet is any good? Secondly, is the Etrex HCX gps any good? if so, does it require internet, or is it a set gps, turn it on and it picks up signal? i dont know anything about gps, other than i need one that displays my alt, direction and preferably maps and it seems cheap! Cheers

ah okay, that makes sense! i will try with them in one hand to get used to it then! cheers! and good way of putting it, mine it getting to the seasoned stage :L

Thanks, I'll give that a go, when i say inside i mean, my A's are red and there are two, one set that goes to the tips, and the other to the middle, or inside... its a Airwave Sport M.. should of mentioned that! I will try tomorrow without crossing and see what happens, would it not be best having them in separate hands though? but i'll give it a go!! Just a side note, although the wing to a non ocd person would be very clean as it has only 5 hours on it previously, but its getting a little dusty on the underside on the white, out of interest.. how do you clean them? damp cloth? cheers!

Bit more success! Chuffed for now!! Using the inside A's in each hand and brakes I managed to get it above my head and then used the brakes to stop it going too far. However.. I seem to now be cartwheeling it or it is going too far to one side, only really briefly covered this so im not confident on this part anyway, but out of interest, what causes this and how to prevent it? I presume its because im not balanced with the brakes or A's? Also.. Once the wing is above my head, I drop the A's to move the brakes.. Is this correct or should I keep them in my hands? Cheers!

Thanks everyone, I'll go out now and give it another go, if I struggle, I'll leave it until the weekend with the instructor! Makes sense though? I have A's that split, so only the inside A's will be used? I'll give it a go and maybe try forward as well, but thanks!

Thanks for the advice! Going to try again tonight as the wind is blowing a little stronger, up to 10 at times. When you say to leave the brakes in your hand with the A's, and pull on the A's, is it a pull towards or a lift motion? But i will try and see what happens and let you all know! Cheers!

Back! Hmm, a little more practice is required I think, however, the wind is almost comletely gone and when it did pick up just slightly so you could feel it, I could get the wing maybe 1 or 2 ft above the ground but not keep it up... Am I doing something wrong? I felt the urge to try forward launch as I heard they are easier in nil wind, but maybe I'll try tomorrow instead... Just so everyone knows and can let me know if this is the reason I didn't get it "airbourne" ... I laid the risers out, put them together then turned them anti clockwise so when I turn, it will be the correct way, then clipped in and removed the brakes and placed them behind my back, I then created a wall so the leading edge was showing and in a horseshoe, i then took a step forwards, and one strong step back, while bringing my hands forwards in front of me with the brakes, didn't get off very high... Is this wrong? Any advice!? Haha cheers! But fun and good practice of folding it and laying it out! Mike

Its very calm at 5mph as of current.. I'm gonna sling it on my back and hike to the park I think, plenty of space if I get dragged for time to recover it and get it down, garden is big enough but there are trees bordering it if I do get dragged some distance... We'll see! Haha I'll let you know how I get on! Excited

Hi everyone, Just a quick one, when is it safe for someone to do ground handling away from an instructor? I have been taught the very basics up to forward launching and reverse, however, not in to much detail, but enough to remember brakes behind the back and pulling the c's to bring it down if it gets out of control, and then moving towards it etc, but when is it safe to do it on my own in the garden? If I had someone to watch out or grab the wing if needs be? I have a harness and im averagely confident with what I need to do, I would just like to practice more to remember everything as I only train once a week..? Tonight and tomorrow the winds are calm at 5mph, hardly a noticable breeze, I think its perfect to try! Any thoughts? Cheers! Mike

i'm tempted myself.....

Not sure i will be flying by then! will there be any possibilities for tandems that weekend? just to get my feet off the ground!! haha! thanks

No worries! Think I'm going to invest in the Gin G42, seen a recently repacked one for £330 on Ebay! Sounds like a bargain, and comes with conformed paperwork

Thanks for the info! certainly something i would have to consider! Just looking at them from Aerofix as they are £415 packed? presume this is without the Dudek bag? Also Simon, just trying to view the classifieds on here, is it my computer, but i can't seem to see them? just wanna see if there are any reserves for sale on there! Cheers

Hi Everyone! Just wondering if anyone could recommend a reserve? i'm currently looking at the Gin one G38, is this big enough? I weigh 59kg, plus the wing and motor! any ideas? Cheers! Mike

Can we have it on windows please..?

That's incredible! Where abouts is it?

Mike deleted this comment as it made him look stupid lol

Thanks! I have a flying suit ( thanks dave!) and plenty of thermals and ski jumpers, boots, im gonna use my old sports army boots as they have ankle supports. Helmet, all seem pricey? charts, i'll get one sunday from my airfield when i go to work other than that! sounds sorted Oh! Gloves!! i have raynaud's which basically means my hands and feet are crap and freeze when under 10 degree's, what do people recommend for heated gloves and feet warmers?

okay basic as in reserve? or even more basic? helmet and headset? At points your gonna have to forgive my ridiculous questions!