weesplat

Hi Norman, I like the motif having the Paramotorclub.org logo gives the conection we all have no matter which branch we belong to. Think that it fits in with the ethos of the club lots of small groups of local pilots all over the place under the one umberella orginisation. We could have things like interclub comps, regional flyins, national rallys. not to mention any international options that may pop up. Afterall we might one day have a branch in every country if the idea catches on an international club. Next THE WORLD!!!!!!!!! Whow sorry just got all over excited. Looking forward to the christmas party and swapping stories if not before and we get to fly together. Cheers Col...[/b]

Hi Jonny, I'm a bit bias but would thourghly recomend Simon Westmore in Lambourn. You should find his number on any of his posts on the forum. Have a look at the training blogs on the site to give you a taste of what to expect. I belive that he will be continuing training through the winter weather permiting so with a bit of luck and putting the time in should see you in the sky for the coming summer season. Hope to see you on the hill. Cheers Col......

Simon mate cant belive you left me out. Just to make it official I would like to put my name forward for the fourth position on the flying team. Cheers Col......

Hi rata2e, There are quite a few good books about give these a try:- The powered paraglider bible Paramotoring from the ground up Paragliding from beginner to cross country and The BHPA pilot handbook. Cheers Col...

Hi All, At last sanity. I agree whole heartedly with the idea for a club rating and that it would be good for the club. Certainly a system I would be enthusiastic to take part in. Also perhaps the club could negotiate a scale of discount with on risk based on club rating a bit like advanced drivers do with cars. Cheers Col.....

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Hi Mike, Yes it is an easy fix buy a new one . I had noticed it was a little loose last time I flew and had clicked it back in position but obviously it was worn more than I thought. . Looking forward to getting a chance to have a fly with you when it all comes together. Cheers Col.......

Hi All, Hope you dont mind Terry but finaly figured out how to upload to youtube. Thought you all might like to see this one.

Hi Mike, Just to rub it in a bit I had two very good flights on Mon although the second was cut short with an engine out ( pesky sparkplug cap ) no hassel had plenty of height and returned to the field for ANOTHER uneventful landing . Cheers Col......

Hi All, Just wondered if it was possiable to have an option on the menu on the right the same as the " View posts since last visit " but for photo's ie. " View photo's since last visit ". Just I'm sure I miss some great photos due to the fag of going through the albums one at a time. Anyway just a thought. Cheers Col........

Hi Simon, Pencil me in for the second week depending on firm dates ect. Cheers Col.....

I'll be there Simon.

Hi All, As all you regulars on the hill know I dis-assemble and re-assemble my prop every time I go flying due to it having to fit in the car so possiably I have more experiance of this procedure than most. I do my nuts up to what I would describe as firm hand pressure. Thats a firm pressure applied with a standard spanner ( or allan key ) by your hand only not your arm or body weight. It matches in well with Simon W description of hand tight then 1/4 to 1/2 turn extra. The important thing is to make it even across all the bolts by doing a bolt then the one diagonaly across from it repeated till all the bolt are done, the same as wheel nuts on a car or head bolts on a cilinder head, remember its not the bolts themselves that hold the prop on but the grip between the hub behind the prop and the plate in front of it. I've never used a torque wrench ( I go by feel ) so cant give a figure but if I had to take a rough guess it would be 10 to 12 psi. This is on an Adventure A3 with a standard wooden prop but I cant see it being much different on other machines. So far I have had no problems or issues using this method and to be honest I dont expect any. Please dont horse them up as tight as you can as this will I am sure either damage the prop or stretch the bolts which will weaken them making them useless. I hope this helps. Cheers Col.........

Hi All, Just thought I would post some hints and tips about this particular model as its what I've flowen for the last year. Generally I've been impressed with the unit. It always starts and run's well (as long as the battery has a charge ). Is fairly economic at 15mins a litr. Comfortable both on the ground and in the air. Gives me at 60kg plenty of thrust (climb rate of 2-300 feet per min). As it is the SOLO 210 engine it uses spares are easy and cheap to obtain for the motor. All round a good unit though not perfect (is there such a thing ). From what I can make out mine seems to run smoother than most this may be due to the standard walbro 32 carb being replaced with the walbro 37 ( was on it when I bought it secondhand). The pipes that are connected to the primer bulb need a fairly regular check as I found mine had a tendansy to slip off untill I applied some lock wire. I have noticed that some of the electrical wiring has slightly chaffed but sorted that out with some tie wraps. The biggest improvement that can be made on the unit is to scrap the Adventure cage and replace it with a Nirvana cage. As the regulars will know my early landings were not the most gracefull and I found that the Adventure cage had the crash resistance of a kitkat wrapper. With a bit of research (after getting fed up ordering and waiting for delivery of new cage quarters) I found that the Nirvana cage would fit with a bit of cutting and shutting( take a 1/2 inch off the lower cage quarters chassie mounts and add them to the top cage quarters chassie mounts). It is about a 1/4 kilo heavier if that but the quality of the materials is far superior in my opinion and for the same cost as the Adventure parts. Small dunts and sit downs that would have had me on the phone to Adventure ordering new parts dont phase it at all. My landings are a lot better now so hav'nt tested its pile in resistance but I'm positive its a lot better i.e. If the Nirvana cage gets bent then the Adventure cage would have been scrap. The Harness has some foibals as well. If the leg straps are too loose then it is very difficult maybe for some impossiable to get in your seat once airbourn so do them up a bit tighter than you would normaly and it all works just fine. The only other tip I have to offer is that when in flight to loosen off the inner shoulder straps that are there to strap the unit to you while on the ground. I didnt and they peeled away from the inside of the main support straps. It isnt seriouse as they are non structual but it does make the harness look very scruffy and second hand. It may even be that as I am a very slim individual it may not happen to avarage/larger pilots. Anyway hope this is of help or at least interest to someone out there let me know Cheers Col.........

Aw Norman that is so much like real life though my cat forgoes the bat and just waits till you open your mouth to breath then shoves its paw in. Bit disconcerting the first couple of times to say the least. Chers Col......

Hi All, Well I kind of got into it due to being a bit of an adrenalin junkie. I raced bikes for 12 years and kind of got used to my fix. I retired in 2004 due to age and pain. Tried riding on the road again and decided that it just was'nt fun anymore too many yellow boxes and blue lights. So some replacement therapy was required looked at plane planes way too much money sailplane's were affordable just but so much hassle ground crew winch storage etc. A couple of mates up north flew paramotors and convinced me to try one of them. So loads of research read everything watch everything troll through the forums. Then off to ebay. The rest as they say is history. So the short answer is I,m in it for the buzz the more dynamic style flying appeals to me and my last few flights have been exploring the performance of the wing that little bit more. Also a thing that surprised me, helping to coach people under Simons watchful eye I really enjoy and get great satisfaction from watching them progress through to their first flights sometimes more than flying myself. Last by most certainly not least the social side is second to none. Cheers Col.....

They are always asking for readers contributions for stories and features. we could serialise the training blogs . What do you rekon Simon Col....

Hi All, Have to agree with Norman on this. Excellent mag and now getting more frequent. Col...

thought this may raise a chuckle

Hi Sally Ann, Anything I can do to make your landings softer would be a pleasure. Though I very Much doubt that you will have the problem due to the landings you've already made which although without the motor will still give you a feel of how it should be. Roll on fri I hear you say and so do I as I'm in between shift's and will make it up for a fly so will see you in the field. Cheers Col....

Hi Chris, Thanks for posting the video mate. I've got the feel for it now. I think this was the first of three similar landings over the weekend so Im much more confident of not having to increase the padding on my arse to replace my lack of skill. I'm sure you all will want a look so '>http://www.youtube.com/user/cvh98 will take you straight there

Hi Mike. Good to see you today. Afraid it was'nt me got the video think it was either Chris Holly or Pete B. Nice take off by the way. I was lucky and got a long enough gust to do a reverse no problem. Also I managed my Third good solid stand up graceful (in the main) landings in a row. I know Chris Holly got it on vid and intends to put it on youtube so its recorded for posterity. see you next time Col...

Hi Sally Ann, Do I look as if I pump iron . I might occasionally pump up a tyre but even then I use the machine in the services. All the same thanks for thinking I had that sort of physic. Cheers Col....

Hi Dave, There is a training place on Arran that does paramotors. Its called "Flying Fever" and is run by Zabdi Keen. She's got a web page on the net. Hope that helps. Cheers Col......

Bugger too late Hoo Hum