Pianoman

I've been flying for 2 years now. First as a Paraglider Pilot and latterly as a Paramotor Pilot. I love both disciplines but in order to Paraglide, I have to drive over an hour away to the South Downs so Paramotoring is easier for me as the area of Kent I live in is rather flat and has no decent 'Hill' sites nearby. I've been a member of the BHPA from the start but after reading a few posts on here, I've notice that the BHPA doesn't seem to like Paramotor pilots! Got my copy of 'Skywings' yesterday (the BHPA members magazine) and apart from one tiny article / picture at the bottom of page 8, there's nothing about Paramotoring at all in any of its 52 pages! Loads about Hang Gliding, loads about Paragliding, but bugger all about Paramotors! The BHPA club I belong to has many Paramotor pilots in it who also happen to be Paraglider pilots and yet the group seems extremely reluctant to form a 'Motor' section within the group - the 'die hard purists' seeming to think that the club should be for 'free flyers' only. My question is why? Why do we seem to be the poor relation? Does the BHPA truly represent us and our sport? Is my impression of the status quo wrong? Thoughts please. Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

I'll be well up for it next year, but alas this years leave has already been booked up. Have a great time you lucky buggers! Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

iMovie is really easy to use...easy to put a little soundtrack with your footage and a few basic captions etc which I suppose unless your surname is Attenborough is all you really need. Lol Good luck dude! Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

If you have any mac software (either iMac or iPad) I've found imovie is really easy to use, but a little basic. I've just got Final cut Pro on my mac which is a little more advanced. If this weather ever clears up, I might get to fly again and use it! If you wanna see some basic editing stuff from iMovie, take a look at my YouTube page 'Daniel J Spencer'. Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

The only thing I've been floating in recently is rain water! When are we ever going to get to fly again??! Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

I do find that as motor pilots the BHPA seem to treat us as second class citizens. They seem very much aimed at the free flyers. You rarely see any articles about Paramotoring in Skywings for eg. I'm a member of the Southern group and was told quite clearly (despite there being a substantial amount of Paraglider members who also fly motors) that they weren't interested in setting up a Paramotor sub section within the group. Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

So do you think the BHPA have an agenda? Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

This is an interesting subject then. Why start considering 'over regulation' if the Paraglider wasn't at fault? I like to fly in Dorset around Poole harbour and around the beautiful Jurassic coast which borders Bournmouth Airport airspace. Always a quick phone call to ATC to let them know where you'll be and they're more than accommodating, giving advice and guidance on when to fly and how high etc but never any close calls there for me so far (touch wood). Had a flight near Brighton once and suddenly saw the Sussex Air Ambulance shoot past about 300ft away at 140mph which made me think that we are quite vulnerable but is regulation the answer? Better coms' maybe? Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

That's true lol.. I wouldn't believe the date in the Mirror let alone it's contents Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

Hi Ganers, If you're gonna do the course in one hit, make sure you're cardio vascular / stamina fitness is up to par. I know a few pilots (myself included) that trained for 5/6 days on the trott and really struggled in the first few days with their fitness levels. Once you get airborne it's not so bad but ground handling and running about with a 30kg pack on your back really takes it out of you! Good luck buddy. Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

What crazy loon would fly at that height anywhere near restricted airspace? You don't need training to know that that's a really dumb idea! Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

Looks and sounds great but alas all my holidays for this year and already booked. Would be very interested for next year though - if enough of us are interested how about a UK posse headed out on mass for a few days? Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

That's amazing! Great video! Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

I've got a few on my YouTube page - some great views of Brands Hatch Race circuit which is near our take off field. Feel free to subscribe if you're really bored. Lol My channel name is 'Daniel J Spencer' Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

Lol true. I suppose he's entertaining but for all the wrong reasons. Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

Lmao! I couldn't agree more! Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

Yeah, the first few days are ground handling and 'wing management' with a few short hops to get you used to the controls - it's fun, but exhausting. Once you get over that bit and get competent at flying, it becomes less physically draining but I must be honest and say that I would of seriously struggled to train day after day after day....but I am unfit! Lol Passed with flying colours eventually and never looked back mate! You'll love it! Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

Sorry about the delay - I missed your question. I'm currently 113kg. Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

Most people tend to do their training spread over a few weekends here and there - mainly because of the weather, but also due to the fact than unless you're an 'iron man' contender, the course (especially in the first few days) is physically exhausting. Running about a field with a 30kg pack on your back and a wing overhead will certainly get the blood pumping so if your gonna do the entire course in one hit, best be making sure you're cardio vascular fitness and stamina is up to parr - mine certainly wasn't! Lol Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

A friend has just very kindly sent me a link to 'Super Dells' latest YouTube propaganda video where he appears to film and 'follow one students journey' through his training course. I have to say I was a little disappointed that despite the well publicised death of one of his students from a head injury, he was still teaching ground handling on a windy beach, next to a huge pile of rocks and boulders and not one of his students had a Hemet on! The students 'journey' then continued to 'wing over' training which whilst a lot of fun, might be a bit much for you initial training course. Then comes the 'piece de resistance'. He teaches his new student how to fly tandem! Now, call me old fashioned but I would of thought it takes a good few years experience, hours and flying know how before I would even consider taking a passenger flying with me, and yet 'Super Dell' is encouraging it during basic training! This man continues to be a tit of the first order and is still our communities number one menace! I'm sure it won't be long until he kills another poor idiot that watches his videos and believes his hype! Rant over. Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

Paul, I went from 'Hill' to 'Power' and it did have some advantages. Anyone on this site will tell you that ground handling your wing is the most difficult part of being a pilot - I found 'power conversion' easier as I could already handle a wing, even in fairly rough conditions from my 'hill' flying experience. As has already been said, the BHPA don't run a specific course for 'Power' to 'hill', but my power conversion only took 3 days and was nowhere near as expensive as I thought it would be. If you really want to fly in both categories (and I would thoroughly recommend that you do as the buzz from both is astounding), then it might be worth doing your CP (Hill) qualification first. Some die hard Paraglider pilots will tell you that it takes far more skill to fly from a hill than it does to use power but I think each discipline has it's own series of required skills and are each very different. As for the 'one wing fits all' category, I have to say from my own experience that there aren't many beginner wings out there that do both jobs well. Once you get more advanced there a few wings that will free fly and motor well but you don't wanna be flying those in the early days as they'll likely scare the crap out of you and put you off. Lastly, why are you going to Spain when there are so many great schools in the UK to choose from? Wouldn't be our amazing weather by any chance? Lol Welcome mate! Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

I don't think that there is a radio on the market that combines 2m and airband. The best people to speak to for advice are Martin Lynch and Sons on 0345 2300 599 (hamradio.co.uk). They're also Yaseu main dealers. I've used them a few times and they spot on! Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

I can recommend this whole series of videos - they're very useful. A bit too advanced in places, (for me anyway), but good none the less! Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

Ouch! No injuries I hope? I have a synth 34 and fly at the top of the weight range. I had a similar landing when I first flew it. I've found that the trimmers need to be fully in to slow the wing down and a big early flair (well, certainly early compaired to me Paraglider anyway) seems to be the ordered the day. I love the wing though - it's solid as a rock and has never once scared me! Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.

Excellent! That means I'm not as daft as I thought I was. See you there! Pianoman Sent from my iPad using PMC Forum mobile app.