bathboy

Simon, Yes please, I'd love to learn more. I can supply props that have been damaged, repaired, damaged etc. Cheers Paul

I was invited to as new local site tonight, as forecast a tad windy brought the Action 27 out of semi-retirement. Turns out the site was near the slope up from the canal, so some of the wind was a bit messy. My launch was good, so at about 50ft I went to full reflex and more power before leaving the field. Sure it was bumpy, but at no time did I feel at risk. At about 700ft above launch my upwind speed in gusts was down to 3 mph, downwind it max was 54mph. I landed on full trip and still only had minimal penetration forward speed. Felt more like landing a round parachute straight down than the usual wing runway approach. I then convinced the other two with either bigger or less reflex wings NOT to fly. In hindsight... I would not fly in those conditions again. BUT if I do it will be on the Action 27, as it is still amazing in serious wind. It is too small/fast for me in no wind. I had to eat early morning nil-wind dirt to find this out, so last year found a ReAction 31 for that. THANK YOU MCJ for the stunning Reflex wing section Cheers Paul

Hi Simon, I played with a foil kite to learn reverse v forward handling. It is not that much smaller than a Marlin. You are welcome to try it. Cheers Paul

Simon, Please count me in Is it fair to assume the date is April onwards? Cheers Paul

I'm very interested as it is a great location - but as I've flown loads locally recently - I'm not desperate enough to travel miles without a good forecast. What is the source of the "The weather is looking good for training/flying tomorrow" forecast? IMO over the last few months the met office seems to be the most accurate around for Bath/Bristol/Swindon? http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/ ... _wind.html looks gusty/windy. Also nearly identical to last Saturday's forecast for Sunday:-( Cheers Paul

I hate to do this as I know how hard organising people is. Please put me as 1 maybe for Oxford. I'm not choosing between PMC examiner over instructor me and the mrs just LOVE the hills. So the 3D location of Pie N Peas, that I can also have long scenic walks with the non-flying family is the winner. Unless.... Oxford a third of the distance, when the Met office say only drinking weather. Cheers Paul

I'd be very interesed in having a go, with some training... ideally over a couple of days. Many others? Cheers Paul

I gave Thursday afteroon and their blurb advised wating 24hrs before gliding. I assume risk of G-force blackouts? Cheers Paul

Just back from holiday so catching up. So sorry if out of date info. IMHO for at least a year, the debate about slipping knots of the Revo has been going on without a reply or corrective action. Looks like a Nelson eye is being used by Paramania and those that should know better to look at this problem. Are you saying the Fusion has the same problem? The knot is designed to slip. As any climber will tell you. It is the worst knot to choose as it increases the risk of it slipping into the prop. I'm stunned it this world of liability that people make and sell this "known" problem. The fix is easy (and cheap) as proven in this thread and by another make of wing. Power to the forum. Come on guys, get this fixed. It only has to stop it slipping once on one wing to save a life. When safety/accidents are concerned, if it can happen it will happen.... Cheers Paul P.S. This isn't a dig at anyone. Just the mention of spiral... at this time of year... reminded me that Kev would have shouted the loudest to make this sport safer. So I'm trying to do it for him.

Dave, I was on the Action 27 two years ago. I was last to launch and soon caught up... then needed to circle and S-turn to slow to others pace. My landing was a tad fast though You will get a step change is top speed moving from non-reflex to reflex. IMHO most proper reflex wings have very close top speed with trim out + speed bar. There is a bigger difference if you just use the trims without speed bar. e.g. a mates Revo is faster when we both only use reflex trim, but I'm slightly faster when we both use reflex trim + speed bar. If I were you, I'd consider buying two second hand trusted reflex section wings of different sizes (should cost less than the latest new wing). Then whatever you want to do (acro v XC), whatever the wind speed (nil v choppy), you will have the 'best' and 'safe' wing for that flight, and a spare wing, and maybe some spare cash. Now we can carry bigger tanks, is economy a significant enough issue to spend £1000s to fix, if you don't want to enter the Nats? When I had the Action 27 + 10 ltr tank it was, but now I can just carry more fuel Cheers Paul

Gabe, Dave, If it helps, I think the wing type, size and what you do with it is as important as the motor thrust. From my limited experience with three different wings, all about 20 flights, all with the same-ish thrust, from a 6 year old Parajet (172cc) Compact motor with 3x99cm prop. 1) Nova Rotor 31 + trim out = average speed 15mph = rare use of full power = good economy (never tried with speed bar) 2) Action 27 + trim out = average speed 25 mph = frequent use of full power = poor economy (+speed bar needs full power for level flight) 3) ReAction 31 + trim out = average speed 25 mph = medium use of full power = medium economy (+speed bar 3/4 power for level flight) That said the Nova felt 'nicest' to fly low and slow in no wind, the Action 27 felt safest to fly in crap wind, changes direction fastest, but the hardest to launch in no wind. For me the ReAction 31 is 'almost' the best of all worlds... but if the wind was always 5mph or above, I'd go back to the Action 27 and carry more fuel! IMHO the Action/ReAction is the safest wing section/design. Until another section has been around as long with so few (no?) incident. None of these are scientific tests with a 'standard' weight. Beer capacity can adjust me from 90-95kg and fuel carried changes from 5ltr to 12ltr. Cheers Paul

Regulate what and who? The one person flying, the thousands with the happy tablets or the tens of thousands who pish on the grass... Cheers Paul

No one reason, a combination of many things really, but basically I am just not getting on with it and not making any progress. I know I will regret giving it up for the rest of my life but on the other hand I also know that if I carry on I will end up doing some seriuos damage to my kit, myself, or both - none of which I can afford Nygel Hi Nygel, Have you tried a wing that is easier/slower to launch? You are not the first 'newbie' I know who sold their Revo + motor as they couldn't make enough progress. The Revo is a good wing, but not as forgiving as a slower wing when you are learning to fly? I'm sure I/we can find/lend you a slower one, if you want another go. If you must sell, please can you tell me the vintage of the Parajet? I do know someone who is interested, but it must have the Mallossi barrel and head like mine.... 6 years old and no engine trouble. Cheers Paul

I'm fom down Souf, but have flown here. How far are you from Gullane? where my mate also saw Piers. I'm there again in a month and so, PM or email me you want to meet? Cheers Paul

We agree, they cannot be made or repaired without checking the balance! Hence it would be worth adding a cheap fleBay electronic scale to the kit and instruction to balance, as I'd say any repair would need a check and likely re-balance. I got one for about £8 after my recent mid-air mishap. Normal repair then used the electronic balance to guide where to plug solder to make tip weight the same. So far so good... Cheers Paul

reduce the weight... making it MUCH less work... feels so wrong. A bit like a fat bloke thinking buying titanium washers for his bike will make him cycle MUCH faster. How much actual weight has it saved from the wing? My guess is less than 1% Good technique (and being a bit fit-n-healthy?) are more likely the key to MUCH less work Cheers Paul = Moderately fit + Moderately fat - Good technique

That would help make the total weight the same, but how would it stop the CoG (tip weight?) from moving around depending how the resin, carbon, air? ended up distributed inside the mould? Cheeers Paul

Would be worth adding a cheap fleBay electronic scale to the kit and instruction to balance, as I'd say any repair would need a check and likely re-balance. Many moons ago... I helped Giles unpack about 50 new Compact props. The spread of 'balance' numbers from props that were made in the same mould was amazing. I think one number was CoG and the other total weight. Some were grouped as close as possible to make matched sets with dots of the same colour. Cheers Paul

Tis a mix of luck and planning. Maybe I'm just lucky... but I've had my best year to date of the four I've been flying. I've learnt the hard way to improve my odds by: Decide if it is flyable when still at home - if not, enjoy doing something else! Don't travel to far to fly - less chance the weather is different and a lot less annoying if it is. Assume you will fly! Get everything ready to fly as soon as you get to the field, assume weather will be good when you are ready. Yes socialise, but do less when it is flyable. Cheers Paul

Anyone else going this year? We are up market from the usual Friday to Sunday, park anywhere, with no tent, piss-up. Won an in-the-know Maison Blanche 7x5 camping pitch on eBay, so now going Thursday to make the most of the luxury! Cheers Paul

PPG Weight Range Fusion Size (m2) 23 = 60 - 120 26 = 70 - 140 29 = 80 - 160 Pete b Hmmm, don't get to carried away with these numbers, they do not mean it behaves the same top and bottom of the range. Please, please, please us common sense, and IMHO what has been 'proven' in the real world, in all conditions, on each wing sections v loading. This can take years. Accidents are usually a combination of circumstances that multiply then bite. I'm not saying don't fly small or highly loaded wings, but please consider it with an open mind. Two very experienced people flying 'small' wings have had fatal accidents. Cheers Paul

The last two flights I've 'missed' the seat. Somehow the harness straps or my arse have changed! Since last year learning the hard way (Malc knows!) not to rush and wriggle to correct it. I try to see not being in the seat as a big deal, but what can happen trying hard to get into the seat can be. Mine was a brake I'd stored correctly going back (and cage going forward) so it was eaten by the prop So now, after lifting legs/knees, if the expected seat does not apppear, I keep my legs up and just hang on to the power and brakes until I've gained plenty of altitude (= time) to gently fix it. Although it does my stomach in - for what seems like hours - it is a lot safer to circle the field and gain time. Also, everyone says it is doing wonders for the six pack Cheers Paul

Norman, it was a classic fun with mates evening. I can't wait for the expanded the story:-) Cheers Paul

I was always going today, but thought I'd missed any chance of flying and it would be a social looking, at the forecast. Decided to take the gear, as good often follows bad weather. Everything worked out, I had a lovely flight around Oxford catching thermals with the engine off, chatted with plenty of old and new faces, and made it home so see family, as agreed! Thanks all - hope to see many of you around Weymouth? Cheers Paul

Am I missing something here? I've always assumed you chosen somewhere with loads of sunshine as this would be the power source? It must me easier to get sponsors if you are setting/following the trend of green-ish environmentally friendly projects. So something that has batteries that work long enough (and are safe) it the heat would be key. Cheers Paul