bathboy

Anyone know much about memory map? The boxed version I have (5.1.3) legally works on more than one PC/PDA/SD card, but the upgrade will only work on one PDA or SD card.

Has anyone upgraded as I'm strugggling to see the advantage? At the moment I can (legally) use all the memory maps I have on my PC/PDA and evaluate any that I don't own.

I'd like to know before I get the latest CAA map. My main use is for OS walking maps. So I don't want to lose the use of all the OS maps I already have.

Cheers

Paul

Hve you asked MM themselves?

Pete b

Yes, the FAQ and answer was I'd have to l have to re-register and lose multiple PDA/SD use.

My choice would be to stay as I am, have the Memory Map software on more than PDA/SD card AND have access to newer CAA maps.

Has anyone a later CAA map I can try this on?

Cheers

Paul

Anyone know much about memory map? The boxed version I have (5.1.3) legally works on more than one PC/PDA/SD card, but the upgrade will only work on one PDA or SD card.

Has anyone upgraded as I'm strugggling to see the advantage? At the moment I can (legally) use all the memory maps I have on my PC/PDA and evaluate any that I don't own.

I'd like to know before I get the latest CAA map. My main use is for OS walking maps. So I don't want to lose the use of all the OS maps I already have.

Cheers

Paul

Excellent series of flights yesterday- 3 in total.

Hadn't been out for 3 weeks, mainly due to the recent bad weather and being laid up with the flu for a complete week!

Feeling much better now- especially after almost 3.5hours yesterday- in perfect flying conditions. There was a gentle coastal sea-breeze 5-6mph all day, which eventually went to zero for my last flight of the evening- Landed on the VMC limit (sunset +30mins) with my strobes on- they must have looked impressive from the ground, as everybody was waving!

Got some fantastic pictures also- the new camera is a definite improvement...

The strobes during the flash cycle

Wow what great pictures! Good to see you are giving Glasgow Andrew and his stunning highland shots some competition.

This is the first double strobe paramotor I've seen. What a good and simple idea as one must have blind spots. What type are they?

Cheers

Paul

Hi Simon, After Jackie getting soaked at the Pie and Peas she would definately prefer the B & B. Please Let us know prices and availability as and when they become definate. And the weather behaves itself.

Mike and Jackie

Mike,

Is it you don't know how to treat a women, pitch a tent or?

Rachel, I and Kira were lovely, dry and warm in our 3 second tent and the parajet in the 2 second tent garage

Count me in, probably just Sunday as I'm already booked to go to Farmer Bills Essex fly-in and Saturday night curry house visit that Lemmings Tracy has arranged.

Cheers

Paul

Here you go mate - on bbc I player

LINKY

Thanks. I was just flew it again over lunch. Fantastic!

One others comes close, but the Pie N Peas and the Jurassic Weymouth to Swanage coastline are THE best places I've flown. I'm willing to travel to be convinced, if you know different?

Cheers

Paul

We've been watching the Coast to Coast walking series on BBC4.

Last night 7 May 7:30 pm included the area we flew and walked over last

Saturday. As they have plenty of ground and air shots, it was the perfect

reminder of a top weekend.

In particular, the vista from the stone seat we sat on on the first ridge East

and the helicopter view of the Wain Stones a few more ridges East, are exactly

as they were.

Anyone recognise who the two paramotors towards the end of the show?

IMHO this is must to watch. Can a cleverer person find the watch again link?

Cheers

Paul

just talking about props does anyone know if three or four blades produce more thrust? there is a lot of mixed answers so i am seeking the accurate one if possible

Yes, for the same diameter and profile, a two blade gives less thrust than a three blade and so on. The gearing/reduction must be changed though.

A huge two blade is the most efficient, if you can cope with a big cage etc.

I'm not clever enough to prove it. So happy to be shot down...

Cheers

Paul

I feel another plan coming on Dearly beloved has booked us a cottage late June somewhere on the Lleyn Peninsula.

So any advice on essential beer stops, and where and where not to fly in this area will be greatly appreciated and hopefully used

Cheers

Paul

Our friend in Nepal has started out with his dream. If you want an idea of what this is about beyond what is written here you might try my blog,The Digital Aviator - here.

This initiative is still in its formative stages but let me give you an idea of what we have planned.

We want to help and encourage Karan in the formation of his Mountain Hawk Aero Sports Club. We have started with small steps, Dave has donated a flying suit, me a Noel Whittal special and part sponsorship of his initial training and Simon has something cooking in the background that will make a big leap for him.

I am still working out how best to arrange the practicalities of delivering our help and assistance but want here and now to offer our members the chance to participate. Every contribution will go directly into the project, nothing will be consumed in administration or air travel.

In the coming week I will be setting up a method (probably PayPal) for us to drop a penny in the hat and or donate equipment to Mountain Hawk. In the coming months I will bring you up to speed with developments, they will of course be happening in real time so there won't be a constant flow of information across the blog.

What might this mean for members in the future? Karan has a stated objective of providing low cost accommodation and touring of his beloved Nepal. He is passionate about this and I believe will achieve it as perhaps in a way only a Gurkha might. I have had the privilege of meeting a number of these gentlemen, they are an inspirational bunch to be with who regard love and honour as sacred words. My grandfather had a more stressful association with them in Burma some time ago.

For the cynical among us (I include myself in that category sometimes) I have been talking to Karan for some time and believe him to be doing exactly as he states, I could copy PM's and emails to illustrate this but I think it would be a violation of his privacy and trust. This is one decent and tough fella', he has my trust and confidence and I will do all I can to help him - fancy joining in with a contribution however modest - have a think about it? This is one way of giving something back to a people who have done so much for us in the past.

Norman,

Count me in. My Dad was in Burma, he never really talked about it much/enough?, but he did voice his huge respect for Gurkas. I've inherited this - and with a significant birthday this summer - helping Karan could be an ideal present. Who really needs another wing?

When you are next near Bath or Wells? I feel a pub chat is needed

Cheers

Paul

Thank you gentlemen and I hope to see you soon.

Pete b

ps Paul are you going to the p n peas this May?

Yes! The plan is to go North for a four or five day PnP fix with Rachel.

Cheers

Paul

I am now ready to start instructing if anyone from this area is ready to start living the rest of their lives instead of just working.

Pete b

A.T.I.

07703381197

Pete,

Great to know a more local 'school' is starting.

Good Luck!

Cheers

Paul

Um.... Balls....

Anyone fancy taking this one on?

Not sure if I am back from the instructors course by then so can either delay a month or hand over to a willing arranger or two.

Anyone???

SW

Just back from an excellent curry so dates a blur.

Is this the same weekend or can it be moved to the same weekend of the Big Fat Repack? The Reading hall is close enough and most/all need to throw our reserve and learn to repack. I do again....!

Fly, throw, pack, party?

Happy to help arrange, but may regret offer in the morning

Cheers

Paul

Ouch. Glad you're ok Rob. Bit curious to know how such a nasty bump was caused, if you have time to write a brief description.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Totally my own fault and inexperience. Flying downwind too low and then trying to accelerate up a slope - insufficient lift - thud!

Hi Rob,

As a fellow Parajet owner, it is good to know the machine has taken nearly all the damage, while you walked away. I'm a critic of their crazy lack of netting, but think they have one of the strongest frame/cage combinations, if it all goes wrong...

Having recently made my large frame Compact convertible into a Macro, I've a few ideas for parts. Happy to discuss if it helps. PM me your number if interested.

Cheers

Paul

Pete,

Good to see you today - thanks for mentioning this thread, reading it I nearly agree with everyone.

Check and re-check will give you 99%, but never 100% as we are all human. Even in my low injury risk job, we have some tasks that are checked by two people, as human error has proved inevitable and costly.

Simon,

Welcome back, sounds like a stunning trip. Please please keep this thread going, it may not be the best advert for newbies wanting to paramotor, but it could save some finger tips or more of people that do.

Outkast,

Totally agree. Also I listen for the noise 'click' from the carb stop when I let go of the throttle.

This may have saved me already when it looked like it had returned, but the lack of noise proved it hadn't. No idea if this was enough to rev up etc., but I did get me to re-route (untwist?) the way I held the throttle that day until I the noise/click returned.

Malc,

Grasshopper! You are wise above you age and experience I plan to do the same.

All,

Two people in the last year (one this month) I know have lost the tips of their fingers. Both have stated they will never start their motor unless they are strapped into the harness (Read the other forum and probably by now their BHPA reports for details).

Why take the extra risk and ignore the painful lesson learnt by others?

Happy to supply contact details of the two people if you need it from the horse's mouth.

SO IF ANYONE sees me starting my motor while not strapped in, please please remind and stop me. I'll buy everyone there a beer and wear the dunce hat for a while. Previously I warmed up outside the harness, near to as Pete described, so yes this will now delay my flight by a few minutes. BUT I'll happily count all those minutes on all my fingers

Cheers

Paul

P.S. Has anyone found away of turning a Parajet choke on and off while being strapped in?

Large harness for parajet swap for standard size

Pete b

07703381197

Pete,

You are welcome to try a swap with mine and see if we can fit us both? I'll try and call you Tue or Wed.

Cheers

Paul

Thank you so much Pete b for your fast reply, I am feeling really excited now I know I can reasonably get in to this sport

I can now plan to save a realistic amount for equipment, and I'll contact Simon W about training.

It will be a while before I can afford to properly start on this venture, but in the mean time I'm reading a book, 'paramotoring from the ground up' by Noel Whittal, I'm learning a bit from it, some of the techniques seem fairly similar to the ones I use for my 10' flexfoil kite.

Are there any other good books or information resources about paramotoring, flying weather, air law etc that I can use? I would like to learn all I can of the theory while I'm saving for the practical training.

Thanks again, you've been really helpful

I'd suggest you ask on one of the American forums as they have plenty of people your size that fly and know more what equipment is best/worst. I think finding a comfortable harness may be the big issue (sorry, pun intended) not the wing size or the motor thrust.

Cheers

Paul

Thanks to Dan's post many of you will know the AAIB investigation report to Kev's fatality.

It is uncomfortable reading, especially if like me you have a low hang point motor with a similar (same?) method of fixing.

To paraphrase the last paragraph:

Paramotoring has no single body able to identify and implement, suitable codes of design, manufacture and maintenance.

The gliding movement in the UK has in general developed effectively and safely under the single entity of the British Gliding Association and this is an example of 'enlightened self-regulation' in sports aviation.

Their outcome

Safety Recommendation 2008-052

It is recommended that the CAA should actively develop oversight of the sport of self-propelled hang gliders, including paramotors buy a single organisation.

I've slept on this and still can't decide the likely winner. BHPA have a head start, BMAA has gone backwards?, PMC just born...

Cheers

Paul

P.S. If you missed Dan's post, the full AAIB report is http://www.aaib.gov.uk/sites/aaib/cms_r ... 002-09.pdf

Updated report just out with photos of shackles etc on the 2009 AAIB bulletin

Thanks Dan. Something that is sad to read - but a must to read - for all.

Cheers

Paul

i see well this is it i was told everyone is volunteer and does not get paid and they would not survive if it wasnt for sponsorships which i struggle with because the amount coming in would cover, also i was told that they dont charge for burger vans because they wouldnt go , i do find that strange too,

something just dont seem to add up. i think what you said is more probable there is people making a wage from it

Not sure of your motive here or if you have been to the Nats before?

I went to the one near Stroud that used Pier's field and just looking at the flying, camping and family facilities that had 'appeared' in a previously deserted field, it is easy to see where the money goes.

If you know of a source of cheaper equipment, I'm sure they will be delighted to use/borrow it?

Why have a burger van when sit down Thai food is so good?

Cheers

Paul

I have a sup air front mount reserve container, it has a flap on top the opens so you can velcro your GPS, vario etc inside, its brand new and never been used, GPS in pics not included.

£40 including postage.

Yes please. PM sent.

Cheers

Paul

Hi

Just thought id try this route..

Im after a second hand motor, nothing fancy required as it will be my first motor?

Looking to spend around £1000 - £1200 at the mo? You may have something sitting in the shed etc!!

Looking for summing with 55 - 60kg of thrust

If not no worries

Cheers

Have you thought of a few people sharing motors? After they buzzed Bath, I found and met 5 or 6 paragliding blokes from around Bristol who do this with 3 (solo engined) motors. It seems to work very well for them.

They took turns with short flights then longer ones knowing there was always somone on the ground to help launch, retrieve and drive back from the pub! They had a quicker turnaround and fewer failed launches than a group of people each with ther own motor.

It is great to have the skills and take the time to carefully do it all on your own, but maybe better to have safe help. The bonus is they appeared to get more flying and for less cost. Gliding is usually shared or syndicated, it seems odd that we don't.

If I was starting now, I would look for a few mates and share a few motors.

Cheers

Paul

Feedback

Please feel free to ask questions, we will answer those that we can and defer those that we can't. Your impressions and ideas are important as they may influence both timing, quantity and course design.

I've driven for two years to the Lemming/Paramania weekend 'spring' flyins in this village. It isn't that far to drive even for a weeked as motorway most of the way. The best bar in Airvault is very friendly, has good food and drink and may still have the signed broken prop on the wall

I'm interested in improving my skills, more trips away and flying in places with a great view. In my opinion, this part of France is a bit flat and repetitive for more than a weekend. Could another be arranged near some hills, mountains, the coast or even a lake?

Cheers

Paul

Paul my reserve is attatched on the left hand side, this was set up by our cfi for me hope this helps, Alan

Thanks. Did you CFI use the veclro straps as Pete has or is 'factory' velcro tubing on the LH side?

Cheers

Paul

My parajet ....throttle is on the right hand side my reserve is a cockpitt container one.

.

Sorry, I meant the left or right hand that you would throw the reserve with?

Mine is also cockpit mounted and via the velco tube on the RH side conncets to the top of the harness. This means (I think) that to improve the chances of it opening cleanly, I should use my right hand to throw it out to the RH side. Throwing it left could catch the swinging arms or parts of me.

So my right hand has to either drop the throttle or hold it and risk it catching with the reserve handle, this feels wrong. I want to either change to a LH throttle or LH reserve route so they are 'operated' by different hands.

I wondered what other Parajet people have done?

Cheers

Paul

I have just noticed that my carbon fibre propellor is showing signs of wear the sheets have started to open and part if i do have to replace this can anyone tell me the benefits of a 3 blade over a 2 blade and if anyone can recomend a repairer of this item or know the cost of a replcement.

Many thanks Alan.

PS The propellor is on a Parajet Makro machine.

Alan,

I think the 3 and 2 blade Macro have different 'gearing'. I'm making my Parajet work as a Macro or a Compact and was told my existing 3x99 Compact and the 2x 130cm Macro can use the same hub and belt. The 3 x 130cm prop would need a different (bigger) hub and belt

If no advice on here, try the Yahoo or Lemming forum for James or Keith for prop repairs.

Out of interest, what side is your reserve and throttle as I want to move one of these so they are in different hands.

Cheers

Paul