bathboy

I use this http://ukgarminairmap.wikispaces.com/latestfiles to get overlay maps for my garmin 76C. I have a PC copy of memory map the will import and export to the garmin. To be honest I now never bother with waypoints to plan flights and just use it to see my actual track. I do like to glance at the airspave on the Garmin when I'm near airspace and http://ukgarminairmap.wikispaces.com/latestfiles do this well. As Pete says, memory map on the PDA is another league, but a PDA has battery life, stability and sunlight issues compared with the Garmin. Another thing to remember is that looking around for where you going is safer than looking down at the GPS/PDA for waypoints. Cheers Paul

Stu, Thanks for the update. I've been trying to convince myself that no news is good news! Please pass on our good wishes. Really great to hear what only mad dogs and Englishmen can do when out in the midday sun! Cheers Paul

Same from me. Yes you are easy Dave Pete b And the same from me. I'd add that Lemmings are almost as good at arranging trips and fly-ins as taking the p!ss! If like me you get a buzz from flying somewhere different and having a laugh, it is hard to better travelling a stupidly long way for Lemming weekend. Cheers Paul

Hi Simon, Welcome to the second best fun activity in the world, you can start your training now by looking out the window and hoping Most of us do more of that than flying. Seriously, if you can find a biggish field near you we can use, I think I can find a few from Bath/Bristol to visit it and you As Norman mentioned, most places have times when it is safer to use or not use. I live in Bath and will happily show and share with you what I have learnt about the various motor and wings available, and lend you a few books. Maybe try some ground handling on the racecourse if you want? As far as training, if you have the time/cash do as Malc suggests and go abroad. If not then I'd go and meet Simon at Lambourne and Paul Williams in South Wales and see who you get on with. It I learnt with Piers Dent from Stroud a few years, but I'm not sure he is still teaching. Another angle would be to find a paragliding instructor to teach you to ground handle first then move to motor. Following the BHPA traing route may have some advantages if you want to use their sites and get a license that will allow you to fly abroad. Happy to discuss, either email pauldotwatworldatbtinternetdotcom or call 07710 724 322 Cheers Paul

Ask him, he hangs out and seems happy to answers all questions on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PilotsPPGclubUK/messages including how he stays warm! Cheers Paul

http://paramotorclub.org/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=688 Cheers Paul

My guess is one in South Wales. Pendine, Pembrey or? Cheers Paul

Frazer, I think you have made a wise move. My first wing was also a used non-reflex and I learnt loads from it. Being slower will improve your odds on take-off and landing and give you more thinking time to abort. Also, if it does you wrong, being a bit slower means a LOT less energy (someone will know why) pushing you at the ground. I know all about slow being the best way to crash. Cheers Paul

A few moons ago I chatted to MCJ about slow (take-off) v fast top wing speed. He told me that 'most' aircraft have a ratio of about 1:3 for takeoff and top speed. This can be improved for jets by swing wing and paragliders by reflex etc. but the basic ratio still exists. So the top speed of a foot launched paraglider is finite until we can run faster or grow wheels. Trim, loading etc can all help, but the faster the top speed of the wing the faster the take-off. Unless... From my experince, a Compact parajet with my 100kg on a smallish Action take-of speed equals my running speed! With reflex trims out and full speed bar it uses about 7 litre an hour. The same motor on a non-reflex large Nova Rotor was a lot slower to launch, 10-15 mph slower top speed and loads better on fuel, about 4 litre and hour. Air cooled Wankel aixro xr50 http://www.woelfle-engineering.com/ does look very interesting. I've seen water cooled Wankel and two stroke motors leak steam, so carrying super heated water is another complication I don't fancy. Cheers Paul

Hi Alan, Eventually I found it in under http://paramotorclub.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1465 with others. Sorry it took me so long. One of the joys of the information overload... I think it's a good idea to fill a form in for all incident. From the response I got they are happy to receive any incident form. Also, would it be possible to do one about the crash landing that caught fire http://paramotorclub.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2209? It mentions steel generated the sparks that caused the fuel to ignite. I was wondering how aluminium or titanium would react in the same situation. My guess is titanium would cause more sparks and aluminium a lot less or none? Cheers Paul

Totally agree and I'm sure with your knowledge, contacts and motivation we will end up with a better incident system. Until then, can you/me/everyone encourage all to report an incident using what exists now? http://www.bhpa.co.uk/pdf/IR10_06.pdf Cheers Paul

Just back from a stunning holiday in a wonderful 5 star cottage on Skye. Among the local book and maps in the cottage was one called 'Across the Outback' created for the Readers Digest. For you it was my after dinner read Basically a glossy version of the story of a camel expert who builds a team to retrace the foosteps of Burke and Wills in the 'winter' as his theory is the original expedition failed because it was in the summer. They chose summer to ensure drinking water (rain). It has loads of unusual/nteresting detail (e.g. large population of wild camels) and a good idea of what climate advantages v problems in winter and summer. I couldn't borrow the book, so suggest you get a copy of the Digest version or the original 'In the steps of Burke and Wills' 1981 Published by the Australian Broadcasting Commisson. GOOD LUCK! Cheers Paul

Just back from a holiday, so may have missed the pace of this thread. My thoughts are: * We all make mistakes, mostly ones others have already made, occasionally we or the equipment find a new mistake! * The more incidents that are reported (old and new mistakes) the easier trends are to spot. * Makes no difference to me if reporting is compulsory or not. Stick or carrot? I'd still do it. * I praised the BHPA as they were willing to accept reports from me a non-member - it was easy - they have full time people to collate the information and shout when they find a problem. * I don't want to see the detail of every report - why have a dog and bark as well? - I do want them to SHOUT after their safety person finds a problem. * Collated problems become Safety Notices that are freely available online. IMHO all this stuff is worth reading. * The Lemmings secretary Tracy reminds me of the SHOUT output e.g. the latest one http://www.bhpa.co.uk/pdf/safety_notice ... 112008.pdf this is online for easy access to all. I agree that notification could be improved for non BHPA/Lemming members. Basically - I reported my incident for the same reasons that I give blood, not for personal, but for 'group' gain. Please can others do the same then the 'group' (and me and family) may benefit. Cheers Paul http://www.bhpa.co.uk/pdf/IR10_06.pdf is so easy

That's it! I downloaded http://www.bhpa.co.uk/pdf/IR10_06.pdf - printed it out - filled it in with text and drawings - folded as asked and then used the FREEPOST. Hard to see how they could make it any easier/better way to report an incident. Cheers Paul

Yes. I asked at SPLASH about the BHPA insurance. Since the summer 'fun' over tank size with Onrisk were quoted as saying they don't cover machines that were made with a tanks over 10 litre, I'm considering my options. BHPA is £2,000,000 third party for a similar cost as Onrisk. Also, I've found that the someone who have actually claimed on the BHPA insurance policy and they paid out. For me this is a big plus when looking at any insurance. I need to find out more, but so far it looks like a better option for me. Cheers Paul

An update on my incident that I eventually reported using the BHPA reporting system. Although I wasn't a member, they have sent me proof they receieved it and another blank incident form and envelope to make it easier to report another. I think this is great service, especially to a non-member. Cheers Paul

I got one last year. It is just cheap! It works. So my guess is the insides are the same. Cheers Paul

Maths good enough for me... You are in a high G spin that has or was caused by a mechanical failure... Where would you wish you'd located your reserve for 'heavy' arms use? Side, front, behind your head or? Cheers Paul

Pete, If you only need the fixing template, I've the hub 1/2 of the original size Parajet prop you can have. Gilo gave me one that was beyond repair years ago to show the kids how it was made. They're not kids anymore... If any use, happy to meet you in a pub half way? Cheers Paul

As far as I know (sorry if I've missed any) Paul Mahoney, Giles C+?, Michel Carnet+? and Peter Searle have done this a mix of ways, wings and motors. I don't think any are active on this forum. Pete is the most recent I think, and he didn't land in France... PM me if you want contact details Good Luck! Cheers Paul

Yes if Memory Map will run on the iphone? My pocket pc is slowing, and I'm looking to replace it. I like having memory map OS maps for 'second life' on the ground also as a back-up for engine out WTFAI? Cheeers Paul

I've spoken to Alan and offered to help organise the UK end. Simon, Let me know if I can help with the letter. Also, I might have another option, if two letters are bettter than one. Cheers Paul

Could I use the same Black Devil GSC hub for longer two or shorter three bladed props? I'm looking to be able to convert my Parajet 3 blade Compact to a 2 blade Macro and back. The Compact for snug in the car with family for holidays the Macro for some longer distance flying. I hear a rumour they've done that Cheer Paul P.S. Yes, I still want to keep the same car and family!

Colin, Do you know Brian (a Lemming) who flies from Stathaven? He uses the microlight site, I had a great early morning flight and wind farm views there in August Cheers Paul

I (eventually...) reported my prop bites brake episode using the BHPA incident form ( http://www.bhpa.co.uk/pdf/IR10_06.pdf printed at home) that was dead easy and the postage was pre-paid. After a few days I got a nice reply confirming it had been logged and giving me another form to replace the one I had used. This all felt very professional, and as easy to do as possible. Mine was with the Action brakes on their magnets, while I moved to get into the seat, that was impossible as the seat board had moved. I now do a better pre-flight check of the seat board and have fitted fine mesh to my Volution, both improve my safety. I know of another experience pilot (not on this forum) who found loose line on his Revo when the tip steering knot loosened after pre-flight. He has some climbing experience so thinks the climbing prussic knots used isn't ideal as the prussic 'feature' is it can slide when not under load. Cheers Paul P.S. I still highly rate the Revo, Action/Reaction and Volution. Problems will always occur in the real world situations, so raising them to the governing bodies and manufacturers isn't a criticism nor is it something to be avoided. It will help speed the development of improved design/s and might prevent another incident. Please report any incident using the BHPA form - it only takes a few minutes - treat it like giving blood, something you do for others that just might saves lifes. P.P.S. I'm not a BHPA member, yet... so anyone can use their form http://www.bhpa.co.uk/pdf/IR10_06.pdf