bathboy

A thought...

Can boots link point to paragliding boots?

e.g. When I posted " Bought new helmet and cheap boots without hooks. "

This time the *boots* link pointed to Brasher site. I use these are great boots for walking, but I would not use them for flying as they have hooks.

Cheers

Paul

Thanks Francis, I've learnt something (again!).

Also, front mounting makes it easier/more likely that I remove 'my precious' and store it in the house (warm and dry) with the wing.

Sadly, I'm unable to convince SWMBO that the motor should move from the damper garage and live in the house

Cheers

Paul

I would like to know what you guys use do you use a vario/gps/airmap? or nothing i gues your going to say depends on the type of flight you going to do as i guess its not like free flying when you nearly always go ready for an XC just incase you hook in to a corking thermal.

I've tried a few gadget....

The best and most used is the wrist Garmin GPS £60 ebay - it has all the info I need (altitude, speed, moving time and trackback) for most flights. It is the safest to use as I can keep looking where I'm going, lift my arm and it's the closest to a head-up display!

The best value is the £20-£30 altimeter watch from Lidl/Tchibo, £10 ebay wind speed meter that sometimes keeps me safely on the ground!

I also have airmap A4 size case £15 with a full size vario (£???) and 76C Garmin £99 with enough airmap info added. I take these on longer or new location flights. Although I find that I don't look at these extras that much, more nice to have proof of being outside airspace and a back-up for the wrist one.

Before I bought the Garmin GPS, I've borrowed and played with iPaq based memory map, GPSdash etc. but the poor batttery life, poor visibility in sunny conditions and then having to reboot it at 1000ft convinced me that any Garmin is more practical/trusted.

Cheers

Paul

hi, i have started my training and wold like to know, what kit i will need and what is safe to buy second hand? thanks.

This is what I did a few years ago.

I found someone who would train me on their kit, not expect to sell me 6-7k of kit before my first flight.

Bought new helmet and cheap boots without hooks.

While training - Looked out for a second hand wing, factoring in the cost of a full check/service AND DOING IT BEFORE FLYING. The one I found was designed as paragliding not a reflex wing, so my many early/poor landings were still slow. I think this lucky choice stopped me giving up when some others who started with reflex wings have.

While training - Looked out a second hand motor, again lots of checking, not from a gun-to-head eBay. This was hardest as I didn't want a Solo engine (personal opinion then, nothing against them now) I found a nice early Parajet (pre Volution) from a guy and it was his third motor. Also a good sign, most people get the idea of buying anything by the third time!

Bought a new reserve. Mainly as I wanted a large size and I could show the family! I've nothing against second a hand reserve if only a few years old, the CORRECT SIZE AND you get it CHECKED AND REPACKED.

Total cost on the above was less than 4k saving 2-3k on new.

About a year after my first solo, I started looking for a reflex wing. I found a low hours reflex wing Action wing relatively easy as I knew what to look for and who to ask for advice. Again I had it checked/tested. Making the total cost of £770. I have ending up with two wings checked as 'good to very good' for less than the cost of one new one.

Along the way, I bought second hand paragliding harness to improve my (and Malc's) ground skills.

I think if you follow the common sense rule about not rushing to buy, getting things checked/tested before you FLY them, buying second hand makes most sense.

IMHO - find someone to teach you - then start by buying a second hand paragliding design wing and a new helmet. If you love the sport, you don't have to keep it forever, if this sport isn't for you, you'll have saved enough cash to allow you to try another sport or keep the wing for another go next year?

Cheers

Paul

I have the powerplay sting wich is the version of the arcus but for motorised flight, the link below has a price list at the bottom for risers, you may want to contact them and see if you can fit these risers to sort out your brake lentgh problem

http://www.sperwill.com/Swing.html

Have you had any dealings with him?

I live close enough to http://www.sperwill.com to know not to point people there. The site looks outdated.. A warning?

Cheers

Paul

Thanks - it sounds really nice and I sort of get a feel of what it is like from your comments. Any chance of some numeric comparisons to add some depth?

Also, this will be harder for any salesman what is not so great? e.g. What feature makes MCJ/Pascal position this as not for the beginner?

Cheers

Paul

Hi

Thanks for the info, I have spoken to Paul, he's from Doncaster, and i am hoping to meet him on Friday at the Lord Stone Cafe, Pie & Peas meeting.

He is sending me some info throu the post, so thanks all for your replies and help.

Thanks agian

Kevin

Kevin,

A good mate Steve 'Radical' Scruton lives in Goole, he flies with Paul and is also going to Pie & Peas. I've told him you'll visiting, so look out for him. I was coming up again from Bath, but as I can't now, I'm delighted you are. It is a stunning location well attended with good people.

Cheers

Paul

Intriguing isn't it, these problems with piston and gasget failures. Discovering the correct torque setting for the head bolts would be a start. The 172cc Black Devil, on which (as I understand it) the Macro engine is based might supply an answer. The motor does have a manual which can be found here. It outlines various torque settings that some who understand these things may find useful.

You must verify the figures from official sources... as I have tried to do.

Norman, thanks this is better than the 125 scooter manual (same engine?) I've used for torque info.

Is it me or is the Parajet manual missing from http://www.parajet.com/index.php?id=61 and/or http://www.parajet.com/index.php?id=15 or is it available somewhere else?

Cheers

Paul

P.S. I'd still like to know the root cause of these engine failures before I face my Fresh Breeze mate

Simon, try and get down next Sun or Monday. Take you up on your offer, thanks. also noticed battery flat so charging as l type.

Bathboy, nothing drastic, just had a little problem with the piston.

Mike

Engine breaking down is drastic enough to me! Do you know the cause of the piston problem? Did it sieze, hole in the top or?

IMHO motors don't/shouldn't just break as we are not running them that hard. Pizza delivery boys using basically the same thing a lot harder and for longer.

Simply put, I've a Parajet and wonder how I can prevent a piston problem?

Cheers

Paul

Our current oldest student is 70 years old.

So you have a good 20 years + of flying in front of you

Welcome!

Airways is a long way from Doncaster Francis mate, I lived in Chesterfield and it takes an 1.5 hours... Donny is another 3/4 from there on a good day...

Paul Haxby works in your area. He is not a Paramotor club member for some reason dispite constant enquiries for trainng so cant say much more than that. I have not heard from anyone who has been taught by him for some time either.

We do have a club up near you where any one of the lads can more than likely teach you a bit of the ground handling stuff (not as easy as it looks at first) You may want to post a short message in the regional club thread below.....

If you do get hold of Paul, tell him where you got his name.

Again, Welcome!

SW

Paul Haxby is alive and kicking at http://www.axbsports.com/training.html

If I was you I'd find the time to go to the Pie & Peas this weekend. It is the best location for flying or being blown out I know and Paul and plenty from the area will be there.

The few times I've been, there is always a selection of people, motors, wings and ages! The draft beer in the cafe, great food and free camping at the same location as the flying may ease the journey

Scroll down Paul's homepage http://www.axbsports.com/about.html for Pie & Peas details.

Any problems getting hold of someone let me know.

Cheers

Paul

Hello? Mr unusual first post.

I'm in my fourth year of ownership of a second hand Parajet.

During this time many things have evolved.

I'm happy and see no reason to change it soon.

Are you a newbie or looking to upgrade?

Call me if you want to know more 07710 724322.

Cheers

Paul

instead of pushing you had a puller prop? Forget the practicalities for a moment and think about being pulled instead of pushed. Would the same limitations on thrust apply?

Ok so what are the practical objections?

Many many moons ago I read/heard something by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burt_Rutan and ended wondering why any props were still at the front. Sorry I can't remember the detailed reason or the source/paper/book

Cheers

Paul

All, got my motor back from Parajet today. The PJ boys have done a fantastic job on it to include fixing the engine, straitening out the cage. ....

Regards Mike

Come on then Mike, don't be shy about any incident we all can learn (or get a laugh?) from?

How did it happen, what broke on or in the engine, etc, etc?

Cheers

Paul

Hi there,

Has it been checked or ever flown to prove it is safe? Any reason why your mate couldn't launch it?

I cannot find it mentioned on http://www.flyparamania.com

Cheers

Paul

I would love to see an update section where manufacturers could list safety improvements made for each type of motor. It could save some costly failures

Great Idea for all manufacturers, for it is the Pilots who are the people to listen to.

Any good suggetions will be looked at by Gilo, Markus and Andrew for exactly this reason.

SW

Yere tis http://paramotorclub.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1871 I've added this info about the exhaust mounts.

Cheers

Paul

Hi Paul.

I don't know what the Parajet part numbers are, but my new mounts (you need 2) are approx 18mm thick as compared with the originals which are about 25mm.

You can get them from Partco or other motor factors locally and I paid a couple of pounds each. They are actually Leyland mini exhaust mounts and I had the complication of having to find nuts to fit on the threads which are imperial (the original Parajet ones are metric) but luckily my father in law has a garage which is an alladins cave which I regularly plunder!

You can get them from ebay complete with nuts -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Universal-Exhaust ... 286.c0.m14

I am thinking of drilling either side of the mount and lock wiring across to prevent the exhaust leaving the motor mid flight if these mounts were to fail.

I would love to see an update section where manufacturers could list safety improvements made for each type of motor. It could save some costly failures.

Best regards,

Ian.

Following an idea in another thread, this is aimed at Parajet owners who know or want to how their lovely machine has evolved and what if any checks/changes/upgrades they may want to consider.

Initially it can be a randon list, if it takes-off we'll compile into a more logical order and repost.

Cheers

Paul

A couple of weeks later the carbon prop then started to hit the exhaust during starting (very disappointing but glad to have spotted it BEFORE take-off!). This turned out to be worn exhaust mount rubbers and speaking with Gilo at Parajet this is apparently a known fault which is rectified on new models (yet another item for the pre-flight check!). I bought thinner mounts from a car parts shop (designed for MG Midgets!) which put the carbon prop well clear of the exhaust.

Best regards,

Ian.

Ian,

As my prop is also very close, do you have a part number or dimensions of the thinner mounts?

Also, should we have an knowledge area for changes/upgrades for each make of paramotor as they are all still evolving?

Cheers

Paul

Always great to hear of another success. Thanks for reminding me of the buzz of that first flight.

Don't be down about prop damage on landing - everyone has or will 'kiss' a prop sometime - doing it take-off and missing that flight is much more serious!

Take care getting all the flies out of your teeth!

Cheers

Paul

Malc,

I'm very delighted for you! Having witnessed your progress (mental/physical ups and downs) and many of your 'warm-up' attempts, makes your success so much sweeter.

I'm looking forward to our first XC to a pub!

Cheers

Paul

P.S. It's now your turn to be the wind dummy

Are there any fly ins this weekend? I woudn't visiting one if possible

Alan,

I'm in Edinburgh going to Strathaven Friday - Saturday - Sunday then Northumberland Hangerbash Sunday - Monday if the weather is kind. Then driving back south to Bath.

The offer of using gear is still there if we can meet up.

Cheers

Paul

0 seven 7 1 0 seven 2 4 3 two 2

Thought that one might raise a grin! Unfortunately it was in my garage attached to my motor - I didn't think to bring it to Mere as I left in a hurry.

Shortage? Can't think why...

Norman,

I might be missing something here, but why would you sell a spare prop when we/you now how easy they break?

Cheers

Paul

Paul (Bathboy) saw 2 pilots over the Kelston and Weston area of Bath last night.

Just wondering if it was anyone that lurks on here.

Paul asked me to post this as he has no net access today!

Cheers

Malc

Success. We found them via http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PilotsPPGclubUK/

Three more from around the Bristol area that like to use their motors in nil wind and evenings when the hills don't work.

Cheers

Paul

Finally met these guys flying. Very impressed that with no wind and a very short field they all took off first time with loads of room to spare. All were flying different makes of 'paragliding' wing.

Also a different concept to flying than me/us as 4 people share 3 paramotors. They either do short flights and all have a go, or long downwind flights taking turns to ground crew and collect.

When I started learning their pull start cheap/ish solo based paramotors didn't appeal to me - as they can be pain to start - but they are ideal for these guys as another fresh arm is always there to start them.

Cheers

Paul

Its amazing, the different take people have on things....

I have a message from a local ppg pilot (Iceland) who never flies with a helmet, has flewn across the country on his own with just a mate on a motorbike on the ground. LOL

SW

... and amazing that its gone from a 'never been done' to already been done! LOL

When you visit, try and see outside the South West Golden Circle (the main tourist/coach tour) area and you'll have a better/different idea of what to expect. If we can meet near-ish Bath you can borrow our books/guides.

Cheers

Paul

Two people max is a pain. but I'm interested.

Iceland is about 335 miles West to East. A slightly more interesting (and longer) route would involve flying over the glaciers and icesheets of the Kverkfjoll mountains (1764m above sea level - ish)

Stuart

I was there for a week earlier this year and think a flying trip with just two people would be stupid. They have a healthy (but different to most of the UK) view on personal responsibility. Get yourself into trouble and they expect you to have the skill and gear to get yourself out of it.

Even with a huge reliable vehicle, with just two of us, we felt exposed at times, on their 'roads'...

A first for me hiring a vehicle and told the insurance covered everything except damage from river crossing and sandstorms!

That said, the glacier lagoons and 'white' ice on black sand was one of the best things I've ever seen, so I'd be interested with a larger group and if we 'chose' good weather.

Cheers

Paul