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Any update on permission to fly from a beach? Is it possible? Required for all beaches? Who gives permission?

Installed my beacon. Have to add a switch at some point. The mounting grommet supplied is too big for my PAP frame, so it's fixed temporarily & will need to be replaced as well. http://youtu.be/5c2Y2pPDvns

Never had any experience with them, but I've read negative comments...

I guess I'm the odd one out here! I had been frustrated by learning to hang glide, then not having the money for equipment for a long time. So when I switched to paramotoring I didn't want to make the same mistake... So I saved the money for the equipment first, bought the eqpt & then got my training abroad on school kit while mine was sitting at home waiting to be used. Maybe it was blind luck, but i prefer to think that lots of research & talking to ppg pilots was what resulted in me getting pretty decent and suitable kit.

Have a look at 'Skyads' aswell, some great deals to be negotiated.

Some are certified for motorised flight, some are not. I guess you have to decide to either accept your instructors recommendation, or if you also want to have the piece of paper from the manufacturer. As Alan said, you don't need to worry about this yet if your current wing is suitable for PPG. Just enjoy flying, get some hours up & maybe you'll be in a better position to decide how to spend your money then. Good luck!

My initial training was on a traditional pg wing but my ongoing learning (Because learning always continues) is on my first wing, which is a reflex. I had the same questions and now finally see it like this: (I'm not an instructor, this is my own interpretation. Take it as you will & I'm happy to be corrected on any of it...continuous learning ) 1. Neither every traditional pg or every reflex is safer, it depends on the EN/DHV rating of the individual wing. Some reflex wings are EN-B, whereas some traditional wings are EN-D, while some traditional wings are nice and safe at EN-A. 2. The above notwithstanding, reflex wings are generally more resistant to tucking, because of the aerodynamic damping effect on pitch movements caused by a raised leading edge (It's harder for the wing to nose down). BUT ONLY IF THE REFLEX IS BEING USED ie. Trims open. 3. Because it requires a more extreme situation to tuck a reflex wing with trims open, the forces involved will be by default larger and the resultant incident will be more extreme, dynamic, disorienting etc. if your reflex wing does have a frontal. So what does this mean for me (And possibly you) - My wing (Dudek Synthesis LT) is rated EN-C. Unless I'm mistaken or the situation has changed, reflex wings are rated with trims closed (Non-Reflex mode). So, when I take off on an average day with trims closed and little/no reflex in the wing I am flying an EN-C. I don't particularly like this, but it is what it is. As soon as I can, I open the trimmers and the wing becomes more resistant to pitching movements and frontal collapse. The trimmers open also give me better cruising performance. So in my case, I am sacrificing the potential safety of an EN-A or EN-B wing, for the performance of having reflex in flight. My wing can be flown unpowered aswell, but I won't do that because I don't want to fly an EN-C unpowered. The unfortunate reality is that while opening the trims makes my EN-C wing safer, I usually need to have them closed during the most dangerous part of the flight - landing & taking off. Also, having trimmers is one more thing to remember & worry about when flying, and to remember when landing/taking off or if you get an engine out (My trims are a PITA to close in a hurry for landing ) I wouldn't go back to non-reflex, but I wouldn't condone doing initial training on one. Why? Because initially when learning you wont be using the trimmers anyway, so why with zero experience would anyone want to do repeated low altitude circuits, landings & takeoffs on an EN-C to learn, instead of a forgiving EN-A. I think everyone's initial training should always be on a low end EN-A designed for training. But I'm NOT an instructor, so I could be wrong & I'm sure many would disagree. You can get EN-B reflex wings, but whichever reflex you get, just keep in mind that its safety as per the rating is with the reflex off , with the reflex on its resistance to tucking will increase. But if you get into big air & it does tuck in reflex mode, you want to have the experience & cool head to deal with a very extreme situation. I don't yet, so I avoid any questionable conditions. It's usually recommended to use active flying with reflex off in turbulence in case you hit an unexpected invisible monster. But in my case with reflex off its EN-C & I'm fecked anyway, so I just carefully manage the days & conditions I choose to fly in. Fingers crossed!

There's a good video of cleaning a paraglider wing on YouTube, don't have the link to hand right now. It involved lots of space, a hose, a way to hang it & some other stuff...

Wow! Timely reminder that you don't have to land in the water to be wary of it. My lesson from your video is that I'm going to fix my hook knife somewhere more accessible. Did you unclip to get out or cut yourself free? Would an agama have made any difference or was the water too shallow for that? Thanks for posting it & glad you're ok.

I second the positive comments about Aerofix. Had very straightforward and efficient service from them. [THUMBS UP SIGN]

Good info folks, the iPhone/Pad has obviously come on a bit. I was trying my iPhone 3GS with Livetrack up until now, but above about 1000ft in the Irish winter it was turning off & the screen was hard to see. I think the air temp was lowest -3 from memory. The apple spec's still only say from 0deg+ as operational temp for the iPad. Afraid to spend the money & regret it when I can live without an iPad in my daily life otherwise.

Hi, I'm looking at new vario's. Specifically I'm wondering if anyone is using an iPad/iPhone with flight software. I'm considering an iPad with a Brauniger Sensbox and either: Air Navigation http://www.xample.ch/air-navigation/air ... -features/ or FreeFlight http://www.air-avionics.com/air/index.p ... eflight-en I have 2 questions.... 1. How do you stop it getting cold and switching off? 2. Can you see the screen in the sunshine? If the iPads are not quite there yet, then I'll prob get a Brauniger Competino +. Thanks, D

"can't"

Can you type in the link Simon, I can see it on my iPhone!

Interesting that Hann mentions the trims because I also noticed that when I opened the trimmers, there was no tension on the strap to pull them out past about 10. I wonder were the shortened brake lines restricting the trailing edge from going up that last one or two trim points into full reflex. Again, I won't be flying her for a few months while I'm away, but will definitely check this. I generally try to avoid changing any settings that the wing was certified with.

Just from my own experience with the synth.... I bought mine secondhand & have always noticed a similar issue. BUT....a few weeks ago I sent it to Aerofix for a routine check & examination, they reported that the lines were ALREADY TIED 9cm SHORTER than the manufacturer specs. I can only guess that the previous owner shortened them by 4". I have yet to fly it with the correct brake line length, because I'm away at the moment. I personally had no adverse issues while i was unintentionally flying with them shortened (Not an endorsement, just my personal experience!). However, shortening them may not make a big difference, as I still noticed the same thing. They still seemed long. When I see how she is, I might shorten them back up by 4". Mine is configured for flying low hang point.

Looks great! How long was your string behind? Did you get it pointing the right direction first time just by luck? I have the exact same synth... ...which line did you connect your trailing string to? Thanks!

Also on a Synth...that's Dudek Synthesis for the uninitiated

Can't believe I'm going to miss this!! Have a great weekend!!

I've a Dudek & my wing does not look like that. If it was me, I'd wait for the supplier to reply & decide then. I doubt Blackhawk will stake their own reputation on the work of a wing manufacturer if they are in any doubt. If you want a second opinion, or to try & avoid sending it back to the states, or for peace of mind, touch base with Aerofix & ask them, or/and send it to them for an inspection.

When I was over in France one of the pilots with Backbone had done exactly that when they were filming in Africa, used the display mounting plate fixed in place with with repair tape. It was in the centre of the wing approx 24 inches back from the leading edge. Seemed to work fine.

Understanding The Sky - Dennis Pagen http://www.scribd.com/mobile/doc/204506705 Or http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0936310 ... X110_SY165

I bought some small high strength magnets just this week to make one! I was planning to epoxy 4 magnets to a piece of cardboard and stitch it inside some felt or soft material for the panel inside the wing. Then do the same for outside, but push a go pro mount through a centre slot, then tape and epoxy the mount in place with 4 more opposing magnets before covering it all also in felt or cloth.

I trained with Backbone, at Tallard in France. Thierry is a very nice guy & it was very professional. They use empty chassis for the practical ground instruction so you don't get exhausted by the weight of the engine. Tallard is basically a playground for air sports! Backbone will certify your training & however many hours you manage to do, which will count towards your BHPA qualifications, but you wont be able to come home with a full French license from any school in France unless you sit the French DGAC exam. I did the training & built up my hours in France, then sat the BHPA exam back here because my French isn't fantastic. Be prepared for early mornings & long days. It's very tiring if you want to maximise your hours over there, but worth it! http://www.backbone.fr/

Got a nice half hour in this evening. The wind picked up and was quite strong above about 700ft, I was only penetrating at 5-10km/h groundspeed after the few minutes so decided to cut the flight short. Still gave me my fix! [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]Kept the video short so as not to bore anyone!