gordon_dunn

Wishing you a speedy recovery Pete, you'll be ready for action again soon!! GD

BMAA abandoned paramotors because -They let down schools/instructors, who had invested a lot of time money -After completing the course, the BMAA rating meant nothing -They didn't spend any time or effort in promoting the sport In hindsight maybe a good thing, thankfully I could convert my rating to the BHPA with a short conversion- but this was additional time/money for me. The BMAA would have to work really hard to get back paramotor members- they would find it difficult to match the efforts that the BHPA and PMC go to. GD

Gordon, ( or others )....... Just for curiosity , are you the same Gordon Dunn who flew/flys a Silver Aeroprakt Foxbat? No- not me, but i know where the confusion is coming from. I had a video on my Youtube channel a few years ago, of a crazy pilot flying a Foxbat. I removed the video after the 'said' pilot reposted the video to his own Youtube channel. He also flys paramotors in the same fashion.

Spotted this on the BBC website today, I'm absolutely astonished that the Tupolev TU-144 flew 2 months before Concorde!!! I'd always believed that Concorde was the pioneer, and Tupolev 'copied' it....... Sorry Tupolev http://www.bbc.com/future/story/2015011 ... n-aviation

The BMAA abandoned paramotor pilots... They can go fly themselves as far as I'm concerned!!!! I went to great trouble/expense to learn and qualify under the BMAA syllabus- feel like a Betamax VCR owner now!!!!!!

Check this out- very interesting http://aerosociety.com/Assets/Docs/Abou ... hoenix.pdf

Yes would in theory create additional lift, but wouldn't be in any way practical. It's arguable that it may make launching a bit easier..... but i'd say an inflatable envelope/wing would equally be effective. Besides the core principle we have at the moment is an inflatable wing, only it's inflated instantaneously at launch- by the movement of the wing. I'm all for new ideas, but dont think this would get off the ground- no pun intended. Besides, what about the potential helium shortage???? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... ntist.html

Simon, I'm currently using a Canon G10, but at 14.7MP this probably won't be as good as you need. Considering my camera is 5 years old, there are plenty of newer higher spec models about, better CCD sensors and lenses. Here is a link to a full resolution image from my camera though- http://gordondunn.co.uk/pmc/IMG_9613.JPG I've been looking at a few replacement options, and have been impressed by the image quality of a fellow contributor on 'Flickr' - Patrick Mason- using a Canon EOS-1D X. I know they're expensive, but the image quality is suberb!!!! Just take a look at this for an example- https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3910/151 ... 344f_o.jpg Original Flickr link at- https://www.flickr.com/photos/7162217@N ... 61594@N04/

Simon, Your options are very versatile- just go for a normal spec compact SLR and buy a cheap intervalometer like this one. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ramozz-interval ... rvalometer The programmable options on this, are easy, and you can programme delay, timing, number of shots, shutter open time, etc... and any combintation of these features (should it be necessary) I used in on one of my flights- programmed the camera to wait 20minutes until i took off, then it proceeded to take a photo every second. This one on amazon is for a Canon- works well with my G10- but others are available for different makes/models. Its very light, and compact- so the drone would have no issues lifting it. I took this 'legendary' photo using this technique-

Seems like one of my local windfarms has been shut down amid fears of disintegration. Imagine being near them when this happens? Very isolated location, but surrounding area is used by farmers for sheep grazing, peat harvesting, hill walkers.... an paramotors! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-30675614

I wonder if anyone has reported a missing head? or indeed found a stray head..... With this we could at least substantiate the story.

Thanks! I'm ready to place the order- just waiting for the Lottery numbers to come up first!!!! GD

A Fresh Breeze Exitor for me please, but I'd still keep my Miniplane/Top 80/Paramania Fusion

No- Simon, interesting topic none the less.... There is a general mis-conception held by some people that your GPS device can compromise your position, but these are only GPS recievers... The original guys point was totally flawed in the fact that if you had a GPS device, and you were concerned that someone may be interested in knowing your position-then a GPS jammer would work..... we'll i guess it would work, but the GPS location device would be completely useless to you, as the signals from the GPS constellation would be unreadable, therefore location would not be possible.... in which case you'd be better just leaving your GPS unit at home. On the contrary, a jammer device would potentially attract more attention, as they transmit instead of recieve- albeit relatively low power- localised jamming only.

Yes- A seemingly random post started by that crazy Northern Irish guy!!!....

GPS jammers are illegal to operate in the UK

You need a Miniplane. I was in a similar sitution, moved from a 35kgs machine to the Miniplane. Empty machine is jsut over 18kgs, and with 5 litres of fuel you get a good 1.5hours in the air with a bit of reserve.

Here are a few samples of the chest mount in action.... Surprisingly quite stable, and generally reduced movement compared to the helmet mount. I like the helmet mount, but during flying you need to check around you frequently for safety... and the head movement detracts from the video in some cases.. Mullaghcarn Summit to Glenhordial Reservoir https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_e1pwkJPuA Low level flight around field https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8kp5NdRN3M

Looks like a good job- great review. I'm thinking along these lines now- Lastnight i tried the camera on a chest mount- instead of helmet mount, and was amazed at how steady the camera was- but with the gimbal it would be so much better! If i chest mount or cage mount the camera, and I do a steeply banked turn- will the horizon appear level, or will it be angled? GD

I wouldn't have an issue if it was done same way as France then.

Would welcome wing registration- as long as costs were not crazy. Anything to discourage people from flying irresponsibly or illegally- at risk to general public/public areas,etc... At least if there is someone acting the maggot in your doorstep, you have some evidence (to an extent) that it was not you. On the otherhand- you can't make people register or display a number, so unless everyone does- is there a point? Even if registration became legislation, enforcement would be very difficult, if not impossible. GD

Turned out to be a very productive couple of days for flying and filming- the weather is great!!! Here's another short one.

Here's the final edit video from the same flight.....

Took this shot yesterday- paramotoring from an interesting perspective.... GD

Conversion to an over the shoulder start would be the best option- electric is fine, but once the engine is running the starter motor and battery are 'dead weight' that you don't need. The Miniplane T80 with the bungee modification makes starting very easy. I'd imagine you'd only need one or two pulleys to make it work. Check out the pulleys you can get for speedbar lines- these should allow you to re-route the starter cord. GD