daneellard

So is there an Android version?

Short session on Sunday. Wind stronger than forecast & very variable (thermic). At first I was not satisfied with my efforts at all BUT I changed to the Dudek wing and . . . it was like, 'hello friend', I know you. Then felt that I was actually learning stuff. But then the weather just got too much. Binned the session. Shame. Day 4 1/2

Excellent

Only jealous. Looking forward to seeing it overhead Membury.

Nice to meet you yesterday Scooby. Yes it was v hot & your head would have benefited from a hat. Nice start to a blog. Keep it going. See you up at the field again soon.

Back in (climbing) harness after more than 3 weeks away; including Devon & Norway. Another scorching hot day with a very fickle wind; from dragging me to making me wait for ages for anything then backing or veering through 45 - 90 degrees. Still managed loads of reverse launches followed by a near immediate 'drop' to (re_) build a wall. Nothing ambitious but confidence and skill building repetition. Just what I needed after a break. Not too taxing in the scorchio conditions either. Making friends with the wing now! Day 4

Hot day with fickle, disappearing, little bitsy windypoos. It was an 'Off Day' for me. Dunno why; possibly simply tired. Anyway plenty of wall building and a few attempted reverse launches. My spatial awareness is normally very good but for some reason I am still getting muddled with the spaghetti dish of risers and clipping them in. The two Colins flew who were worth a watch. Two weeks away from it now. Time for consolidation or forgetfulness? Actually I can't wait to get back at it despite having a so-so day. Day 3

Only 1/2 a day today due to an unexpected storm cell heading for the field. Firstly some 'wing on the ground' manipulation followed by using my own climbing harness to clip into to practice launching in the reverse launch position. Now I am gaining more control but still the wing 'gets away from me' too often. Very nearly got dragged when I was fiddling with the risers and not attending to the wing nor the strong gust that caught it. Pleased that I managed to dump the wing before it got too hairy. Very satisfying when I can keep the wing overhead, albeit too briefly. As my PC's wallpaper I have a lovely picture of a pair of risers . . . . . . sad? Day 2

Thanks Padeakin. After several 'restores' & 'restore' attempts I got it sorted. Had to turn off AVG to get it to work.

Off Topic but I am asking anyone, anywhere that might have a clue about rectifying this . . . . . After a nasty experience with Norton I became a user and fan of AVG. I succumbed to one of their ads for their Driver Update thingy; paid good money for it too. Since running it I have lost audio; I keep getting told that no device is installed & YouTube vids stutter & crash too. Their 24 / 7 support outfit has not responded to 3 attempted contacts. The restore point created by Driver Update does not restore. I've found likely looking drivers on various sites including Sony's (the PC in question is a Sony Vaio SVJ2022V1EWI). None of these fix the problem. I am flat out of ideas now. Any help / suggestions out there? Bad mouthing AVG widely online might make me feel better but . . . . . . Edit/Delete Message

Should have posted here earlier but distracted by PC being screwed up Colin introduced me to the harness (BDSM?). We went through clipping in, setting up & forward launching the wing. It was a very hot day with little, erratic & variable wind (thermals). For some reason (being thick?) I had problems with the simple act of clipping in; that's learning I suppose. When the wing was up I could feel when it was right but I need to develop a 'feel' to recognise when it is going wrong & how to react to correct it. Technique & sensitivity. As Simon says elsewhere there were some first time flights taken that day. Watching these from preparation through flying to landing while listening in to the radio instructions was interesting, informative and reassuring. Reminded me of the reason for being there; an appetiser or two. Day 1 1/2

It occurs to me that being a bit more specific might be appropriate as a blog and more useful to myself at least. So, guided by Colin: 1) Introduced to the wing; unpacking, laying out, checking lines for tangles and removing any found. 2) Used As & Ds to practice launching the wing and controlling it in the air & on the ground. I can see that wing handling & control will be the focus of practice & learning for some time. It is fundamental & essential after all. 3) Introduced to the motor. Walked around wearing Colin's motor with it running. Experienced its weight, throttle response, thrust and torque. Awesome. Left feeling that I had definitely made a start, gained some insight and enjoyed myself. 1/2 DAY

Well just a very little progress so far but then it was only day one. It was surprisingly hard work; in my defence, I am well into my 60's. But enjoyed it a lot. Simon and Colin at Membury made it all possible, for which I thank them. I am sure that I will be trying their patience before long!

So first training session today. Had other commitments so only 1/2 a day. That was about right for my dulling brain and ageing body! Simon & Colin are good blokes and I very much enjoyed the session. I can just about see the tunnel now and I am reliably informed that there IS light at the end! Future posts should be to Newbie Blogs I guess.

Thanks s1buell_wl; I very much appreciate this tale, it is very encouraging.

Bin an dunnit now. Committed . . . . perhaps I should be! But seriously folks I am very excited about taking my first baby steps towards paramotoring.

I have been dithering about making a commitment to training without a better insight into what it is all about and whether it is suitable for an overweight, unfit 65yr old. Today I spoke to Simon on the phone and found him to be very helpful. As I live local to Membury it is easy for me to trot along for a chat and and a nosey. Oh dear I think I may have a new obsession!