Hayneflyer

Hi, I trained with Phippsy at Cloud9 but he has now basically retired which is a shame. I did try to send someone there a few months ago but, like you he never received a reply

Hi, I have always used a front mounted container on my Miniplane with it connected directly to the same Karabiners as the risers as Hamishdylan says. I can say, having thrown it from this position, in a high G spiral dive free flying, that it was very easy to look, locate and throw - and it saved my life so I'm sticking with it!

Hi, I would absolutely say you are just plain reckless not to take one - as everyone else here says it takes seconds to check them and repack once a year is no hassle. I would not be here giving this advice now if I had not had my reserve (while free flying) earlier this year. OK I was paragliding but the important thing is that after a whole weeks and 20 hours XC flying in Piedrahita, in June with strong thermic and turbulent conditions, I had not even had a tiny tip collapse. We go up for a non XC afternoon bible about on the mountain and within 5 minutes I had a massive frontal collapse, fell into twists followed by cravat with very fast and high G spiral dive! Had to throw my reserve as nothing was moving at all due to the high loadings. I landed on the mountain fine, went for a cup of tea, repacked and back up again! I use a front mounted reserve which is VERY easy and quick (1 minute) to transfer between my PG and my PPG kit. its a Charly container with a zip on flight deck which is great. I use a front mount also because, when I did some sky diving, it was drilled into me Look - Locate - Pull - throw and I firmly believe this front reserve is the only one you can do this with either hand (maybe one is caught in lines or you have very high G) and see the handle clearly. I can clearly remember every second of my deployment and just thinking "time to get out of this" looking and gripping the handle easily and also how easy a really good throw was from this position (maybe a ton of adrenaline was helping I admit!) So maybe I am biased but get yourself a reserve and never fly without it - I just think its negligent not too

Hi - Just an update. Bought my parameter from Izmir Turkey to Gatwick on Wednesday with Turkish airlines. This time I did not tell them beforehand. Washed out petrol tank and wrapped and carried it in my hand luggage along with fuel pipe. Everything else just wrapped in protective foam in large carry bag from Fresh Breeze. At check min lady asked me what was in bag and I explained. Said that was fine, it went through security, same question but no-one interested in even opening to have a look. Had tp pay €30 as sports equipment. Case came out on baggage reclaim at Gatwick all fine.......just no problem at all with this airline!

great footage - clearly got great faith in the motor not giving up!

Yes I'm definitely wanting to come along to this

RE thee two stroke mechanics course I agree! I know almost nothing about the engines, sorry to say, and would love to learn even if its only used in a frustrating 'engine won't start' in the field moment - not that thats ever happened as Mini Planes Top80 is a fantastic starter!

Hi Mack, Where do you live? I am at Cullompton and am so lucky to be able to fly from some huge farmers fields all round my house - yes I literally climb over my garden fence and take off! let me know and maybe you can join me some time?

You can also buy an aluminium version off Ebay for £5 which I did - its a very good place for camera, safe, easy to point and adjust in flight with other foot!

Hi, I spend half my time in Turkey and travel back and forth to Uk every other week or so. I needed an engine in Turkey permanently so decided to take my old monoplane out with me, weight 18.5kg, flying Turkish airlines. I washed out the tank, took off the fuel lines and packed them in my hand luggage, broke all the engine down and strapped it to a plywood back all wrapped in bubble and pipe insulation. Whole thing went into an old Fresh Breeze travel bag. Prior to travel I rang and asked about taking a parameter on board and was told it was Ok. When I came to book in on line I could not as it said I had registered a 'Special request" which worried me. But at checkin the lady was totally relaxed about it, just a quick check with her colleague that paramotor was Ok and that was it! No sniff test, no tricky questions and no fuss! Maybe I was just lucky, I haven't ever taken it on board since, but otherwise maybe try Turkish :.)

Yes I'd definitely be there