Dirtybirdg79

Thanks Mick, Funny, but I said some thank yous to God when I was safely on the ground as well. Goldy

That's how I launch Everytime in nil wind, just make sure u use a touch of brakes to break free of the ground and aren't so deep into them that u risk stalling the wing. Gradually reduce after u leave the ground over a few seconds. Goldy

Thanks for the great advice and words of wisdom everyone. I know better than this, but figured it was a good example of how easy it is to let the passion for our sport cloud our judgement, despite all the literature in the world repeatedly telling us how dangerous certain situations can be. If I were to be reading an article about a paramotor pilot dying from doing exactly what I did yesterday, I'd probably ask myself how was he so careless. Crazy. It didn't feel careless to me in the moment. Goldy

Thanks guys. Yes, it was stupid. I tend to fly only in good conditions. I left home and there was only slight fog over the ground. The field I flew from today is a half hour south and I honestly figured it was just a light fog that would burn off almost immediately after the sun came up as I've flown in many times before. What surprised me was just how badly I misjudged it this time. Wasnt concerned about it in the least to be perfectly honest. And I've had great weather for my area, being able to get up a couple hrs each day this week, so it wasnt me in a rush for a flying fix. I guess complacency reared it's ugly head for me this time. Lesson learned. Goldy

Hey guys, Just thought I'd share what was a very scary experience today for me in the hopes that others will think twice in a similar situation. Growing up as a kid in rural Minnesota USA, I envied an older guy I knew who had something similar to a quicksilver fixed wing ultralight airplane. One day I heard he died when he crashed it into powerlines. Rumor was that he was disoriented in fog. It blew my mind that fog could take a life. Now that I've taken private pilot course and have been flying ppg, I understand and thought I realized the dangers and I pride myself on flying safely and in good conditions. This morning though, I made a mistake and launched from a local sports complex with what I thought to be a thin layer of light fog. Soon as I left the ground I knew I was in trouble. My flight path took me over a road and several 100 ft light poles which are scattered about the complex. I went full throttle to get above the fog quickly and to avoid any powerlines, trees, buildings etc. When I finally got above the fog/ clouds, I realized I was in serious trouble. Long story short, I wasnt able to see anything except clouds. Luckily I had my phone and my garmin gps to get me back over my site, but had to fly for 30 min till a slight break in the clous revealed a light pole from my field. I flew in circles for several minutes trying to mentally map out where I felt the power lines and other light poles were. Finally, I got myself lined up into the wind, downwind from the light pole I saw and decended into the now dense fog and said a prayer. About 50 ft from the ground, I finally broke through and was a little high, but was clear of all objects and was finally able to release my harness from the clutches of my butt cheeks! Anyway, I learned a great lesson and am able to share it with others. I will never fly in fog like this again Goldy

Hmmmm, Good to know. I guess I didn't think of it being an issue with the diaphram since my motor is brand new. I will check into this though. Don't want any issues and get caught out. Thanks for the heads up Goldy

I also have a miniplane top 80 and my filter is nearly empty. This literally drove me mad for a week or two. But after researching it and running with no issues and no overheating, I've realized that it's probably a non issue. Goldy

Very good to know cas. Thank you Goldy

Thank you both for that information! Really helps. Just wanted to be sure. Its been running great so far. Just wanna keep it that way. Thanks for the prompt reply. Goldy

Hey guys, I'm going to attempt to attach a picture of my spark plug from my miniplane top 80. It's just been broken in with about 10 hours and I checked the plug to see if I can be sure it's running at optimum temp range and not lean, but to be honest, I have no clue what it should look like. I looked online, but there's so many contrasting pictures of plugs that I just can't tell. I am ordering a digital cht sensor, but thought I'd check here too. Thanks in advance for any help. Thanks Goldy

LMAO!!

@Chris tian I'd love to try the 130 prop out on my miniplane. Im sure the difference is amazing. I know one instructor locally who told me it'll blow my mind how the extra length will improve my thrust. I'm happy with the performance of the 125 wood prop, so am very excited to try the longer.

@fuzzybabybunny I actually fly in south east Ohio on rare occasion with a buddy I met while training in ohio. Small world it is. I wish I was able to travel more to fly in different places. I also looked at the ROS 125 Setup, but didn't see an importer here in the US. I'm excited to see how motors progress over the next few yrs and what's available for me when I need another new one. But for now, I'm as happy as a clam. As far as restrictions here in the US, it's really not bad at all. Generally speaking, I think it sounds similar to europe just from reading thsee forums. Goldy

@fuzzybabybunny I actually fly in south east Ohio on rare occasion with a buddy I met while training in ohio. Small world it is. I wish I was able to travel more to fly in different places. I also looked at the ROS 125 Setup, but didn't see an importer here in the US. I'm excited to see how motors progress over the next few yrs and what's available for me when I need another new one. But for now, I'm as happy as a clam. As far as restrictions here in the US, it's really not bad at all. Generally speaking, I think it sounds similar to europe just from reading thsee forums. Goldy

Hey Lee, Yes the seasons definitely keep things interesting here. Too cold for my liking around Jan for a month or so. Can't find decent gloves that prevent my fingers from freezing. There aren't many paramotor pilots here at all. It's slowly becoming more popular though. I'd love to be able to fly with more people. Let me know when you're traveling through MN and maybe we can. I live an hour north of minneapolis in the country so I can fly from my yard. Goldy