Ivan

The problem with Wirral is that .... no matter, where you go from Leasowe Lighthouse, there will be birds everywhere and even having 500ft the birds are disturbed. I truly believe that nobody here flys over restricted area (Hilbre Island + 1 nautical mile, SFC - 500ft). However there are a lot of birds at river Dee area (no rectrictions) where the photos were maid and in front of West Kirby, Hoylake and Meols areas. There are a lot of birdwatchers at all these areas and they are not happy with any flights. I think this conflict of interests will end up badly and I stopped flying at Wirral area...

Not a trouble at all I believe. Just wrap it in a cling film and it will be alright. I did not even removed the carburator - cling film does it job. But to reiterate - unfortunately it is still gambling. I have written about dozen letters to Lufthanza, KLM, Iceland Air, airports and so on. The very same response every time - combustion engines are not allowed in the lagguage.....

I flew in Iceland couple of years ago, have been there for three times.. I would say you should not fly alone without local pilots, it does not matter how experienced you are. it can be calm weather, than 60 miles per hour wind so you can hardly walk, than good weather so you can fly. And it's all in one day. That is my personal experience. You may be lucky so the weather is stable but - again - it would be gambling to do it alone. Another issue that the weather differs greately within the short distances. Here is a club to start with. http://www.paragliding.is PS Flyng there is phenomenal... sorry, still have not managed to make a decent clip from the videos I made there...

Not as the recommendation but just as an experience. I recently had my stuff in the luggage (2 pieces of standard - not a special paramotor - bags). Disassembled, motor apart from frame, cleaned, no fuel no sparking plug. Key thing was – everything was heavily wrapped up with cling film – no smell at all. For the question “what is this” the answer was “towing device for paragliding sport”. No further questions. My friends were waiting outside ready to take the motor in case it goes wrong. PS It seems that it comes to the point when it is virtually impossible nowadays to legally take paramotor in the luggage… Whatever the company you are flying with is telling you the airport security has its own view…

My friends were doing it legally abroad for TV company, (long way to go through to including air traffic control). Just couple of rules - well lighted landing area. - lights for the wing (uplight) and stroposcope type. - Navigation (2 devices just to indemnify yourself for the failure of one of them). But we are in the UK..

Skymax expedition is one-ring frame made of laser cut aluminum, carbon rods and titanium ring of specific oval profile. Weight of the frame is 4 kilo. I have seen it on a scales )) It is robust and works well with an active full throttle start. However, one ring frames (especially with carbon) are not so robust of course as “full metal”. The weight of 20 kg. is the real weight of the paramotor with harness and fuel tank, but without the reserve. With Moster it worth to use deflector. No matter how much you fly with full throttle, temperature will not exceed 200 degrees with right carb settings. And I reckon that temperature gauge is a must with any engine in our hobby. You will not find any plane without it ))

Hi Mike, I work at Runcorn. I can't really help with training contacts as got my training abroad but got some experience and will be flying at North West. If you want to have a chat you are wellcome to ))

I can only suggest that the problem with the exhaust is connected with the improper 2-stroke oil with longer burning time or higher burning temperature used. We mailed Vitorazzi an inquiry at some point if we could use Motul 800 instead of recommended Motul 710 and got the reply that we are NOT to use 800 as it could result in higher temperature in exhaust system. That is my personal experience as I do not know anybody with this problem and I do not pretend to know all about Moster. My Moster has about 100 hours on it... Ordinary one, not the Silent. PS Factory version + Expedition weight of 20 kg will be the weight of the paramotor without the reserve (+ approx. 3 kg), and fuel (12 kg). Altogether 35 kg. I think it is not really such a huge difference to 36 kg with Classic. PPS A month ago I met Skymax team and discussed the Expedition. Good stuff. I plan to change my Skymax Compact to Expedition next year.

Were flying with my partner in the mountains 4000ft altitude, experienced unexpected change of the weather (gusts), had Apco Lift and Dudek Nukleon, 50% collapse on both wings. Nothing special, quick and smooth recovery. Just avoid flying at termic and gusty weather, at least first 50 hours...

Yes, basically, but it is a bit more complex. I depends upon your weight too, indeed. If you are above 80 – 85kg I would not recommend to go for light engine. Personally I flew 7 different paramotors with Snap Ego (the same thrust as TOP 80), and few larger engines: Moster 185, Simonini and C-Max. A am 92 kg and I will not go for light engine. One of my mates just decided to sell his Apco Force as his TOP 80 is not coping with horizontal flight with accelerator fully pressed. My Moster is giving me only 0.5 – 1 m/s ascent rate with accelerator fully pressed with my 28m Apco Lift at 38 mph speed. And it is minimum of what I consider to be safe. I would not say you will experience over thrust and torque effect problems if you got the right harness and it is set up properly (not discussing the paramotors which are not safe by definition). Just as an example – I had Nirvana Rodeo and it was perfect, but when I got Nirvana Instinct (the same engine and moto frame), it was really bad in terms of torque effect – the harness was too big for me and whatever I tried there was a tendency to have a twist-prone position at full throttle. The same situation with starts and take off – I would say it is much more dependable on your skills and harness settings than 2 kg of extra engine weight. And the other thing is the prospective. If you would ever think about pylon racing, just forget about the light engine – you will need all the thrust you can get. The same rule is if you will have later on to fly the fast wing with about 40 or more mph speed. But if you are of 60kg weight and will fly slow wing with no accelerator ever attached – yes, you can go for light engine. Generally, the engine with more thrust is giving you more flexibility in your future wing choice and paramoto “career”. It might have happened than in one year you will stop doing this hobby, but at the same time it might come to the point when you will start considering to do the tandem flight and light engine will not cope again. Your choice at the end of the day. And of course the choice of the right paramotor (frame, harness, etc.) is not less but may be even more important that the engine.

I would totaly agree with Vince in most of the facts stated. One more thing to you to consider. When you will start to fly at 40 mph speed with Reflex wing top 80 will not be able to provide ascent rate at all. Regards, Ivan

Definitely, even for myself Sent you pm on insurance. Thanks a lot.

Thanks a lot! I would say a lot of matters are ahead - definitely I have to be certified have an insurance to do the cross country. And anoter question will be registration to be able to fly high if necessary. Personal record is 16 900 feet (testing the engine in cooperation with Ru paramotor manufacturer..) minus 23 at this photo ))

Good morning/evening to everyone. I am happy to join the UK flying community and forum. Flying from 2011 (originally from Russia) I just started to fly in the UK. I was specializing on cross country flights, not too long, my maximum is 62 miles. I fly SkyMax paramotor with Moster 185 engine and Apco Lift reflex wing. Located at Wirral, Merseyside. I will be delighted to meet local pilots, flying in the area and will be grateful for contacting me. I plan to make cross country flights in the UK later on this year and will be grateful for some advices: What web sites do you use to check the airspace and local flying restrictions to plan the flights? What weather web sites you prefer? I am using WindGuru.cz and it is helpful as you could check the wing to altitude diagram, but will be happy to consider the other options also. My best regards, Ivan