edwardc

I want you to know how deeply hurt I am by Petes remarks. I don't think you should talk about Big Simon like that !! EDdie

John You are looking at an old post! Give me a ring if you want to come along and meet the other PPGers that fly in the area and we will arrange something. Eddie

All the signs are are good for a flight down to the flagpole on Saturday but wind direction (NNE) and gusts up to 18mph will probably make it a one way trip. We need groundcrew with a van if a few of us are going. At the moment I will be going (if kit checks out okay) with Fast Eddie, Ken and Tony. Anybody else want to come along? Can we get a man with a van to get us back? Eddie

I think Simon is back at the flagpole at the moment. I am sure he will let us know if not, we will find somewhere to land anyway! We either need a lift back or, better still, a refuel and fly back. Do you have anybody in mind to be ground crew?. Eddie

I have, at last, fixed my motor and have my wing back so I am available this weekend. Off work at moment with some bug or other but expect to be okay by Friday. Will see who else responds and sort something out. Are you ready for a X country yet? Eddie

Count me in. Just need to sort out my motor before then! Eddie

Shame I missed it. Been trying to do the trip for a while now. Sorry to hear that you couldn't get back but that means that the 2 way trip hasn't been done yet so I am up for that. Hope to sort my motor out today and then I am on standby. See you soon Eddie

As one of the 'fodder 5, that took the first PMC course I can say that before the course I had flown with SW and could obviously ground handle but lacked a lot of knowledge about other aspects of the sport (Navigation, CAA rules, Aerodynamics, kit maintenance and checking etc) that was keeping me on the ground through lack of confidence. After the course I gained a lot of confidence and feel that it was all worth it and I now have a different view of the sport. It is significent that a lot of people try the sport and leave after a very short time because of lack of confidence. Whilst I appreciate there will always be people that question the validity of the PMC course it seems to me that these people just critisize but offer no alternatives. What Simon, Norman and the other instructors (Witters, Paul, Alan and Pete) are doing along with Piers and Paul Haxby should be applauded as it can only be good for the sport. I am willing to listen to options on training specific to our sport. Are there any? Eddie

Could still happen, can't wait until tomorrow now !! Eddie

Sent wing to Aerofix Friday by carrier. Phoned today to say they have replaced the half section of wing and I will get it back tomorrow. £70 plus £12 carriage. Can service get any better? Eddie

I think the over 50's should get a 'Saga' discount on their membership

Thanks for the advice guys, I will take heed and sort it out. Aerofix seems to be the popular choice so I will ring them. Thanks again Eddie

That will be Witters and Dan Burton then! Eddie

It would appear that when I had my 'mishap' a part of the propellor must have gone through the wing as the pictures show: I have the repair kit that came with the wing and the damage is on the tail almost central. The outside braiding is intact but it will be difficult to stick the patch (tape) near it! Would it be okay to repair or best to send it to the loft or Aerofix? Opinions please Cheers Eddie

Sounds just like last Sunday! I am at work all weekend and I am hoping to finish in time to see the mighty Chelsea smash the scousers on Sunday afternoon. Let Steven know and I hope you get a few together and Have a good day. See you soon. Cheers Eddie

Pete What are you talking about, have you been drinking again ? Eddie

Didn't go too well. Simon decided that he couldn't get rid off his hangover enough to fly. I tried to make the trip with Mark (cageUK) but had to turn back with a motor problem. Hope to have better luck next time. Eddie

Thanks for the replies and advice but the issue is now sorted, for me anyway!. I didn't actually have an issue when I started the post and was quite happy. Now I feel that I can't fly a paramotor or get in the seat when I do ! Seriously though, Pete B is closest to how it seems to me. I think that coming from the skydiving world I am used to more radical and responsive kit. After ground handling the wing last night I have about 4" of play in the brake lines which is okay. I will get an instructor to have a look and maybe take a couple of inches out (I'm sure I could have worded that better!) next time I am in Lambourn. Cheers Eddie

Fanman Thank you for your concern in the last mail. It was so much better than the first mail you sent. I can assure you that my take off procedures are that I stay on climb out keeping the control lines in my hands and after easing off and maintaining a climb without the brake lines I stow the brakes and get into my seat at a safe altitude (as I have already stated) I appreciate that you are trying to make a point and seem to think I need help. I had already dealt with the issues of brake line length before I even posted so thank you anyway. I hope this clarifies the matter Cheers Eddie ps Please look at the training courses on this forum if you want to know what PPG1 is.

Dave, Not sure but I don't think Braintree is anywhere near France Eddie

This thread has gone completely off the subject! I have not now, not ever, not since my first flight had any problem whatsoever getting into the seat of my Paramotor. I have no need off 'special needs' training to get into it and, as far as I can foresee, never will have!. The point I was making,which seems to have got lost with fanman is that if my arms are low enough to get into my seat on climb out with the control toggles in my hand, are they too long? I am not in the practice of doing this, I do not advocate it in any way, I certainly do not advise it and I certainly won't be doing it. I have spoken to SW about it and I will be taking a look at the brake line length to check it. I welcome advice, as most of you know but if someone is going to tell me what to do I, at least, want to know their bloody name, where they are from and why they think they can tell me what I should and shouldn't be doing!! There is a big difference between criticism and advice. Now let it go, if I need help I will ask the person or persons I know will have the knowledge and experience to help. Hope that is not too 'cuddly'!! Eddie

Hello Alan I find that once you are airborn and are no longer in need of the control lines to keep the climb rate then (providing you have had a good look around and everything is clear) it seems like an okay time to just get in your seat and concentrate on the climb. I do realise that there will be a lot of opinions on this but wing size, motor power, weight etc will all have a bearing on how you feel on the climb out. I have seen people let go of the brakes to get in their seat at anything from 20 feet upwards! What do other people think? Regards Eddie

I don't normally respond when people come on with no name, no location (not even an indication of which country!) but I felt this was a bit harsh. There was nothing wrong with my training. I am PPG1 and I know about the pitfalls and dangers of stalling a wing on take off (even a reflex). Which is why I made the point that this not the way that anyone should be getting in the seat! To be more specific, I was launching in nil wind and when I couldn,t run any faster I pulled on the brakes to take off. Under normal circumstances i will get up to 50-100ft, keep the power on, stow the brakes and make myself comfortable and then retake the brakes until I reach an alttude that I feel is safe to release the trimmers. However, I was surprised to find that I needed such a lot of brake (control) line to climb out that my hands were next to the bottom of my seat. Which is why I feel that the brake line length needs looking at. I could be wrong and I have already spoken to Simon Westmore about it and will be going down to let him have a look soon. I do, however, appreciate your concern and welcome any ideas. Regards Eddie

Not really sure Rich. Nil wind launch, running very fast, lots of brake in hands just got in the seat out of desperation but obviously too early! I feel (not being an expert) that the brake lines on my Revo are set a bit long as on Friday I was able to get both thumbs on the seat and pull myself in, on climb out, and I still had the brake lines in my hands!! I would like to add that this is not what I normally do on take off. It is possible that as I have gained experience I am starting to notice a lot more but I will have SW or Pete have a look when I get the chance. If you want to see the result of the 'mishap' look at the Oxfordshire forum. See you soon Eddie

Blimey Chris, the people on this forum (most of them anyway) really are helpful. That reply must have taken ages and I am very gratefull for the ideas. I will probably use a different form of lever but otherwise some great ideas. Thanks very much Eddie