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With nil wind, I thought it would be a good time to give my ‘newly’ wing a once over and try and sort out the tangles I had on my last GH saga, which included an epic hop and a twist which landed with a bump. After watching Pete (sorry, not sure of last name) on YouTube I thought I would give it ago. After 20 minutes it looked even worse, all the lines were looking green or red and just in a tangled ball. I was thinking that I would have loved to watch someone untangle this lot on Sunday, but then again they must, or don’t get in that situation… I gave myself another 10 minutes and then all of a sudden one side was done and all laid out neatly on the floor – success I’ve done one side. The bad news was dinner was ready so I had to pack the dame thing away again, hoping not to get it tangled. Good lesson learnt thou and I was happy with myself. The real question now – as I was checking the wing I noticed some small ‘skid’ marks from some cow pies. I knew you can’t use detergent so I used a soft sponge and cold water. Well, this got rid of the main mess, but left a stain in the material still. I am guessing this is not good for the wing, so – Question – What is the best way to get rid of the stains please? Many thanks in advance.

Subject: T004 Training Day – Ground Handling Date: Sun, 05 Aug 07 Site: Hyde Farm (Purton) Wing: Synthesis Motor: Nil Ground Handling While walking the dog near Purton (last week) a farmer (John) said good morning and then we started chatting. After a short time we started to talk about Paramotoring and it got round to land and the laws involved. Well, making it short – John wanted to be a helicopter pilot , but is colour blind and the interest is still there. Also, I can use any part of his land to practice ground handling – the seed is laid - I can feel a good site coming here in the future… The morning seemed a perfect time for some GH on my new found site. The wind was a steady 5 -10, gusting up to 13 mph. Bit nervous, knowing that I was by myself – no Dan, Stuart helping or Simon giving his good words of wisdom. Now at the site – looking good, all the kit on the grass checked then doubled checked. The site was flat with short grass – a few cow packs, but hey, it can’t be perfect all the time. Harness & gloves on and now strapped to the wing – since it has only been out the bag twice (still smelling new) and the last time Simon packed it away, it seemed to sort it’s self out and a wall was built in no time – it felt easy and very manageable. After a sweaty 45 minute sessions it was flying above my head for about 30 – 45 seconds on each good lift – (very pleased with my self, because John was watching from a distance too). Good time for a break and get some fluids in me, because this was feeling like a good work out. While having a break I did notice a front coming in and the wind was getting friskier, anyway I needed to go about 3 ish for a well deserved family BBQ so I thought it would be good to get my kit and go for it again. Another 45 minutes of good wall building and bring the wing up level – a lot of ‘just collapsing’, but I think that was due to the wind. I think 45 seconds was still my best time – still pleased with that. Now, the last few times I was finding it hard to keep up – when it was collapsing left, I was moving left, I was pulling left and the dame thing was still going left. Just not sure, why – time to stop. The wind and clouds was coming in so I thought one last go and pack up (I did think that a few times), but this time….. The wing was flying well, but then, the left side just collapsed into the wing and I think went through the right side leading edge, which then turned me 180 degrees and it lifted me 3 feet in the air – pulling in the brake, flaring – no chance I was lifted and dumped to the ground like throwing a 87 kg bag of spuds. Wind 1 – Me 0. I eventually gathered al the lines and sat on the wing waiting for these gusts to pass (Good job wearing gloves). I tried to straight out the lines, but with the mess and the wind, I was loosing a battle (Wind 2 – Me 0). So, I stuffed the wing in the bag, tired up the field and thought about the cold beer and the food. All in all a great adventure – by myself for the first time, then my first frequently getting the wing above my head for over 30 seconds and then my first hop with the Synth and still in one piece –what a great sport this can be. Lesson learnt: GH Synth wing for 20 – 45 seconds. Thinks to remember: Always wear gloves. Summary: First time setting up and GH with Synth by myself. GH wing for 20 – 45 seconds. 3 foot hop

Ken I’ve purchased a Synth from Simon a few weeks ago with the view of getting a Parajet motor (after I’ve had a good play with Simons) Sorry, but I have only had it out the bag for half a day and I can’t really comment on it – except it looks and feels good quality. I also had done a lot of trailing on the web and asking a few questions about the safety of the wing (In my eyes the most important). My spec was a safe wing first, then a wing to travel distance with in a straight line, because I am not into acro’s or any form of that and the Synth came out tops – in addition the UK importer only lives 5 minutes down the road from me… Due to the strong winds I did have a play with the a 12m wing from Dudek. It was very good and I think I learnt a lot more with that than I did on my first day. Hope all goes well and if you have any questions please ask. Tony 07753857800

Many thanks to everyone. In my simplistic 'Newby Terms' - The pilot was turning a sharp corner (>90 degrees) with not enough AIR speed and TOO LOW. Simon - I know I am not to the standard of PPG flying yet and will get explanations at each stage, but it is good to see a visual demonstration of what NOT to do and learn why it happen (sorry Pilot – hope he/she was alright) – Tony ‘A Picture paints a thousand words’

This looks like a typically type of crash that a low-time pilot might make and I personally think it should be shared and talked about with a learning degree of topic. Can any experience pilots (Simon) out there make any comments, because I think it would help all us, newbie’s and low time pilots. Thanks in advance. Tony [/b]

Walking the dog on a new route by my house and stopped to talk to a farmer. After 30 minutes talking and cut a long story short. Interested in flying – wanted to be a helicopter pilot, but is colour blind. The good news is I can use his fields for ground handling and they look pretty good. The seed is laid – let’s hope it grows.

Subject: T003 Training Day – Ground Handling Date: Sat, 28 Jul 07 Site: Lambourn Club (Temp field) Wing: Synthesis Motor: Nil Ground Handling with Small Training Wing in Strong Wings On site about 0930 hrs, lovely new temporary site, this was right on the Ridgeway footpath. There were plenty of ‘On Lookers’ from the footbpath, but did decrease during the morning. On arrival, I did notice a few new faces, which was good again and the weather was nice but the wind very strong and unstable. After 30 minutes Clive Bunce landed in his microlight in quite bad conditions (in my limited experience I would of never landed) and delivered a new training wing (Dudek, Marlin), which is a 12m ground handling wing used just for training. After the boys had a play they passed it onto the students and what a different. The winds were blowing about 10 – 15++ with a lot of rotor from some trees behind us and this wing was going all over the place. After a time I was able to get the thing in the air for about 20 seconds, which was a good achievement for me (please note further on). Francis arrived later with a tandem frame thingy, which he has been designing. But, still a secret and in the early stages, can’t really say must else – but it does look strange!!!) I guess all inventions do at the start. During the day, Sally Anne (The land owner) appeared and Simon threw the poor girl straight onto the 12m wing with no training, no experience. I was guessing that this is going to scare the poor woman away and never come back again. Well, was I wrong! After a few attempts the wing was in the air and being controlled – and me feeling quite sick now….. Stuart arrived later in the day hoping to get his first flight, but I was guessing the weather is just not right. After a few more goes with Dan, (Dan had a few goes and was very good, but did have more experience at GH) and me being dragged along the ground (by this small training wing and me being nearly 90 kgs) decided to give in to the wind ‘You can always fly another Day!’ came to mind. Thanks to Dan for his input and Simon’s voice of authority, “Hands off the brakes” I gained some good experience, and left with the thought, that if the weather was better I think I can now get my larger wing in the air and know a bit more on how to control it. Lesson learnt: Actually, the cells might be round the right way on my wing and I could GH it Thinks to remember: Wear a helmet (Cycling type) and long sleeves next time when GH Summary: Good GH with a 12m wing, which you can use in a much stronger conditions. More experience gained in GH and keeping the mini wing above my head for more than 20 seconds.

Norman - Thanks for the input. Not being an expert, but having seen three different manufacturing types so far I can even tell the build quality for the Parajet is a big marked different. I know it is a bit more, but I think you gain that with the build and I hope the performance.

Welcome Norman and good choice on the club. Great to have another Newbie on board and hope to 'greet and meet' you on the weekend. Happy days. Tony

Great - lets rock and roll then................... Simon - Where shall we meet you during the weekend - At the new temp site or at your house? Timmings for these places? Or shall we just phone you on the morning to find out where you are? Tony (Day two)

Simon Weather looks pretty good for this weekend. OK with you for some Ground Handling on Saturday? Cheers Tony

Simon - count me in too. Being an ex medic it will be a good update.

Sorry lads, but I will not be around this weekend, because I have a pre-arrangement weekend away in Devon with a group of friends. I will be available the following weekend thou – if weather permits. Good luck Stuart on your first of many adventures. Have a good weekend (wishing was there) Tony

Subject: T002 Training Day – Ground Handling Date: 08 July 2007 Site: Lambourn Club Wing: Synthesis Motor: Nil Ground Handling There was a nice small crowd waiting at the school today, including a few with low flying hours and Stuart who has a few good training days in front of me. In addition, there was Dave Hairs (British Champion) and his partner Rachael. So what a great variation of flyers – good to see at the club. We arrived at the site at 1100, everybody started to unpack their wings, and Simon introduced me to mine. We then went through the different parts / names and general explanation of the wing including the pre-flight checks. By this time Dave was up and gone - checking the flying situation, ready for a XC with Rachael. In addition, all the others had their wings out doing some ground handling. Simon had mine up and flying above his head now – and it was looking so easy (how wrong was I) I now had my harness on and the wing on the ground trying to get the dame thing in the air and once it did ??????? – it either completely turn upside down and the wall collapses. Thinking to myself – this is not as easy as it seems. I then spent a few hours trying to get it to do what I wanted it to do…. Joke. Still thinking the cells have been put in upside down. After lunch I sat back and watch and talked to a few people and getting a feel of the sport. A few more flyers arrived, which was good and Dave went home, because the weather was just a bit to much thermic for the XC – I felt a bit better then. I think, the most important thing I learnt today (apart from it not being easy) that you AWAYS need to practice ground handling at whatever standard you are. Also, if you are learning it will eventually come together. I did leave with a smile on my face, but thinking about all the ground work, I need to do and need to learn my left and right!!!! Lesson learnt: Practice at ground handling at all levels Things to remember: My left and right (need to buy pink and blue ribbons) Summary: Pre-flight inspections and basic naming of the wing.

Subject: T001 Training Morning – Ground School Date: 01 July 2007 Site: Lambourn Club Wing: Nil (Ordered Synthesis Wing) Motor: Nil (Thinking about Parajet motor) Another miserable day – rain and strong wings – Is this the right kind of sport to choose as I was driving the 35 minutes to Lambourn. After meeting and greeting with Simon, we had our first cup of tea and talked about paramotoring in general. Simon’s school was in a couple of small barns at the back of his house. Not exactly, a ‘flying school’, but we all must start from somewhere, with bits of motorbikes; tractors, flying models and of course bits of paramotor lying around we found and dusted off two chairs and sat down. Now sitting in a comfortable chair with a cup of tea in my hand, looking at the rain and talking at flying – thinking this feels better. We started off with meteorology, which was nice and simple – things that effected flying a paramotor with no big long names to remember, but I think all essential to paramotoring. I have passed all the Microlight modules before about 2 years ago, so most of it was still somewhere in my head. Then we covered ‘Principles of Flight’ – gain all relevant to paramotoring. After three hours, two cups of tea and two modules done I had only two to go. The last hour or so I had a look at Simon’s Paramotor, which even he hasn’t flown yet! Simon started the Parajet, put the beast on my back, and told me to open the throttle and feel the power……….. What an awesome feeling. Also thinking that I need to run with this beast on my back while waiting for it to push me in the air! - Can’t wait} Over the past, few weeks I had order my Synthesis Wing, but not 100% sure on the motor yet, but looking at the Parajet. So deposit for the training paid, all I need to do is wait for the weather. Next booked day – next Sunday. Lesson learnt: It’s a beast of a motor Thinks to remember: Pray for a sunny day Summary: Two modules completed: Meteorology and Principles of Flight. Felt the power of the motor on my back.

This is a quick intro to me and my level of flying skills. I completed a Hang Gliders EP course about 15 years ago in Cyprus – never really touched one since. Microlight – 30 hours, 10 being solo. 2 years ago completed all the ground school work. So, not an expert at all, but with a little experience behind me, hoping it will help. I am 47 yrs old, married with two adult boys. Joined the army (Infantry) at 16 and left at 40, now working as an IT Manager in an automobile manufacturing company in Swindon. Reasons for doing this – Spent the last year on forums and reading other sites. Enjoyed the diaries of newbie’s so thought it was my turn and hope other people will read this and give them the extra ‘GO’ to get started in this sport, which I have been told is the fastest going aviation sport. As you know now, I did NOT go to university, so education was not listed high on priorities – I had to work for a living. So please, no feed back on grammar or spelling, but would love any comments – is it worth it; to long; to short or a waste of time. Any comments I make, please take as ‘my opinion’ only and I hope not to offend anybody, if I do please let me know. My last word is – Do not take my advice, because I am not an expert – this is only my opinion. Happy reading - ‘Fly High, Fly Safe’. Tony

Looks good - can't wait to see now.....

OK, sounds good. Had a look at the link and what is your opinon about the shape - is the rear going to hit the harness/cage?

Simon Have you received the helmet from eBay yet? You talked about it last Sunday, because the package I am in I am going to need one? Cheers Tony

Simon Just a reminder that I am booked in for that day too. Cheers Tony

Simon With the forecast of the weather like it is, I don’t think I will be ready for the whole trip, if not I would like to do the theory side ready for your next one (IOW)!!!!!!!! Tony

Still back to my first post Group called something like 'Training Diary's' and then each 'Newbie' can have there own named section. I think other 'Newbie's' and new visitors would find this very interesting. Tony

As a general user and I think, many other non-business people hate the idea of loads of adverts appearing on web sites and especially pop-up windows. I do understand that it is a business, but there must be a limit to advertising on forums. Have you thought about having a larger web site – showing photos of your new sites, landing instructions, course information, and weather – even up and coming events / trips? Tony

Stuart Sound like the training is going well - well done. Also good fun for the spectators. I have just enrolled in the course with Simon – so let’s hope the weather changes and we can both get up there together. Just a thought Simon – Maybe you should create a new section for all us newbie’s to log our ‘Diary Events’ and then we can all have a laugh and of course learn from each other. It might attract some fresh blood too. Tony

Simon Just to confirm I am ready to start on a full course with your club. Can you please book me in for Sunday for the day and if the weather is not trainable would it be possible to start on the theory? Many thanks and look forward to Sunday Praying mat out Tony