slim

Here is a link to a quick example I put together from my own collection of pictures (some I took, others not). This is very much just a rough cut to show what is possible. Be careful, it is a 15Meg download. In this form (10"x8" professionally printed, picture pages above the calendar pages) it will cost less than £20 delivered per copy. If people are interested then please send me high resolution copies of your best pictures and I'll put something together. I'm sure I can get the cost down for bulk orders but I've only spent 10 minutes on it so far. I'm happy to put some serious effort in if there is enough demand. Stuart

I'd really appreciate such a feature too. Also, whenever I try and sort the album by "Last Picture" (which would be a usable compromise) I get the following error: Thanks

It was fine until that last fold when I think he folded the leading edge stiffeners in half. Perhaps just a little more care at that point and it'd be fine.

Even in silhouette that pilot looks handsome

What can I say, I've always wanted to fly and now I can! I've got a training course in High Wycombe over the weekend and I'm sooooooooooo tempted to fly there instead of blagging a lift with someone - 17 miles north of home, forecast for a 9mph wind from the south. Conference centre is surrounded by fields. I reckon getting there is no problem. Getting home again might be tricky and I've no idea where to stash a change of clothes! Maybe just stuff them down the middle of the wing I've got a disabled friend who would love to get off the ground. Maybe I'll have to learn to fly a tandem next! Stuart

Outstanding day. Thanks everyone and congrats to Togsie. Now, where's the best place to get heated clothing? Stuart

What a fantastic day. I got up to the field at about 3 to find Togsie getting ready for his first flight. Simon was getting a brew on (how come he's always doing that?). I've had a couple of litres of fuel sitting in my tank for a couple of months now and I wanted to burn it off before putting some fresh stuff in so after lunch I went for as much altitude as I could get before it ran out. I managed to get out the top of the inversion at about 2100 feet and then another 200 feet above that. Fabulous. The air below the inversion was so murky that I had trouble seeing Simon, Togsie and Col. After about 15 minutes Simon came on the radio suggesting that the fuel was probably getting low. I'd started to turn back a couple of minutes previously... Not soon enough as it turns out. I was just doing the down wind leg when my fuel finally ran out so I made a sharp turn up wind and prepared to land. I'm really, really sorry Pegasus1. I landed 50 feet short in your newly prepared field. Not the best landing on the planet, I tripped and ended up on my face in the mud. Nothing disastrous and no damage done. DanTheMan had turned up and was getting unpacked. Togsie got his first takeoff - well done mate, I'll upload pictures later. So, now with 5 litres of fresh fuel, Dan in the air, the sun setting and the temperature and wind dropping rapidly I set up for a forward launch... and nailed it. This time I went for more distance and some photos. Click here for my pics Once the sun sets it gets dark quickly and I was so busy taking photos that I wasn't exactly sure where the field was. I knew which direction it was so I headed for the ridgeway and followed it to the B4000 then turned left. It is so much fun watching the cars slowing down to look at you as you fly over them Coming in for a landing I decided things weren't right so I went around for another try, this time everything was fine - except for a little too much break a little too early - and I managed to land on my feet in almost nill wind. The last man down to end a fantastic day. 10 minutes later I started to shiver. Half an hour later in the car with the heating on I could feel my toes again. I was seriously cold. At least I can feel my fingers enough to type now! Night all. Now to plan that 17 mile XC on Saturday morning. Stuart

let me have it and I'll weave some geek magic.

Welcome to the band of the airborne. I'm still buzzing from Sunday and everyone who stops by my desk has to be shown the photos Two in a week Simon! This is becoming a habbit. Stuart

In my excitement I forgot some vital statistics: Flight time: 20 minutes Maximum ground speed: 59Km/h Average ground speed: 17Km/h Starting Altitude: 215m above sea level Maximum altitude: 479m above sea level (1000ft above Ashdown House) Total distance: 7.67Km Happiness Quotient: Maxed out! My Suunto X9i is such a cool toy - it joins my flying with my inner geek!

Yes! Yes! Yes! After all this time, and a pile of wing repairs because of frozen flints cutting lines, I've finally got a substantive flight under my belt. Here are the details... I got to the field at about 10:15 just as Simon and Col were flying overhead to attempt a big XC. I decided to get set up and practice my ground handling. I haven't been able to do anything since Christmas because of my broken lines. After about half an hour Si & Col returned. The headwinds were just too much at altitude. After a little more ground handling, this time with my motor on my back, I warmed up my motor, turned on my radio and GPS and got ready. The wind was steady, the ground soft and after a short run my feet were no longer on the ground! This time the harness didn't start to come off and I was able to begin gaining some height. I followed the torque steer and turned down wind to the left. Circling around the field I kept gaining altitude. Then I headed off towards Ashdown House. Once I'd got myself flying straight and level (tip steer is fab) I managed to take a picture or two. I'll upload them later. I also managed to download the GPS track from my Suunto X9i. You can download it here... http://www.xover.co.uk/stuarts-first-flight.kmz. I'm so excited and exhausted but now I can't wait to get up there again Stuart

Eyes wide open and throttle fully squeezed for most of the time. More details (and photos) on my training blog shortly. Wow, what a ride!

Tech I can do. Count me in. Flying - hmm - now that's a different subject.

I'm about to start negotiating with my social secretary. Hoping to be there bright and early. First time this year!

Thanks. All sorted now.

Hi Guys, For a couple of weeks ago something changed and I no longer get the offer of the week or weather on the right hand side of the screen. I also don't get any Paramotor Club logos but I do get the banner adverts and a phpbb logo so it isn't a general problem with images. Any thoughts? Stuart

and you're so modest Great evening Simon. Thanks.

I snagged a line on the frozen stones on Tuesday morning so a field with grass sounds like heaven. Thank you, thank you. Now, time to repair that broken line...

I too have found this group of people to be positive and generally upbeat even when difficult things happen. There is nothing exclusive about Tip to Tip or any of the other projects. Any member of the club is welcome to propose an adventure and gather the necessary team to support it. There are plenty of roles to fill in any project of this kind and yes, I would have loved to be one of the primary pilots but I'm not and so, rather than snipe from the sidelines, I'll help in another way and contribute to the success of a fantastic endeavour. The party at the end will honour all those who helped, not just the glory boys. In any group of people there are those who feel that their nose is put out for one reason or another - it is human nature. Misunderstandings happen. The difference is one of choice, if your nose is put out you can choose to become negative and destructive or you can choose to respond positively and create a better environment for everyone. I'm not an officer of the club and I don't claim to speak in any official capacity but here is my view on membership criteria: if you can't contribute positively then you are welcome to leave and find another club to belong to. Petty power politics are games that other people play. To end I'll quote Theodore Roosevelt: if you are prepared to fail whilst daring greatly you are welcome here. If you would prefer to focus on the stumbles then please join something else. Yours, Stuart.

Here is a close up view just to show some detail. There will be a video tomorrow or Thursday

I haven't tried running the motor on the back of the car yet but I'm sure it would be fine. It copes really well tanking down the motorway at 70 (honest officer) It is really useful when you've walked miles across a field carrying your motor and you just want to put it down without ending up on the floor. There it is at just the right height to set everything down on. Here is a picture of my RAD Javelin sitting on the Bak-Rak and strapped down ready for the drive home. I've used a couple of 3m webbing straps from my local watersports store, normally used for strapping a kayak to the roof. And another with a lower angle view of the mount... Finally, just to show versatility, we have Simon's Parajet sitting pretty: One thing that is worth noting is that the RAD has a larger base and so sits across several of the struts of the Rak. The Parajet is narrower and so sits on fewer struts. Adding a simple piece of ply will spread the load and make the Parajet more secure whilst being transported. Next time we're going to see if either the RAD or Parajet can move 2.5 tonnes of Volvo Send me a PM with contact details and let's get the orders rolling. Stuart

I got a light board and number plate from Halfords. Very quick and easy although other places are probably cheaper.

Ladies and gents, The Bak-Rak demonstrated first in the video is a fantastic idea. My good lady wife has stopped complaining about petrol smells in the car and I don't have to dismantle my frame every time I want to move it! I've just completed a deal with the manufacturer. They've agreed an arrangement with us. The list price is £94 (including p&p). Club members get a £10 discount and £5 is donated to club funds. So, for £74 + £15p&p (£89 in total) you get a really simple way of moving your motor on anything with a tow hitch and the club gets a useful contribution too. Just let me have your order and I'll arrange everything. I'll be posting some pictures in s separate thread in a couple of days. Stuart.

Let's keep an eye on the weather but I can probably do an early start if you're available for some training. Stuart.

Hi Guys, For anyone stuck in a cubicle: http://www.hurtwood.demon.co.uk/Fun/copter.swf Strangely addictive. Stuart