AndyB

No it isn't.

I have 2 amazing trikes, each with grass and sand wheels. 

Also a PM-100 headset and helmet.

All on Ebay at the moment. 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276369935672?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=md-OxOuZSK-&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=md-OxOuZSK-&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276369813608?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=md-OxOuZSK-&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=md-OxOuZSK-&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276369824316?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=md-OxOuZSK-&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=md-OxOuZSK-&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276369943206?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=md-OxOuZSK-&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=md-OxOuZSK-&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

14 hours ago, Cyscrofer said:

I hope you have a flag on the back when towing like that lol

nice idea with the hitch

so here’s an engineer’s take on front wheel castering

if you put a negative trail on the front wheel not positive then you wouldn’t need to steer it

curious why castor angle on the front wheel?

castor would be best applied say -5degrees on both back wheels to improve side shift.

just a thought

The main shaft splits for transporting and the goes in the car. Front Castor gives self steering as the wheel contact point is then behind the steering pivot line.

4 hours ago, paulg18 said:

When I started reading your post I thought you were going to say you were going down the trike route, but to have the determination to carry on foot launching is incredible. Best of luck to you.

I fly mostly in Teesside and southern Spain. There is hardly anywhere suitable for a trike, I've tried. I made a trike for my machine with interchangeable beach wheels and grass wheels (trike for sale soon!). The one place I can find in Teesside, the field is too rough and I got thrown by a bump. In Spain, too many people on the beach (can avoid them if running!) and the only "field" is way too rough.

On 17/07/2022 at 08:20, alan_k said:

Your determination is magnificent Andy. I'm gobsmacked at your faceplant total and the fact you are keeping a running total.

Didn't I see you put your kit up for sale recently? Presumably that has changed.

It would be fantastic to see you fly at next years PMC. Good luck, as if you need it, you make your own by the sound of it.

Yes, I sold my kit, when there was no hope. Then I ignored the doctors and I bought some more.  

18 months ago I had spinal surgery, two lots of 12 hours. Cut 3 wedges out of different vertebrae and bent me back upright by 40 degrees. Back surgery great but they paralysed my legs by accident. I have been told by every doc that I will never walk again. 

Rubbish, I could fly, walking's easy! I stopped using my wheelchair 6 months ago. I've fallen (proper on my face falls) 94 times now. My quad muscles are now about 30%. I've been out ground handling and all is good. I've walked around with my machine on and all is good. However, with the machine on my back I then cannot pull the wing up, it's just too much for my quads and I collapse forward immediately. If there is over 6mph wind I can hold my ground and get the wing up (by not bending my legs much), but I know that if I try to run, splat!

So now I have put next year's PMC summer fly in in my calendar. A year to get strong enough.

There are 4 of us near Middlesbrough in the North East, but don't often fly together.

My Nitro has done 80 hours and not a hicup. The only "failure" was when my flight suit managed to touch the off switch and turn the engine off! I relocated the switch.

My Tornado has done 35 hours and not a hicup either.

All parts on the AC online store, sent direct from France.

I think training in UK or abroad depends to a large extent on the confidence of the trainee. I found my 10 days training in Spain was sufficient to have me flying on my own.....in fact I flew in Perpingan (France) on my my way home when my car broke down! and I was stuck for another week! I also had done considerable reading and research before going for training. 

Places are rarely shared because they are so hard to come by and can take weekends of knocking on farmers doors to ask! You usually need to look for flying friends near you and get to know them.

Yes 100% ok. That school is run by Simon, who set up this forum.

I am already fused from T12 to my pelvis and am very sensitive to knocks. Even a small jolt hurts like hell. I have tried a trike and have built one with solid grp axels that act as big springs. However, I find my legs are much better shock absorbers. With the trike I have to get the landing spot on. With legs there is a lot of lea way!

Update re NC500 trip.

I started to plan a route and sites and found some good places. However, I am now going in for major surgery next week. Having metal fitted down my spine from my neck to my pelvis.

No flying for 8 months! 

I tested mine by standing with machine on my back and a set scales between my hands and the wall of the house.

Yes, I exchanged emails with various CAA people before being put in touch with the right person.

Yes. But I have now spoken with the guy that wrote the rules and he now understands that he has made an error as BHPA membership rules out over half of UK ppg pilots. Send me your details and I will forward them to him.

Their main criteria is "UK pilot". Their choice of BHPA, or BHPA Pilot was trying to find ways of limiting it to UK. I have discussed my qualification, APPI, with him. Because it also covers non-UK pilots it will not be used. It is likely they will look for a proof of UK residence and not use qualification...or just sort them manually on the data provided.

Update. 

After many emails with CAA I have now had a telephone conversation with the man responsible for the EC rebate. He is now fully aware that stating BHPA membership as a requirement rules out over half of the UK ppg pilots. The key requirement is really that we are UK based and properly into the sport ie trained with a qualification. He is now going to alter the requirements and then let me know when this is done. He asked me do I know if others have been stopped from applying because of this and I said yes. So, if you are non BHPA and still interested, send me your details and will pass them on.

Andy 

Did you check the pop-off pressure,,,,, and more importantly the pop-off re-seat pressure? I have had 2 carbs that seemed ok, but once the pop-off lifted it would not re-seat and would just let fuel through.

Yep, flying makes me keep fit. My only issue has been difficulty in not face planting when taking off because I can't stand up straight enough. I have to wait till the wing lifts a bit a weight off then I can lean back at an angle where normally I would fall over backwards!

Thnaks Stu.

Invercoe Highland Holidays is the site.

56.686452118675085, -5.105447612691024

However, it's now looking like I might not be flying this year. I just got a call telling me my spinal surgery is now planned for end Feb. I I have a spinal deformity that bends me forward by 45 degrees. They are going to cut 2 wedges out of different vertebrae and straighten me out. Probably grounded for 9 months.  

Cool, that would be great.

1 hour ago, geoffw said:

Hi Andy do you use Vince at custom air for spares. 

I used to, but since Vince handed over AC business to footflightparamotors I have ordered direct from France using the main AC website. All parts are on there and delivery has been fast.