AndyB

Well that's my car readied for a tour of Scotland...or anywhere! My machine goes on a tow-ball rack......and me on the top. This tent literally goes up in 10 seconds and down in 30. 

I have also been investigating good places to stay/fly and have found a campsite not too from Ben Nevis that has a flat grass field, that they own and say we can use it for flying from.

Two layer suit good for all year when warmer, but not good enough for below 7 degrees ish. Five layer great for below 7 but WAY too hot for warmer times.

I have Blueskyblue in both. You often see these second hand.

https://www.blueskyblue.co.uk/products.asp?CategoryID=1&CategoryName=Flying+Suits

Why? The whole point of ppg is that you can take off from the bottom of the hill and fly up to the top!

A book?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Powered-Paragliding-Bible-Paramotor-Reference/dp/0977096645/ref=pd_lpo_14_t_0/259-8873891-3855163?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0977096645&pd_rd_r=0f7c4dcb-0ca5-4513-ac02-1f4f297ecf61&pd_rd_w=Oi3Oq&pd_rd_wg=5s0rb&pf_rd_p=7b8e3b03-1439-4489-abd4-4a138cf4eca6&pf_rd_r=DRY0X7K2P3FG5SZA5DFR&psc=1&refRID=DRY0X7K2P3FG5SZA5DFR

But if you were old are rather knackered, like me, you appreciate shorter runs!

There is not a requirement to match a motor to a wing, they are independent. The only interaction is to do with how difficult take off is. With a smaller motor you have less thrust helping you as you run and the take-off is longer. Having a larger wing (or being light on it) makes the take-off speed so lower, so is easier with a small motor. I know heavy people who fly small wings with Top80.

Try Ebay!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Paramotor-Nitro-200-Octagon-190/164576193454?hash=item2651816bae:g:WVUAAOSwRS5f1OZe

Alex lives and teaches in Chamonix in the winter....  info@skyschooluk.com

I never pay more than 2/3 for second hand, simply because it no longer has any manufacturers warranty (warranties are not transferable). 

I have some extra velcro straps there. The latest AC nets are improved - they cover the bottom better and have built in additional velcro straps.

I have flown with Maverick owners and I can take apart or put my Nitro together quicker than them...so not sure what you are wanting to do?

You normally just paint (I use tipex!) a line on the nut/head, then it is obvious if it has moved. Mine have not moved at all. 

AC have not changed the pistons to the "new black teflon" ones. They tried them for a while and there was no real additional benefit compared to normal.

Mine had done 35 hours before I had to remove the head and replace the piston with the warranty one (different rings).

I assume the problem with the head bolts is that loosen over time? Or are they stretching? Has anyone tried marking them and checking?

The main thing was to set the pop off pressure much lower than it was. Mine is now at 14 psi to lift and it re-seats at 12 psi. I had 4 carbs (including the Nitro) and I tested them all. Pop off varied from 18 to 28 psi and 2 of them did not re-seat properly.

After setting to this lower pressure, my machine was running lean. It would not run properly in the bottom half of revs and would bog down when trying to accelerate. I now have both screws at 1 and an 1/8 turns out....and it is till just a little lean at lower end.

Interestingly, AC now sell a pop off spring set to 14 psi !

8 hours ago, Julien4788 said:

for my own curiosity how much does a AC Tornado 280 vs nitro 200 cost ?

Virtually the same cost.

My Tornado is amazing and has had no issues....other than the recall to change the piston/rings for a different type. I often check head torque as both the AC machines use an O ring for the seal. If there is any leakage this gets fried and destroyed quickly, so cannot just be torqued up. Checking torque of 4 nuts literally takes a few seconds.

I'm not sure how not checking the head bolts can cause an engine failure, it just causes a leak and needs a £3 O ring to fix it. I'm also not sure how "going rich" would cause an engine failure. Over time, running rich causes excess carbon and will increase scoring of the nikasil cylinder lining, but again will not cause failure.

Going lean on any machine will make it run hot and then cause engine failure (hole melted through piston usually). Using the AC carb settings puts the machines very rich and in no danger. My Nitro used to use 4.25 lph before I tuned it. It now runs at 2.7 to 2.8 lph. I use CHT gauge to ensure no nasty temps going on and get max of 230 C on full power for 1 minute (very rare that I do that). In normal use it runs 190 to 210 C. I checked with AC that this fuel consumption is possible and the answer was yes.

That's unlikely to be due to any wind shift as there was no wind. Most likely (I have had this a few times) is that one wing tip was slightly tangled, or just tucked behind a line for a short time. Sometimes a tip tangle clears itself so you don't know what happened. Sometimes you have to gain height then start giving short sharp tugs to the offending lines to untangle it.

Having done this a few times, the last thing I now do after laying out my wing is double check each wing tip, make sure they are perfectly laid out and all the lines are on top and no tangles. I have also had a similar thing happen due to a small twig on the ground - because the wing inflates in the middle first, the tips drag for a short distance over the ground and can snag on anything.

There are no instructors up north. I'm in Yarm. Nearest instructors are Leeds/York. I went to Spain for my training. I am disabled, but keep very fit.

16 hours ago, simonhunny said:

so do you mean you accidently hit another engine kill switch? (as opposed to normal thumb switch on throttle)

Pretty much, yes.....except it pulled a wire off the main switch, mounted behind my head on the frame.

Thanks guys. Engine failed due to extra thick winter clothing and neck warmer pushing into the electrics just behind my head and wire coming off switch. New AC machines have the switch at the side - I guess I now know why. I couldn't move initially as completely winded. I couldn't even talk to a helpful passer-by. He put everything away for me and I was taken off in an ambulance. Very lucky and I got off with just torn muscles between the ribs in my back. It feels just like broken ribs.  

My paramotor frame now has a healthy leaning back angle. It hit the floor so hard the motor bent the top part of the frame down so the thrust is now a little more downward. Rather weirdly, this will help me as I can't stand up straight at launch!  

I practice engine failure often and try to spot land from high up. However, you can't practice this one. Here is my flight log from Wednesday.

This was a zero wind take-off, with trims at neutral (in the middle, so quite fast, but where it is supposed to be for take-off). Engine failed at just the right height for me to swing back and then hit the ground very fast and very hard. I pulled the brakes to my knees, but it felt like they did nothing - I guess as the wing was unloaded. I'm ok, just feels like I am broken. These two photos were taken 5 seconds apart. In the first I have just sat down, in the second I am in that thorn bush about 40 m away, slightly to the left, winded and unable to move!

The rules are !000 feet over a built up area, or a higher height if needed to glide to safety. Otherwise just 500 feet from people/buildings. And if no people/buildings within 500 feet, then height can be 1 foot!

I think the flying manoeuvre you are describing is wing overs. These are the simplest of things and for an experienced pilot not dangerous at all. Spirals are basic spinning and also not dangerous - these are taught during basic training as a way of descending quickly. 

It is also very difficult for an observer on the ground to really know what height a pilot is. I have had my family try and guess my height and they never get it right, usually guessing MUCH lower than I actually am. I use an altimeter and flying over them at 500 feet they have guessed 100 feet!

I think it would better that you talked about your observations and found better clarity first, before deciding that their behaviour is bad. They may well have done nothing wrong, even though you were worried.

Southern Spain! That's the winter temp.

Just for info. I have "stored" a machine by doing nothing. Tank half full, fuel in carb. After nearly 6 months it started first time and ran fine. It was stored in a garage in a warm climate, 15 DegC.

I have been using ski gloves until this year and it does take some getting used to launching with the added bulk. I usually keep the gloves off until I have clipped in, just cos it is easier. Then I have my throttle in my right hand and I always tuck the right brake in between the throttle and the palm of my hand. This way the brake is secure without me having to worry about holding it (I always do this, even when not wearing gloves). When I was originally trained I was taught to hold the A's between thumb and first finger as this gives really good feel. I changed this to now just having the A's hooked over my thumb, not holding them as such. This then works well with gloves and feels very siilar.

I normally spend winter in Spain, but am stuck in UK this year! I have just got myself some Gin gloves and so far have only had to put them on the lowest setting, really warm. I have a 5 layer flight suit which is toasty. My only problem now is my feet get cold, despite having boots and 2 pairs of socks. I might have to try the cocoon next!