AndyB

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!

Nice. Bet that was chilly. -7 DegC at that height here today!

Keep doing your "flog", it is always great to read. I am a little obsessed with recording flights as well. I used to record take-off and landing errors...but then stopped making any. In the past 18 months I have fallen onto my left knee once and failed no launches! Here is the last bit of my log..... 184 20-Sep-20 20 8316 138 36 Ac Nitro 200, R2 26m Redcar, got rained on, very, very wet 74 36 34 39 185 28-Sep-20 56 8372 139 32 Ac Nitro 200, R2 26m Milburn field 75 32 34 39 186 29-Sep-20 100 8472 141 12 Ac Nitro 200, R2 26m Tim's field Ladybower 77 12 34 39 187 01-Oct-20 60 8532 142 12 Ac Nitro 200, R2 26m Redcar 78 12 34 39 188 04-Nov-20 2 8534 142 14 Ac Nitro 200, R2 26m Redcar 78 14 34 39 189 04-Nov-20 5 8539 142 19 Ac Nitro 200, R2 26m Redcar 78 19 34 39 190 04-Nov-20 37 8576 142 56 Ac Nitro 200, R2 26m Redcar 78 56 34 39 191 06-Nov-20 36 8612 143 32 Ac Nitro 200, R2 26m Redcar 79 32 34 39 192 8612 143 32 Nitro hrs Tornado Flt no. Date Flt length Total mins Total hrs and mins Kit Comments Hours Mins Hours Mins

The regular epoxy is brill....if you mix it with "micro fibres" and "micro balloons". The fibres make it super tough and the balloons make it much lighter. I use equal amounts of fibres/balloons and keep adding until I have a really thick mix that will not run. I learnt about this stuff from repairing my dad's fibreglass sailing boat - he was always dinging the centre board and rudder. This stuff gives a real composite repair and you can easily fill quite big chunks.

I fly RC planes so tried a 2200 that I already had first. After finding it hardly used any mah's to start I bought the smaller ones.

I use a Turnigy 6 cell, 1000mah, 50c. Super light. It will do between 30 and 40 starts. I have 2 of them, so always keep the spare handy. I use a cell voltage checker and when any cell volts is 3.8 (so less than 3.9!) I then re-charge it. The reason such a small battery can do so many starts is that the higher voltage spins the motor much quicker and it starts instantly. If you get the prime right it starts in under half a second, every time, even after a month! ps. AC supply them with 6 cell now, but also use a high current relay...which I fitted to mine.

I feel no difference at all between 26m and 28m wing. The only difference is that I go 2mph faster on the smaller wing....which I can only tell in the air from an instrument. Landings are obviously 2mph faster, which is only noticeable in zero wind landings, which require a faster run-off.

You were talking about doing tandem.

Many people fly overweight on a wing, I am over on a 26m by about 15 kg and just under on my 28m wing. It would not be a good idea to go as far over as you are considering and I think it could well be dangerous. The wing loading will be way over and it's flying speed will also be much higher than designed for.

The one having ppg's land is not a farmer. He is someone who bought what is probably an ex farm house. Farmers don't generally like these people with money, even though it is the farmers that sell the property! The rules are simple, he has to have permission to land on private land. If he does not talk to the farmer ad agree an amicable arrangement (usually involving whisky) then he will end up in trouble. ps. I have 2 farmers who let me land in any of their fields. I am friends with them on FB and see all their chat. They often talk in jest, just like that posted thread!

That's what I keep telling people. Only the law can be enforced.

I found Skyschool very competent and I have been on one of their flying trips each year since.......so their instructors can continue to chastise me! The D-day trip this year was awesome. Here's the American cemetery...

Perfect. I usually spend 6 months a year in Spain (Manilva), but not now!

Great. Might be 5 or 6 of us now. I'll start putting some thoughts together in the next month for us all to mull over.

I trained in Spain with Skyschool and loved it. It took 2 separate 1 week trips. Some people try to do it on one week, but that is really ambitious. After my first week I knew enough to buy my kit and the second week I was trained on my own gear. You will find lots of previous discussions on here about doing trips abroad for training and all the pros/cons (good weather vs no follow up training etc) so I would read those as well.

Hi, I have never met Brad Quinn, but I once had a guy come to fly with me who was trained by Brad. To put it bluntly, he was dangerous and I told him he needed to and get trained properly before flying with me again. After talking with my flying friend about what his training had involved, it was very different to the training I had received and very lacking in many areas. This was 2 years ago - so might have improved now? When looking for training I would look for someone who trains to a recognised training scheme. You should also ask for feedback on the trainers on the FB forum "UK Paramotor".

There was only one half mile stretch of beach where I could go low because all the dog walkers were out. Epic flying. Zero wind to 1500' then 35 mph above that. One of the smoothest flights I've had.

I run mine until it stops. It stops very quickly.

I printed out the two parts of the law that apply, removed all the unnecessary bits and keep it in my wallet for when we meet the policeman........ Exceptions: leaving home 6.(1) Exception 1: leaving home necessary for certain purposes (2) Exception 1 is that it is reasonably necessary for the person concerned (“P”) to leave or be outside the place where P is living, (c) to take exercise outside. (d) to visit a public outdoor place for the purposes of open air recreation.

Yes, fantastic area. 6 miles south are the 550 meter near sheer drop cliffs at Saltburn. Flat fields of crops at the top and you can literally just fly over the edge. I have also managed to soar for half an hour on the top of the cliffs with engine off.

I have read the law, not the guidance. The gov keeps putting much of the stuff it would like you to do in guidance as this stuff would not get passed into law and would be too difficult to draft eg. did you know that the law does not even say you have to scan QR codes into the NHS app?...it just says you either scan the code (into whatever app you like, like a QR code scanner) or give your details to an establishment - so now you know how to remain anonymous! I would have no problem arguing that I can do the point below as that is what the law says. The guidance is NOT enforceable and this point from the law is very helpful to us..... You can exercise or visit outdoor public places with people from your household or support bubble, or one person from another household.

Had 3 flights today...only one was planned. Engine out after under 1 minute, managed to land out, just made it to flat ground, literally just managed to skim over a hillock. Next flight 2 minutes, then had to land on the beach, which was relaxing compared to the first one. I am disabled and can only walk a short distance.....so I was thinking about having to call help! After second out I managed to track the issue to a simple one. My winter clothing was managing to turn the on switch off. These are a few photos of the journey... First pic when engine quit, next 3 the nearly rough landing. Next one engine fail again, a little higher, but over the rough ground again, so head for the beach. Zero wind landing and you can see in the photo a foot drag, then 8 steps to run it off. Then some photos form flight 3.

Might be able to have more than 4....was just going listening to someone who said some of the places have limited space. If we plan where we are going well beforehand we could be a bigger group. I went across France with 13 vehicles last year! I think get together all those interested first and see how we go.