TnT

Here is an older photo before some upgrades.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/X06VAAyECVMmsdKI2

Here I am..

7 minutes ago, Guy said:

Despite what I said the first launches were not supervised in any way.............me on my own in a field 

It has gone very well on the whole. I had a little torque effect at first so I had to do a little research on how to get rid of that (easy enough by setting one hang point a little behind the other), and it suffered a small amount of oscillation. Andy B on this forum confirmed what I had found out myself in practice and what Ozone told me.............application of a little brake and it's sorted.

The glide rate is soooo much better. So much that most of my landings are engine off or I might overfly the small strip I use. I must admit that I love that silent approach with only the sound of the wind whistling around me and the machine.

I'm very happy with my hybrid but I'm afraid it is still a bit of an ugly duckling. This photo still has the old 4 point PPC hangpoints.

Wow ! that certainly is an old hybrid of sorts. Probably well suited and easily adapted to the ppg wing due to the old design. Did this ever have foot steering ? Also the hang points seem narrow for a PPC wing. My instructor  has a hybrid he uses for tandems with a rotax and a ppg wing that he custom built and had n numbered.

Less than 1 year since I started this post and it seems like an eternity experience and flying wise. I opted to go the powered parachute route which seems to be somewhat less known with few manufacturers of new vehicles etc. I can say that the only possible downside to this route vs ppg is a bit less portability and slightly longer takeoff roll. Especially when paired with a modern elliptical wing  that handles more like a ppg wing as far as glide, efficiency, and turning capability. The heavier wing loading makes it much more difficult to stall or collapse a wing ever and offers a bit more stability. Perhaps if you see yourself as the type of pilot who wants to get into acro hardcore this is not the way to go for you though Ive seen barrell rolls done in a ppc with elliptical wing

On 5/2/2017 at 12:46, Guy said:

This may be of help, and may not!

I have previously had very limited PPG experience (one week training in France followed by one solo) footlaunch, after which I fell over on a supervised forward launch and crushed a disc. No more flying for some years, but a couple of years ago I wanted to get back into it. I had a one day taster for training, but as soon as the instructor said 'now run like f@ck' I knew that I would never be able to do that with the weight of a motor on my back. So I went the route of PPC........very much heavier than PPG but I love the Rotax 503 and stability offered by the wide, low and extremely strong trikes. The trike is very stable on the ground but wing however flew like a brick with a glide rate of about 2:1. Not helped I'm sure by a canopy that is 27 years old. I have been flying this for a year now.

I have now ordered an Ozone Mag Max tandem glider which I hope to match up to the trike as soon as it is delivered, and then hope to have the best of both worlds.......a modern efficient wing with an acceptable glide rate and a very strong and stable trike. This type of trike has the added benefit of a frame and head plate which surrounds the pilot and in doing so offers considerably greater protection.

First launches will be supervised for reasons of additional safety but at the time of writing has yet to be tested, so let me know if you're interested in how it went..

Not sure how that tandem ppg wing has worked out for you but Apco lift 400 and 450 are fast flying elliptical winfs designed for PPC and foot steering that have excellent glide ratio. Asap also has the thunderbolt E series wich I have no experience with but also elliptical and both should glide and handle much more like ppg wings on a ppc..

Thanks for all the replies. Still a bit concerned about which way to go. Seems that everyone here is suggesting foot launch first would at least be a valuable learning tool. However what He is offering with the PPC course and flying is not a trike flown via a handheld braking system with a ppg paramotor,  but a foot controlled steering, heavier  trike with a larger wing more of the parachute type and with heavier loading and more of the rotax type 503 or  higher output engines. As opposed to a hand controlled parglider type wing and paramotor being used with a lightweight trike. To be clear, the instructor offers both types instruction but in discussing the differences seemed to favor and encourage the ppc route citing the typical damages to props and cages most would experience in the first year....

Any thoughts from instructors whom have experience in multiple types of flight appreciated... As for health and size, Im quite heavy at approx 255 lbs but somewhat athletic for the size and I am 46 yrs old. 

I am a newb to this sport and I have just got started with some training. After meeting and talking to the instructor for two hours about the differences Im still a bit confused about which way to go. PPC training is less expensive and gets you in the air quicker and seems to be a little safer due to the wing loading but perhaps a bit less portable. Im told there is much less maintenance requiremens with the ppc option as well.  I dont however seem to be able to find much available online regarding powered parachutes availability and there seems to be much more iin the way of ppg equipment .. supposedly my local instructor isnt big on selling gear but would help me find whatever.

37 minutes ago, PatPux said:

I am not far off your weight (230lbs), I fly a Moster 185 Plus in a Parajet Macro V2 , it has  plenty of power and would be fine for you. That motor in just about any chassis would work for you.

Thanks for your input. This is one I was curious about. Any other suggestions for this weight range ? Seems many of the other large displacement motors also add substantial weight for the increased thrust and power.

Just a newb getting started with training but trying to research my impending purchase options. Being as I am quite heavy and would be flying as a beginner it seems this limits my motor options quite a lot. Other than shelling out for a new lightweight air conception nitro 200. What would be some acceptable motors I might consider ?

thanks for the input. Seems I have lots to learn and this seems like a good place for it..

It would seem there are 2-3 websites like this.. Here is another one. http://paramotorengine.com/

Someone a bit more knowledgeable than I should perhaps report this to somewhere

Im a total newb to this sport and Just starting traing in the US. Im sure I will have many more questions but now Im wondering if this is a legitimate and reputable place to purchase a rig. Anyone here actually bought from them ? service ?