Sandy J

So glad to know your on the mend !! Here's wishing you a full and complete recovery. Sandy

I used a zoom H1 with lav mic close to my mouth. The zoom had gain turned right down. Other sounds came from the gopro

Went out last night for some more practice. Flew over a local park the headed back for take off and landing practice. Got my nil wind forward launches and landings much improved now:)

https://youtu.be/xJhcleThuFI

Yes I brought the Universal 1.1. It is 28 meters. Real easy inflation and take off:)

Here's a video of my first cross country flight from a field near my home to Membury taking in some local sights.

Well, I have been trying to learn to fly paramotors now it seems for months but the UK weather has been so fickle. Often would just manage to get an hour or two in then days when there was no training due to the weather! Lots of hard work in the early days but soon under the guidance of Colin and Simon I was learning to to use technique rather the muscle power. Now at my age (soon to be 55) muscle power is not too bountiful, so technique it has to be. First two flights were on the school Zenith and Dudek Universal wing. The first takeoff was particularly hairy and I felt a huge relief as I was lifted airbourne by the wing. Takeoff number two was much better. Now I have my own motor and wing. (Parajet Maverick and Dudek Universal 28) Had my third flight today. Brilliant take off and got around 25 minutes airbourne flying around Membury. At one point I flew over then along the M4. It felt surreal looking down on the cars and lorries below, they looked like match box toys! I practiced a few approaches with Simon on the radio then he said "OK go around now and make an approach your on your own I am not going to talk to you anymore" Anyway the approach was good but Simon did not keep to his word. He piped up and said "don't forget to kill the motor":) So I put flight number 3 into the log book. Felt more connected to the wing this time too. Fantastic experience and training from both Simon and Colin. The training is ongoing ofcourse and I will often take advantage of listening to Colin or Si as they tutor a new pupil, I always remain silent but have picked up a few hints that fell through the memory net so to speak. Would have gone for flight number 4 but the wind was beginning to gust so I decided that I was good, my equipment was good why take any risk. Flight number 4 can happen on another day. There will always be another flyable day. Thanks Si and Colin for making this happen. Sandy

No worries Sam. For a first take off and landing you did brilliantly:)

I managed to film the first flights of Nigel and Sam. If you guys want to download this video and use the clips in your own movie please be my guest. Here's the link to the video I made. https://youtu.be/Mw6nhHP6ECs

I managed to film the first flights of Nigel and Sam. If you guys want to download this video and use the clips in your own movie please be my guest. Here's the link to the video I made. https://youtu.be/Mw6nhHP6ECs

This may be of use and certainly worth a look I think: http://paramotorflying.com/ppg-weather-center/ Just scroll down to see the map.You can left click and move the map to any point on the planet to see the current weather and wind speeds etc.

Just completed my first days paramotor training with Simon and Colin at Membury. A steep learning curve but progress was made. Special thanks to Colin who has the patience of a saint in teaching a newcomer like me to this sport. Looking forward to the next day. Thankyou Sandy

I'm hoping to start training soon too so I may get to meet you.