savage

I actually feel safer paramotoring than I did in the flexwing because if the sh*t really hits the fan, I've always got a second chance in the form of my reserve, something that 99% of microlight pilots don't have. Safety is all down to knowledge of the conditions, the aircraft and your limitations. I would agree there are hidden dangers in running across a farmers field though. Finally you have to ask yourself why are the number of pilots in the sport of paramotoring (no more an extreme sport than microlighting IMHO) growing week on week, when the numbers in microlighting are falling? Answer, because it's more fun! Stuart.

Well done Spigot, that one really tickled me to

I have to wear goggles or my eyes get ruined by the wind. I went for these- http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GOGGLES-POUCH-4-skydiving-freefall-paragliding-NEW-/160295892543#ht_3965wt_1139 otherwise- Item number: 160295892543 also in clear and mirrored. I'm very happy with them and will buy again. They will fog up on a cold day whilst you are sweating on launch, but once in the air are always clear. Big enough to fit over a helmet, which means i can swap from dark to clear as the sun goes down. At that price owning 2 pairs is not a problem. Stuart.

These are excellent, very strong magnets, very easy to park. http://www.dudek.eu/en/accessories/easy-keeper.html Stuart.

OK, so just to confirm; The compression is fine and the motor turns over nicely when the plug is properly screwed in but there is no plug lead on the top and when you put the plug lead on the compression is so high you can no longer pull against the compression? If that is the case, it is most definitely a (spark) timing issue and the flywheel has rotated slightly on the crankshaft. Actually a reasonably(?) easy issue to resolve, but you will need a timing diagram (I used to have one on pdf somewhere) and ideally a dwell gauge to measure where Top Dead Centre is (when the piston reaches the top of its journey up the barrel) which isn't very expensive, (it's possible to do the job without one if you are lucky). You are also supposed to use a puller to get the flywheel off, but i used a couple of large screwdrivers and some heat. If the above is correct, there's really no need to check the compression without the exhaust. Unfortunately i no longer have the motor so I can't take a pic of the decompression hole. From memory it's a 3mm hole drilled in the bore at 45deg about 20mm above the centre of the exhaust port, with the corresponding exit hole about 20mm away from the piston the inside the top of the exhaust port. You should easily be able to see one or other of the holes. If i'ts not there, I would wonder why? but then again if you have had no problem up until now, perhaps you really don't need it? Stuart.

This has got to be the crux of your issue. Either H&E forgot to put it in, or it is so well blocked, it's hard to see. The PA125 (similar to H&E) has a 2mm diameter hole in the cylinder that leads from the exhaust to the head. I am inclined to agree about the decompression hole (my H&E definitely had one).Does it turn over any easier with the spark plug fitted but no plug lead on the top? Does it turn over much easier without the exhaust fitted? No fuel in the combustion chamber is likely a carb problem, but it is not going to be the cause of the high compression problem Stuart.

1 to 1.5mph increase in speed slow to fast trim is not right, either the brakes are too short or there is a problem with the wing. I don't know exactly as i don't have a Revo 2 (feel free to chime in if you know better) but i'd have thought 7 to 10cm slack in the brakes at full fast trim would be about right, which would make a fair bit more slack at slow trim.

I cam across from Microlighting and have never looked back. Don't get me wrong I'd still like to fly a microlight occasionally, but all the associated costs along with rigging and de-rigging just spoiled it. I used to fly a Flash 2 Alpha with a 503, burning 11 to 15l per hour (1 or 2 up) now less than 3l per hour so fuel cost is not even a consideration any more, plus there's none of that annual paperwork to get done, who needs more paperwork in life anyway? Most importantly, paramotoring is much more fun! Low and slow, checking out the intimate beauty of the countryside is much better then high and faster looking at a map and doing all that RT stuff. OK the flying window is much smaller, you can't really plan ahead much you really need to be ready to go fly as soon as the weather looks good, but you can throw it in the back of the car (roof box) when you go on the family holiday, even pack it in your suit case and take it abroad. IMHO there's nothing better, definitely the most smiles to the pound anyway. Can't help with the Northumberland instructors though I'm afraid. Stuart.

If it only happens sometimes, it sounds like the timing is very slightly too far advanced and it is kicking back, some machines do it more than others. The only solution (unless it's still under warranty) is to remove the flywheel, set it back a degree and tighten it all back up again.

As long as the Trekking has been properly checked out, being 10Kgs over placard is nothing to worry about. The Trekking is based on a paraglider wing and the general opinion back then was to fly the correct sized wing for free flight then just add all the paramotor gear the extra weight adding to its collapse resistance and usually a lot more than 10Kgs over placard. When I was beginning paramotoring I briefly flew a small Trekking at 78Kgs + motor gear and it flew very nicely indeed. Stuart.

For cross countries, it has to be the Nucleon, from what I've seen it's the fastest and most economical (when flown within the certified weight range).

Your not going to get many replies as no one really knows Blackhawk here in the UK, some know Fresh Breeze though and they are as good as any other make (pluses and minuses). At your age and weight (same as me) just make sure your not persuaded to buy something too heavy/ powerful, 80 to 125cc will be plenty if turning a big prop. Stuart. XL Miniplane

The cable connection is wrong. I try to describe it in words, but it is actually simple. (Looking at your picture) The barrel shaped stop end on the cable needs to slide into the uppermost end of the circular sleeve on the throttle linkage (so the sleeve is round the circumference of the barrel stop end). Once it is half way in you will have to rotate the barrel stop end so the cable passes down the slot nearest you in the pic (you will need some slack, I'd have though opening the throttle butterfly fully should give you enough). Once the barrel is all the way in, you can release the butterfly and the cable will pull round into it's locked in position. I don't own a Polini, but I am pretty sure my mates new Polini exhaust leaks there too Stuart.

A lot of that was made now out of date (now better) when our exemption to the Air Navigation Order finished and we were made Self Propelled Hang Gliders. There is a great .pdf in the Yahoo Paramotor group 'Files' Section by Jeremy Harris 'The Law and Paramotor Flying', that gives all the current requirements in simple English. Stuart.

With a 23m wing and 80Kgs, I think you would be better off with the Polini, but the Polini is definitely not as easy as the Top80 to start, I would say a bit easier than the Ros though, when run in (my Ros used to kick back quite a bit as well). Is the small hole that goes to the exhaust port totally clear of carbon? or if it's a newer model is the automatic decompression valve working properly? (just a thought). Easy start leaves you with electric start and there are the usual candidates-Corsair, Parajet, Simonini, Aventure, then there is the one i would seriously look at and that is the Ultra 130 from Air Conception, France, it gets good reviews and is very light weight. AFAIK the motor is a Polish Ros copy (but i am sure they wouldn't agree), it has been around for a reasonable time now, does well in comps etc. http://www.airconception.com/paramoteurs/ultra-130.html Alternatively, the Bailey V5 should be easy to pull now its got it's decompresser, (if you can wait that long). Desperately trying to get to the Fly in, but with a 4yr old and an 8week old, escaping from the family for a few hours is very difficult at the moment, let alone a weekend, I will ask ATC if she want's to come along too, but i can imagine her answer and i am sure it won't be pretty. Stuart.

Dave. You say you want to get a lighter machine, but the manufacturer of the X Gen has it's weight down as 25.8Kgs, which I don't think is much of a saving over the PAP Ros at 27Kgs(?) the Minplane weighs in at a confirmed 19Kgs, which is a big difference IMHO. Having owned a PAP Ros 125, then HE 120 (almost 30Kgs), now an XL Miniplane, I am very happy with the Miniplane. It took a while to polish up my technique (power launches no longer allowed), but all is good now, happy to land and take off anywhere, whereas with the others, once up I stayed up until the fuel load had gone (or crashed to my knees on landing). Distant walks to take off with ALL the gear and fuel for for a 3h flight are no longer a problem. Nice for thermaling (I stop and restart the motor all the time, I don't even have to let go of the brakes, just place my thumb in the bungy loop over my shoulder and pull), it's very quite too. It's better if you can carry the Miniplane assembled on the back of the car most of the time as it's a bit slower to re-assemble than most. Equally, it packs up small enough to throw in the roof box on the car or pack in Easyjet hold luggage (fully disassembled and labeled as as scooter spares and camping equipment if your brave enough to risk it) with no excess weight charges on a family holidays, which is perfect. I weigh 77Kgs (ish) and fly a 28m Gin Airflex wing and it has plenty of power (climbs at full bar and trim no problem). I don't know your weight or whether a 23m wing would work with the Top80? A friend of mine has the Miniplane Polini Thor, which I think is 24Kgs(?) I'll have to get him to weigh it though. Don't know anything about the X Gen I am afraid, except the price looks nice. Hope this helps Stuart.

I would doubt it as the Moster doesn't have a clutch and Miniplane has a soft cage which IMHO is not really compatible, power launches are not recommended on a Miniplane. Stuart. (Top80 Miniplane owner).

Dugald, don't run a Simonini without a prop. It maybe be difficult to start (no flywheel effect) but if it does start, it will go to full revs (no resistance) and likely cause irreparable damage. You can only run clutched motors without a prop. Starting on your back is the safest.

Totally agree with Paul on the second hand machines. Pretty sure swapping the prop from 115 to 125 is not an option on the Miniplane without a new cage, frame and net If you were to go for the new Miniplane, then an XL cage and a 130 carbon prop would (I think) give as much power as the Sky 100, but be much lighter at 19Kgs (and use less fuel). Miniplane also do the Polini Thor 110, which is a lot more powerfull, but weighs 4Kgs more. Stuart.

Gin says it's pretty fast and it certainly seems quick, the only comparison i have is with a Synth which seemed to be about 1mph faster than me trim out (no speed bar), but i have no idea of pilots weight or wing size (I'm still inside the certified weight range and reasonably light on mine). It doesn't feel any slower than the Revo 26 i had either. It flies very slow too. I'd be interested to hear what you think of your demo when you get it. Stuart.

I can't comment on the roadster as i haven't flown it, but i do fly a Gin Airflex 28 and absolutely love it. I have been thermal flying in the Alps with it as will as a little bit of paragliding there and it has behaved impeccably. The handling is great too. As for the efficiency, it's very good, it glides extremely well. The only comparison i can give you is with a Revolution 26 both using the same HE R120 both on fast trims for around 70% of the time. 5L per hour on the Revo and around 3L per hour on the Airflex. Finally, the Airflex is in the next generation of reflex wings from the Roadster, so you'd expect it to be better (surely?). I'm currently flying it with a very rich running Miniplane and it uses 3L per hour (mixed trim), with some tuning i expect to get that down to below 2.5L. Stuart. 78Kgs

This one sounds good- http://www.xcmag.com/2010/07/beamer-2-steerable-rogallo-reserve-parachute/ Nice because it behaves as a traditional reserve until you release the brakes, then it starts flying forward and flares on landing too. Different method to pack though (apparently). Stuart.

This one is useful if you own a Miniplane and can put up with Google translation- http://miniplane.de/blog2/ Stuart.

I wouldn't do it either, that motor is 4Kgs heavier (which is a lot at your weight) and it doesn't yet have the reliability of the Top80. But if you are still interested test fly one by all means, just make sure you test fly the Top80 with a 130 prop too. Personally for me weight or lack of it, (and economy) is everything, which is why i fly an XL Miniplane. Stuart. 78Kgs

It's a lovely day out there, looking forward to some flying later today/ tomorrow. Just checked http://notaminfo.com/ukmap and the NOTAM info on this site. All looks great nothing to worry about. Quickly double checked http://tinyurl.com/uk-notams Tomorrow there's a 10 nmile Class D airspace zone around Farnborough and West Berkshire at 09.15 and 17:15ish. It seems Notam Info and the Notam info are not doing their job properly?? I'd love the google map version to be proved wrong because i want to go flying there!! Stuart.