savage

I wouldn't get too excited about Wisley, you are not missing much. Allegedly and unofficially, I may have used it. It was an emergency! The main runway tarmac has strangely very sharp chippings on it, despite being 65 years old, perhaps because it hasn't been warn smooth with a lot of traffic. As you move your wing around, it sounds and feels like 100 pins unpicking individual threads in the fabric. I never tried it again. Then there is the old hanger concrete area which is regularly topped to remove the growth from between the slabs, unfortunately this makes the the 1cm thick (perhaps sycamore) shoots grow horizontal along the top of the concrete and it takes ages to untangle the lines from them. It also has a lot of light air traffic flying directly over it too as it has a radio navigation beacon at one end. Then there is the worry of leaving your car at the end of a quiet wooded lane just off the A3, not far from a burnt out wreck. The police walk their dogs there (which is probably a good thing) and the (grumpy) farmer who rides a quad bike is used to throwing people off his land (he's had a lot of practice), according to the electric model flyers i spoke to (they're allowed to stay because their planes are quiet). Apart from all that, it's great! Although I do thoroughly recommend a walk up and down the runway, it's massive, desolate with a fantastic views and you can really imagine the activity there in WW2.

Comma do an EP 90w 140, which I managed to buy online in a 1L bottle for my HE 120 (meant for tractor gearboxes). Make sure you buy a gear oil not an engine oil, my Miniplane uses EP90, but i used the same stuff, it's fine. Stuart.

When they test, they have the correct weight pilot to test the wing. Smaller wings are notoriously more difficult to get to pass and come out with the same result as the larger size wings. Stuart.

I am annoyed to have missed it, it sounds great, man flu has kept me grounded all weekend! Stuart. (looking for sympathy and not getting any)

About 1300 feet above sea level, probably about 1000foot AGL. Stuart.

Right-hand traffic rule:- 16.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), an aircraft which is flying within the United Kingdom with the surface in sight and following a road, railway, canal or coastline, or any other line of landmarks, shall keep them on its left. My humble advice is to totally ignore the rule, in fact do the opposite! Why? 1 Safety! We fly very slow and it's much safer to have faster traffic heading towards you from the front where you can easily see them and take evasive action to get out of their way, rather than have them zooming up behind you, it seems a lot of them have a lot of other things to do in the cockpit, rather than look out of the window! 2. No one else seems to pay much attention to the rule anyway. The other week i was following the Hogs Back, it was on my left, the correct side (by luck rather than judgement) and a light aircraft then a chopper (probably both out of Farnborough) came straight at me, (same level) neither of them took any evasive action or even acknowledged my existence, despite me having to make steep spiral dives to get out their way. I am sure one or both of them weren't looking out of their window, so it was lucky they were coming towards me from the front and not from behind, where i may not have seen them. Stuart

Good to meet you down there yesterday Dan, thanks for posting the details. The roundabout is an excellent viewing spot. Even if somone doesn't like planes, they couldn't help but be impressed with looking up the afterburner(s) of the F16 Hornet and F18 Super Hornet a it climbs straight up from 200 to 2000 feet! Stuart.

One of the best UK BHPA / BMAA instructors is now based in Laragne, which is not too far away. http://www.mahonyaviation.com/ Having recently returned from a weeks family holiday there, I can say the flying area is amazing (the family loved it too) and Paul is very highly recommended for any type of paraglider/ paramotor / paratrike training / rental / guiding. Stuart.

Doesn't work for me either.

Very well done Whitters, Dan and Russell. A clean sweep! Especially as it looked blown out. Thanks for the excellent write up too, a right riveting read! Cheers. Stuart.

I've got the Hanwag Sky GTX, which are much lighter than the original Hanwags. Running faster (on take off) was much easier with these than the hiking boots i used to wear, due to the light weight. They also have very good support and a bouncy sole. Highly recommended if you can put up with the colour, which seems to have toned down a bit now. Stuart.

Er not quite, the Ros has noticably more power, but it's not enough to significantly cloud your judgment, especially at your weight. IMHO. Stuart.

Just to correct the above, HE claim 27Kgs for the 125prop version. I agree with the 29Kg real weight, mine was closer to 30 with a 17L tank, 130prop, cage strengthening bar and extra rear engine mounts. Stuart.

OK, here is my very simple, very cheap solution, don't get too excited, this is really basic, but it works great if you don't have a tow bar. I think the pics explain everything. The white rag is just there to protect the paintwork from the metal parts on the ratchet strap. There is a horizontal bar at the top of the harness that the strap passes round before it goes back into the ratchet. Once the strap is pulled tight, the use of the ratchet lifts the motor off the ground. For short journeys I'll pass the strap through the roof bars, but on motorways the strap between the bars flaps on the roof, so around the hinges is then the best method. You will need to make up a number plate as the original is not visible.

The motor weight table would need to have several boxes for each machine, so that more than one person can input the dry weight of the motor and any false claims would soon be weeded out. Jean-Christophe, I am sorry you have had to suffer this episode. Not all manufactures are the same. Please go and have a test fly on a Miniplane with a 130 prop, it produces about the same power and weighs a genuine 19.5 to 20.5 Kgs (depending on hangpoint set up), so your wing will be carrying 13+Kg less and you'll also need to carry far less fuel to fly. Additionally, you need to read the following web page- http://www.easytorecall.com/returning_goods.htm 'Changing your mind' Paragraphs 9(ish) and 'Sale of Goods Act' paragraph 2. These laws were made EU wide a few years ago. Stuart.

The Honda CR-V looks perfect for rear door paramotor mounting. I should have some pics of my set up for you by Sunday. Stuart. Hi Stuart. Not quite sure what you mean, but I'm interested to understand. Do you have any pictures of your paramotor attached to the car using this method, or if not, any chance you could take a couple next time you go flying? Just bought a 12 year old Honda CR-V from a client of mine who has had it since virtually new. 150k but full service history. £1500. So, it's either going in the back in pieces, or on the back, whole. Many thanks Dan

OK, so it seems the newer HE gearboxes are now oil filled, so disregard my comments about the grease. I am sure any type of 80W/90 gear oil will be fine.

Having owned the PAP Ros and the HE R120, the PAP has a better quality of finish and the harness is more comfortable on the ground (the machine is a bit lighter too), but the HE motor is more reliable (the Ros motor is getting a poor rep and mine didn't last 8months). The HE gearbox maybe weaker, though if you top it up with grease regularly, you shouldn't have a problem (any excess will come out the breather when running). I used to be 80kgs and found them both fine for power with a 26 revo wing, they will both have more power than the MZ100, as you say the Ros has slightly more, but not much. The HE is smoother running, but needs a bar across the cage for launching with much power. At the end of the day, Ya pays ya money and ya makes ya choice, and it's a bit less with the HE! Stuart.

When i put the paramotor in the car, the smell of petrol is always an issue with the wife whether it's actually there or not. Do what I do with my Audi A4 Estate- Small square of carpet hooked over the front of the paramotor. A rachet strap passed around the hinges of the tailgate and though the frame at the top of the harness. Rachet the paramotor up onto the back of the car and your ready to go in 2mins. When you arrive, release the rachet and its back on the ground ready to fly in 10seconds (much quicker than any other method). Stuart.

SOLD: HE R120 1400 Paramotor, now only 49 hours. £1,990. o.n.o SOLD 1400mm 3 part s/s cage, 17ltr tank and a new, unused 125cm Carbon Prop and used 130cm carbon prop. (125 prop bought as a spare and never needed as I always fly with the 130 prop). I have undertaken a number of improvements including modifying the cage to reduce the chance of damaging the bigger 130 prop, all easily removed if you don’t want them, (no welding). Very reliable and v.g.c. (but small tear in the rear of the harness, not noticable though). Coil replaced 2h ago. Currently has a quieter PAP muffler, but original included. (Please note the Reserve parachute and rev counter are not included in this sale). Summer is coming, so it's time to grab this popular and repspected motor at a good price. Call Stuart on: ............. London/ Surrey/ Hampshire. I also have a Paramainia Revolution 26 for sale too (see my other add). Here is the manufacturers web site- http://www.he-paramotores.com/index.php ... s&mod=r120 Here is the UK dealer who stocks a good range of spares that can be sent out next day. http://www.mwpgc.co.uk/product_info.php ... cts_id=618 Here is a good bit of advice for any would be paramotor pilots who are wondering which type of machine to go for. http://www.paraventure.co.uk/shop/produ ... 81ffaafe54 Here is the HE thread on the paramotor forum- viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1036

SOLD Paramainia Revolution 26 Golden. 75hrs. £995. SOLD Bright yellow, the nicest and the safest colours. V.G.C (still crispy). This wing has been excellent and confidence enspiring, with never even a hint of a tip collapsing, even when summer thermaling. One careful owner, (no tripping over lines, or accident damage). Was checked in May 09 at Green Dragons (8 hrs ago) and passed with flying colours. Save over £1600 on new price. Engineered to perform to its specifications for about 400 hours, so only just run in. Comes with Paramania stuff sack/ ruck sack, wing bag, compression strap, spare lines and tape. Call Stuart on: ................... London/ Surrey/ Hampshire. Here is the Manufacturers web site- ‘Beginner to experienced flyers wing’ http://www.flyparamania.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20&Itemid=72〈=en Here is the Paramotor forum thread, but there’s loads more if you search for it, it's a great wing and i will miss it. http://www.paramotorclub.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3363 SOLD

Vince, it's the other way around, the pulley is fixed to the mallion/riser, the stabilo line runs through it and a 5p sized stopper key ring is the other side. IMO theres no way it would run through in a collapse, so no magnets/velcro to worry about, but thanks for the heads up, anyway. Stu.

This is the set up i use, but i use a small pulley (a bit like the one pictured) attached to the loop in the riser that holds the mallion and a 10mm ring on the end of the stabilo. I then have a short length of thick line from the 10mm ring to the riser/ biner loop, which is easy to grab and pull for steering. It works a treat, is easy to find in a hurry, only a light pull is needed and it's not something that needs parking or preflight checking as it always, naturally parks itself out of the way. Stuart. Revo 26 HE120

Many thanks for all your info. The general consensus seems to be that i should do some test flights of different machines before making a final decision, which seems sensible. Hopefully I'll get to fly a Miniplane and Bailey next week (opposite ends of the spectrum I know, but I do fancy getting more into light weight thermal flying, then again I fancy the sound, fuel efficiency and service of the Bailey). Maybe, I'll be able to drive down to Swindon, the following week and I am in Devon the week after that, so i may be in contact to take up the two offers of a test flights here. Thanks gents. Stuart Surrey.

I am in need of a new machine as both my previous and current machine have left me grounded for months waiting for new parts to come from Spain (and in this perfect weather too!!). Thinking I need to buy my next machine from a company with a very good after sales reputation, one of very few options would be Parajet's Macro. I currently fly a revo 26 and am just under 80kgs, can anybody give me a real world fuel consumption figure that i could expect to achieve (slow and /or fast trim) and the actual weight of the machine with battery (I know there are figures on their website, but some manufacturers have been known to massage figures slightly ). Cheers. Stuart.