Jim Sutton

Created 25 October 2021 Hi all: I have made a small table comparing some of the paraglider wings out there for us heavy pilots (minimum of 135 Kg, ). Recreational wings, most EN-A and EN-B. I found the below: Paragliders for Heavy Pilots - Sheet1(1).pdf

@AndyB I am not easily able to mark them as they are recessed. It's the lower bolts on the Tornado, nearest the exhaust flange, that periodically loosen. Santa brought a NM Torque wrench for Christmas. It's checked every flight now. ------ Very interested in your tuning experience as my Tornado remains at 6gph fuel use after engine rebuild with "new" XC head. I have not experienced a better fuel efficiency as claimed by AC. I am now out of break-in period [rich] so I need to properly fine tune the motor for best performance. At the next CARB rebuild time, I plan to try the WALBRO 37c 'mid-range fix' developed by Had Robinson of Southwestairsports: https://www.southwestairsports.com/ppgtechinfo/top80/hrservicenotes/walbrowg8/midrange_performance/midrange_performance_problems.htm

Here's the best article I've found on this topic by Had Robinson of Southwestairsports: https://www.southwestairsports.com/ppgtechinfo/top80/hrservicenotes/walbrowg8/midrange_performance/midrange_performance_problems.htm And this one: https://www.southwestairsports.com/ppgtechinfo/top80/hrservicenotes/fuelsystemmod/fuel_system_mod.htm

@GerardTC Have you checked Had Robinson's excellent Polini motor information of his Southwest AirSports website? https://www.southwestairsports.com/ppgtechinfo/polinithor/polinithor.htm This is a very knowledgeable guy putting large amounts of great information on the Web for all our benefit.

AndyB: How do you mark them? Where do you mark them? The lower head bolts definitely loosen (needed to be retorqued) after every couple flights. The replacement piston ordered from AC came as the old style piston, they did not send the new black teflon coated piston.

I fly the Tornado 280 engine and can confirm it has noticeably more thrust than the smaller Nitro cousin. I am a heavy pilot whose flown on Vittorazi and Polini motors. This Tornado 280 with three blade prop has noticeably more thrust allowing less running to get up to flying speed in low winds. I love it. The TORNADO engine has proven to be less reliable than the Nitro motor design with the principal issue being the lower two head bolts, nearest the exhaust, regularly loosen and require retorquing after every 1-2 flights. Our flying group has four (4) Tornados and all have experienced engine failure between 30-48 hrs. The Nitro engines have not. My TORNADO engine [48 hrs] failed two weeks ago at the 1h26m point in a flight. AC Owner claimed the motor went lean, evidenced by blowby on piston head near lower bolts, and that it was my user fault -- thus refused warranty support. I regularly retorque my head bolts and the max temp stayed within maximum published boundaries 440dF. The upper piston ring failed and pieces caught on the exhaust port edge damaging the cylinder and gouging a chunk on the top edge of the piston itself. [NOTE: There is a RECALL notice for TORNADO motor piston and piston ring failures but I am told my rings were not the defective ones.] AC Owner cited my failure to disassemble the motor at 25 hours to inspect the Decompression Port as evidence that I did not maintain the motor. MY local team suggested doing this at 50 hours so I didn't understand this to be necessary or grounds for voiding warranty support. I have disproved the owner's claim there is no head bolt loosening problem by talking to the two largest schools in my country who use AC motors. They confirm the Tornado bolt loosening problem but indicate they address it by retorquing the head bolts after each day's use. There was no ownership of the Tornado head bolt problem by AC owner, only denial. I still really like this paramotor and have ordered replacement parts including the new , lower compression, XC Head to complete my rebuild. I've purchased a Nm torque wrench and will absolutely check the HEAD BOLT torque settings before each flight as part of my preflight.

I found @SPIGOT 's (Colin) diagram posted back in 2010 which was very clear and helpful Has anyone here developed an electrical system troubleshooting guide or checklist for a paramotor? I am trying to build a trouble shooting guide. and process diagram for the AC Tornado. I wondered if anyone can recommend a link for Someone whose already trekked this path. I'd like to develop a step-by-step guide. My Main Switch failed yesterday [replaced] but I'd like to complete this learning and discussion. I'll attach below the AC Manual's Electric Scheme diagram on pg 23 but it's incomplete. And it incorrectly depicts the Main Switch (SPDT) wiring.

Colin: I found your 2010 diagram which was very clear. Can you add an ON/OFF diagram to it? Has anyone here developed an electrical system troubleshooting guide or checklist for a paramotor? I am trying to build a trouble shooting process diagram for the AC Tornado but the Manual's Electric Scheme diagram on pg 23 is incomplete. And it incorrectly depicts the Main Switch (SPDT). I wondered if anyone can recommend a link for Someone whose already trekked this path. My Main Switch failed yesterday [replaced] but I'd like to complete this learning and discussion.

@Al_B_revo2— do you have plans to share of this build . Or detailed pictures.

Are there reviews of this design anywhere? i notice it’S a nose wheel forward design. What’s the mod to have the nose wheel trail?

Vimeo link doesn’t work.

@Neilzy - I’d appreciate trike plans if you have some to share. thanks