norbertflyer

Hi Mike, Yes I think I fell over a blade of grass or something.... Gawd knows what happened.... probably just a sign of getting old.... Great videos Jock, made me laugh some of the camera work. I guess we'll not make a Spielberg epic in the near future. Richard

If you need a significant increase in thrust, swap the engine. Props are a massive subject and there's loads on the web about prop length/width/pitch to read about before doing anything. My basic understanding is if the 125 prop's present max revs is at the top of the engines torque curve, then that is at the optimum for max thrust and that is what should be aimed for with a new longer prop. ie the pitch/width must also be changed to suit the extra length. If this can be done with the help of the prop/engine manufacturers, then there will be a slight increase in prop efficiency (therefore thrust) by increasing the prop length. By what amount?, I'm not sure. If the 125 prop's present max revs is NOT at the top of the engines torque curve, then that needs looking at with the new longer prop design to maximise the thrust. Be careful though, you could end up with less thrust by increasing prop length without regard to engine peak torque/revs and prop pitch/width. Richard

Great shots Mike. Forward launch shot just shows how easy these modern wings are to inflate and takeoff without incident. (That ignores me falling over twice this year without the motor even running.....) Richard

Cracking day Jock. Nice to see everyone again. Base at 2,400ft today and enjoyed playing in the thermals. Post the photos and videos when you have them! Special thanks to Mike again for the Upton DVD flight from last year. Richard

OK, I'll be there from 1130. I have a medical appointment at 0945, but will be down straight after. See you tomorrow. Richard

Jock, What time are you planning to be there from and to? If you're planning a full day, I'll come down. If it's just a splash and dash for you, I'll stay local. Richard (Subject to knees working properly.....)

Well done Phil, No way could I have set up that quick and flown ........ Great day though, I was just a little disappointed by the thermal behaviour during the afternoon. Nothing seemed to lift more than a couple of hundred feet and then they just disappeared. I know the RASP wasn't brilliant, but I had expected to do a little engine off flying. Richard.

Great stuff Mike. I had a couple of afternoon flights over Clent/Kiddy/Stourport. Just enough wind to help me off the ground. Viz was only about 15km, but still great to get into the warm air. As you experienced, not a sausage in the air all afternoon, but myself. Richard.

Was it a planned manoeuvre, an emergency descent, or was it a 'spur of the moment' decision to try and impress the becalmed paraglider pilots on the Thurso mud bank? Due to the number of acro manoeuvres performed, I would think the latter. Spirals/wingovers performed over water and land? Two reserves? Life jacket? Actual failure occurred about 300ft above the ground? Unrated equipment? Unrated acro pilot? Recent well publicised deaths from paramotor acro manoeuvres? It all sounds quite unusual for an experienced flyer to perform these acts intentionally, given the circumstances at the very least. Looks like this breakage occurred at the welded joint - metal fatigue perhaps? I know PAP replaced their box sections a while ago, due to incidents of them breaking in similar G situations. No doubt the AAIB report will let us know the answers, so the less experienced amongst us can learn from it. Just so glad the pilot landed uninjured. Richard

Nice one Jock. Sean seems keen Nice looking Tandem - DJH's old wing? Had a few flights in the breeze over Clent on Sunday. Knees wrecked, but will pump in the nsaids to carry on launching until they improve. Lost a prop tip again!!! Already replaced for tomorrow, but will only stay local again. Richard

Paramotor acro (steep spirals) fortunately ended up with only a broken swing arm. It very often doesn't end as good as that. Well publicised UK deaths have occurred as a result of paramotor acro manoeuvres. Don't do paramotor acro unless you're properly trained and all of your kit is properly rated to at least 12g. I do not know the pilot who performed the acro. (Pic attached) Richard

You'll need a forklift! (for the Konig paramotor, not me....) Diclofenac Sodium working ok ish..... Richard

Knees still an issue for me Jock at the moment. If I do recover enough, it'll be for one attempt at a launch only, so I'll probably stay local if I'm going out, just to be on the safe side (doubt I'll get over the gate at Powick...). Might come down for a chat, if anyone's going, if I can't fly. Richard /////lol,,,,.....///????...!!!!!.....lol

If CRE can't provide answers, have tried a wood bar dynamometer to check the torque/power rating? Richard

In this cold weather, no one could do that distance in a single flight. 3 flights of just over an hour each with cups of tea and sandwiches in between was the ideal situation. The Ozee suit is good, but not that good. Richard

Absolutely 'bostin' day in the air (+3hrs). Thermals off most of the woods again at between 200ft/min and 400ft/min. Cold AM , but the afternoon delivered superbly. Didn't knock the engine off this time though as I kept dropping out of the lift, but not bad considering the conditions. Used the snowboard boots in the ice this time for a bit of extra grip on the launch/landing. Lots of waving to the public, out on their walks below! Catch you all next time. Richard

Jock, We all know you didn't write that one ....... My mate got a new wife from eastern Europe some years ago. She did the dishes in 10 minutes, cooking in 40 minutes and the washing in 50 minutes, but the hoovering took 8 hours. Turns out she was a Slovac..... Richard

Anyone out flapping (Subject to the effects of the expected snow)? Richard

The Google says 195 Euros. Richard

A semi decent day after the last two very misty ones. At least I could see the top of Clent this time. Just about 7.5-10km viz. 2 flights of 59 and 57 mins. Snowed on me about 2pm, then light rain from 230pm. Easy take-offs in these dense air days! Saturday looking good, if the snow allows! Richard

Jock, I'll stay local tomorrow. There is a chance of drizzle in the afternoon. Richard.

Looking quite good for Powick 8th Feb. I'll take a look first thing, aiming to be there about 12 midday. Richard

Paramania tend to release wings on a 5 year cycle: Action GT 2006 Action GTR 2011 Revo1 2005 Revo2 2010 Fusion 2009 Fusion2 2014 ?? Most other manufacturers are on a 3 year cycle. (Airwave used to release successive wings every 2 years) Richard

Again, I'll look at the weather first thing (might be a bit blowy http://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/powick ). If it looks OK, then I'll be down from 12 Midday. Richard

Good 30 minute flight to Bredon Hill. We made 1h 5m on Friday without too much of a cold hands/feet issue. Have a good flight Jock. Richard Translation for Jock:- ///Goodd 03 minut fly on Bredon H.////lol.... made 15hm on Fri no to cold hands////ft lol/////. Had good fly. Jock lol ./////?.........????/////