norbertflyer

Some of our launches and landings are the most unbelievable: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF2yWHoZq3U Richard

Not flown Marcle since 2002, loved the site when not wet, otherwise it was always a bit of a bog and the glider was covered in mud at the end of the day. Steve P. landed on a cow there! Since then motoring was always a better option than free flying that site. I flew on the motor from the farm at the bottom a few times. Beacon was soarable on Thursday, I managed to stay up quite easily with the engine off. Richard

Pics from yesterday: Richard

[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/32937390[/vimeo] Richard

Good flying day today. 3 flights and lots of incidents! Boot lace broke..... Vario wouldn't switch on .... First flight - managed to get some minor carb icing at 2,500ft, very humid air, but only 8deg c and constant revs for 20 minutes across the top of the Malverns to Castle Moreton. Just some minor hiccups on the engine. Open the throttle full blast for 30 seconds and then it was fine, or so I thought...... Second flight over to Upton, fine, no issues. Third flight had a good take off and boat around towards Upton again then lost revs after 35 minutes to a max of 2,800 and the engine note sounded different. I limped to a suitable landing spot next to the river Severn and found one of the stupid tiny HT lead spades had broken on cylinder3. I tied it back on with a bit of wire from my 'emergency kit', relaunched and flew back to base. I'll solder it later, but it was a bit frustrating. Glad it happened on the final flight. So, I'm not sure it was carb icing now ....... The Orbit Ronstan ratchet pulleys worked a treat on the speed bar! Post pics later. Richard

No rain and winds also falling away to 7mph. I'll be out and about mid morning ish. Richard

Take the effective GR of the wing with a motor on your back and passenger - circa 5:1 for a tandem setup. Estimate the total weight - circa 200kg. Stay level flight thrust is therefore 40kg. Add 50% extra for flat take off = 60kg (minimum). Variations on effective GR and weight will change the outcome. My efficient ENC PG wing suggests 18.5kg to stay in level flight. Richard

That comment on steep descent, ties in with the quoted Paramania figures. 9:1 quoted for the Fusion and tested by Vol Libra with a motor at 6.1:1. The Revo2 hasn't been tested for glide yet, but Paramania quote 8.1:1 so extrapolation suggests around 5.2:1 with a motor. Nice and safe for landing! Richard

Revo2 in the middle size to 120kgs, gets A ratings on the EN landing and min speed (less than 25kph) tests. So, it must mean the wing is either being flown well over certified weight, wind changed direction slightly at that point, trimmers not quite adjusted perfectly, or (dare I say it) lines may be slightly out of 'true' length. Worth checking anyway. Richard

I've used it on all of my props. I can't tell if there's any thrust decrease. More worrying that your carbon prop is in such a state after just 40 hours. Do you fly from beaches often? Richard

8-9 isn't too bad, but think it'll be stronger than that. XC giving 13-15 earlier. I'll be out for a flap anyway. Richard.

Good one Alan & very economical. If there's no fog tomorrow, I'll be either +200ft soaring or -600ft at the bottom of the hill waiting for the fog to lift...... TBA. Richard

I tried to fly Mon/Tue and Wed this week, each day blighted by min viz issues. Particularly bad viz on Monday, doubt if I had a mile of legal viz. I'm free flying again on Saturday (hopefully)... Richard

My 149.2 hours this year, have already cost me £936...... Richard

That's same link as I posted above. Li-Fe are the best option at the moment. Richard.

The article is claiming a "giant leap forward"............ Richard

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15735478 If it works, it should increase sustained flight and enable 'quick refills'. Richard

Still not too bad a wind strength, but looking a bit drizzly also, so I'll probably leave it until the afternoon and 'do a visual' before/if setting out. Richard

Had 1h 51m of flapping without the engine on Gyrn Moelfre. Light at times, but not a bad day, especially after being given a lift to the top. Will be out with the motor Mon-Wed. Richard. ps - lots of sheep!!

Jock, I'm going tree hugging tomorrow in mid Wales. I'll be out on motor Mon-Wed. Richard.

Jock, It could be on for Saturday, if the forecast wind strength remains, as it is (does it ever...?) Richard

I've always considered an extreme sport to be one where you're waiting for a significant critical event to save your life. eg Parachuting, Base jumping, Wingsuit flying, Bungee jumping. Even compared with Motor Biking, PPGing is quite a 'woossey' sport. Richard

Great photo at cloudbase Mike, That helmet mount arrangement you have, is far more convenient than my camera strap around my neck and down my flying suit system....... Too busy ensuring my wing was above my head in the rocky conditions, to get the thing out. See you all next time. Richard

Bouncy, Bouncy, Bouncy. Max ave 'up' on the first flight was 5.8 m/s....... five 360's over Upton from 400ft and I was at base at 2,650ft in less than 3 minutes.... A WOW for this this time of year! Second flight, after the 'boomers' and rain passed was a more sedate pootle down the Severn with Mike, enjoying the scenery. Was nice to meet Carl and 'Two Trees' Shaun. I'm just worrying now about my inferiority, not having a 'posh' looking paramotor..... Richard (sorry, no pics today)

Could be quite wet under foot in the field as the cold front passes through (the field doesn't drain that well), expecting a little rain mid morning and clearing up PM, possibly a bit windy (gusts to 15mph) with some thermic activity (RASP 300ft/min midday). I have to see my farmer early on, but hoping to get down there before lunchtime. Richard