norbertflyer

Very old wing design from 2005, an aspect ratio significantly smaller than most modern ENA wings, just 42 cells and painfully slow at certified weight limits (max 45kph), yet owners love the wing? Richard

I don't believe it Mr Wilson! More than 12ft this time?! How fantastic was that, shame I missed it. Are you sure Mike didn't 'shop' a video together? lol. Great launch though! Catch you soon. Richard

I scared the postman today by going to the door completely naked. I'm not sure what scared him more, my naked body or the fact that I knew where he lived.

[vimeo] [/vimeo]You also need to be young and fit to launch and land these small wings. Rules me out on both counts. Wouldn't mind trying a certified mini wing at 130/140kg in a decent breeze though. Only problem is, I can't find a certified mini wing at 130/140kg ..... Richard

Aren't all 'serious' PPG wings uncertified at full speed settings? Richard

Hi Phil, I can't do Thursday due to family commitments. Have a good one! Richard

13.5 years old now Jock. I have changed the carb, that was well worn. Video from just below cloudbase (after lens cleared) Richard

Ooh, that Konig sound again..... A clip from late on Sunday: Richard

Attack of the dreaded yellow string...... Some of the tracks have long sections of very weird waypoints positioning (circa 23,000ft, which is impressive considering cloudbase was only 3,600ft) and are not shown, perhaps because they're corrupt or GPS fault. Richard

I opened the one gate to the far field just before packing up, but there were two dog walkers in the field after I'd packed away. They may have 'naturally' shut it the gates on leaving. Richard.

PS - I kept the restaurant happy allowing us to use their car park, by purchasing a very delicate refreshment post flight. Quite a good arrangement in my books! We'll also have to keep vigilant on the 500ft rule next to that road (excl take off & land). I can possibly see someone complaining if we start misusing the privilege. See you next time! Richard

Great to meet up with you guys again (missed Phil as I'd b*ggered off on another flight...), and nice to see Jock's shiny new toy. Great afternoon (accidentally in and out of the clouds at 3,600ft....) 3 trips to straight to cloudbase from 400ft agl. Just 2.5 litres of fuel used in 2hrs of flying on the first flight. Average climb rate to 800ft/min at times. 12 deg C in the clouds. Nice second flight along the Severn. Pics just out of the clouds did not work due to the water on the lens, but some later were just about ok. Catch you all again soon. Richard.

OK Mike, I'll aim to fly in for 2pm (+/- 30 mins). I'll bring my oil with me. I'll call if have an engine/wing/takeoff/outlanding/fat/brain problem.... Richard.

Mike, the last two days flapping from Clent have been very good, so I'll continue from there tomorrow, but I'll flyin to Powick if there's going to be someone there (and the petrol station is still open....) let me know what time you're planning to get there, it would be good to see you. Richard.

Richard Carters' write up of the flight is in this month's issue of Skywings. Richard

Just checked one of my old Magellan gps log entries on a free flight XC from the Long Mynd to Stratford and I got 97.1 KPH as a max speed ahead of a rain cloud chasing me SE. A lot of the flight was under a cloud street on full bar, still going up..... I've always checked wind strength in mph on the hill/field and everything else for the flight is in kph, quite berserk. All PPG/PG published wing performance stats are in kph. Richard

100kph is impressive. looking back on my log book last year. The fastest continuous average speed downwind (6 minutes) I've managed is 91kph, but that was on a 32sqm PG wing with a motor on full bar. Doubt I'll go any faster due to the poor 'upwind' performance of the wing and vertical takeoff/landing.... What total weight are you on the 28? Richard

I cant help thinking that he wasn't wearing a lid. A lesson for us all and hopefully to the guys who think they're 'cool' flying without a helmet in their public videos. Hope he mends quickly without long term issues. Richard Paragliders are categorised by the FAI as class 3 hang gliders.

Luke, interesting, that's similar to what I use on a hot nil wind day, perhaps late afternoon when very tiny breezes are coming in from all directions. I launch perpendicular to a line of trees (wood). I point the prop at the trees and (most of the time) a mini thermal is created dragging the air from the ground to the trees and I have a 2/3mph breeze in which to lmake the launch a little easier, (well, at least the inflation). Richard

This needs to be in the Worcester section. My Clent take-off is a rented closed site, (even more closed now the farmer has decided to start planting corn in my field) and not suitable for beginner landings (slopes, farm buildings, power wires, evening katabatic winds off the hill, large trees, horse livery and very noise sensitive). Although occasional fly-in's are welcomed. Carl, There must be hundreds of available fields near Cannock, you just need to approach a farmer with PM pictures and ask if you can use a field. A GeoffW on this forum also flys nearby, but I've never seen him flying nor met him. Powick may be a better bet for you if low airtime, but it's an hour from Cannock. Richard

Tried an early one for a change, as it was my turn to drive yesterday evening and my head was 'clear'. Waited for the mist to disappear enough and reversed it into the SE breeze. 22kph windspeed at 1,000asl, so didn't get very far, very quickly. Nice boat around though for 1hr26m. Sky looked great in the low sun. Richard PS - Watching the match this PM....

Be careful on that END wing, I understand it's a B'stard to exit B-lines and spirals. I'll stick to my safe 19A, 4B, 1C..... Richard. PS - will be out somewhere tomorrow.

1,600ft is excellent at CM. I've never had more than 400ft, but never flown it in thermic conditions, I've always used KS if thermic. I'm on the deck today, but see what Saturday brings. Richard.

Had a late flight from 430pm. Headwind was quite significant at 25kph towards the SSE at 1100asl. Balloon was out with a basket full. Didn't realise how big the hole was to deflate the envelope. Wind was ENE on landing just before dusk. Richard

Any decent height gain Jock? It looked a bit south all day until late on. Who was the tree hugger? Richard