norbertflyer

Insurance needs a separate topic (please don't start one .....) I consider hugging a ridge only 25% of the free flying envelope. Thermal flights offer so much more enjoyment, challenge and excitement. (acro is another topic also…) 20mph is also not that strong. Although I have a 'personal' limit of 20mph on my PG on take-off, I regularly see pilots launch their PG's in lulls when gusts are to 27/28mph (more when it's thermic). I have been on PG bar to keep penetrating ridge runs a few times, so it must have been at least 25mph in the air. I also once witnessed a lady comp pilot launch her 2/3 in winds above 30mph from Frocester (yikes!). The SA record breakers are not put off by 35mph ground speeds from their winch launches (they ascend backwards ....). I also see speed wings doing very well in high winds, but their efficiency is variable. Wing loading/sizes are crucial when comparing wing speeds. They have to be very similar; else the results are nonsense, as is the comparison of wing speeds at different ENC classes. Richard

A PG wing does not need to be power or tow rated to be suitable for PPG. Richard

I would suggest that all modern paragliding wings are suitable for paramotoring without any modification. Even comp PG wings and speed wings are now being used successfully. Richard

Careful, this statement is only generally true because the summer conditions in which a club PG flys is 'normally' considerably more active than those conditions in which a club PPG flys. Winter conditions are entirely different, as are the skills of comp pilots in both disciplines. I have had just one small PPG collapse (wing tip) this year, in nearly 60 hours of mostly thermic flying on an ENC PG wing. Richard

Hey Jock, are you going to log that flight on the swing frame as a valid declared out and return for the XC league? Richard

Just one word "Unbelievable". Can you post the GPS tracklog? I reckon you have a world record there. Richard

I'm only flying at 38kph at trim on my Delta, but that's at a wing loading of just 4 grams per square metre ..... unlike your 760kg per sqm....... great to see the acro again. catch you soon!

Had a late flap to Redditch and around Bromsgrove this evening, when this huge fat bloke blocked out my sun at 1,300ft!! Phil Jennings made an 'acro' appearance ......

By the time I went past they must have all gone XC. It was quite a nice bouncy day as was yesterday - Mike and I both had nice flights from Powick (2,800asl in the late thermals), but we both fell over on later flights (long grass in my case) and dinked our props. Won't be going to Powick again until the grass is cut.

Jock, I couldn't see anyone in the air on the Kettle when I flew by, which I thought was unusual, given the conditions. They must have all gone for an out and return XC. The grass is starting to get long at Powick. OK at the moment, but I reckon a max of three more weeks flying before we'll have to wait for it to be cut. Richard.

Great stuff Alan, Your mates' wing looks a design cracker from 1996 (ish) - a rebranded Nervures Kenya. Lots of them around in the early 2000's under the Adventure banner in the ppg world at the time. Richard

Can you name the hill? Richard

Great news about the wing Jock, I said you'd like it. I would still change the main lines though, at least the old A's and B's (some are already new from the Aerofix line test)..... Great to hear you had a good flight yesterday. I got to Powick about 130pm and flew in the thermals for a couple of hours (one of those lift everywhere days and difficult to come down) - nearly managed Upton to Powick in thermals on the return journey (limiting myself to 1,000ft asl), but had to restart the engine a couple of times. I had to reset the wing layout for the first launch 3 times, due to the thermic wind changing direction. In the end I just waited 10 minutes for it to come back on for a southerly takeoff. A late afternoon flight when the wind started coming in from the east completed the day. Richard

1 - 3 ..................... oh well at least the Guinness was quite good in the Waggon..... unlike the Baggies defence ...... I'll be at Powick about 3pm tomorrow, should anyone else be out. Richard

hi dan, local field very wet this morning - thermals strongish, decided to go and watch baggies/chelsea pm. will be out tomorrow. richard.

Good news Jock, looking forward to seeing you in the air very soon. I'll be out and about the next 3 days. catch you soon. Richard.

wow, thanks for posting, I don't think I've seen anything so dangerous. One little slip and he's lost both his feet....... Don't try this at home anyone!

If there's anyone around and you fancy a flap, give me a shout. Richard

Disadvantages: Higher drag, but you'll never detect, nor measure it. Higher cost, but you'll never detect, nor measure it.... Other advantages: Better wing profile and increased arc/stability. Easier big ears. With the same caveats for the disadvantages ...... Richard

That's very sad news Jock, you've been besieged by bad delivery promises now from both of our top UK manufacturers. 12 weeks may mean you'll miss most of the summer and we know what the recent years' July and August weather has been like. Hope the Egg has its problems sorted quickly. Richard

Dave, I also run the auto brightness adjustment button in Microsoft Office Picture Manager, which helps with misty shots if needed. Richard.

Dave, It's only an old Sony Dsc-V1 http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscv1/ . I think the decent lens is the key. Some of the earlier shots were all over the place due to the thermal activity. Before Xmas I bought the SLT A55 from Sony http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonyslta55/ to go with my old Minolta/Sigma lenses. I'll give this a go on the next flight, now the air temp is rising. Richard

Konig is direct drive and just 7hp per cylinder, which is why it does just go on and on. Not so thirsty these days on the modern wings, just 3.25l/h on trim cruise.

Ah, Belbrougton cricket club! The others are of the lakes just SW of Stourport.

Alan, I do have the 'first' photo somewhere (Lanzarote 1996)..... but where it is, is anyone's guess (an Edel Space, I think). Glad to know you're still getting plenty of airtime. I don't think another 800hrs will be possible due to age and 'bones', but another 2 or 3 years flying would be most welcome. The Konig engine will easily do another 800hrs!!! Richard