norbertflyer

When I undertook my BHPA Paramotor conversion exam in 1998, I had to demonstrate 'safe' take-offs in 15mph winds. All of us were hill flyers, so it wasn't much of an issue. I don't think this is a requirement now. Richard

5-20mph on a nice sunny afternoon in the summer months, can give you some of the best flying you'll ever get. Not a beginner situation, but a great experience, if you're confident about your wing and abilities to handle thermals (and the odd collapse...). You can stay up for hours (engine off) on some days. This would also be my normal wind strength limit on a hill in summer. 12-13mph in the winter months on the flat is my limit, up to 20mph again on a hill. Richard

Build you own in 3 minutes. Oh dear......... Richard

A window of flying weather might be available (6mph ESE, no rain...). Anyone around? Richard

Hey Jock, what was the Kettle like on Thursday? Richard.

Had a couple of flights in the afternoon over Clent of about 70 mins each. Very low cloud, but managed to fly above them (legally) on a couple of occasions. Shame I didn't have the camera (will do in the summer). Farmer says he's ok for visiting flyers at £10/day or the usual £70/half year, but he wants notice if there's to be a few of us, so we'll have to plan ahead. He's insists we have to 'launch and fly away', no hanging around with noisey engines and strict 500ft rule flying within 5km of the farm estate. Richard

Sounds good to me, but awaiting a phone call ref a job tomorrow. Might be just a quick one from Clent. Will know later. Richard PS - Car stuck in the mud at Clent takeoff field today .........

On a 32m wing at 160kg you should still get 58kph. I wonder what the fuel consumption was like on his 15 minute run? 10 l/h ........ Richard

http://www.earthairandwater.com/blog/20 ... -eldridge/ 19 kph faster than me on 32m of nylon at 140kg........... Richard

Don't underestimate the amount of effort required to get out of waves on a beach with your PG or PPG kit............ [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]Richard

mangled paramotor and wing: [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]Richard

Cracking Jock, another great day in the air by the looks of things. Tell Paul his ground handling skills need a brush up and he needs to trade in that ski suit!! Got another 3+ hours in today, managed to hook a few 400ft/min thermals in the Bromsgrove valley, from farm buildings. Solved the battery problems from yesterday morning - it was a temporary 'short' on the starter circuit which was created when the motor was on my back at an angle! Richard

Awesome day's flying lads, Great to see everyone again today. Got the fuel consumption down to an average 3.25l/h on that new Delta. See you soon. Richard

Looking fairly good, if a little cloudy. Would be good to see everyone again. I'll be there from 11 (ish) tomorrow. I hope there's at least a little breeze to help me launch on my dodgey knee..... Richard PS - Jock, did you manage to herd any cattle?

I tend to clean mine up (2 stroke) with a wire brush three times, at roughly 15 hour intervals. I then throw them at roughly 60 hours. Too soon or too old? Richard

I know it's 5 days away, but not looking too bad for Sunday. Anyone about? I was thinking of a refuelling XC for a bit of fun? Richard

Be careful, there's a lot of 'airspace/sensitive restrictions' down there. Best to check with http://www.wessexhgpg.org.uk/ before venturing out. If it's WSW to SSW 5-15mph, I recommend Ringstead for a free fly along the cliffs: http://www.youtube.com/user/norbertflye ... b7QXlA-xo0 Richard

Excellent. I had one of Dave's first new shape helmets a while ago. My review is on Paramotorsuk site. Good noise attenuation and comfortable. I think he now uses memory foam in the newer ones.

Crispi get my vote. Just had my 3rd pair in 14 years. Tried the Hangwags, but didn't give the ankle good support like the Crispi. I also wear 'Andy Murray' Aircast ankle straps due to my poor joints. Richard.

Jock, losing a total of 10kg on a total paramotor flying weight of 140kg+, isn't going to make a lot of difference on your knee. Get an arthroscopy done on it, you'll be amazed at the results! If it's osteoarthritis of the knee (discovered under an arthroscopy), then it won't probably get better, just painkillers (ibruprofen) are the only solution then. Richard

Blowing up to 13mph on the ground, which is my limit on the flat with a motor. Luckily had some reasonable wave over the Clent hills, just 200ft/min for 2 or 3 minutes at a time (up and down) but great to switch off and let the winter conditions do the flying for a change. Having said that I only made 6km in an hour playing about (and 5 min to get back to take off!). Don't experience wave on the motor that often, mainly just PG over the Long Mynd, etc., but recommend the experience if you get the chance. Might be on tomorrow! Richard

Jock, That's horrendous ................. Get a bottle of spray paint quickly. Rich.

You're right to be wary Mike, I've seen lots get into trouble (newbies and experienced) when the wind has picked up, or they've misjudged their relative position on the Malvern ridge. You need 15 hours post PG BHPA qualification flying, before they'll let you on the Kettle take-off. A sensible rule IMO. I hope to be out sooner rather than later, as I've only got 2.7 GPS hours flying clocked up this year. Just 78.4 GPS hours for whole of last year (Lowest for 5 years), due to weather and injuries. It'll most likely be powered up from Clent (slope take off, due to ongoing knee issues...). Catch you all soon. Richard

thanks for that reminder, I'll change my throttle over to the left this week. I quite like taking photos and it's always been a bit of a pain dropping the throttle before a shot. cheers, Richard.

Gusting up to 24mph here in West Mids at the moment. It will drop later, but not as much as I'd like. Needs to be max 10mph ground level speed for me, that'll be 20mph at 1,000ft agl. Richard.