norbertflyer

Agreed with Mike, never been able to tell premixed 'old' or 'new' fuel, even after a 4 month spell in hospitals in the past, engine started first time and no issues in flight. I do tend to stop the engine on the choke for the end of the last flight, seems to start better next time. Had water in the fuel once, but I can only put that down to leaving the cap off the gerry can for a week and moisture was 'absorbed' into the mix. Richard.

I've used Woolite and warm (25C) water in a bath on a couple of old 'Skytex' wings. No discernible porosity changes (one annual test to another), 'crispiness' comes back, inflates easier, you'll be amazed at the amount of brown muck coming out of the wing and it looks/smells great afterwards... I transported the wing downstairs after the washing (and rinsing) using a wheel barrow (the wing becomes incredibly heavy), hung it on the washing line by it's trailing edge (one peg per cell), re-rinsed it inside and out again, left to dry on a warm overcast day. Still flying the wing! Richard

Hello Jock and a happy new year. I think all of this stuff is contained within the current ANO http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009 ... tents/made . I usually launch right next to a farmhouse and have done so since the mid 90's. As long as you have permission, observe the 28 day rule and have a recognition of your noise 'footprint' on the ground and in the air, you'd be very unlucky to receive a complaint. Hope to see you (above 10ft) in 2011 on the homebuilt 4 stroke very soon. Richard

I remember a security issue on these wings (stalling) from 2002 ish. So I 'googled' and found this: FIREBIRD MATRIX M DHV GS-01-0738-00 A flight behaviour that deviates from the type certificate for a Firebird Matrix M, MZM GS-13-04-300 (certified paraglider) was recognised. This information concerns a stable stall. In agreement with the manufacturer Firebird Sky Sport AG, the DHV has decided, as a precaution, on the following safety measure: All certified paragliders if the type Firebird Matrix M, MZM GS-13-0X-XXX having a serial number beginning with 13 03 100 to 13 07 800 must be checked before their next flight. The airworthiness instruction comes into force when published in the NfGH (Paragliding and Hanggliding News). The safety measures must be carried out before the next flight made with the equipment. The check will be carried out by Firebird Sky Sport AG Schäfflerstraße 15 D-87629 Füssen, Tel: +49/(0) 83.62/983.20 Fax: +49/(0) 83.62/983.219 Gmund, 18.09.2003 Klaus Tänzler Managing Director I would have the wing checked by the manufacturer, before flying it. Richard

I forgot, just on a point of physics (apologies in advance for being boring...), twice the speed means about four times the dynamic effect of any collapse (Kinetic Energy). I say 'about' because KE relates to solid bodies and not PG's. It may be less or more. Consider that, when you're floating about on trim at 25kph and then on bar at 50kph. Richard

Ah, not a proper comparison then? Never mind, I had friends on the Sport, who quite liked it's PG ability. The Sport2 was supposed to be susceptible to front collapses. Virtually anything will ridge soar (even a giant tea bag), but in marginal light conditions the PG wing will stay up. In very strong winds the reflex wing should do better. Unpowered thermic XC conditions will always favour the PG wing over reflex, given equal sizes/certifications/weights. If you're fixated by speed, get a powered HG? Richard

"At least 12mph faster? I don't think you were comparing 'like' with 'like' there. Same certifications and same size wings and same use of speed bar, you should only find 2 to 4 mph difference at max (with more fuel consumption). Agreed on more stability with reflex. Richard

Better to use steep spirals escaping strong lift. I've only done it once, over St Andre and then only descending at a net 4m/s..... http://www.expandingknowledge.com/Jerom ... uck_Escape Nucleon 29 has short brakes©, 3 C's on the 4 asymetric tests and a C on B-line. http://www.para-test.com/images/Test_Re ... n29_en.pdf Richard

One of my old flying pals (no longer flys) used to fly uncertified second hand competition paragliders in the late 1990's, 20-25kg over the top of the weight range, under power, for 10 hours a year, in very benign evening conditions. He never had a collapse ................

Just one for the relative newbie’s, as this can be an extremely dangerous situation, if not treated properly. To rely on your wing not to collapse is folly. All wings collapse (some more than others, but this is not quantified), it's the way they recover which is important and that's where the EN tests excel. The wings’ behaviour under recovery collapse are now fully and properly quantified, more so than under the old DHV system and previous Afnor/Acpul methods. The recovery tests are passive (no active pilot input) and this ‘should be’ the worst scenario. A pilot with insufficient training and/or experience could make the situation worse. ENA wings are best followed by B, C, D and then uncertified. Most PG wings are fully certified at all speeds and manoeuvres within the weight ranges, Most PPG wings are not fully certified. I.E. recovery collapse untested in some situations: either excluding one, some or all of speed bar, trimmers, weight range, manoeuvres. Please be careful and fly with some extra height and a reserve. Get properly trained. Read and fully understand your wing EN test report. Go on an SIV course. Richard.

Look at the speed the tank is emptying ............

Careful Clive, they say in the video that it recovers better than any certified paraglider. Well, we know that's not true, especially on the asymmetric test where the Nucleon gains a number of C's. You also now can't induce asymmetric collapses on a number of new ENC+ paragliders. I guess this is another of those 'handbag' videos regarding safety of Reflex and none Reflex wings emanating from the USA. Richard.

Thanks Alan, my 13 year ppg flying career has been besieged by injury and illness (none due to flying incidents!), but glad to be airborne again. Hopefully I can have a good run outside of the hospital for a while. Richard

http://www.paramotormag.com/category/news/

ACL/PCL and Meniscus repair on my right knee went so well on 19th Oct, I went flying again today. Yippee! Didn't see anyone else on my 4 short flights over Droitwich, Bromsgrove and Kidderminster, but great to be out again. Had a misfire develop on cylinder no3 (cold), turned out to be a dry soldered joint on the HT lead. Saw a FLHG over Kidderminster Saturday afternoon? Trying out an Ozone Delta XL later in the week, if the weather's OK. see you soon, Richard

I've used a http://www.flycom.co.uk helmet for 9 years now. Exceptional noise attenuation (enclosed headphones) and no draughts! Apparently, it's been over Everest!

Be safe Jock, put some netting on it. Richard.

likelyhood of collapse is not tested. you can get old 1/2 wings which notoriously collapsed if you sneezed on them.

uncertified glider in the hands of a novice? Richard

An uncertified glider and not having the appropriate skills to fly one. Flat spins are not that uncommon in the PG world, fighting for marginal lift on a ridge with the brakes buried. Glad the bloke lived though, could've been so different. Richard

http://www.skywalk.info/News/article/2415/ Richard

I use a VXA700. It is a 2m radio and has airband TX channel (for at least listening to your local PPL traffic, as well as 118.675). (and FM radio). Not made anymore, but you might find them on ebay occasionally. Richard

Looks as if the dog wants a go! Come on Jock finish it soon. Can't wait to see it in the air. I'll come down and video you on first flight! Richard.