jack

Thanks for all the replies, very helpful, that's great. I can see time is going to be the limiting factor on this trip!! Is there anywhere which has a list of the regulations surrounding flying paramotors within the european countries. I am aware different countries have different requirements although am not clear exactly on what they are! eg: are wing markings required to be displayed? pilot ratings? etc Don't want to breach any legal requirements. Thanks, Jack

Hi Alan, Thanks for that, I will be avoiding that then for sure; they love there low flying jets over there then, great corridors of restricted airspace for military low flying zig zagged across france. Whats the flying like in and around Prissac? We have a week and a half so reckon will do a bit of a tour round the country, fly if the wind plays along, staying clear of the pink circles and red strips on the airmap!! Many thanks, Jack

Thanks guys, Anyone know what the difference between restricted and prohibited airspace marked in France is? Can we fly in any of the restricted areas over there? Thanks, Jack

Hi, I'm off to France on Saturday. Can anyone offer any advice regarding where I can get free online airspace and notams shown on airmaps for Europe? I have looked on the notam link here and although there is some detail for northern France I assume this is not complete? Also Notam info but I can't see it there either. I would be grateful of any help to ensure I dont infringe any airspace there. Also anyone know any good sites to visit this time of year in France or Spain for paramotoring / paragliding? Thanks in advance, blue skies, tight lines, fast landings etc Jack

Hi Fanman, Engine is twisting before pilot has left the ground in the video. Thanks, Jack

Hi Cobra, Starts off great nicely centered under wing. Pilot commences takeoff run adds power, Engine now starts to move round right side of pilots body (harness too loose) thrusting pilot to the left (still on ground at this time. (pilot no longer centered under wing.) Leaves ground - lots of power, (worse) engine has now twisted completely round right side of pilot. This is pushing the pilot out to the left while the wing is trying to fly to the right. ('lock out' effect) more power at this stage will not convert to climb because the thrust is not pointing in the direction the wing likes to fly making the situation worse. At this point the perfect solution is POWER OFF for a nice safe landing. Pilot will centre back under the wing once power off and face same way as wing. Tighten up all harness straps to not allow engine to twist around body. Hard hang points reduce this twisting lots. You can get away with some of this twisting by moderating the power, getting enough height to get right back in the seat. If the engine is right round the side like this though best to land and sort the harness. Also check both caribiners are level if they are adjustable on that harness. Once your fully in the seat with your back against the machine it cant twist much like this. The thrust line is then pointing forwards and the pilot is pushed nicely out centered infront of the wing for a climb out. Unfortunately more power makes it worse. Similar principle to 'lock out' when towing a paraglider. Just my thoughts/ experiences, hope it helps, what do others think? Hope you don't mind me not using the technical terms, I'm not very good at understanding them. Safe flying, Thanks, Jack

Got thurs, fri and sat flights in, all lovely Jack

Name: Jack Local Area: Chelmsford Number of sites: ? Also fly: Essex, Suffolk, Devon etc Paramotors: Current - RAD MXL, Bigger prop Radne Wings: Antique Rainbow one(!) Airwave Samba, Swing Arcus , Action

Hi folks, Wondering if anyone could advise me on starter battery options. I currently (excuse pun) have a 12v 3Ah Lead motorcycle battery weighing just under 1.5 Kg. This does not always start from cold, also I don't have in flight charging. I have been needing to jump start with a car battery which I would think is not good for the starter motor? - 500+ cranking amps?? The starter motor is 12v 0.25kw so I assume it draws 20 amps? Anyway I guess I could get a bigger motorcycle battery eg 12v 8Ah although this is bigger to fit and nearer 3kg. The engine manufactures recommends 12v 7.5Ah although again this is fairly heafty! Is it possible to use a 14.4v drill battery for example lithium ion or ni cad???? I clearly don't know anything about these things so any suggestions / experiences for a lighter battery option is greatly appreciated. Many thanks Jack

Thanks for your help Simon and Dave. Motor :RAD MXL Wing :Action 29 Harness: Woody Valley, Large I don't have to adjust any trims of make any brake input to fly straight and level, its just the seat on the tilt that I'm finding a problem. I thing I need to tighten the straps holding the motor to the harness? Many thanks, Jack

Hello folks, I wonder if anyone has any setup tips to reduce engine twist please? My props turn clockwise looking from the back. I find the engine twists anticlockwise, as I'm flying the left side of the seat gets pulled down with it so it feels I'm not seated level which I find uncomfortable. I wondered if I tightened the straps holding the engine to the harness, if this would help to reduce the 'play' between engine and harness not allowing so much twist under power? I have tried having the harness strap slightly longer and shorter on one side although am not overly confident on all the effects in terms of adjustment, as to which way to adjust. Weight shift to the right helps a little but gets tiring after a while. More recently I settled on having them the caribeners level, measuring from the seat up the harness strap to them on each side. If If I adjust to raise the caribener it lengthens the distance to the seat making the effect worse. If I lower the caribener it brings that riser down turning me left anyway? Do others have this effect with the unlevel seat? Its ok power off in thermals! Ho ho Many thanks for any help from the experts. Regards, Jack

Thanks Tom for explaining about PM ing. That was kind of you, excuse my computer ignorance, Guess I should have PM'd this to you! Regards, Jack

Dave, Glad you had a good flight, can't beat smooth conditions. No mate I don't go that far to fly! I'm too tight, All next weekend in Fairstead, Essex, won't get much more local than that for a fly in, look up the Lemming's website, I'm sure you would love it. It's been a good flying week, I have flown four evenings out of the past 5, very fortunate, It may be five, can't remember if I flew mon night now, but flew twice on the sunday. Good way to see the harvest brought in from the air hey? Jack

Hi Dave, Yes sounds good, I don't know how to PM or what it is? What is it? Not very good on computers. Meeting up sounds good. Are you coming to the next Lemming's bash? Regards Jack

Vince, I would be keen to meet up for a fly if you would like to ? Always good to fly with others. I met you briefly at the last lemmings bash when you landed. Cheers, Jack

Hi Boycey, I'm based in Chelmsford if I can be of any help? Jack

Hi Peter, Looks like you are in luck, I am a keen paramotorist living in Chelmsford !! Always happy to help if you would like to get in touch. Jack

Thanks for your replies Vince, you sure know your stuff on the tip steering. What a great forum for learning from more experienced pilots. I was looking closely at what I was doing this weekend. On my action I can only see one TRUE tip line on each side? The one at the middle of the chord right on its own going to the very tip. That's the one I have always gone for. I only tended to use it for directional adjustment when I'm fully reflexed for xc flying. I have never really cracked any turns this way I must admit although it doesn't seem to mind being pulled ! My understanding regarding an advantage of this was I was not affecting the reflex elevated section at the rear third of the chord by pulling it down, which would happen if I were to use the brake to steer in this profile. When I've felt the need to crack in the turns I've pulled the back down on ze trimmers to take off position or so and unclipped the brakes for use. Got to love the way these wing handle, I didn't know what a banking turn was prior to a reflex wing!! And to not have to actively fly just feels naughty! I am interested in anyone's experiences on this. Thanks for all your input, Kind regards, Jack

Hi all, I have always tip steered by pulling down the stabilo line on my action. Am I missing something with this thread? Kind regards, Jack

Hi folks, Anyone know where I may be able to get a decompressor and two start hooks for the radne 120 engine. The start hooks engage on the dog in the pull start mechanism. Its horrible being 'grounded' ! I would be very grateful for any suggestions of a reasonably priced spares source please. I'm based in Essex if that has any relevance. Thanks, Jack

Hi Simon, Although I'm based in Essex I have family in Suffolk, near Framlingham so I sometimes fly near there. It's a lovely rural area out towards the coast is lovely. Flew last night and this morning there. I may be about that area if that is near where you will be and you would like to meet up? Good website by the way! Regards, Jack

I have a front mounted reserve, currently routed up the left and use the throttle in the right. My reserve is in for repacking, would it be better to have it packed to route up the right (dominant hand instead) Any thoughts please? Jack

I'm finishing my job next month and planning on finding a warmer area of the world to avoid some of the English winter. Does anyone know or have experience of good paramotor schools or areas with low winds abroad? I would be happy to help out etc etc to get more flying experience. Bit random but thought asking a large group or keen flyers must know compared to looking on the net. Thanks for any replies, Jack

Thanks, I've ordered the current "quarter mil" map, mine was out of date, and got the oil, Many thanks, happy flying, Jack

Hi Mike, I recommend the DVD Risk and Reward, I bought it and my girlfriend watched it with me, helped her realise it is actually a reasonable hobby!!. Its very good at going through the main causes of paramotor accidents and how to avoid them. A very good buy in terms of educational safety, ive watched it a few times, and got something from it each time. I believe paramotoring is about as safe as riding a motorbike but as the DVD goes into with paramotoring largely you choose your old leval of risk.......Just my personal experience. Hope it helps, Jack