cas_whitmore Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 was hoping to fly today at membury. Weather there looked iffy" so I spent some time getting my new miniplane ready instead was looking in to getting one last year but that wasn't that easy it seemed. But they was at the parafest with the new uk dealer ( at last) went to get buy a tshirt ended up with a Paramotor. Can't seem to post a pic . Cas . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 I think that's the best thing I've read today: "I went to buy a T-Shirt and ended up with a paramotor." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin (Simon W) Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 15 minutes ago, cas_whitmore said: was hoping to fly today at membury. Weather there looked iffy" so I spent some time getting my new miniplane ready instead was looking in to getting one last year but that wasn't that easy it seemed. But they was at the parafest with the new uk dealer ( at last) went to get buy a tshirt ended up with a Paramotor. Can't seem to post a pic . Cas . Just drag the file where it says drag files here 'below where you type your message content. SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cas_whitmore Posted June 11, 2016 Author Share Posted June 11, 2016 Here we go hopefully a pic of my miniplane . Must say it feels good to wear . No stooping or leaning forward while walking around can't wait to fly her/it . cas . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_k Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 Nice quiet machine, haven't used one myself but seen one in action on many occasion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cas_whitmore Posted June 11, 2016 Author Share Posted June 11, 2016 very quite ' even while flying there's no high pitch noise anywhere in the rev range . I have another motor and I tried flying with just those sqishy ear plugs but it's gets painful ended up trying to fly at revs that didn't hurt my brain ' so went back to ear cup type ear muffs. I did modify the silencer internally on my top 80 motor , its very converluted in Side that chamber I thought it was full of packing but there is none ' tig welded back together. Now what I didn't won't was a noisy top80 . But I was after a few more revs and that's what I got . I had to turn the high end needle adjustment screw out 1/2 turn (richer) that's a lot on a wg8 carb and it's still quite . ?. cas . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christian Posted June 12, 2016 Share Posted June 12, 2016 Cas I've got over 200 hrs on mine and I have yet to see a machine that I would rather own. From the background in your photo I guess that when it comes to mechanics you know what you are doing, but this still might be useful to you..... Had Robinson of SouthWest Airsports in El Paso has put together a great set of 'how to' documents for Miniplanes. Here's the link.http://www.elpasoparagliding.com/ppgtechinfo/ppgtechinfo.htm Another good source of guidance is the Top80 Yahoo group, post a question and you will usually get an informed response pretty quickly. I hope that I am not teaching my grand mother to suck eggs, Christian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cas_whitmore Posted June 12, 2016 Author Share Posted June 12, 2016 Hi Christian,and thanks yes I have been on southwest airports site ' and miniplane USA there's some excellent info on both sites i have carried out some mods that I read about on those sites . Stronger bolts for the g/box some good stuff about fuel/oil and Pistons/rings etc' 200 hrs Christian what oil you using ratio ect . cas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christian Posted June 12, 2016 Share Posted June 12, 2016 Castrol Power 1 Racing, which is the replacement for Power TT. Originally at 1.5%, but for the last 120hrs at 2%. The change was not through any knowledge of my own, just following the advice of a French mechanic with loads of experience on Top80s. Another modification that you might consider is to replace the handle on the end of the starter rope with a loop of 12mm marine bungee. It works a like an 'agricultural' flash starter and makes it much easier to re-start in the air. I think that there's an old thread on it somewhere in this forum. If you can't find anything, drop me a line and I photograph mine for you. Christian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cas_whitmore Posted June 12, 2016 Author Share Posted June 12, 2016 Funny enough Christian I was trying different ideas on the starter today , in the end I copied the version that's on my Airconception motor . It's some bungy cord from the handle to shoulder strap so I can pull it to get to the handle . Over shoulder starting . Did think of what you've done but thought it would get sucked through cage I'd never reach it . also Christian my harness is different to what I've used before ' do you use a lap mounted reserve. Cas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christian Posted June 12, 2016 Share Posted June 12, 2016 Quote ' do you use a lap mounted reserve. Yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cas_whitmore Posted June 12, 2016 Author Share Posted June 12, 2016 Thanks Christian, I look forward to trying to put 200 hrs On mine . cas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christian Posted June 14, 2016 Share Posted June 14, 2016 At 200 hrs I am just getting mine run in. The local Top80 mechanic tells me that he services one with 500+ hrs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cas_whitmore Posted June 14, 2016 Author Share Posted June 14, 2016 Christian 500 hrs I'd have to leave it running in my workshop Most of the time' with uk weather. also do you use a reserve container with cockpit. I need to sort a front mount one out pronto. cas . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christian Posted June 14, 2016 Share Posted June 14, 2016 I reckon that it would take me another 7 years, by which time my knees will probably have given up Reserve? I have the Miniplane Snip L. It has a velcro pad on the top which I occasionally use for my phone, but I seldom fly with anything. The Snip L is quite small, so I can still see between my legs. Fingers crossed for some better weather for you lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cas_whitmore Posted June 14, 2016 Author Share Posted June 14, 2016 Cheers Christian ' I'll call miniplane uk tomorrow, U.K. Pilots have everything crossed for some good weather . cas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christian Posted June 14, 2016 Share Posted June 14, 2016 That's exactly why you need to be able to see between your legs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christian Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 I have just come back from seeing the mechanic, Jean at Mecafly. Check out the very useful site with exploded parts diagrams. I asked him about the oldest motor that he services..........it's a Miniplane Top80 with 1200 hrs. And it turns out that Jean flys a Miniplane too, for all the usual reasons, but also another one that I hadn't heard......the parts are cheaper. Don't forget to change the gearbox bearings at 100/150hrs. I left mine a little late and they were in a shocking state. Christian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cas_whitmore Posted June 30, 2016 Author Share Posted June 30, 2016 ill keep my eye on the bearings ' thanks I ended up getting a snip reserve ' I did try a normal front reserve did not like it one bit . Very heavy compared to the snip , just waiting for some good weather ? Cas , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.