togsie Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Tony, welcome to the smashed prop at first attempt club, it's a very exclusive club, I'm sure that Norman will be contacting you soon with your SMIFTT membership Better luck next time. Regards. Togsie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquaddie Posted October 17, 2007 Author Share Posted October 17, 2007 Togsie What a honor it would be to be a member of the SMIFTT, but it would also be nice to be a member of a flying club and FLY Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 FLIKAFLAKAZZZZPATANG! CONGRATULATIONS Tony, How does it feel to be the newest member of SMIFTT. D'ya know I (a founder member) had no idea that I had Kerflacked my prop either (first time). They just come running up and look at you as though you have lost a couple of hundred quid all sympathetic like.... Like you I was just pleased to be alive really! The tee shirt and stickers are under research prior to manufacture. Who knows, perhaps we will have a few new members before they arrive. (Thinks.... should I get a batch of fifty or go to the full ton?). "Onward & Upward!" Togsie, I am sorry to correct you matey but I have carefully checked the rule book (3rd Edition, Euro/US Version); it states categorically that ANY smashed prop qualifies you for membership, not just a bust prop at a first launch attempt. I rang Don Martin for a definitive ruling and he was quite specific on the inclusion. Hehehe, ATB, Norman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquaddie Posted April 15, 2008 Author Share Posted April 15, 2008 Subject: T010 Training Day – Forward Launches Date: Sun, 14 Apr 08 Site: Hyde Farm (Purton) Wing: Synthesis 29 Motor: Parajet Well, firstly I need to explain why there is a big gap between training and it is not just the weather. I have a history of back problems, but hurt my back again just before Christmas (not PPG related) and was told to stop for a few weeks. Also, I booked a trekking holiday in Nepal for March and the last thing I wanted is a bad back then. So I stuck to my plans and did not do any ground work until after the holiday. Sunday morning I was checking the weather and it was a day that was very patchy with spots of rain and different strengths of wind. I phoned Simon and he explained that the weather was not flyable or even trainable over there. So, packed all my kit and off to my local farmers’ fields to sit and wait. Up went the wind stock and the wind meter was showing 8 – 15 gusting to 20 mph. So I just sat in the car waiting. After waiting for about 15 minutes, I thought ‘sod’ it – the wind is a constant direction (ish) the ground is good soft ish grass and I will wear gloves and helmet. No real danger there. As a newbie – when you get your wing out the bag (blowing a gale) lay it in a small pile, you sort out the ‘A’ & ‘B’ risers and you find no twists/tangles YOU know it is going to be a good day. I opened the trimmers to ¾ and hoped for the best. Well I was pleasantly surprised the wing was going up, but was collapsing in the middle of the leading edge. I adjusted the trimmers to ¼ now and tried again – stayed up a big longer, but still was collapsed. So, returned the trimmers to zero and off I went. Wing was up above my head and all was good – I think the wind was good to me and started to decrease. I had a good 45 minutes – plenty of enjoyment with the added valve of some sweat. After 20 minutes rest, I checked the wind and it was 6 – 15 mph – getting prefect now, but it was switching directions a lot now. I started to gain more experience now and I was making the wing move left and right with a bit of forward movement. After about an hour I decide to have another rest and get some fluid back in me – who needs to run a marathon when you have this above your head. Time was now here, motor out the car and let’s have a few goes with the motor on. Set the motor and wing out – had a few problems getting in the harness and standing up (must be a technical to this…) started to build the wall. Sorted out a twisted riser and went for it. Found the first few goes a lot harder to get above my head, but I think that was to do with the hang points and the reaction time with the weight o the motor. The last two goes was good, good turn, ran a few steps (thinking in my head throttle, check wing and slight brakes). I was happy with that – I thought this is a good time to stop. Motor off my back (well collapsed) and safely put back in the car. Have another 30 minutes play, seen a few dark clouds moving in so decided to call it a good day. Overall, gain good experience with the ground handling and good practice with the engine on my back. Better technique and practice required on getting up with a motor on my back. Once up and strapped in it does feel comfortable (well, like a Bergen does) All in all a good day at the office – home for a beer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquaddie Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Subject: F001 First Flight Date: Sun, 10 May 09 Site: Lambourn (Flagpole) Wing: Synthesis 29 Motor: Parajet (compact) Flight: 20 minutes First Flight. I should start of the reasons why I have not been training, but can’t really find any. I think when you are right close to taking off you seem to hold back and the small excuses turns out to be big ones to you and that just escalates even more. I did volunteer to do the ‘Ground Crew’ on ‘Tip to Tip’ – thinking that there will be plenty of time training when there are 8 well experienced pilots waiting around a field full of equipment – how wrong was we….. After the Tip to Tip I had a good feeling, but the weather was bad, then my father-in-law passed away, then I was made redundant – sorry, some excuses coming out, but really good ones. Then time just creeps by. Back to today. Not sure why I started again (real reason to get out of the gardening), but I did go to the flag pole 2 weeks before and done some ground handling – all seemed well and I was pleased with the results. Feeling better, I looked forward to the next time. I was away the next weekend with the family. Then made a promise to the better halve, that I will continue painting the outside of the house on Saturday and go on Sunday – checking the weather and all was looking good – no excuses yet! Packed all the ground handling kit – thinking that I will not be flying. Arrived late morning and got my kit out and started ground handling – felt good, done a bit of walking around with the wing and it was coming all back. Then, Simon was shouting across – ‘do you want to go for a fly…..’ – My answer was ‘Well, that’s what I am here for. He shot off and got my motor (round his house) – I think the real reason was he wanted a shower. Motor out – small problem starting, this was a flat battery! Once started, motor sounded good and since Simon took it to France with him I had more confidents in the motor (I did buy it second hand). So, please with my motor, new wing – I actually felt positive and wanted to go for a fly. I was handed over to Peteb, had a quick brief on what was going to happen. Couple of good reverses with the motor, couple with the motor running and then off you go. I wanted to put the motor on and just go, but I do understand the build up process, but being 50 and with a bad back I was hoping this was going to be quick. After, 40 minutes ish all was looking good, passed and was ready for the off. Felt some rain on my face, but that was sweat, so asked my kind instructor for a breather first. While resting, I was listening to Pete explaining the first flight process to another student, which was good. I was fresh (ish) and able to take it all in, because it was not me and I didn’t have all my kit on. I then sat down and went through it a few times in my mind. Being a ‘low time’ microlight pilot I was guessing that once I was up there it would be OK, it was just getting up there was the tricky part.. If you have reached this far, sorry for the long winded story, but I’m hoping to read this in a few years time and make it all come flooding back to me again. I kept hearing ‘perfect weather’ – ‘wind coming up the hill’ – ‘Perfect conditions’ – then ‘pretty ‘bumpy over the rape fields’, - ‘wind very twitchy’, but I knew once I was up, the bumps was the last thing in my mind and then maybe a twitchy landing – OK no problem, think back to microlight training days then. The Pete gave me the first flight instructions – very good, short but precise instructions (if you don’t know them by now – you shouldn’t be taken off) Wing checked and laid out – motor fired up and warm. Kit on, radio check done. Another short brief (good) and the famous saying “when you are ready, go and enjoy”. Well, good reverse (I think) some small alterations required, seen the thumbs up by Pete and boy did I hold that throttle in (see last effort). I think I did run some, but can’t remember much. Within seconds I was in the air and dangling (squeaky voice time). I know I was low, but I did try and get in the seat and slipped of the throttle a bit, but hopefully realised pretty quick and kept dangling and applied more throttle. Quick look down – bloody hell, I’m in the air. Got some height in, and then done a left turn – all looking sweet. Looking around, I knew the adrenaline was pumping well, but my bollocks was still complaining. On the downward leg I jumped around and tried hard to get in the seat, because I knew if not, I would land on this circuit - still failed. Seemed a bit low (sheep running around – sorry) so applied more power and got some height in. On the finals, I parked the left brake and pushed down on the seat and managed to get half a cheek on – great, felt a lot more comfortable, just in time, because I received the radio message asking if I wanted to land – nope. Waited 2 years for this and I’m going around again. Done 3 or 4 more (not sure) circuits, getting the feel in turning and the power – did find it uncomfortable and being pushed out the seat from the top half of my body and only sitting on half a cheek the bum cheeks was getting a bit numb, so next time round I started my landing approach. Message from Pete “are you going to land” signal sent – Yep. Then started to play around with the power and get the approach correct – I was getting bumped around a bit so correction was needed. Glide in was good, direction was slightly wrong and just missed the left hand tree, landed on my feet, but my nearly numb legs gave way and dropped to the ground. I did try and switch the motor off, but can’t find the button, so landed with the motor on, but luckily the tree saved me and part of the wing got caught on the tree. Unclipped, kissed the ground, stood up, then a can of Guinness was shoved in my hand (cheers Simon). I hate Guinness, but it did really go down well. Big beam on my face, hand shakes all round and watched the lads unpicking my wing from the tree, while drinking a can of Guinness – sorry lads. What can I say, well done if you have read this far, but all the thanks must go to Pete, Simon and everyone that helped on the day, directly and indirectly – memories for an old man to keep – until next time. Lessons learnt and I hope next time drop fully in the seat and have a comfortable flight. Thanks again for everybody – Great to see Doug up there too and let’s hope we can do a couple of circuits together next week. Last thanks for Simon for the TOW (watch the feed back on that….) Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Any excuse to tie a car to the back of my landrover and take it off road mate and I am there SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquaddie Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Simon - I know, that's what I meant. Just need to pay £200 for a starter motor now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TorbayBloke Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Great blog Tony really inspiring. Looking into paramotoring at the moment, no previous experience of any flying though. Keep it coming, cheers, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Whitters is in Truro which is I think your closest PMC Instructor Have a word with him Screen name helimed01 SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquaddie Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Many thanks – my advice, if you enjoy yourself in the early stages, just don't listen to the little excuses that creep in at the late stage – complete the training as soon as you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outkast Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 great read mate, as someone who has only been flying around six months, much of what you wrote is still a fresh memories to me, I had the same problem on my first flight not being able to get in the seat, it just gets better and better from now on mate Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquaddie Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Cheers Dave - might need a good 'hang check' before my next flight or Loose some weight off my fat arse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outkast Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Cheers Dave- might need a good 'hang check' before my next flight or Loose some weight off my fat arse adjusted the harness for my second flight and just plonked straight in the seat, the first flight is good but the second is the one is where you get time to really sit back and enjoy it Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dantheman Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 - might need a good 'hang check' before my next flight I remember hanging by my harness on the first flight, the urge to stay in the air was countered by the considerable force squasing my wedding tackle, I needed a "hang check" afterwards too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
learner_driver Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Simon - I know, that's what I meant. Just need to pay £200 for a starter motor now Have you tried banging the starter motor hard with a hammer / crowbar, no joke many starter motors then work again for a year. yours sounded like it had that problem. Well done on the flight other Simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquaddie Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share Posted May 13, 2009 Cheers 'Other' Simon I did that once and it is still the same. I do need it fixed ASP, because we are touring around West Scotland for two weeks - last thing I want is the car breaking down over the ‘Mountain Pass’ towards Applecross. Sounds like a 'Hang Check' all round then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh_taylor Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 Hey! Really good blog....i felt nervous about your first flight,....and that was just reading it! My plan is to start as quickly as possible as have an intensive course with Simon....hopefully, my blog will be as successful as yours! Can't wait to hear on your progress, Josh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquaddie Posted May 27, 2009 Author Share Posted May 27, 2009 Subject: F002 Second Flight Date: Sun, 24 May 09 Site: Lambourn (Flagpole) Wing: Synthesis 29 Motor: Parajet (compact) Flight: 35 minutes Total: 60 Minutes Flight Number Two Well, after promising the wife about doing DIY jobs on Saturday and Monday I was free on Sunday – weather looking perfect, so, must be a flying day. After my first flight, it was such a better drive to the flagpole. Instead of thinking, must keep the ‘black spot’ under me or turn, then power and run. It was once I’ve taken off ‘WHERE CAN I FLY TO’. What a great feeling that is and I had a hidden smile on my face all the way. It must have been to some good, because I was up by the flagpole before 0900 and normally I am there after 1100 ish. I’ll try and keep it short this time. Arrived nice and early, few guys had been up already (Colin, as normal) – the wind was blowing up the hill, not so strong this time – so all was looking good. My main plan was – on arrival, get your wing out and practice some ground handling, do not sit about and socialise all day. When I did arrive all went well, the wing was out, helmet on and for a good 30 minutes done some ground handling, getting the wing up, steady the wing and turn, short run, bring the wing down again and repeat. All was looking good. Pete arrived about 30 minutes later and all was set for another flight. Pete asked what I wanted to do (nice), I replied, “I would like to do a couple of circuits and then wonder off somewhere (hidden smile now), come back, few more circuits and land.” Sounded good to Pete – thumbs up on that idea. Had to run through the takeoff procedure with Pete, no problem apart from I missed the ‘Switching on the motor’ – minor part. Had a ten minute breather, running through it all in my head again – this time, one of my aims was to get in the seat and have a comfortable flight. I did do a good hang check in my garage on Friday and found the settings was all wrong – so rearranged that and had a few practice sessions getting in and out of the seat – all felt good, the seat just slipped up as soon as I raised my knees. Then, it was motor warmed up, wing checked (again), radio checked, helmet and harness checked – all systems are go. Built the wall, played around with the wall, built the wall again, and again and again – not sure why, but when you have the motor whirling on your back it is hard to feel the wind strength (I know the wind sock and the movement of the wing), but ‘I’ can’t feel the wind like you can when you are ground handling. I know I spent too long here and need to improve this. After time, your old legs do crumble a bit, which makes it even harder in the end. Wind looking OK now, so pulled the wing up, slight adjustment, turned, wing was leaning left so, moved left and pulled right brake, wing now right, done the opposite, applied the power, by this time I had moved forward too far and there was a small dip in the ground in front. It felt like I was in the air and ‘yes’ tried to get in the seat and plonked back down to earth, landed on my knees – ‘shit’. Problem was, needed more power (wing speed) and should have kept running until I was fully in the air. Please note this is my opinion only and might be completely wrong, so do not take it has ‘the right way’. Thirty minute break and went through all the setting up procedure again. Second time, wing came up, big corrections required, wing above, turned, more corrections, power on and went running. Over the dip this time and ‘yes’ I was in the air. Did take a bit of time to gain height (not sure why – guys thought I grounded again ‘non-believers’). Power on full, gaining good height and ‘my first aim completed’ I was in the seat with no problems. (Hang checks are ‘king’). Wiggled around in the seat and yes it was comfortable, just like dangling your feet in a camping chair, but with a few hundred feet below. After doing a few circuits, I thought it was getting a bit bumpy, especially over the ‘rape’ fields, but ‘Hey’ I was flying circuits again ‘flash back to microlight days’. I did have a quick thought thou, I still need to land back there – minor problem to sort out later. Gained some good height (told about approx 1,000 ft) and had a good 15 minutes of flying, putting in some turns (did feel I needed to pull a lot of brake to turn and the trimmers was still on zero). Flew over ‘Ashdown House’ – seen photos of the building from other flyers, but this time it was me flying over it – what a great feeling. Climbed a bit more to get out the bumps, still there, then descended, yep still with me. My intentions was to use all slow and small inputs just getting to know the feeling of flying the wing while sitting in a camping chair with a piece of cloth hanging above my head. Pete mention my fuel statues a few times on the radio (I did have nearly a full tank on starting), but I thought it might be a hint to come down. So, a few more practice approaches done while on the circuits, feeling even bumpier now. On passing over the flagpole, all the guys were looking up, watching – how nice I thought. Final approach all looked good (apart from the bumps). On trying to kill the motor the wing moved left and descended even quicker, so ‘mind’ back to landing mode. Out the ‘comfortable seat now’ - few more corrections needed and landed with a skid and then on my knees, but landed. Legs and motor in tack – then must be a good landing. Guys did mention I was moving around a lot on the approach and from then on they landed elsewhere – now I know why they was all looking up. Quick debrief from Pete, happy to say Simon took a video of my take off, so hoping to get that on Youtube. Few lessons to be learnt (as with every flight), but gained more experience with the flight. Next, I hoping to play around with the trimmers and maybe fly over to the ‘White Horse’ next time – that even feels good typing that in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outkast Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Well done mate, you looked good up there, it did look bumpy though, onwards and upwards fella Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquaddie Posted May 27, 2009 Author Share Posted May 27, 2009 Cheers Dave - You look good in Simon's DVD. - Better than your profile photo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquaddie Posted October 5, 2009 Author Share Posted October 5, 2009 Subject: Flight 4 – Local Area Date: 12 September 09 Site: Common Lee Farm Wing: Synthesis 29 Motor: Parajet (compact) Flight: 30 minutes Total: 1:55 Minutes Lambourn flyin weekend with the comforts of the caravan. Location was a largest field with surrounding trees and hedge rows. Waited until the majority of pilots had taken off and then spend a few minutes watching the wind blowing from 2 – 5 mph. Forward or reverse – decision time! Since I have not done a forward yet, I was hoping for the wind to pick up a bit. Had a quick chat to a pilot next to me (Mark, I thing) who said he has mostly done forwards – so he went for that. Then watched him run into the hedge row and catch his wing on the trees, but all was OK. I was strapped in ready to go – so I left it all to Pete and co to untangled the wing. Reserve it was, stayed in the wall too long again – waiting for the perfect wind to blow – well it never comes; it is either good or bad, never perfect. Wing was up and turned OK, started to get lift and found my brake line was rapped around my risers and I was heading right….. I did notice this straight away, so kept my right hand up as far as I could and applied left brake hoping to keep facing the wind and get some lift. All I knew in my mind was keep full power. After slowing gaining height I went ‘over’ the same hedge row and caught some sink, but all I knew was keep on the power – you’re keeping straight ish and going up. After gaining some height I sorted out the brake lines and tried to settle down. The wind was blowing and with the trees, ploughed field and hedge rows I was getting bumped around. So, let out my trimmers (for the first time) and hoped. After gaining some more height it felt a bit better, so stayed up for about 25 minutes and decided to come down remembering to let out the trimmers first and turn off the motor. I thought this was a large field, but on approach it looked very small and also on the approach I was over ploughed fields, so getting bumped around even more. On landing, I hit the ground a bit hard and pushed the fuel tank bracket back, but no real damage done. All sorted with a little help from Pete’s B hammer. Fourth flight and my mistakes were – apart from giving the spectators a heart attach on landing – not turning off the motor AGAIN, over correcting on final approach and landing on my arse again. Well not one of my best, but after a quick talk by Simon and Pete, I knew where I went wrong and went over it in my mind and got some food down my neck – of course nicely cooked in the caravan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquaddie Posted October 5, 2009 Author Share Posted October 5, 2009 Subject: Flight 5 – Local Area Date: 12 September 09 Site: Eddie’s Field Wing: Synthesis 29 Motor: Parajet (compact) Flight: 40 minutes Total: 2:35 Minutes I heard Pete and Eddie talking about taking a few guys for their first flight over by Eddie’s field, which I have been there before and know how lovely it is. So, after my last flight, I thought this was a good time to ask and go with them. That evening a good few of us (sorry, memory is fading on who now) were set up and ready. Wind was now near nil so HAD to do a forward. All set up, quick check by Pete and some advice given and I was off. All seamed OK; I did have my throttle cable coming from behind me, but that was OK – I did my first forward and to be honest I thought it was a lot better and when you are in the air it was LOVELY – silky smooth. Trimmers set – brakes put away and now holding onto the TST handlings. BLOODY LOVELY – sitting back, watching the ground go by below. Went up along the river – spotted a golf course – so just decided to go over and have a look – what a feeling. Landing was a lot better. Engine off (my first) and landed on my feet, then knees. Certainly my best flight to date. Couple of first’s done – just need to get the landing right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dantheman Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 Fourth flight and my mistakes were – apart from giving the spectators a heart attack on landing That would include me then, the over correcting was a bit of an arse clencher from a spectators viewpoint, and quite a bump when the tank hit the deck, still no damage done and you walked away plus you are learning from it. Sounds like Eddie's field is really nice, you could do a mini xc to Commonleys for a steak sandwich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquaddie Posted October 5, 2009 Author Share Posted October 5, 2009 Sounds like Eddie's field is really nice, you could do a mini xc to Commonleys for a steak sandwich If fact you could do a xc around Eddie's field. Mini xc to Commonleys sounds good - you could even have a Jacuzzi afterwards. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquaddie Posted October 6, 2009 Author Share Posted October 6, 2009 Subject: Flight 6 – Local Area Date: 12 September 09 Site: Eddie’s Field Wing: Synthesis 29 Motor: Parajet (compact) Flight: 55 minutes Total: 3:30 Minutes Memories bad again – sorry, I should write these straight after the event…. (note to PA) The plan was someone to take off first – then me, followed by Simon (Learner Driver) and then Eddie. Well the first person had engine problems, so he aborted – I thought sod it – let’s go. I was nearly ready to go any way. Wind again was next to nothing so happy with doing a forward launch. Confident with setting up, but did notice Eddie doing the ‘buddy buddy’ touch from the distance – cheers mate. Simon (Learner-driver) came over and started explaining how it should be done and how he does it – sorry mate, but that is the last thing you want to hear. All done with a good heart and maybe good to just run over in your own mind. You have to be careful, some people like that and some don’t. Forward launch was done and I was in the air again. Trimmers set and brakes parked and holding onto the TST handles. This time it felt a lot better (last time I had to swap throttle hands to park my right brake – felt very clumsy. I did do some dry run through, but not the same when you haven’t the risers hanging down). Gained some height and done a few circuits – then a few more and then a few more again. Everybody was still on the ground, so off I went along the river to see my golf course again – done a few circuits with a few waves (must be friendly down there then). Then headed off to the site we had our Flyin from. On landing – all bits put right – engine off, but still landed on my knees, but again what a lovely flight. Comments from the ground was I left it too long before I flared or didn’t flare enough to level out before the final flare, but ‘A’ I did have a flight and I was down again with no bits broken and it was great. Quote from Eddie was ‘Prefect launch, wish I had my camcorder’ Problems again – landing and ‘Check your fuel usage’, because I was on vapour when landed, when I was up there the last thing I thought about was fuel and time to come down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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