Razzy Posted July 12, 2019 Share Posted July 12, 2019 First off, Hello everyone! I'm from the West of Scotland and looking to start training next year after loosing some of the lard :D. After watchin alot of youtube videos on heavier flyers I know I could start doing it now but I have decided to shed the weight to help myself and to help in getting kit once I have finally done my training. Any recommendations for training? Happy to hit north of England also for it. Thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackburn Mark Posted July 12, 2019 Share Posted July 12, 2019 West coast of Scotland... lucky sod! Ill assume you have been watching "Fat Paramotor Guy"... Top class, I love that dude. I personally think fitness is more a concern than weight... EG: three failed launches and I am goosed (getting old) which would mean lots of wasted time during training... that's why the Fat Paramotor Guy opted for a trike. Finding training that isn't miles away is not easy... I would be tempted to hassle a free-flier to get you started on a ground-handling wing (old knackered wing) use that to get fit and tune your ground handling skills (hardest part of the sport besides reading weather) Its good exercise and lots of fun but it can still be dangerous if you don't pick suitable weather and a good kiting spot. That would place the bulk of the struggle behind you if you decided to do the job properly and splash the cash on training. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razzy Posted July 12, 2019 Author Share Posted July 12, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, Blackburn Mark said: Ill assume you have been watching "Fat Paramotor Guy"... Top class, I love that dude. Yeah been looking at him and a couple of other guys so have been taking alot of notes 2 hours ago, Blackburn Mark said: I personally think fitness is more a concern than weight... EG: three failed launches and I am goosed (getting old) which would mean lots of wasted time during training... that's why the Fat Paramotor Guy opted for a trike. I think myself fit enough to be able to footlaunch currently as I have two kids under 5 and a Great Dane x German Shep that require good walks but I still want/need the beef off! I have thought about grabbing a cheap old wing and harness for practising and to be honest I think i will Edited July 12, 2019 by Razzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackburn Mark Posted July 12, 2019 Share Posted July 12, 2019 2 minutes ago, Razzy said: I have thought about grabbing a cheap old wing and harness for practising and to be honest I think i will Splendid… not sure everyone would agree but it is what I would do. Just be very carful, I know a few people who have been very seriously injured by being dragged into walls, fences etc. Light winds (less than ten) and lots of room so a dragging will only have you looking like an idiot rather than knocking your brains out I wouldn't pay more than a couple of hundred quid for an old wing... there are lots of them about that are too old to fly but it might be hard to rout one out... I gave on old Airwave Sport away a few years ago on the proviso that they would pass it along when it had earned its keep. Getting a cheap harness might be a bit trickier... they last a lot longer than wings. 29 minutes ago, Razzy said: I have two kids under 5 and a Great Dane x German Shep Sounds like escaping the earth now and again might do you some good 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackburn Mark Posted July 12, 2019 Share Posted July 12, 2019 Oh... stay away from hot gliders... you want a beginner or intermediate even if you have to pay more. An old hot glider will be an utterly crap analogue of the kind of wing you will end up flying on if you catch the bug. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razzy Posted July 12, 2019 Author Share Posted July 12, 2019 Thank you for the advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capotec2015 Posted July 12, 2019 Share Posted July 12, 2019 Hi Razzy -whereabouts in the West of Scotland? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razzy Posted July 12, 2019 Author Share Posted July 12, 2019 1 hour ago, Capotec2015 said: Hi Razzy -whereabouts in the West of Scotland? I'm from Clydebank mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capotec2015 Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 Yep -I know Clydebank quite well. Had relatives in Dalmuir and was in Clydebank a few months ago getting some kit at Go Outdoors...I'm an hour and a half away from you in Dunoon... In the first instance, its all about the wing. I did a short time with www.cloudbusters.co.uk - a Scottish weekend only flying school, run by Peter Shields. They fly from the hills near Abington services on the M74 -(an hours travel from Clydebank). Peter is good guy, very experienced and knows his stuff. The problem for me was the combination of the school being weekends only and Scottish weather. There were so many days where the training was called off or it was 50/50 and you would get to site only to be told it was blown out, however the days that were good, were great fun and I would highly recommend it. A couple of unsuitable weather weekends and you are losing quite a bit of time.... In comparison, there were so many nice weekdays and evenings that I realized I was missing out -so got my own wing and cracked on with the ground handling. Totally agree with Blackburn Mark. Light winds and a beginner/intermediate wing with the correct weight range for your weight. Here's why...On one of my training days I met a guy who had watched you tube videos -and went -" I could do that" went out and bought the wrong kit, I asked him about the wing -he couldnt remember what it was he bought...clipped in one day (zero research, study or training) and got properly dragged. He some how managed to wrap the lines around a pipe to stop himself being dragged further and ripped the wing in the process. I'm sitting on the side of the training hill as he was telling me this, I remember my mouth slowly falling open and then he topped it off by telling me he had "fixed" the torn wing himself with fishing line... (you are supposed to have any damage inspected/repaired by a specialist..) Anyway -welcome to the forum, there's a wealth of knowledge and experience here (I'm one of the less experienced) and if you fancy heading out for some ground handling, if you want, we can hook up - I have a second wing - an Airwave Logic you can have a play with for the day..I'll bring the paramotor too so you can have a look.... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razzy Posted July 13, 2019 Author Share Posted July 13, 2019 Thank you for all the advice/tips. I won't be buying any equipement till after I've done training other than the plan to buy an old wing and harness to practise with and under no acount will try to fly with it lol. I will 100% take you up on meeting up with you at somepoint just to see if all in person of what you do and talk some shite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackburn Mark Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 27 minutes ago, Capotec2015 said: if you want, we can hook up - I have a second wing Rip his arm off Razzy… just make sure to supply the butties, flask of tea, chocolate hobnobs and tell him he is a handsome boy (even if he is as ugly as a wellington boot)! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razzy Posted July 13, 2019 Author Share Posted July 13, 2019 34 minutes ago, Capotec2015 said: In the first instance, its all about the wing. I did a short time with www.cloudbusters.co.uk - a Scottish weekend only flying school, run by Peter Shields. I meant to ask in last post sorry. I've seen his website (not much on it unforunately) but since it's minimum on it, does he supply everything to learn or is it a bring all your own stuff as I'v seen some social media stuff where it's bring your own gear and others it's he has supplied things so not entirely sure and since I'm not ready to go try it I haven't contacted him lol so just curious. 4 minutes ago, Blackburn Mark said: Rip his arm off Razzy… just make sure to supply the butties, flask of tea, chocolate hobnobs and tell him he is a handsome boy (even if he is as ugly as a wellington boot)! I 100% plan to! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capotec2015 Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 Blackburn Mark -I laughed out loud at your comments!! I would err on the side of the welly boot!! And Razzy -I am specialist in shite talking so happy to have a natter. As for Cloudbusters -Peter provides what you need - if you do go for a day or 2 it will be well worth your while -and give me a shout, I might be able to join you..you just need pay for the day , or however many you book - and a packed lunch. He will ask your weight so as to get the correct size wing and harness for you. I got my Airwave logic from a guy on a website called skyads.aero some years ago and I mentioned to Peter then that I had bought a good condition second hand wing to practice with and he said that he would have loaned me a wing to take home and practice with -so he's a decent guy but I havent been in touch with him for a good while now -might be an idea to call him to make sure everything is still as it was.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackburn Mark Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 Splendid! If you manage to find a gap in the Scottish weather and you manage to get your paths to cross, let us know how you got on. I miss those early days of learning... tons of fun. PS: Don't listen to him Razzy, he is a handsome boy! (deep down on the inside ) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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