irm750 Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 (edited) What can I say? After my scariest flight on Tuesday which saw me being kicked all over the sky for 10 minutes by vicious air until I could get back onto terra firma, todays flight could not have been more of a contrast. I arrived at the flying site near New Romney, a few miles from the Kent coast on the Romney Marsh. I have had permission for some time but due to the weather and closer sites this was my first flight from here. The site is a closely mown turf field which is manicured to perfection. The temperature was a crisp 2 deg C and there were a couple of big machines on the edge of the field ripping up and burning the hedgerows. Sad to see but it did make a perfect wind meter! Wind was 3mph from the NW, which meant that it had a few miles of blowing accross the billiard table sea level marsh producing a very laminar flow. NW is perfect because about half a mile south is Lydd airport airspace and the exclusion zone for Dungeness nuclear power station! With the digger operators watching I was glad of what felt like a perfect launch. I continued to climb straight into wind up until 1000ft then leveled off. I then headed for the new 26 turbine wind farm near Rye which is impressive to fly over. Then over to the Military Canal which I followed for a few miles, climbing to 2000ft in the hope of rising above the inversion to warm my by now numbing throttle hand! At this point I was a good few miles from the field but the smoke from the bonfire was still visible. Not just a perfect wind gauge but also a superb homing beacon to the unfamiliar field! By this time I had been in the air for 40 minutes of a planned hours flight so turned for home towards to smoke. Feathered the throttle and gradually bled off height until I was over the field at 500ft. A quick circuit to gauge the wind was then followed by a tip toe stationary landing next to the windsock! A perfect flight and not a single bump - Lovely The old boy in the digger made a beeline for me with such a grin I could hardly believe it. I love the reaction from people who have never seen a paramotor before. It seems him and his mate had assumed that I had run out of petrol as they hadn't expected me to be away for so long! Unfortunately the guys were ripping up the hedges to prepare for the field to be ploughed . Will be speaking with the turf company manager on Monday to hopefully arrange an alternative field, so fingers crossed. Edited December 7, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_k Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 Nice report Ian, it's even more satisfying and thrilling when everthing goes perfectly, eh? Safe flying, Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irm750 Posted December 7, 2008 Author Share Posted December 7, 2008 Thanks Alan. It is good to savour the days when it all seems to go to plan...... And even better when some good things that weren't even on the plan happen! Best regards, Ian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frazer1981 Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 Sounds like you had a great day mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irm750 Posted December 7, 2008 Author Share Posted December 7, 2008 Thanks, it was a great day. Not as good as your day yesterday by the sounds of it - Congratulations on your first flight! If anyone would like to join me on a flight in this corner of the country, please don't be shy to get in touch. Best regards, Ian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frazer1981 Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 Well i think evryone remembers that first flight and im the same! Its amazing!! Desperately need to get the wing and motor now tho so i can really get on my way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike1714 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Wow Ian, You finally flew the 'Turf' site, nice one mate. Sunday was a spot on day and I was contemplating a flight locally but had family commitments Watching the weather 'day-in' and 'day-out' !!! My time will come!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike1714 Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 Well after having a couple of interesting flights that put me through my paces or should I say a flights that beat me up I finally had a good one!!! Early this morning I got my shit together and took off at 7am. It was a gorgeous flight with only one or two bumps!! I have to say even my landing improved and I was on my feet but forgot to turn round and set my wing down, instead it came down over me.............so what!! The horsey people turned up(who let me use their field) and I gave them the obligatory wave. They were loaded and gone by the time I returned which was good as I didnt want to startle them............................with my interesting landing. More good weather and I should have this flying lark nailed!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irm750 Posted May 2, 2009 Author Share Posted May 2, 2009 Sounds like you are enjoying this flying malarky!! Yeah, horses have an intgeresting reaction to wings. I ground handled my small training wing at my in-laws place where my wife and her mum keep their horses. Fair to say that it got their attention!!! Will hopefully have my motor back early next week so will have to meet up. Cheers, Ian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike1714 Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 Chomping at the bit Ian, chomping at the bit!!! I really am hooked...................................aren't we all? Let me know when you get your motor back. As we will hav eto get some flying in. I met the farmer across the Road and he was having some kit demonstrated for him, looks like he is going to get some flying in..........perhaps we could tag along? Spoke to the guy who was selling the kit, he is an instructor and comes from Sevenoaks and arranges flights locally I think he used to be part of the old Lemmings mob. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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