Carmen Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 Hello, My name is carmen, I am 16 and i am thinking about learning to paramotor with my father, is there any other girls doing this round my age? Also I have been watching some video clips of pilots paramotoring and the only thing that is worrying me is wing collapse, would my weight make it more risky of collapse. And is it common for collapse to happen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquatix Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Hi Carmen, I don't think there are many girls your age currently learning, but that means you could be one of the top British female pilots in a few years .... Wish I had the opportunity to fly at 16 ! Wing collapses are extremely rare in normal flying conditions, easily avoided and usually harmless unless close to the ground. Don't worry about them for now. Your weight is not an issue as there are lots of small wings and light motors available now to keep you in the same 'proportion' as everyone else - although not all training schools may have them in your size. Good luck, Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enzo200500 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Not much use, but.....my father in law runs a bakery up in 'ossie'! Welcome to the forum Carmen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmen Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 Thanks, I feel better now I know that it's rare and can be avoided, but what are the tips to avoiding it? When are the best times to fly in the year? Also I believe thermals are another cause of wing collapse, is there any instruments to find thermals? or do you just have to go out and hope for the best that to you don't get in to one. Also thermals are used for lift, but do you avoid them on a paramotor? Also what sort of wing would you recommend, with good protection against collapse, because that is giving me the willies . Is there any trainers that you recommend for me in my area. What's bakery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquatix Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Really, don't worry about it for now as it is all part of the training. You will learn to fly in very calm air where you should never get a collapse or anything. Air is a fluid like water, always moving - but you will fly in the equivalent of a still lake, not a raging river !! Thermals can easily be avoided by not flying in the middle of the day (hot sun causes them), and modern wings are extremely safe, collapse resistant and recover quickly from any problems. You should learn on an EN A or B rated wing (safest) but don't even consider buying anything until you have started training. Much of the training is learning to control the wing safely on the ground. Get good at this and the actual flying will be easy. Paul Allmark (http://www.fly-paragliders.co.uk/) and Paul Kilburn (http://www.manchesterparagliders.com/) are probably closest to you for training. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptwizz Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 "Your weight is not an issue as there are lots of small wings and light motors...." That was a risky response to the delicate matter of a girl's unspecified weight There were a couple of girls at Beeston last weekend, I believe both just passed their EP (on the tow, not power) Pete Bailey 175 Ozone Indy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquatix Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 That was a risky response to the delicate matter of a girl's unspecified weight Carefully risk assessed and tactical response ..... Now if the question had been "is there a wing & motor big enough to cope with my addiction to chocolate cake ?" ..... I've also seen a few girls taking up PG here, but nowhere near the numbers of young students in France .... I blame the UK weather !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptwizz Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 I've also seen a few girls taking up PG here, but nowhere near the numbers of young students in France .... I blame the UK weather !! I blame the chocolate cake gags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmen Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 Thank you for the replys, hahhahahaaaha I'm not fat I'm light I was just wondering, is it possible for young 'slim' girl like me lol, to get insurance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquatix Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Yes, nothing is a problem for young, slim girls ...... it is only old, fat, ugly blokes who struggle ! lol 16 is considered the minimum age to start flying solo - and even if there are some restrictions initially you have a lifetime to enjoy the freedom of the air. There is a handy little guide to all forms of free flying that you might find useful : http://www.bhpa.co.uk/pdf/BHPEPTrainngGuide.pdf .... although I must point out that there are alternative training schemes available, and similar information is available on this website (is that OK Simon ? ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmen Posted July 27, 2012 Author Share Posted July 27, 2012 Thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t2 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Hi Carmen I have sent you a mssg. Please feel free to contact me. Kind Regards Teresa Telus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dede2008 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 oh well, Can I say I miss Alan's comments? Come on Simon, be a gentleman and let him come back to share this kind of humor with us again please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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