Qooper on 25/2/2024 at 18:38
Took a paragliding course last year, and now I figured it was time for a paramotor. Ordered the new Air Conception R200 Xtrem, 35HP, one of the lightest paramotor engines ever made. I have an Advance Alpha 6 paraglider wing which I used for the course. It has paramotor risers, but it's a very slow beginner wing designed for free flying, not paramotoring. So I ordered a Dudek Nucleon 4, an intermediate wing suitable for cross-country paramotoring.
I've calculated my combined weight with all gear and a full tank of gas, a trike would be 13kg and there'd still be more than enough room for a light tent, a sleeping bag and some food and water. There's camping and then there's camping. I'm going to try the latter.
Anyone here have any experience with paramotoring? What motor do you have and how often do you change the transmission belt? Longest flight with refuel landings? Do you go to McDonald's like Tucker Gott?
[video=youtube;rvQ9DjJNal0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvQ9DjJNal0[/video]
demagogue on 25/2/2024 at 19:14
No experience with a motor. That's a pretty specialized thing to ask on a forum not specialized for that kind of thing, but you never know.
But I did used to go paragliding off the Salève with a group when I was working in Geneva. It was great. It's got a really sharp drop off with Swiss countryside and little villages underneath you and of course the lake and Geneva in the background. I remember how well you could feel the updrafts and downdrafts in the air, and the way the air worked as you approached the edge. Really fun sport.
Qooper on 25/2/2024 at 20:09
Quote Posted by demagogue
No experience with a motor. That's a pretty specialized thing to ask on a forum not specialized for that kind of thing, but you never know.
There are many more paramotor pilots than there are programming language/compiler writers, and yet I started a thread here about making your own programming language some time around 2014. The thread garnered a fair amount of attention, so statistically this thread shouldn't be nearly as specialized as that other thread :) Well, here's hoping at least.
Quote:
But I did used to go paragliding off the Salève with a group when I was working in Geneva. It was great. It's got a really sharp drop off with Swiss countryside and little villages underneath you and of course the lake and Geneva in the background. I remember how well you could feel the updrafts and downdrafts in the air, and the way the air worked as you approached the edge. Really fun sport.
Man that sounds awesome! :cool: I checked Salève on Google maps and the mountain/hill ridge looks so perfect for thermals. What wing did you fly, do you remember? Was it one of those hike-and-fly deals? Pod harness?
demagogue on 25/2/2024 at 20:43
Yes I was hooking up to a guy doing the real flying, so didn't really catch all the details, and I probably should have made that clearer. But I was trying to learn as much as I could and getting to know the group with the idea of starting the training program they had, and I'm sure I would have if I had stayed in Geneva. But ultimately that gig ended & I didn't find another gig to stay there.
Qooper on 25/2/2024 at 20:50
Ah, it was a tandem flight? That's probably the safest way to get into the sport. Are you still interested in paragliding? There are courses available all around the world that will get you the pilot's license, after which you can fly on your own. You might have one available near you as well. I don't mean to push you or anything, I'm just so excited myself, I can't stop talking about this :D
DuatDweller on 26/2/2024 at 19:04
Fun little trip, I don't know if I would do it though.
Qooper on 26/2/2024 at 19:35
Btw dema, when you were in Geneva, did you happen to work at the LHC? If you don't mind my asking, I'd be interested in hearing more.
Quote Posted by DuatDweller
Fun little trip, I don't know if I would do it though.
Why's that?
DuatDweller on 26/2/2024 at 20:10
I'm Afraid of heights.
Qooper on 26/2/2024 at 20:40
I was as well. The first flight I was terrified, couldn't look down. I just concentrated on steering and listening to the instructor over the radio. 700 meters up in the air, sitting in a flying chair that is held up by a wing made of cloth. What can one do except enjoy the scenery? One can poop their pants, but I mean other than that.
After landing, I was relieved.
And I wanted to fly again. My second flight wasn't nearly as frightening, and I was able to appreciate how awesome it is to see how sunny it is above the clouds, and experience this without a big airplane and 100 other passengers around you plus some kid kicking your seat. You are there in the pilot's seat and you feel the crisp air on your face. When you takeoff you leave your worries on the ground. It's a different world up there, so peaceful and beautiful. Sometimes you see birds fly near you, cautiously looking at you with curiosity. Certain birds hunt for thermals, so if you follow them you'll find nice updrafts. It's difficult to describe the experience with words.
42 flights so far and I no longer have a fear of heights. Of course I still respect the fact that I'm at a great height, and if I were to fall, it would be deadly. And of course I remain focused and carefully do all the preflight checks and put safety first. I don't go flying to mess around or do stupid things. But at the same time it's the safest, easiest and cheapest way to get into aviation. I really wish every one of you would try it at least once, because it really is quite the experience.
DuatDweller on 28/2/2024 at 10:46
Well you certainly got a big pair down there to do that, my congratulations on you over coming your fears.