Paragliding update.

[chunkolini]

Some of you might remember a few months back I did a taster day of paragliding. Pow, instantly hooked.
I was bloody flying, no motors no fixed wings or any of that nonsense.
Taster day? like giving drugs to kiddies.
On my third mission I did this.

Then I knew I was hooked. I was horrified when I saw the photos. I was having a nice time 'Ohmigodisthatme?' I passed my elementary pilot, scratched together the cash for my 'Club Pilot' licence. Then pop pop pop had a bunch of sales and what? I was able to buy my glider and all the gear. Bonkers.
A few weeks later, me middle bottom. Still on hired gear.

A fluke shot, we all happened to line up, a few seconds later all over the shop.
Picked up my glider just before christmas, a one day slot in a period of bad weather.
Managed one flight that day.

Me on My one man flying machine. To an Apollo baby that is something.
And my one man flying machine fits on my motorbike like this.

When I bought my Africa twin I was asked why I was buying a dirt bike. Could not explain just knew I needed one. Perfect bike for the job.
Off flying tomorrow and riding up Fan G. Perfick.
Stunned, a happy chappie.

 

[brightspark]

Off flying tomorrow and riding up Fan G. Perfick.
Stunned, a happy chappie.

u hope. weather dependent all i can say is every time it it is fly able go for it cos there isnt that many real good days flying in the year

 

[Robotstar5]

As you say, Africa twin ideal for the job, road tyres might be fun on wet grass though?

 

[chunkolini]

Yep!
I bought new tyres a few months back. had no idea I would be acting like this.
In the dry with junior on the back I stormed up the dirt road to Fan G https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=201355717444759175110.0004daa24f434fb0fd625&msa=0 Fan Gyrich no4 on the list. Dirt road to the right of site. Well stormed relatively.
Chunkier tyres are on the master plan. But two of us very little offroad experience, what a bike.
My paragliding tutor/mate is another biker, needs a new bike. I am on at him to buy an Africa twin. Think of the missions we could plan.

 

[Robotstar5]

I've been to a few car rallies round there, do the army take pot shots at you if flying NE over Sennybridge?

 

[Shox Dr]

Well jealous.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I've been to a few car rallies round there, do the army take pot shots at you if flying NE over Sennybridge?

It's more unnerving flying over clay or game bird shoots, the shots seem to come faster and faster the closer you get!

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Advance Alpha or Epsilon?

 

[julianthegypsy]

Horrifying, yet strangely attractive!

 

[strada]

Horrifying, yet strangely attractive!

Couldn't agree with you more.

I knew you were mad chunkolini

 

[madkayaker]

how big a canopy do you need to get the bike off the ground

 

[gavuk]

We have a lot of idiots.....err I mean enthusiasts chuck themselves off the white horse in Westbury,was it expensive to try? and buy the kit Chunko?....not for me,but its the mrs 40th this year

 

[nickk]

so did u get off the ground,was thinking of hay bluff with thurs'forecast but this morning looked too strong.

 

[chunkolini]

Did we get off the ground today?
Great day out, Wind was all over the place. Got on site and it was gusting a bit high then dropped off a bit.
Three guys took off, the wind stopped and they had about 15 minutes air time and an hour climbing back up.
Then the wind picked up again.
Second flight on my glider

Wendelspanwick Advance Alpha 5 and Gin Verso Harness.

What better way to spend a day.
Should have my Club Pilot licence soon.
Gavuk, trying it was the most expensive thing I have ever done, cost a bloody fortune.
A taster day is about £120.00 that can come off the cost of training if you get addicted, a tandem flight is about £100 or so.
The gear? About £3.5k for new gear so a fairly pricy option. But hell I am flying.

 

[brightspark]

Did we get off the ground today?
Great day out, Wind was all over the place. Got on site and it was gusting a bit high then dropped off a bit.
Three guys took off, the wind stopped and they had about 15 minutes air time and an hour climbing back up.
Then the wind picked up again.
Second flight on my glider
View attachment 40776
Wendelspanwick Advance Alpha 5 and Gin Verso Harness.
View attachment 40777
What better way to spend a day.
Should have my Club Pilot licence soon.
Gavuk, trying it was the most expensive thing I have ever done, cost a bloody fortune.
A taster day is about £120.00 that can come off the cost of training if you get addicted, a tandem flight is about £100 or so.
The gear? About £3.5k for new gear so a fairly pricy option. But hell I am flying.

every day u get up u will be looking at the weather vane for wind direction and checking wind speed its verry adictive

 

[nickk]

have only flown fan g once -on the west face,a mate took off one april afternoon @ 4.30 & got to pontypool.

 

[MCKDAVID]

"once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you long to return......"


ex skydiver, totally agree with the addiction.. still addicted now, just not allowed anymore, would jump again tomorrow if I could...

 

[chunkolini]

Brightspark is right, I am becoming a weather obsessive. for years I have pondered reading up on this subject, now I have an excuse. I mainly read nerdy nonfiction, loads of books on the undersea world and for some reason plate tectonics. Looks like a new chapter is opening.
mckdavid, where is that from? is it whatsis name cant remember one of the British pioneer aviators. Nice quote whoever said it.

 

[Robotstar5]

where is that from? is it whatsis name cant remember one of the British pioneer aviators. Nice quote whoever said it.

Leonardo de Vinci?

 

[Epicyclic]

Chunko, great photos - well done

Oh, there are some Africa Twin bits on fleabay local to me if you fancy any of it and you need it picking up.