Paramotor Training Second Day

Got out for my second day of paramotor training with Dan Decker of PPGTennessee.com.

Switched up the location to T-Top Airfield in Eagleville, TN. This location has much longer runs that we were able to take advantage of.

Started out with more taxing by towing but using the longer runs. I was able to get more used to catching wing issues and correcting them. I also realized that I was paying far more attention than necessary to wing and not where I was steering the trike. To the point where I ended up with a good sun burn on my face since I was starring up at the wing so much and the sun was right there. Considering that the Sony AS30 Action Cam was pointing into the sun it produced some great videos.

By the end of the day I was doing better focusing on both direction and wing. Enough so that Dan thought I was ready to power up the Fresh Breeze Monster paramotor and try taxing without the tow. My final run was a solo taxi using the paramotor engine for the first time.

Filmed these with the Sony Action Cam AS30 and iPad Mini. Used iMovie to put them together.

Paramotor Throttle Palm Rest Add-On

Here is a little add-on I created for my Fresh Breeze Monster paramotor throttle. This should work for any round handled throttle. I was having problems with the throttle control twisting in my hand. It would twist enough that my fingers couldn't reach the control.

I had some flattened PVC left over from another project. (You can see how I get flat PVC from drain pipe on my other channel here: http://youtu.be/dWgqGPs9oPM )

I formed it around the throttle handle and secured it with zip ties. It lines up with my palm as I hold the throttle and keeps it from twisting. It works great!

Paramotor Training First Day

I was finally able to catch up with Dan Decker of PPGTennessee.com and start training.

We talked about the way he wanted to train. He explained that he like to minimize equipment and personal damage as much as possible. Sounded good to me.

Since I have a trike to mount the paramotor on, we started off with him towing my trike with his quad. It’s a great way to practice taxing and wing control. This also helps to reduce equipment damage and allowed me to focus on just controlling the wing.

Dan is great and has a good supply of patience and humor. He also has some great experience and teaches well.

13th & 14th Day Kiting / Ground Handling Paraglider

Out kiting with the Edel Power Atlas paraglider. I’m getting better with plenty of room to grow. I'm also a bit behind in posting these updates. I'm working on my training videos and will be posting them soon.

Day 13 kiting. Had some time in the evening, so ran down to a hill my friend had found for his RC Versa Wing. He ended up meeting me there and flew his wing around while I kited mine. Some good wind but it died off.

Day 14 kiting. Took the family down to Destin FL. Where there is a beach, one should fly kites, especaily big ones. Unfortunately, there were a bit too many people and I was having a hard time keeping sand out of the wing. I did get in a few minutes fo kiting though and had a fellow paramotorist fly by.

For what it is worth, I filmed these with the Sony Action Cam AS30 and iPad Mini. Used iMovie to put them together.

9th, 10th, 11th, & 12th Day Kiting / Ground Handling Paraglider

Back out for more kiting bliss... Or is it more like challenge... Err character building...

Day 9 kiting. Got out for some quick kiting. It was slightly windy, mostly gusty. Not the best inflations or kiting but I still learned some.

Day 10 kiting. Took my daughter Isabella to a park near home. It was pretty windy. I end up getting pulled around quite a bit. At one point I end up in a mud puddle and end up falling. wrapped the wing around a pole too.

Day 11 kiting. First time kiting with my daughter Ashlyn. She did the filming. Started at the normal hill near my home but there was only gusty wind that kept switching up. Left there and went to a park south of home and tried again. Windier and got a couple of good inflations. Got pulled around some too. Ashlyn's enthusiasm is great.

Day 12 kiting. My best kiting yet. Good winds and with good wind direction and consistency. Some great pull and fun. Oh my, it's fun. You can kite just about anywhere at least once. A nice gentleman from the nearby business politely asked me about my big kite and then ask that I not fly there. I was polite back and thanked him for letting me know.