Basse Ham 2008 Update
June 28th 2008
It's the largest gathering of PPG pilots ever to grace one field. Jeff
Hamann reports there were 525 registered pilots and a mass launch
apparently 325 lofted to a new record. He says there has been one
serious injury, a midair.
Hopefully that's it. If we get more updates they'll be
added here.
PPG Bible Edition 2 Story
June 6th 2008
The initial print of books was done in May 2006 with the expectation of
lasting 3 to 5 years. That we ran out much earlier is mostly good and we took opportunity to improve. There have been many changes in the sport over
the last two years and I'm amazed at what I've learned. For one thing, I
went from having only flown 3 trike flights to having flown nearly every
wheel-launch configuration out there. And wheels have become a bigger
part of the sport. The new book reflects that reality while still
remaining foot-centric.
Besides paramotoring, I've learned a lot about book production,
photography, and Photoshop techniques. One that I've been using in
magazine articles for the past couple years is the composite, where you
overlay multiple shots of action on one picture with the same
background. It conveys timing, an otherwise missing element from still
pictures. The forward launch is a great example. There's a spread across
two pages in Chapter 5 that features over 15 shots of a launch along
with description. It's like video on paper and the new book uses it
extensively. Plus, we paid extra for "bleeds," where the
pictures/graphics can go all the way to ("bleed off") the edge.
We've improved explanations, overall color, added
lots of new pictures, more relevant pictures, added new diagrams and
improved existing ones. New new technologies have been added along with new information, corrections
and much more. There are going to be typos and errors but they have been
greatly reduced, especially in substance.
We printed 30% more books this time so, since the "pipeline" is already
full, can realistically expect this to last 3 to 5 years.
Hope you enjoy!
Air Festival of El Yelmo
Added June 4, 2008, Press release May 26th 2008
  One
of the major appointments for paragliding lovers in Spain, the International
Air Festival (FIA), will be back on July 3 to 6 at the foot of the
emblematic mountain of El Yelmo in the Sierra of Segura, province of Jaen.
Like in its previous editions, this great celebration of the aerial
sports and activities developed in the air will have plenty of spectacles,
by outstanding acrobats and flying teams of first level. Some of the
highlights of the program are the paramotor night show of lights and fantasy
by Paraddax (also known as “European Paramotor Team”); the return of the
paragliding acro team SAT, formed by world champions of this discipline who
perform the most radical manoeuvres; the Red Bull BASE jump team and the
squad of parachutists of the Army, or the acrobatic airplanes of the RACE
(Royal Air Club of Spain) carving the sky at full speed.
Among the new activities for this ninth edition, the Festival organizes a
special endurance competition of mountain and paragliding, in which the
pilot-athletes will have to make their way on foot to the takeoff of El
Yelmo carrying their flying gear, to then fly down to the goal at the
Festival premises. Also new is the 1st Paramotor Open of Freestyle, with
impressive ground-skimming tasks at high speed that can be observed by the
public. This is a qualifying competition for the World Air Games of Turin
2009.
Born in 1999 as Air Cinema Festival, El Yelmo keeps this section
dedicated to the latest productions related to air activities, so it is a
great place to learn about ground-breaking feats, epic trips in the lightest
aircrafts or aerial adventures in the most remote corners of the world,
through the films in competition coming from different countries. The films
will be projected every night on the main stage of the FIA and in the Cinema
by day, inside the air-conditioned Fair. Registration is still open for
filmmakers who want to submit their works to the contest.
For pilots and companions looking for new sensations, there will be
tandem flights in paragliders and helicopter rides in the area, games and
workshops for the children, and astronomical observations from the mountain
every night. At night, the celebration or ‘fiesta’ of the Air will continue
with batucadas (Brazilian and Africa rythms), DJs sessions and concerts by
well known Spanish bands. The objective of El Yelmo Festival is that all the
participants enjoy the most playful and visual side of flying in a fun
weekend for both aficionados and those who feel curious about this activity.
You can see the complete program as well as information on the event and
the zone in their Website:
www.fiaelyelmo.com. Or email
comunicacion@fiaelyelmo.com.
Website Added
May 23, 2008
The website http://www.FlyPPG.com has
been separated from FootFlyer and its own content added. There's still a
link here but it will have it's own little verbiage with a slightly
different twist on why humans should fly PPG.
English Exclusion
Apr 18, 2008 Geoff Soden
The British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) has dealt a blow to
foot-launched paramotor pilots. After a failed attempt at updating the
ir
training program, insurance was not renewed by the underwriter. The
organization then stopped issuing foot launch ratings. Hopefully we can
find out more details about what exactly they couldn't agree on that was
seen as so necessary to the insurers. The relevance is that, if it's bad for
the insurance company, might it not be bad for the pilots?
Geoff Soden adds "If anyone is about to start training In the UK or
abroad we suggest that you check the validity of the course's on offer or
BMAA instructor training overseas which will now be null and void."
The syllabus is still useful as a guide and the organization will
continue to support foot-launched flight in other ways. The British Hang
gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA) also
represents paramotor pilots in the U.K. Here is the BMAA
Press
Release.
First Production Prototype Electric To Fly
Apr 4, 2008, Updated Apr 18, 2008 The Electric Paramotor came. And it
was good.
Here is the review.
The Electric Paramotor cometh. Clive Coote of
Yuneec
International tells us that the first production electric paramotor has
been Fedex'd to the U.S. and will debut at Sun-N-Fun. Flights may be made
elsewhere due to the many flight restrictions there. Clive has offered us
the opportunity to try the machine and a review will be posted, including
pictures, here on FootFlyer and on
ElectricPPG.com. I hope to fly it Tuesday at Sun-N-Fun and again on
Wednesday in a venue with no flight restrictions, maybe Christmas, FL.
Experienced pilots (PPG3 or equivalent) are welcome to try the machine.
There will only be one battery pack so we'll get to see how it holds up to a
couple days of moderately heavy use. This is likely the iceberg's tip of
fundamental change in our sport. Electrics won't replace gas engines for a
long time but will become a significant portion of the market as technology
improves. A look at the Radio Controlled model airplane arena provides some
prescience: probably half of every R/C model sold is electric powered now.
Yuneec seems to be taking the Tesla Motors tack, bringing a classy looking
performer to market right off the bat.
We'll soon see!
Flight For Life
Mar 29, 2008
An international team of pilots is joining together in a first-ever
crossing of oceans along the Panama Canal. The flight will be publicized on
Panamanian TV, in Paramotor and in UltraFlight Magazines. Eight pilots,
representing Panama, Canada, the U.S., and Germany will participate in the
40 mile aerial trek over jungle shrouded land, roughly paralleling the
famous Canal.
Remy Swaab and others have worked through the many bureaucratic hurdles
to make the flight possible. The entire experience will be documented by
Phil Russman of Lite Touch Films, creator of the very popular "Why We Fly"
and "Risk & Reward" DVD's. The team of pilots featured in "Why We Fly" is
being reunited for the mission and several of them will remain for a second
segment aboard Jeff Hamann's catamaran yacht, the Gloriamaris.
Kobra PPG
Mar 28, 2008
Italian paramotor maker Kobra has lit up production as of February, 2008. The machines look to be a similar style to the
Pap, with low attachments and pivoting arms. They use the Sky 100 liquid
cooled motor that seems to be making a bit of a comeback. There are no U.S.
importers as of this writing. For more information, visit
KobraPPG.com. It's a nicely
presented site but may take a while to load the flash-heavy content.
Fresh Breeze Tanks Up
Mar 10, 2008
For those who want to go long, Fresh Breeze
has introduced new, larger, gas tanks for several of their frames. The 13
Liter tank for the Snap will probably fly a 170 pound pilot on a Silex type
wing for over 3 hours.
The Monster/Solo frames also benefit from a 16.5 Liter tank. Pictures and
more information is available
here.
Illinois Ultralight Safety Seminar
Mar 09, 2008
A sizely group of ultralighters and potentials came to Springfield, IL on
Saturday, March 8 for a seminar on various topics. A number of useful
presentations were given and gear was shown on site.
I was the sideshow, giving a presentation on something I'm barely
qualified to do, let alone talk about with authority: flying the Nanolight
hang glider trike. Yes, I own one of these in partnership with Harry Rosset
and Roy Beisswinger, the organizer, asked me to do a presentation. The talk
was about perspective, not expertise, since I don't have much time on the
craft and only have time in the one craft, a Samba. Frank Beagle MC'd and
was most gracious. It was good to see many familiar faces. If you've not
been to one, I highly recommend it. Jeff Steinkamp displayed his PPG and,
next time, we'll have to give him company. The seminar is usually in
February but building problems prompted a postponement.
Convention News
Mar 08, 2008
As most have gathered, there is no convention this year in Florida
but there are a couple fly-ins happening. The first at Paul Czarnecki's
place near Naples and next at Mike Britt/Eric Dufour's place near Orlando.
Eric's is limited to 50 pilots so let them know right away (info@paratour.com)
if you plan to be there. The good news is that we are planning a
convention for 2009 and it will be at a large, wide-open field either near
Panama Beach or Orlando. We've were granted liability insurance to have a
convention this year but it was just too late in the game to put something
together. Having insurance is a big, big deal because all the large venues
we looked at required it. USPPA will be setting up the insurance.
Wing Maintenance DVD's Released
Feb 12, 2008
 Michelle
Daniele of American Flyer PPG, also known as Paramotor City West, has
released two DVD's about wing maintenance and inspection.
The first video, Understanding Your Wing Inspection comes in a CD
(media file) or DVD and includes the following: 1) Step by step explanations
of the inspection process, 2) Slide show with full color pictures, 3)
Explains of what all the test numbers mean, 4) other services offered.
Next up is Wing Tips, a 45 minute video to familiarize pilots with their
wing, how to care for it and how to perform small tasks without having to
send it in to a repair facility. It is set up in chapter form for easy
access to the area of your interest and includes: a. How to fold your wing,
b. How to store your wing, c. Familiarization and wing terminology, d. How
to clean your wing, e. How to change and order a line, f. How to measure a
line correctly, g. Checking your trimmers, h. Proper brake line knot, i. How
to make small repairs.
Understanding Your Wing Inspection is $14.99 plus $3.00 shipping and
Wing Tips is $29.95 plus $3.00 shipping.
You can order the videos from
www.AmericanFlyerPPG.com. If the paypal is not setup, you can email
payment, using paypal, to
information@americanFlyerPPG.com.
Tandem Exemption Efforts
Feb 2, 2008
 As of January 31, 2008 the tandem exemption that allowed two-place PPG
expired. FAR 103 has always been for single place flying but, to allow safer
learning, an exemption was granted to several organizations to allow tandem
training.
I've working with USUA and USPPA in an effort to get a new exemption. The
USPPA submitted an exemption request in 2002 and worked out the details with
Sue Gardner. After Sue left her post nothing else was done. The USPPA joined
forces with USUA and didn't act further on its own application.
The USPPA's proposal is based on the USHPA's (hang gliding and paragliding
association) tandem program where a tandem pilot must first have significant
experience and demonstrate high-level skills.
On Feb 1, I talked with an inspector at AFS 800 where the exemption requests
for this are handled. He assured me that they did not intend to leave us
hang. He also reiterated they wanted to make sure any exemption we get
doesn't overlap those craft under Sport Pilot. The sport pilot rule
specifically excludes PPGers by virtue of the wing and/or motor attaching to
a harness rather than a frame.
The gist is that we will be getting an exemption in some form but probably
only be for foot launch. That would be unfortunate but we must do what we
can. If the USPPA exemption request is approved, it would be much like the
USHPA program where prospective tandem pilots acquire experience flying with
other rated pilots before being loosed on new students. The prospective
tandem pilot must also be an instructor which, surprisingly, is not required
of USHPA tandem pilots.
We should know more on Feb 5 and I'll pass any news on here.
Coming Competition
Jan 19, 2008
 Who's
the best pilot on the planet? We're about to find out.
Several developments and some committed individuals have combined to finally
give U.S. paramotorists their chance to compete on a world stage and a level
playing field. And you won't even need a passport. Nor will you need a fast
wing—this one is all about precision flying. No economy tasks and no cross
country tasks.
The FAI is selecting the best 100 pilots to compete in 2009's World Air
Games.
Each country will host a competition using exactly the same rules, scoring
system, course dimensions and requirements as every other country. Total
scores will be tabulated then compared across all countries and only the top
100 pilots will be invited to Italy for a low-level match up of high level
top dogs.
The big news is that Roy Beisswinger, UltraFlight radio show host and
UltraFlight magazine columnist, will be hosting the U.S. event in
Greenville, IL. You can bet your booty that I and the Enterprise will be
there. Hopefully we'll also see Stan Kasica and Eric Dufour (previous U.S.
Champions). Eric is, unfortunately (since he usually beats me), my winning
pick if we can get his lovely loving wife, Elisabeth, to go along with it.
Thanks to Roy for stepping up to the plate. His flying area is huge and he's
got plentiful expertise in hosting large competition events. This will be an
FAI sanctioned event that the USUA and USPPA will likely sponsor. Don't miss
out. Can't wait. Better start practicing!
Dates aren't set yet but we'll keep you posted here and elsewhere. They'll
probably be sometime in July or August when the weather is best. Roy will be
on the PPG Radio Show soon to talk
about it.
Gloves
Jan 14, 20087
Darren from Connecticut Paragliding shared this tidbit for cold weather
flyers. He found some gloves at Home Depot that are great for paramotoring
and only cost about $10 a pair. He uses them at his school and has found
them effective, especially given their cost.
Electric PPG to U.S.
Jan 7, 2008
Electrons may yet propel us. Yuneec International is planning
to bring several of their machines to the U.S. national convention tentatively planned (hoped) for April 3 through 6. Even if the
convention doesn't happen there will be some event on that date and pilots
will be able to see the electrons fly.
Yuneec has reported that three pilots are in South China flying the
motors to wring out any possible problems. More details are on
www.ElectricPPG.com. |
