Powered paragliding has more to offer an inspired pilot than possibly
any other type of flying, and in so many ways. It's time to unlock some
of the techniques that can speed the motivated to excellence.
This series is what I wish were available after I learned the basics
of flying PPG. There are many specific techniques that can be learned
far quicker if only they were clearly explained. It is intended for
pilots who have already learned the basics, and are basically PPG2 level
flyers.
Video is never any substitute for high quality instruction and
especially practice. Nor can any video instill a skill. We don't purpose
to replace personal instruction but rather augment it. And we can
certainly show you the tools, how they can be used, and how to practice
them. We'll also show what's possible.
There's so much more to PPG than meets the eye. Ground handling, for
example, is something that can be mastered far easier with the specific
tools included in this video. Not just one set of techniques, either,
but many, from some of our sports most capable pilots. Disc 1 will be
out first, sometime in mid 2009, as most of the scenes have already been
shot.
These are not "show-off" videos. Techniques are broken down
with close-ups, graphics, narrated explanations and slow motion to first show exactly what to
do, how much to do it, what timing is involved and how to react. Then
timing is further dissected as we reveal the techniques in action.
Various techniques are shown in action along with what they're strong
points are. Kiting, for example, can be done in many, many ways,
especially in high winds. Some work better than others depending on
conditions and terrain.
It's an exciting project and we hope the results are worth the
enormous effort.
2008-Nov-23 Florida Filming
The production process moves south where we'll be killing two
birds...lets rephrase that...where we'll be accomplishing two things at
once. I'm going through tandem certification with Eric Dufour and we're
getting footage of the process to include in the video series. It won't
be much, probably just a few of the 70 minutes but it will be quite
useful for instructors seeking to become tandem qualified and maybe
interesting to see what's involved. Hey, if a picture is worth a
thousand words, think what 30 pictures per second will provide!
A bunch of other shots are planned, if we have time, with Eric Dufour
demonstrating certain specific techniques. Most involve using a vehicle,
steadicam and Eric flying between zero and 5 feet. Ought to be
interesting.
2008-Oct-15 Carnage
Yesterday I was labeling clips from an outing last month and it was
kind of fun to relive.
One major part of the project is showing how to handle strong winds,
especially for the first video on ground handling. So, on a day with
gusts to 23 mph, we took the opportunity. "Tim, grab the camera, lets go
get carnage!"
In the Midwest, strong winds mean gusty winds. It's not the
relatively steady wind that I recently enjoyed in Galveston or the
smooth morning flow over point of the mountain in Salt Lake City. Nope,
it's just nasty, especially in the thermal-tormented afternoon. That's
when we went out. That's why I expected some carnage. But hey, this is a
video about how to handle strong winds so how better to do that than to
go out in conditions a bit stronger than the strongest we normally kite
in.
Our spot was huge so as to allow being dragged downwind with little
risk of injury. The techniques worked great but with winds that strong,
there were some interesting moments.
Within a half-minute of getting the wing overhead, I got whacked by a
huge gust. Up I went. It felt like 15 feet and a half-minute worth of
flying. Of course watching the video showed it was only about 6 feet
high and lasted 7 seconds but that was still sporty. Tim took his turn
on the wing while I took over the steadicam. Same thing. Gusts, long
slides during inflations, getting lifted, dealing with collapses. The
footage is actually kind of humorous as we go about getting lifted every
minute or so. Tim has become quite accomplished at kiting! We recorded
it close, far, from different angles, and all kinds of inflating, kiting
and deflating methods.
It was good stuff and kind of fun to get. Amazingly, we managed to
stay on our feet the entire session.
The script for all four videos has been completed. Yehaaa!
That's a big deal, especially since it's ahead of schedule. Of course
"completed" is a relative term because there is editing, reviewing, and
tweakings that will morph it significantly after footage is shot and the
general changes that are inevitable. Although the vast majority of the
shots are being flown for the video, some are not and script will be
adjusted for them.
We were stymied on two recent efforts to get to Phoenix to do some
taping. Weather first then full flights. The Enterprise will now stay in
Phoenix then go right to the Salton Sea Paratoys fly-in, to the dunes
afterwards and then back to Phoenix. There is a group of capable and
willing pilots there that have offered to help and so we're planning to
get a bunch of the necessary footage there.
The scripts vary from 7000 words to 10,000 words each. That means that
the videos will vary from 65 to 75 minutes each with extras (flying,
music, outtakes, humorous comments by the pilots, etc) likely adding up
to an additional 20 minutes each.
Master Powered Paragliding is being shot and rendered
in high definition. It will be available in DVD widescreen and Blu-Ray
at its highest resolution. Blu Ray will cost probably twice as much but
it will certainly look good. We have previewed the first cuts at Blu-Ray's
high definition and indeed it's sharp. For some, they will appreciate
the quality.
The discs will come out probably 6 months apart
although much of the taping for all four videos is being done
concurrently.
