04: First Flight Prep
You’ve learned how to handle the wing without power, now it’s time to add thrust. Most of these items are rehearsed in a simulator, preferably one that allows pulling each riser separately.
by Mee Too | Oct 11, 2020 | 04: First Flight Prep, Accident Reports, Propeller Safety, Recent
This was a first to me. Thanks to Sam for sharing his experience so we all can learn. After mounting a motor on a frame, he started it on the ground, is the most common practice. At idle and half power it was fine but when he went to full power the prop flexed into...
by Jeff Goin | Jul 2, 2019 | 04: First Flight Prep, Accident Reports
Big kudos to this pilot for sharing his video. If only we could all be so selfless. Also, check out his composure while lying there on the ground with broken things—that’s one tough dude. I got a question from a student learning to paramotor who is having second...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | 04: First Flight Prep
One of the more common paramotor crashes happens because of torque twist. At least one has been fatal. So what to do? First and foremost practice what to do if it starts: Reduce power, reduce brakes. It’s better to land straight ahead or with minor turns than it...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 22, 2019 | 04: First Flight Prep, 12: Maintenance
Many, if not most, experienced instructors believe that synthetic oil is better for a number of reasons. Motocross riders have sworn by it for years and they regularly run their engines to death and back. But for those who travel, getting decent oil on the road is...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 21, 2019 | 04: First Flight Prep, 12: Maintenance
Spreadsheet guru Glen Boyd started writing a quick & dirty sheet for calculating gas mixes for his own use. With a basic understanding of US & UK (Imperial) gallons, liters, and a Metric Converter calculator, he wanted to work out the conversion factors from,...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 21, 2019 | 04: First Flight Prep, 19: Risk & Safety
Chapter 19 covers emergencies that involve analysis, Chapter 4 covers emergencies that requiring more immediate, essentially automatic, action. Feeling unwanted wing turn just as you lift off, for example, is a Chapter 4 type immediate action emergency. Students...
by Jeff Goin | Sep 14, 2006 | 04: First Flight Prep, 19: Risk & Safety
When the wing is fully formed but slows down and starts dropping vertically, that’s Parachutal Stall. Airflow on your face becomes nil and the glider may start to spin. The following factors make Parachutal Stall more likely: Thrust Older glider. Age makes the...
