Author: JoeO

Powered Paraglider pilot since 2005

Heros and Villians Route 66 Flyers Bi-Annual Fly-In

Tue.



Dawn and I got out of Denver around 1700 hours,  the skies were clear with no sign of precipitation.  We stopped in Trinidad to gas up and get a bite to eat. Main street was beautiful…. it was paved in brick with historic buildings on both sides … I was reminded of Leadville and even remembered a story about one of my ancestors who killed a man here in a firefight at the turn of the last century. The restaurants were mostly bars that served food as an afterthought or a high end steakhouse that would tie up a couple of hours and serve a meal that would make me want to take a nap. Just as I was beginning to settle for a MacBurger we found the Trinidad Dinner.  Perfect…. Classic Greek Family Restaurant with all the trimmings.  I had the Giro dinner and Dawn’s shrimp looked good. 
We arrived at the Santa Fe Hilton at midnight … it was lovely. 
Wed.   #492
The next morning we took advantage of the buffet and I made a pig of myself eating large quantities of bacon, eggs, lox, fruit ….
So, with a full belly I took Dawn in arm and we proceeded to take in Old Town Santa Fe.  There were the usual tourist shops and more than a few art galleries.  We did spend time in one that featured a sculpture by a fellow who caught my fancy.  The docent told us that if we were going to the basilica there was a life size “signs of the cross” he had on display in the adjacent garden.  Wow!  Pre Homo Sapien figures depicting the last hours.  Powerful stuff.

The drive to Paramotor City was an easy 90 minutes.  Mike had set-up near the pavilion and left a space for our tent that was protected from the wind on three sides and provided some nice cover from the western sun.  Dawn and I made short work setting up the tent.   Mike cooked up some hamburgers and we  went out for the evening flight. 



Paramotor City



My first attempt went bad when the wing came up hard to the left but the second was picture perfect.  I spent the first ten minutes buzzing around the patch enjoying some smooth air and reacquainted myself with the area.  I was also trying out the FRS Radio  that Mike had put together and was able to hear other pilots for the first time since my first training days.  Unfortunately the VOX was limiting my power lever so I was not able to transmit to Dawn who was back at the tent.  But I could hear Kurt and Sue who were heading toward the Radio Facility.  I followed them for awhile but turned back when the air started getting ratty.  They were keeping up a regular banter about the conditions and who was where.  At one point they got into a little tiff and Kurt suggested they take it to another  channel.  Later they came back to the common frequency and everybody knew they had resolved their disagreement when Sue called out to Kurt from way up high…. “Kurt, come up here and watch the sunset with me” …. 
The honeymoon continues.

  Everybody was in bed early looking forward to the morning.
Thursday #493 #494 #495

It was 57 degrees with light breeze from the North, perfect conditions.  I followed the Rio South and took pictures of Mike, Robert and CC while they did the low and slow in the river bottom including one of Mike chasing an elk. 
Good looking Bull Elk

Came back to the field and popped of two quick flights to bump the numbers for the big 500th.  We spent the rest of the day sharing hanger stories and watching dust devils popping in the desert. 

Paramotor City was pretty quiet, usually half the group shows before the official first day but not this time.  Dawn and I played some cards and read but there wasn’t much to do and way too hot to sleep.  It was, “Parawaiting”, at it’s best.
Friday #496
X-country Flight to the Ruins …. twitchy air.  Once again I stayed high and took pictures of the 5 other pilots.  The best ruin was a stone buildings built in a circle with a trash mound close by.  I was going to fly to the famous mushroom rocks but it was getting pretty bouncy so rather than heading even farther out and risking a long uncomfortable ride home, I turned back at 5 miles. 
That afternoon while we were sitting in the shade of Mike’s RV a Dust Devil blew through our campsite and headed straight for Michelle’s Pavilion. The heavy party tent she had rented for the banquet was hit.  We watched the walls get sucked in and when they puffed out… it was launched into the maelstrom and on to the roof of the pavilion.  The tent was destroyed and two of the heavy metal poles punctured the roof of Michelle’s paraglider loft.  Mike and I hung on to the supports for our shade and saved the RV from some expensive damage. 

Dust Devil launches our party tent

 

Dawn cleans up after the dust devil
That evening we shared the pavilion with a local motorcycle club made up of of mostly retired Albuquerque cops. Pizzas and beer was hauled in and we contributed large tray of mock Sushi.  After dinner we sat on the new observation deck and watched the “brave ones flying in 10 -12 MPH winds.  The Hero of the night was one of the Mexican contingent who showed some real skill flying well past dark.  The retired cops partied all night long and pitched loud and sincere woo to some woman named Tiffiny,  I don’t know if she was one of the cops or just the only single woman but she was well attended..  I slept through most of the celebration but Dawn said they were still at it at 3:00am.
Saturday #497
Was scheduled for a X-country flight to the Mesa and it was a hoot. Jim Doyle’s wife was scheduled to fly with Cliff in his 6 shooter PPC but for some altruistic reason was not able to go and her seat went to Dawn.  She had a great first flight!



 I was hoping to accompany them in the Falcon because we have the same airspeed but he headed straight for the mesa and I never saw them again.  So I hooked up with Mike and Jerry and we followed the Highway to the first waypoint.  It was mildly bumpy most of the way but well worth the trip.  Kevin described it best, we looked like an ant trail  with a bunch of wings heading out and another line of guys returning.  Closing on the mesa I encountered a good headwind and had to satisfy myself with getting close enough to get a good look.  At one point I wasn’t penetrating at all so when I finally decided to turn back … it was 50 plus MPH.  Cliff and Dawn landed shortly before me but she was on the field grinning ear to ear.  That afternoon, waiting in the heat she even made some noises like she might like to become a pilot. 


More waiting in the heat …  Michell provided something called carotid coolers, it’s some kind of gel sewn into a Lycra tube that you tie around your neck.  I’m not sure what the fashion statement was but I was a great way to beat the heat.

Saturday night was the Hero and Villains Banquet.  I picked “The Moron” as my hero and wore a leather aviators helmet with a Hawaiian shirt and just so that everyone knew who I was I had some TP hanging out the back of my pants.  Denzel was a great Superman but the best was Johnny Fetz who wore a head to toe one piece Lycra suit done up as Tony the Tiger. 


The after dinner entertainment was flying by Mike Bennett, Jim Doyle and a few others.  One pilot got so far down wind that we thought we might have to mount a recovery,  he did made it back but, it was getting dark.  Cliff gave us all a thrill when he rolled his PPC launching in big air but nobody was hurt and the damage was minor.  The music was provided by The Pilot Project (short a few guys) and a great time was had by all.
Sunday #498

Best flight of the trip. Smooth air with two inversion layers… one at 300 feet and another at 1500 feet.  Everywhere else was glass.  I climbed to 8200 feet and took in the sights and later dropped down and tried to get Dawn’s attention so I could drop her a parachute.  That didn’t work so I dropped it to CC instead.  She had been grounded with a bum knee and was sitting under the observation deck.  Of course she couldn’t go running out in the field to catch it with her crutches but my intentions were good.  After an hour and 30minutes of bliss I landed and we packed up.
The ride home was effortless, we stopped in Las Vegas NM for lunch.  The restaurant was right out of the 60’s and I enjoyed Liver and Onions … never see that on a menu anymore.  Another great adventure !
More Pictures Later







#490 #491 Titan

Another one just like the last one !  
Nil winds, Blue sky, and smooth air. 

I launched at 6:00am and headed right off to where a balloon was descending at the north end of the lake.  By the time I had crossed the inlet he had climbed 1500 feet and I powered up to meet them.  This guy didn’t seem concerned by me flying around so I did a couple of circles around him and passed above and below.   When I was above I took care not to pass directly over to avoid getting bumped by his exhaust.  They were waving and taking pictures when I departed with an hard banking dive.
My issues with electronics is ongoing.  I charged the camera battery last night and forgot to put it back this morning.  Unplugged it from the wall, just didn’t put it back in the camera  DUH ?  I did have the GPS and that was a good thing! 
The second flight was a short one just to get one more on the log.  I would like to do my 500th flight at the Fly-In.
Issues
1)  The risers are coming apart again.  Stichlines repaired them last month because they were becoming unstiched where the trim buckle pulls down.  This time I’m going to do it my self and wrap it with wax thread so that there is a spot for the buckle.
2)  Mike needs to weld the spot on the inner hoop on the left side.
3) Both back tires are losing air.
4) The kill switch needs to have the button glued to keep it from pressing down into the grip.
5)The throttle lever is blocking with the toggle handle.  new lever is probably the only fix.

Pikes Peak Powered Paragliding Club visits The Flock

#487  #488
I got to the field at hour early and was just setting up for the second launch when Jerry and Robert pulled in.  Nice light breezes, blue sky and good friends.  Jerry brought his chase cam which he let Mike fly.
Ned’s perseverance paid off.  I have never seen a guy wear the paramotor as long as Ned, he never took it off after three failed attempts.  It’s hard to run with authority after  carrying 100 lbs for 12 minutes.  Finally he took a break and with Jerry Kerr’s coaching made a nice take off and 30 minutes later a nice landing.
I flew off to the Aurora Res. with the PP Sting.  When I came back I played around the patch for a bit and did a couple of touch and goes. 



Jerry enjoys the good air




PPPPG & the Flock




Snowflake




Chase cam




Ned finally sits down




Mike’s feeling good













#485 & #486 Vance Brand

It was going to be a weekend of racing with Dawn and Bill Edwards at the Carter Lake Open but the night before the Regatta, Marek called and said that the Flock was going to be flying at Vance Brand in the morning.  I looked at Dawn and 2 seconds later altered my plans to stop for a flight on the way. 

It was wonderful, there was a group of 6 balloons close enough to rendezvous … and so I did.

 The air was smooth and both launches were fine. 

Robert and Marek

Mike Bennett carving it up

off to the regatta

Powered Paragliding in the most rowdy air ever

Dawn and I arrived at Titan at 6:30PM. The winds were blowing 5 to 8 from the NNW and seems to be coming down. I was disappointed that the FRS was not working, I had allowed the battery to run down . It was certainly not a show stopper but I would have liked to have communication with Dawn so that she could be in on the action. While we were fussing with the radios I watched the winds that were cycling every few minutes 150 degrees from NNW to WSW. There were clearly high winds aloft, but down low it looked fine.  No puffs… just a smooth shifting in direction.

When I kited the PP 250 it came up clean and stable so I built a wall and set-up for launch.  The take off was normal, but as soon as I was in the air, I realized that it was going  to be bumpy.  Almost immediately the wing was swung hard to the left and I was in a huge pocket of lift.  I climbed out over the neighborhood and found the air was now moving from the southwest… 180 degrees away from where it was on the surface.  When I got over the field east of the LZ the air smoothed out but the winds were still strong.  I continued around and was soon  back into the bumps over launch area.  This time I turned to the left and found myself in some incredible sink.  I was at full power and descending at over 100 feet / minute.  South of the horse ranch I hit the lift and was climbing 300ft/min at idle.  Now I was too high to set up a landing without hard maneuvers, so I decided to turn east and make a slow descending circle but the wind picked up and I found myself parked just south of the LZ.  At this point there must have been a hard wind shift because the wing folded on the left side.  It was at least a 1/3 collapse but it popped right out and I was still pointing toward my selected landing spot.  My decent was vertical and fast, I flared at the last second and touched down.  It wasn’t a hard landing but the wing pulled back and to the left, rolling me to the side and dragging the trike a few feet, which bent the foot peg that was damaged at Bubba’s last year.  On the ground I looked over the trike and found no other damage.  Dawn saw the collapse but did not see the landing or roll over because I was out of sight on the other side of the Rush Building. …. That was a good thing.

Looking back … Perhaps this could have been avoided … A test balloon might have shown the twitchy air.  I knew there was high wind aloft by the blown out edges on the clouds and… I should have been alerted when I saw the dramatic wind shifts.  BUT … It looked so good…. the next time I’m faced with similar weather signals I will try to be more patient and if the wind is shifting wait  to see if it is a pattern.

It was a short hairy ride … the good thing was … I didn’t freak out and kept flying the aircraft until I was able to get down without real damage to man or machine.

Kangook Paramotor Trike

The Kangook is everything that the Falcon is not.


Elisabeth Guerin
 Kangook is imported and sold by Eric Dufour of Paratour in Christmas Florida … http://www.paratour.com
From the minute we took it out of the shed I knew I was going to like this paramotor.  It is extremely light and so well balanced that pulling it around by the front wheel is effortless.  The frame and cage are the standard  Kangook that I saw at the Salton Sea.  There are three identical cage pieces making it easy to assemble.  The footlaunch unit has multiple hangpoints but this one was configured with solid bars similar to the “Power Loops” that Chad Bastian uses on the trike buggy.  Because Elisabeth’s machine is dedicated to the trike it has a bucket seat with a simple 3 point seat belt.  There is a foot activated brake on the nose wheel that allows the pilot to get situated and even run up the motor a bit before starting to roll.  Fiberglass rods provide suspension and the trike’s frame geometry insures rigidity.

 

The Polini motor is brand new to paramotoring but the company has been making motors for Vespa and others since the 40s.  They are reputed to be very reliable scooter motors and if they do as well in the PPG world… a new standard will be set.  Watch out Simonini !  The first thing I noticed was how easy it was to start.  I was able to sit down, reach over my shoulder and pull the starter cord very easily.  A new “Flash” starter is being introduced that will make it 75% easier.  This… I  have to see.   The second thing that caught my attention was how it sounded, it was more like a sewing machine than a two stroke, you couldn’t make a cell calls but it was much quieter than expected with little vibration.  The RPM is higher than other machines I’ve flown but  it was …oh so smooth.  According to Polini the 115 cc Thor 100 provides 140lbs of thrust with a 51 inch prop, I;m not sure what I was flying, but it would have been plenty at my home field of 5800 ft/ agl. The Walbro carb on my old snap 100 was problematic but this was sweet and the powerband was smooth from top to bottom.  I’m used to a 4 stroke generator motor where you have to anticipate every move, with the POLINI I can envision flying Glamis at six inches.  Nap of the earth at 25 mph!  The centrifugal clutch was a nice touch and a  great safety feature.  I can see myself using it foot launch when there is a breeze and using trike the rest of the time.
Footlaunch is KING !
Specs.
Manual Start Electric Start

Motor: Polini Thor 100 (115cc)
Performance: Power: 20,5 HP at 8900 RPM
Carburetor: Walbro WB8
Exhaust: tuned
Reduction: 3,43
Empty Weight: engine 11.8Kg
Max. Weight: 22Kg frame and harness
Thrust: 59-64 kg with 130cm Propeller
Fuel Consumption: 2.7 L per hour at 6500 RPM
Propeller (2 Blade): Wooden or Carbon 125cm or 130cm n/a
Electrical System: Generator for 12v power
Tank: 13 Litre
Construction: A6 Aviation alloy
Propeller Frame: double hooped, 3 piece

I love my 4 stroke…
but the Polini 
had me Jones-ing for the good ol days! 
Maybe some day…
when I have a man cave again… 
I’ll give up my “Sky Harley”
and buy one of these
sweet little spaghetti burners.

Guest of Paratour

Dawn and I got up at 4:45 and amazingly were on the road by 5:10. It is a 50 minute drive from the Orlando World Center to Christmas Florida where Eric Dufour and Elisabeth Guerin have established Paramotor City East and Paratour. I was concerned that there would be no flying due to the ground fog, but when we arrived everybody was confident that it would burn off before they arrived at the field. Eric was training two new pilots and retraining an instructor who had started his career with Dell but seen the light.

Flight #482 &; #483 was at the training field with Eric Dufour and his students. Elisabeth was very generous and allowed me to fly her new Kangook trike with polini motor. Eric gave me a quick briefing on the machine. … How it started and to be aware of the left hand torque which, by the way was very mild and not really an issue. The wind was almost non existent but I would have to launch from a position that faced some tall pines. Not something I would be able to do with the Falcon but Eric didn’t make a big deal out of it so I took it on faith.
Then… Eric was gone to get his class together and I was alone on the foggy field. I taxied the Kangook at speed to get a feel for how it accelerated and around the corner to see what my options were for turning to gain altitude, just in case I couldn’t clear the pine trees at the get go. Ten minutes after Eric had pulled out,  I was set-up and ready to launch.  I waited another five, soaking in the quiet and thanking the gods.  Life is good.

local mascot
The Eden III came up clean and I was in the air very quickly. Climbing at 350ft/min I was able to clear the trees with ease and found the highway without problems. The terrain was thick pines all the way to the wetlands where Eric was training so I climbed to 1300 feet to give me lots of room in case of a motor out and then I headed East looking for the gang.
Where is the Training Field?
The sky was a beautiful pale orange softened by ground mist. Small lakes were scattered in the pines, off to the east I could see where the trees abruptly stopped and the wetlands began. Ten minutes into the flight I saw a mowed field 300 yards off the highway and a wing laid out ready for launch. In the top corner of the field I could just barely make out the word PARATOUR cut into the grass.

From high, I watched Eric coach one of the new guys into the air. It was a picture perfect launch and when he got to altitude I headed in his direction to ” go play”. Passing at 200 yards I swung behind and started to descend to the field. At the field Eric was gesturing strongly for me to move out of the area. The pilot was doing his first flight and he didn’t want me anywhere near his rookie. After 20 minutes I came in for a nice soft landing. Dawn and I chatted a bit and Eric explained where he was going to be working the new guys so that I wouldn’t be a concern. Then I reset and launched again.

training field
Dawn McLane looking good on the Kangook
After my second flight, Dawn and I watched Eric train his students and later he put on a motor and treated  us to a few minutes of the Dufour Magic…Foot Drags… wing overs … etc …  the master of fine wing control.  It was….a
Great day …
Thanks to Eric and Elisabeth of Paratour for making it happen.

#481 Titan

It was blowing
8 to 10 knots SE and gusty when I got to the field.  Yesterday it was six layers cold at the lake, tonight it was 67 degrees…. You have got to love spring in colorado.

3 layer cold
6 layer cold
I unloaded and was sitting on the tailgate when John Sieb showed up.  We chatted for 20 minutes when John decided to go for it.   Beautiful high wind reverse!  10 minutes later it was cycling lower and I set up.  During a lull I launched.  The wing came up and stabilized overhead but the buggy wasn’t rolling.  I did a little shrug and got moving.  The climb was weak just like last time at snowflake.  RPMs are good so I’m thinking it had to do with the throttle being restricted from opening all the way.  It might be as simple as the velcro is interfering with the toggle and I’m not able to squeeze the throttle lever all the way.



home field


The are was pretty turbulent below 300 feet but above it was just blowing.  I didn’t travel very far from the patch and when I did get north of Titan I was barely it was a chore to get back. The landing was very steep and when I touched down there was no roll except to roll back a few feet while I deflated the wing.
John came crabbing back from the East and also had a no step landing.
Good flights … no damage to men or equipment.
Now it’s time to get ready to fly with Eric and the Orlando boys.