Great video. Reminds me of when I flew gliders. The feeling of thermometer is so amazing. That is what I wish to learn when I train for ppg. Not into acro but thermal absolutely. Thanks so much for sharing.
Brilliant, thanks for sharing. I'm an experienced free flyer but only just starting to become comfortable thermalling the motor. Great seeing your video as almost no one does it here in Australia. I get called crazy often, got a big surprise the first time I hit sink the motor and discovered that it doesn't have enough climb to out do sink ;-)
I like the commentary Eric, how about showing how the wing reacts in thermals and what to do and not to do. Keep the videos coming always entertaining.
Thermaling must be a blast, however things can go wrong and it has had me thinking about wing collapse. I've noticed in some videos where folks have fought with their deflated wing to get it out of the way so they can throw their reserve. The deflated wing is nothing but trouble at this point and needs to go, so I'm thinking of a possible setup where strap igniters can be set off to separate the deflated wing from the pilot giving them the ability to throw their reserve without trouble from the deflated wing. It would also allow a pilot to have a smaller steerable chute positioned right over them to easily land. Those smaller round reserves that are strapped to the side of a J Bar might keep a pilot alive but they don't do much more. Trying to take care of your family while laying in a hospital bed doesn't pay the bills. There's always room for improvements and the sport is worth it, even though folks think us aviators are a taco short of a combination plate.
I'm a skydiver on long Island. my ONLY local DZ shut down. I miss jumping but it was also close and convenient! I'm considering transition into powered paragliding so I can fly conveniently again. how easy would it be for me to transition into that and would I be in an abbreviated program due to my current canopy flying experience? I love watching your videos and Florida seems pretty damn cool. I wouldn't mind making a trip out of it if the price is right :-) blue skies.
+Havenick The course isn't really abbreviated, but your prior experience will certainly help out :) About 30% of our students are prior (or current) skydivers. They all seem to love the paramotor :)
I have seen the instinct in the flesh...I am really wondering about the effectiveness of the anti torque vanes on the cage...Do they really work or does more effect come from the anti torque strap? Also, this cage is very susceptible to flexing into the prop under riser pressure during launch. Saw one of these do some serious damage just recently...newbie pilot just out of his training purchased one put just a few hours on it...got the wing offline in nil to light winds on launch...riser squeezed cage straight into prop (outcome = pilot head down go home with the shits)
Hey Adam. I no longer use the torque strap at all. The twist air struts cut about 90% of torque in my opinion. I'm 180lbs and fly all manner of different wings. As for flexing into the prop, I've never seen that happen on one. Not sure how you'd get that much side load, perhaps he hooked a line and pulled the cage in that way? Super bummer either way!
Yeah he was a big boy with the big motor on the instinct pulling up a tandem glider (too heavy to fly solo with a standard wing). As he tried to take off in nil to very light wind, the glider went to one side and...boom prop strike against cage.. I wouldnt have believed it could happen that way. To be honest, I wonder if a newbie should even fly that cage..he has broken components on it a few times and hasnt got 2 dozen hours up yet. I am sticking with a two ring cage until I can be sure I am good enough to limit my chances of stuffing up. Btw, I took your advice and purchased a dudek universal. Its a big improvement in just about all areas compared to an Ozone Buzz pwr Z4. Only thing I find more difficult is kiting...the universal is more sensitive and responsive to brake input. Once in the air, the universal profile feels like it wants to go forward...the buzz just wants to go up and down with changes in power setting (lacks cruise speed for motoring imo). I am going to get another wing to replace the buzz at about 50 hours (looking at something with excellent min speed and that is also really fast...apco force sp will fulfill those criteria nicely)
I thought thermaling on a paramotor was a no-no. I keep hearing fly only early in the morning or late in the afternoon when there are no thermals or you risk collapsing the glider. I used to hang-glide, and thermals were the holy grail. I never tried paragliding or paramotoring before. I've just started my paramotoring training on a Macpara Charger reflex wing, but the weather here in VA hasn't cooperated :-( You make me want to move to FL :-)
Hey there James, the danger is in lack of knowledge for handling collapses... and / or using power in thermals. Get good SIV training and lots of experience in the air... Then work your way up to midday thermaling. This is a blast!
AviatorShow I will definitely will have SIV training when I get enough experience. I read that reflex wings are harder to collapse, but more dangerous once it does. Is it true? Should you mention that thermaling should only be attempted by experienced pilots that could handle a collapse to prevent a beginner like me to get in trouble? I have thermaled with a hang-glider and it is challenging with strong boomers and you need to pull in speed when landing to avoid to be pushed by a thermal on your descend to landing :-)
james aspinwall +aviatorshow could you reply to this last message about the wing collapse on a reflex wing as I'm interested in a reflex wing but heard something about this aswell what the guy mentioned but you've not replied with an answer about it thanks :)
Our delay is a bit out, yessir... But we have 8 affiliate schools that use the same techniques and syllabus we do! We'd be glad to help connect you with one. Drop us a line any time!
Andyman4hire Find a local instructor, or choose to travel to one... Don't listen to any one who sounds crazy, or puts down others equipment... If possible, work with a USPPA certified instructor... Find someone you like, and you can trust :) If possible, avoid buying gear until you have experience.Our school lets you use our gear for your first 10 hours or so of flying.... We want folks to know exactly what kind of gear will work best for them before they make the investment... That's about it, I suppose, haha.
***** Nope, not just cautioning about Dell... There are a lot of folks in this business who's priorities aren't in helping their customers as much as they could be... You have some good points, but I think that the priority should be less on the gear a pilot eventually purchases, than finding an instructor that has a similar style and personality that you can work with.Gear selection should be secondary to safety and training imo :)
***** your comment about training on the right gear is important. I got a post from one guy on a forum who had been advised by the instructor who was going to train him to purchase a WRC as his first training glider! (Go figure)
hi aviator guys I fly a cima pwr 25 at all up inc miniplane 120kg and find thermaling ok with this size wing , I notice u r flying a 28 mtr sq wing, thing is, you do not state your all up weight with out that figure I can not compare weather you are flying a large wing light or you are much heavier than myself and that you are in relation to myself the same wing loading can you confirm your all up weight on this equipment, question is if you are the same all up as I am on my 25 have you chosen the bigger wing so that any collapse is less dynamic or are you 140kg all up which would explain why you are on such a large wing or do you consider thermalling a 25 mtr wing at 120kg a higher risk dynamically, and therefore opt for 28 regards safety.
A lot of PPG pilots avoid thermals. Sence Powered Paragliders are an offshoot of Paragliders, it seems to me to be the natral thing to do. So whay are they so afraid of thermaling?
HMM ILL FILL IN THE GAPS? IF YOUR THERMALING ARE YOU USING A VARIO?..IT ISNT MAGIC ITS A SCIENCE...DEPENDING ON THE GROUND ..EXPERIENCED PARAMOTOR PILOTS KNOW ALREADY.ITS ABIT LIKE FLYING OVER ON TOP OF A HOT AIR BALLOON WHEN THE BALLOONIST ADDS THRUST THE PARAMOTOR PILOT ABOVE WILL FEEL THE WING TIPS FLUTTER AND THUS HE WILL RISE.HENCE THERMAL.I KNOW. I ALREADY DO IT.SO IF YOUR GOING OUT PARAMOTOR THERMALLING USE A VARIO .DONT JUST GO OUT WILLY NILLY LIKE THIS CHUM.
***** Chum? Are you mocking me? It's tough to read emotion and thought through your endless scourge of wreckless capitalization. If you watched the video, yes... I AM using a vario... Also, try some manners.
Comment - you're looking around too much. Makes it dizzying to watch the video. Maybe try putting the cam on your chest or something that doesn't whip around so much?
Peter Chang The statistics place this sport at right around the same danger as motorcycling. Less so, if you remove the injuries and deaths brought on by the use of small wings, low maneuvering, and / or water. It's an amazing sport. Check out my website, or USPPA.org for more info.
AviatorShow Another great vid. Watched all 12:59. Missing you guys there in Florida. We have a HIGH temp of -7 on Wednesday. Peter, this sport is as safe as you make it. I sold my motorcycle to get into this. Its far safer than it looks. And I get it, you explain it to someone and it sounds crazy. But the first time you experience it, it goes from some sketchy idea to an amazing experience. If your anywhere near Eric just go meet with him and he can put some worries to bed. You won't regret it. Good luck and fly safe. All my love to the Farewell Family
Holey Cow, that is poetry! I've flown RC sailplanes and this looks just amazing.
Great video. Reminds me of when I flew gliders. The feeling of thermometer is so amazing. That is what I wish to learn when I train for ppg. Not into acro but thermal absolutely. Thanks so much for sharing.
Awesome dude! Being a geologist, it is super interesting to see the karst topography from the air.
Hunter Green Let me know if there's every any thing in particular you'd like to see!
Nice! Thermaling! I miss that!
Brilliant, thanks for sharing. I'm an experienced free flyer but only just starting to become comfortable thermalling the motor. Great seeing your video as almost no one does it here in Australia. I get called crazy often, got a big surprise the first time I hit sink the motor and discovered that it doesn't have enough climb to out do sink ;-)
+dtswk ahaha yessir! been there man. It's sketchy when 230cc's can't help you stop sinking out.
Great Video! If I was in the USA I would come and fly with you guys! Looks like a blast!
This was a great video 👍
Thanks!!
Parachuted for years. 65 yo now. I'd love to do this. Great video!
Dan Shepherd Come fly with us any time!
FUN!! Looking forward to joining you in the air, Eric.
Jeff Woodwick Love to fly with you :)
Always awesome stuff my friend. Some day soon I 'll be up there with you... Happy Landings
floridadiveguy Stoked to have you someday man. I always see your likes on FB! Come fly any time.
I like the commentary Eric, how about showing how the wing reacts in thermals and what to do and not to do. Keep the videos coming always entertaining.
Next time I do a live comm, I'll bring a foot mount :)
Thermals are exciting in a Cessna, I can't imagine a PPG. Hahaha. Great video guys, keep them coming. Merry Christmas Four!
***** It's a blast man! :D Thanks so much for watching... Happy New Year!
Thermaling must be a blast, however things can go wrong and it has had me thinking about wing collapse. I've noticed in some videos where folks have fought with their deflated wing to get it out of the way so they can throw their reserve. The deflated wing is nothing but trouble at this point and needs to go, so I'm thinking of a possible setup where strap igniters can be set off to separate the deflated wing from the pilot giving them the ability to throw their reserve without trouble from the deflated wing. It would also allow a pilot to have a smaller steerable chute positioned right over them to easily land. Those smaller round reserves that are strapped to the side of a J Bar might keep a pilot alive but they don't do much more. Trying to take care of your family while laying in a hospital bed doesn't pay the bills. There's always room for improvements and the sport is worth it, even though folks think us aviators are a taco short of a combination plate.
This is awesome
I wish i can try it
Keep going
Like~
Excellent !!!!!!!! 9,000 thumbs up.
Bryan West SPANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Great stuff the live com, keep up the good work
Peter Eriksson Thanks so much Peter!
Soon!
Good stuff!
How come y’all didn’t try to sell the scout motors like what Tucker Flys??
Eric are you ever planning on putting up more of your sisters sky dives?
Christopher Neider Yessir! It'll happen :) She just hit 600!
I'm a skydiver on long Island. my ONLY local DZ shut down. I miss jumping but it was also close and convenient! I'm considering transition into powered paragliding so I can fly conveniently again. how easy would it be for me to transition into that and would I be in an abbreviated program due to my current canopy flying experience? I love watching your videos and Florida seems pretty damn cool. I wouldn't mind making a trip out of it if the price is right :-) blue skies.
+Havenick The course isn't really abbreviated, but your prior experience will certainly help out :) About 30% of our students are prior (or current) skydivers. They all seem to love the paramotor :)
Love the commentary!
So, was this flying during mid day for better thermals?
Yessir.
Nice flight.. Can you tell me, what's the music title in the end of the clip? İs it J.S. Bach? Which epsode? Thanks..
Are you ever concerned about the possibility of microburst and subsequent wing collapse during a thermaling flight?
Always wary, always choosing our time of day as carefully as possible, yes
I have seen the instinct in the flesh...I am really wondering about the effectiveness of the anti torque vanes on the cage...Do they really work or does more effect come from the anti torque strap?
Also, this cage is very susceptible to flexing into the prop under riser pressure during launch. Saw one of these do some serious damage just recently...newbie pilot just out of his training purchased one put just a few hours on it...got the wing offline in nil to light winds on launch...riser squeezed cage straight into prop (outcome = pilot head down go home with the shits)
Hey Adam.
I no longer use the torque strap at all. The twist air struts cut about 90% of torque in my opinion. I'm 180lbs and fly all manner of different wings.
As for flexing into the prop, I've never seen that happen on one. Not sure how you'd get that much side load, perhaps he hooked a line and pulled the cage in that way? Super bummer either way!
Yeah he was a big boy with the big motor on the instinct pulling up a tandem glider (too heavy to fly solo with a standard wing). As he tried to take off in nil to very light wind, the glider went to one side and...boom prop strike against cage.. I wouldnt have believed it could happen that way. To be honest, I wonder if a newbie should even fly that cage..he has broken components on it a few times and hasnt got 2 dozen hours up yet.
I am sticking with a two ring cage until I can be sure I am good enough to limit my chances of stuffing up.
Btw, I took your advice and purchased a dudek universal. Its a big improvement in just about all areas compared to an Ozone Buzz pwr Z4. Only thing I find more difficult is kiting...the universal is more sensitive and responsive to brake input.
Once in the air, the universal profile feels like it wants to go forward...the buzz just wants to go up and down with changes in power setting (lacks cruise speed for motoring imo). I am going to get another wing to replace the buzz at about 50 hours (looking at something with excellent min speed and that is also really fast...apco force sp will fulfill those criteria nicely)
I thought thermaling on a paramotor was a no-no. I keep hearing fly only early in the morning or late in the afternoon when there are no thermals or you risk collapsing the glider. I used to hang-glide, and thermals were the holy grail. I never tried paragliding or paramotoring before. I've just started my paramotoring training on a Macpara Charger reflex wing, but the weather here in VA hasn't cooperated :-( You make me want to move to FL :-)
Hey there James, the danger is in lack of knowledge for handling collapses... and / or using power in thermals. Get good SIV training and lots of experience in the air... Then work your way up to midday thermaling. This is a blast!
AviatorShow I will definitely will have SIV training when I get enough experience. I read that reflex wings are harder to collapse, but more dangerous once it does. Is it true? Should you mention that thermaling should only be attempted by experienced pilots that could handle a collapse to prevent a beginner like me to get in trouble? I have thermaled with a hang-glider and it is challenging with strong boomers and you need to pull in speed when landing to avoid to be pushed by a thermal on your descend to landing :-)
james aspinwall +aviatorshow could you reply to this last message about the wing collapse on a reflex wing as I'm interested in a reflex wing but heard something about this aswell what the guy mentioned but you've not replied with an answer about it thanks :)
Eric, do you have a class in thermaling?
We do!
Hi is your waiting list for your training classes still a year out?
Our delay is a bit out, yessir... But we have 8 affiliate schools that use the same techniques and syllabus we do! We'd be glad to help connect you with one. Drop us a line any time!
What paraMotor is that?
TheRocketbear54 did you ever find out what paramotor it is?
can you thermal in a 225 lb quad?
Love your videos dude do you train other pilots
Cory Caves Yessir :)
I need training on this particular skill my Email is cavecoffee8@gmail.com send some prices
I wanna go to school like this.
We'd love to have you :)
yea. fly over to the UK, then you can have me for sure xDDD
Hi, when you turn off engine when get thermal, you modified trims in flight?
I fly with trims closed when I thermal, yessir.
jakiej firmy napęd ? :)
what's the drive? :)
?
Too cool
Hey, Eric. What's the best way to start paramotoring if you have no experience?
Andyman4hire Find a local instructor, or choose to travel to one... Don't listen to any one who sounds crazy, or puts down others equipment... If possible, work with a USPPA certified instructor... Find someone you like, and you can trust :) If possible, avoid buying gear until you have experience.Our school lets you use our gear for your first 10 hours or so of flying.... We want folks to know exactly what kind of gear will work best for them before they make the investment... That's about it, I suppose, haha.
***** Nope, not just cautioning about Dell... There are a lot of folks in this business who's priorities aren't in helping their customers as much as they could be... You have some good points, but I think that the priority should be less on the gear a pilot eventually purchases, than finding an instructor that has a similar style and personality that you can work with.Gear selection should be secondary to safety and training imo :)
AviatorShow Awesome! Thanks for the reply, it looks like a lot of fun and I'd love to do it! Great videos, keep them up :D
*****
your comment about training on the right gear is important. I got a post from one guy on a forum who had been advised by the instructor who was going to train him to purchase a WRC as his first training glider! (Go figure)
hi aviator guys I fly a cima pwr 25 at all up inc miniplane 120kg and find thermaling ok with this size wing , I notice u r flying a 28 mtr sq wing, thing is, you do not state your all up weight with out that figure I can not compare weather you are flying a large wing light or you are much heavier than myself and that you are in relation to myself the same wing loading can you confirm your all up weight on this equipment, question is if you are the same all up as I am on my 25 have you chosen the bigger wing so that any collapse is less dynamic or are you 140kg all up which would explain why you are on such a large wing or do you consider thermalling a 25 mtr wing at 120kg a higher risk dynamically, and therefore opt for 28 regards safety.
I was about 130kg all up :)
it's coming off that black parking lot
What was the app that you used on your phone?
Flyskyhy
A lot of PPG pilots avoid thermals. Sence Powered Paragliders are an offshoot of Paragliders, it seems to me to be the natral thing to do. So whay are they so afraid of thermaling?
Think its more the fact theyre not needed as we have an engine why expose yourself to turbulent, dangerous air when you dont need to?
does it even get cold in florida?
2cool0 Define "cold" we don't fully understand that concept here ;)
AviatorShow haha well you said it was cold in the video sooo
HMM ILL FILL IN THE GAPS? IF YOUR THERMALING ARE YOU USING A VARIO?..IT ISNT MAGIC ITS A SCIENCE...DEPENDING ON THE GROUND ..EXPERIENCED PARAMOTOR PILOTS KNOW ALREADY.ITS ABIT LIKE FLYING OVER ON TOP OF A HOT AIR BALLOON WHEN THE BALLOONIST ADDS THRUST THE PARAMOTOR PILOT ABOVE WILL FEEL THE WING TIPS FLUTTER AND THUS HE WILL RISE.HENCE THERMAL.I KNOW. I ALREADY DO IT.SO IF YOUR GOING OUT PARAMOTOR THERMALLING USE A VARIO .DONT JUST GO OUT WILLY NILLY LIKE THIS CHUM.
***** Chum? Are you mocking me? It's tough to read emotion and thought through your endless scourge of wreckless capitalization.
If you watched the video, yes... I AM using a vario... Also, try some manners.
*****
Who the hell is this guy...haha
I flew a few sailplanes many years ago. Why is everyone so afraid of thermals? I thought thermals were a good thing.
Comment - you're looking around too much. Makes it dizzying to watch the video. Maybe try putting the cam on your chest or something that doesn't whip around so much?
👣
Bruh
alec boe BRUH
How do I convince my wife,it's not that dangerous?
Peter Chang The statistics place this sport at right around the same danger as motorcycling. Less so, if you remove the injuries and deaths brought on by the use of small wings, low maneuvering, and / or water. It's an amazing sport. Check out my website, or USPPA.org for more info.
AviatorShow
Another great vid. Watched all 12:59. Missing you guys there in Florida. We have a HIGH temp of -7 on Wednesday. Peter, this sport is as safe as you make it. I sold my motorcycle to get into this. Its far safer than it looks. And I get it, you explain it to someone and it sounds crazy. But the first time you experience it, it goes from some sketchy idea to an amazing experience. If your anywhere near Eric just go meet with him and he can put some worries to bed. You won't regret it. Good luck and fly safe. All my love to the Farewell Family
Byron Call Had the best flights today man, 4.5 hours of thermaling and flying low... Epic. Miss you brother!!
??? What are you asking me to do?
I wanted to watch but I'm nausiated. Way too much head movement. I feel sorry for your neck! lol
Sorry Monte! Lots of other videos on here that I don't move as much ;)