Ppg

[Spin]

Powered paragliders have been mentioned here several times recently. I flew one briefly in the early days of experimenting with kart engines, but as with most things, knowledge and equipment seem to have advanced by leaps and bounds since then. In my recent reading I came across the following thread on an overseas site - if nothing else the photos are mouth watering, even inspiring... http://www.avcom.co.za/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=74661

 

 

[Spin]

What gives with the title getting changed from all caps when submitted??

 

 

[winsor68]

http://www.youtube.com/user/444paraflyer#p/u/1/YcTaH1bJyic

 

I have been watching this Youtube channel for a while now... he has a whole series of PPG for Morons skits... some are quite funny.

 

I have been for a Paragliding tandem flight and it was awesome... one of these for tootling around in nice weather would be great I reckon.

 

One of the kids took the video below while taking a tandem flight on the same day from Carlo Sandblow at Rainbow Beach... I can thoroughly recommend it.

 

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

Wow that photo brings back some memories. "discovered' this place on our first road trip north in 77 with a couple of mates in an old EH, roof racks full of hang gliders, surfboards and a bootfull of skydiving gear.

 

 

[Guest extralite]

I do a bit of PPG along with GA and powered hang gliding. The usual path is to get some paragliding ridge soaring time up, but you can go straight to powered as I did. The beauty of it is that it packs up in one corner of the wagon so can travel with it. Also if you find a flat patch of ground and a gentle breeze, thats your airstrip.

 

As for flying, nothing could be easier. Pull left, go left, power up go up and vica versa. The take off though i still find a challenge. I am sure with more practice il be okay. You have a whole bunch of strings in your hand to launch the paraglider for a start. You are carrying about 25kg on your back (feels like more). Then you turn (hands above your head) and squeeze that throttle which gives a surprising amount of push in your back so you have to run. If the chute is well controlled then you launch in the air in a few steps and everything is so much easier and comfortable. If the chute goes to the side or overhead then start again :) But when airborne is beautiful and just floating about. They are slow..I think the fast ones do about 30kts.The distance record was set recently of around 630km. Good tailwind obviously. Lots of snazzy engines about and lots of manufacturers. I would suggest that a reasonable amount of strength/fitness is required to make it easier.

 

Powered Hang Gliding is a buzz too. Although the harness/engine is well designed, it is still a Husky chainsaw engine back there. The launch is much easier as the engine weight is supported by skids. I find it has a dreamlike feel to fly..lean one way you go that way, pull your body toward the ground and you dive etc. Takes a bit longer to set up...maybe 30minutes but still fits in a car easily. I flew from Tyaggarah the other day (I carry and use a VHF and fly evenings when nobody else is around) and glided along the beaches for prob about an hour or more on 2.5 litres of fuel. I don't know why more people don't do it. It is far less popular then powered paragliding.

 

Downsides is only the need to know how to handle a 2 stroke engine. I put a hole in the piston the other day in the ppg through running it too lean..back to the motorbike shop for it :) Also need light wind conditions, often morning, evening or autumn...around 0-6kt for a PPG, 0-15 kts for a PHG.

 

I really like the minimialist flying of a small 2 stroke engine. Higher performance aircraft have a thrill too, but something about being able to land almost anywhere and not have to return to an airfield is good, the independence is good too. Every time I set it up it feels like playing with a toy. Also the garage is their hangar...and hangarage here (byron area) is as tight as everywhere. I would recommend it as a new challenge for anyone who thinks they might like it.