Powered Paragliding Ontario - Paramotor PPG lessons, powered paragliding and paramotoring training. 

Since Frank was the only person booked we decided to start day earlier as Frank arrived for this course all the way from NB on Wed. I have been bit sick since Monday, it was long day today so I am too tired to write my report now. I will do it later, I promise. Here is report from Frank. Andre

Day one - Ground school started at 0800 hrs. 

We covered the theory of flight in relation to powered paragliding. 

The basic theory was complete by noon in which we packed up our kit, and departed to Sodom field for hands on training. On arrival at the field, we unpacked my glider and in no time I was practicing kiting. 

The wind speed was steady, however not fast enough for reverse inflations. So we carried on with forward inflations, I have to say that it sure harder than it looks. The main goal for day one, was to inflate the glider without looking up at it and just get the feel of what the glider is doing and to keep it under control. We spent several hours practicing this technique in which I was slowly getting used to it. That didn't mean that I had it down but, Andre felt that I had enough technique to carry on with the next step. We went back to that trailer and pulled out my paramotor in which we practiced running under thrust from the paramotor. 

Next, we connected the paramotor to the glider and practiced forward inflations. We had attempted several inflations, however to no avail. I took a short 10 min break while Andre did a demo flight. He made it look effortless. When he had completed his demo flight, we wasted no time and we were back to practicing forward inflations. Finally after several attempts I had a successful inflation and the next thing I knew I was in the air. 

My first flight lasted around 15 mins, unfortunately due to cold hands I had to land. On final approach everything was going great until about 50 Ft off the ground I started to oscillate. I attempted to correct it, but unfortunately I blew the landing. That's OK, if the equipment and pilot can walk away with no repairs required, it's a good landing. We called it quits for the day. I'm looking forward to day two, Frank.

March 25/05       Course with Frank - Day 2 - write up by Mark

FINALLY! Flew today for the first time in four months. Andre and I started the season off with his first student of the year; Frank is ex-military with plenty of static line jumps to his credit but no flying experience. He managed to get his first flight in yesterday after just one day of training. Conditions today were a little bumpy in the morning. I took up Frank's machine to check out the air. The wind was light and variable. The launch was ok but it took a while for Frank's smaller wing to lift me up. Once up the whole thing was rocking about quite a lot. The wing was quite agile and on a cold spring morning was giving me some interesting flying.

We decided it would be wise to wait awhile before we sent Frank back up and spent a couple of hours mastering those essential ground handling skills. Frank was learning fast so we went to grab the other machine and left him to work on his inflation technique. By this time several interested onlookers arrived to check out what was going on and there was soon a small gathering of enthusiasts. 

I got another quick flight around the field in Andre's 'standby' machine and was able to fly quite low for some photos (the air was now smoother). 

I always blow a launch when there is a crowd of expectant onlookers, but this one was text book...ish. Anyway it gave me a chance to try those gloves I was ranting about the other day and they were fine. It was about 6C and they were more than warm enough yet thin enough that I could leave them on for take off (usually I take off without gloves and put them on once in the air).

Frank continued to work on his inflations but now the wind was picking up he had the chance to practice the reverse launch. Not having flown for a while I was having a little difficulty working out what Frank was doing wrong, a bit like doing up someone elses tie. It was easier to clip in and just do it rather than explain it. Once Frank had the hang of where all the lines went he made very quick progress. Andre stepped in on occasions to give a few pointers. By the end of the afternoon Frank was getting pretty good. It was time for another flight. He stumbled a little on the launch and was almost up a couple of times, but he eventually got airborn. 

It wasn't the prettiest take off I have ever seen but he remembered to keep running and managed it in the end. The landing wasn't too bad, but the flare was just a little too early.

After a short break Frank was ready for his last flight of the day. 

This time the take off was a lot straighter, 

but he almost forgot to keep running and was leaning backwards on take off. I took a photo to prove it. 

He was soon back up in the air buzzing around the field taking in the view. The landing approach was far better on this attempt with a nice flare perfectly timed to set him down lightly on his feet.

Then it was time to pack up and head over to Dora's cafe for a beer and a bite to eat before calling it quits for the day.

A great start to the season.

Day 3