Camden last Sunday

The previous Sunday Camden was visited by 8 paramotor pilots (including myself). I had nice 1h 20min flight and landed just before the first thermals started bubbling.

It was the first time for me when so many of us meet in one place and have flown together. In between us there was one trike pilot. Huge variety of wings and paramotors was an opportunity to exchange experiences. Unfortunately my GoPro freeze after take off and I have no pictures from that flight. Just one picture below showing a few machines before take off (about 8am). That was awesome flying, thanks guys!

Sunrise flight in Camden

Last Friday I decided to have a sunrise paramotor flight in Camden. In order to be in the air about 06:20 am (sunrise at 06:40) I had to get up at 04:30 am. It was easier than I thought.

At the launch site grass was wet and slippery. In the movie below you can see how long was the take off run. Synthesis eventually lifted me gently and I was able to start the climb. It was a great flight with beautiful views and morning mists. I landed about 8 am and the day was just about to start. 

Enjoy the movie below:

Morning mists in Camden march 2013 from lukastu on Vimeo.

Weekend flight in Woonona

Light breeze from the north (about 4-5 knots) was good enough to encourage me to have a flight in Woonona.
After take off the wind was much stronger at the higher altitudes so I struggled going north. Coming back was very quick though. It was nice to be back in the air after a short break.
I adjusted the position of tip steering balls in my Synthesis. This was set up to low hang points and I had problems with reaching them during the flight. Now it is much easier and more intuitive.


Enjoy the pictures from chase camera:

Take off:

Northern turn point:

Bellambi Point in the background:

Landing:

LK8000 GPS software

The same day as I was flying with chase camera I tested LK8000 software installed on Mio M400 GPS device.
Mio display is pretty well seen in the sun under proper angle. I customized its options to have all the parameters that I need clearly seen at the first sight.
Flying with GPS is fun, I tested setting up the turn points etc. to get to know this software.
Later on this year I plan to participate in XContest online paramotor competition so I will need LK8000 working properly with spare power in the pocket.
So far just a simple flight track from over the beaches of this short 23 minutes flight.

Saturday flying

Saturday was one of these days when you just want to fly... warm, sunny with a good company.
Almost no breeze made take offs very difficult. Especially preparing for take off in 41 degrees Celsius was demanding.
Up in the air we had pleasant 21 C. I have flown 5 times with chase camera.
There were rowing competitions on the beach with plenty of colorful tents, people waving and smiling...
A few memories from that day:

Inflating the glider:

Flying above surfers:

Step to heaven:

Pool with free entrance:

Sunbathing people:

Aboriginal houses:

In a turn:

Rowing competitions:

People enjoying beautiful day on the beach:

Paramotoring along the beaches with chase camera

Hi!

Today I flew paramotor with Tony along the beaches. Light breeze made the take offs easier.
I decided to test the chase camera. All together we have flown for about 3 hours today and GoPro was taking a picture every 5s. I ended up having 2000+ pictures to go through. 9 the best shots you can see below with the descriptions. The chase camera is stable in the air. I have to improve the angle a bit more but it is better then I expected so far. Because it is attached to the wing tip it is causing the tendency to turn which can be overcome by opening the trimmers.

This was beautiful, sunny and warm day with plenty of flying. I am tired but happy.

Take off:

Cruising along with Tony:

Surfers on the beach:

300m altitude on the way back from Stanwell:

People on the beach are very friendly. Everyone is waving:

Low flying along the water. I like this picture because of Synthesis' colorful reflection in the wet sand:

The waves crashing on the rocks and Tony in the background:

Landing:

And the author happy after last landing:

Stanwell soaring with chase camera

On Wednesday evening I had chance to test the chase camera prototype.
I was a bit worried how it is going to behave in the air so I took reserve with me.
As I took off the camera was surprisingly stable without tendency to get into the lines. I did not try any wingovers. GoPro was set to take a photo every 5s. so I ended up having heaps of pictures.
All of them were pretty much the same because I have flown the south (short) ridge of Stanwell.
After all I am very satisfied with the result. Just have to change the angle of the camera to point it a bit higher over the horizon.