News!!!
The first additional model to be released (now available for order) is the Superlight:
Solo 210 engine, equipped with semi-tuned exhaust, WB 37 carb, stock head, Ducati Ignition.
The Superlight is an additional, inexpensive model that dealers have requested. Suggested Retail: $ 5260 (INCLUDES Euro Rate Surcharge)
The Superlight weighs in at 47 lbs and makes 111 lbs of thrust- suitable for pilots up to 180 lbs. Available with single or dual Ring cage, jettison or Comfort Bar Harness.
6th Annual Hoosier Fly-In will be held
at Boyer Flight Park
the 3rd week-end of
July 17 - 20th, 2008. N/S
& E/W manicured grass runways, camping, shower, toilet, large hanger to
store wings & motors, & great hosts, Gail High & the Boyer
family. Terrific flying venue! All meals included. Limited to 45
pilots. Donations gratefully accepted. Contact DJ at djappger@gmail.com for reservation/information.
Check out this video filmed by Rick Grimm of the
5th Annual Hoosier Fly-In 2007
http://www.vimeo.com/741279
Here is the article that
appeared in our local newspaper about the
July 2007 Hoosier Fly- In
| Publication: The Herald Journal |
Date: Jul 23, 2007 |
Section: Front page |
|
|
|
Visitors
soar in the clear blue skies
Boyer Flight Park in rural Burnettsville played
host to a fly-in over the weekend.
By DOUG HOWARD dhoward@thehj.com
BURNETTSVILLE — It's a
bird. It's a plane. It's a — well, what the heck is it?
Aircraft
that wouldn't look out of place in drawings by either Leonardo da Vinci or an
episode of the Roadrunner cartoon filled the skies south of Idaville over the
weekend for a fly-in at Boyer Flight Park, Carroll County roads 500W and 1200N.
About three dozen ultralight aircraft, powered paragliders and
powered parachutes turned out for the fifth annual event.
In recent
years, ultralights, a small aircraft that resembles a cross between a hang
glider and a go-cart, have been learning to share the friendly skies with their
smaller cousins, the powered paraglider.
Attached to a triangular
go-cart style frame or strapped directly to the back of the pilot, the aircraft
look like something that Wile E. Coyote, supergenius, would have ordered from
the Acme Company in pursuit of the Roadrunner.
"They're really just
like mopeds in the highways of the sky," said Walter "Bucky" Hines, a
paragliding enthusiast down for the day from Rolling Prairie near South Bend.
"That's what it comes down to, really."
"It's the safest form of
flying because your parachute is already open," noted Don Jordan, Monticello, a
retired commercial airline pilot and organizer of the event, now in its fifth
year.
After flying DC-10s, Jordan tried piloting ultralights but
decided they weren't to his taste.
He found that powered
paragliding, a nascent sport that uses a parasail, a small gas engine powering
an aircraft propeller fastened to either a go-cart like frame or by a harness
directly to the pilot's back was right up his alley, however.
"It's
been absolutely beautiful today," said Jordan on Saturday. "We couldn't really
ask for better weather.
To the
untrained eye, a calm, nearly windless midafternoon would seem the ideal time to
take to the skies.
How then, to explain that the park at midday
looked more like a campground than an airfield, with folks camped out in and
around their recreational vehicles, seemingly in mid-siesta?
Anyone
who has experienced turbulence while flying in an aircraft already knows the
answer.
The speed and size of most commercial aircraft help to
mollify some of jolting effects of warm air pockets known as thermals that pop
up more commonly wherever the ground heats unevenly. But to their smaller,
slower, and lower flying cousins the ultralight and the PPG, the plunges in
altitude can be literally breathtaking.
"It's not unusual to drop up
there 300-400 feet," — and in a matter of seconds, said Bob High, husband of
Gail High, the park's cofounder.
Established in 1992 by Gail and her
late husband, Bob Boyer, the long grass landing strip skirted by row crops and
wood lots has been sponsoring fly-ins for ultralight aircraft since 1996.
After Boyer's passing in 2001, his family kept the legacy alive.
"The kids and I kept it going," said Gail. "That's how I met him,"
gesturing to her spouse resting in the shade beneath the wing of his two-seater
ultralight.
A White County native who returned to the area after 25
years with the California Highway Patrol, High was piloting the Madam Carroll on
Lake Freeman when he was invited to attended at fly-in a the park in 2002.
"The rest is history," he said with a smile. "We got married — and I
learned to fly."
This weekend's fly-in was indicative of the park's
future, as the 11th annual fly-in earlier this year sponsored by the park itself
marked its last to be organized by the Highs and their families.
"The expense of putting on a fly-in is just outrageous," said Gail.
But fly-ins such as the one organized by Jordan will likely
continue, she said.
"I'm going to keep the park open," said Gail.
"We have way too much fun."
That's goods news for rookies like Tom
Albers, St. Louis, who learned to pilot PPGs from Jordan last year and was back
with his own gear this year.
Albers' advice for those thinking of
soaring like a bird with nothing between them and the great blue yonder but a
helmet and a parachute or wing and a propeller?
"Don't worry. You'll
always come down — you won't get stuck up there," he said with wide grin.
"Into the Wind" on DVD has been picked up by Amazon.com. They are stocking
the DVD in their warehouse so any orders will be shipped by Amazon. We've
already earned a 5 star rating, and here's the first customer
quote...
"I smiled beginning to end while viewing this marvelous
production. And I think you will, too, if you enjoy anything at all about
flying, the spirit of adventure, or the just beauty of the natural world.
The musical score is surprisingly strong in its own right and adds
even greater lift to the spectacular photography. This is the real stuff
-- no acting but genuine action -- and a flowing narration that makes it
all complete. It is a great gift for your favorite pilot or outdoors
enthusiast who will find new inspiration every time they play this
movie."
J.L. Gooding, Seabrook, Tx.
Order from Amazon.com for
$29.95 & wait 4 - 6 weeks for delivery.
OR
order from me for $24 &
recieve it in 4 -6 days. DJ
|
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How safe is it?
There are no guarantees in life, as you know. Climb a tree or ladder
& there is the possibility of a fall. If you want to fly, apply the
knowledge you will acquire from our school along with some common
sense, the risk is there but less than riding a motorcycle, for
instance. Certainly the safest vehicle in the sky today.
- How much does it cost?
Training costs $1,200 for our basic course. However if all your equipment
purchases are made thru our school, training is included. How long does
it take to train? Very subjective in that it depends on a number of
things, including student's physical condition, co-ordination, age,
weight, etc. Usually 3-5 days.
- What does training involve?
Ground handling, also known as kiting, is the most difficult & time
consuming part of the training. Once the two basic launch methods are
learned, the student can practice at home on their own. Once they are
able to launch the wing & keep it overhead, the 2nd phase, scooter
tows, are done. Starting out only a few feet from the ground, with only
the wing, the student is towed into the air to practice & learn
proper take off & landing techniques. When that is satisfactory,
higher tows are done to an altitude of several hundred feet where the
student pulls the release & glides down to a landing on his own.
These steps are then repeated wearing the static motor. After a
simulator check-out the student is ready to solo.
- How do I get started?
An introductory lesson is available. Lasting about 3 hours, you will
learn nomenclature, the features of a PPG wing & motor, how it
flies, how to do both forward & reverse launches, & your
instructor will demo launches of both types. You will then put on the
training harness & practice both methods yourself. Finally your
instructor will do a demo flight, weather permitting. The cost is $150
& is deducted from your equipment or lessons if you decide to
continue with training. This is a good way to discover if you have the
capability & motivation for this sport.
- How does the paraglider inflate?
There are two methods to inflate the wing: Forward - with the wing
behind you in low wind conditions, you run and pull the wing up using
your energy to inflate it. Reverse -in winds of 5-12 the pilot faces the wing to launch the paraglider.
- How do you steer the powered paraglider?
Control is very easy. Simply pull the right handle to turn right, the
left handle to turn left and pull both at a few feet above the ground
for a gentle landing. Squeeze the throttle to climb and release it to
glide back down.
- How high can the powered paraglider fly?
The world record for the powered paraglider is 18,000 feet. The
majority of flying is between 150 and 500 feet above the ground.
- How low can the powered paraglider fly? The
unique aspect of the powered paraglider is the fact the wing is some
distance above the pilot. This allows flight at anything above ground
level.
- How long can a flight last on one tank of gas? Depending on the type of motor, over three hours.
- Do I need a license? No, there is no license or certification required for this sport.
- What type of gas do you use? The same gas you use in your car mixed with high quality air cooled 2 stroke oil.
- How fast does the paraglider fly? The speed varies with the type of paralgider used but will be between 17 and 28 miles per hour.
- How far do you have to run to get airborne?
In light wind conditions (0 to 4 mph), you have to run 5 to 15 feet.
With stronger winds (5 to 10 mph) you have to run 1 to 5 feet.
- How far can I fly? The distance varies with the conditions such as wind & fuel capacity, but long distances are possible.
- What happens if the engine stops? The engine is only necessary to take off & stay airborne
. At any time you can shut off the motor and land safely because you
are flying with an open parachute that can glide up to 8 feet forward
with only one foot down (8 to 1 glide ratio).
- What do the engines weigh and do I carry the weight?
The engines vary from 35 to 70 lbs. The weight is carried by the pilot
until the wing is inflated (5 minutes or less), then the weight is
lifted by the wing, as you are.
- Is it possible to take a friend up with me? Only if you are certified & you have the special equipment required.
- How long does it take to learn to fly a powered paraglider?
Most students can solo in a few days. The majority of training is done
on the ground learning to control the wing. The actual flying is very
easy & most anyone could control the powered paraglider once in
flight.
- Can you restart the paramotor in flight?
Yes, the newer engines come with very high energy ignitions that make
starting easy by using the pull starter handle or electric start. You
can stop the engine, soar and then restart anytime you like.
- How safe are these paraglider wings?
The modern paraglider is built and tested with loads up to 15 times
greater than can be exerted during flight. The type of paraglider used
with an engine standard rated glider that will continue to fly without
pilot input.
- Does equipment type differ for different size pilots?
Yes, the weight ratings of the wing and the engine thrust are very
important to the size and weight of the pilot. Think about this before
buying used equipment. Talk to your instructor before making equipment
decisions.
- Where can I fly the powered paraglider?
Anywhere that is not populated with a lot of houses or people. They are
also prohibited in certain areas like near an airport without
permission.
- Is the powered paraglider safe? As
in all air sports it has it's risks, of course. The fact that the pilot
hangs from an open parachute makes it inherently safer than all other
airplanes.
- Are there times and conditions when I cannot fly?
Yes, the fact that you are flying a very light airplane means that you
are limited to light wind conditions up to 15 mph and morning or late
afternoon flying. The mid-day skys are generally too rough to enjoy.
The exception to this is beach flying where you can fly all day long as
the air is not disturbed by the ocean as much as it is by land.
- How maneuverable are they?
This airplane can fly sideways, backwards, turn on it's own axis and
fly close to the ground endlessly. You can take off in 1 foot and land
on 1 foot in certain wind conditions. There is no other aircraft in the
world that can do this!
- How do you transport the powered paraglider?
Most ppg's break down in very small packages and can fit in the average
car trunk. This break down takes 5 minutes and can be reassembled in 5
minutes.
- How long to the time I get to my take off site does it take to launch? Anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes.
- What other names are the powered paraglider called? Powered paragliding; paramotoring. Paraglider: Wing, glider, chute
- How do I get started if I want to fly a powered paraglider? Call us and take our Intro Course before you purchase equipment.
- How much does the equipment cost both new and used? The equipment cost new averages $8-9,000.00. Used equipment can be purchased for about 60% of new price.
|
|
