 The
Internet Machine
by Jeff Goin
Aug 28, 2002
This day provided
Some Background First
An enthusiastic entrant to our sport showed up at the local
training field with his machine. He'd purchased it off the internet. After other
reading he knew to get instruction which is what brought him to us.
The machine came with no instructions whatsoever so it was up
to the instructor to figure it out. Five flights later the motor unit was set up
sufficiently to be barely usable. He still found no way to make it comfortable
or improve it's handling of the significant torque, but now, at least, was
usable. The student could reach the brakes, land on his feet and walk with the
monstrosity on his back if everything went just right.
The 165 pound pilot, while being in excellent physical shape, was nearly dwarfed by this yellow behemoth. It didn't look natural and it
turned out not to be.
After a few lessons the student took the machine home and
decided to practice. That didn't go so well. Following some grass-face
encounters the pilot started inquiring about other motors. This one was
obviously WAY too big and misbehaved; plus it was ill conceived even for a
larger pilot.
I wound up loaning him my little direct drive motor for
training on which he finally got airborne and, in fact, became quite good in
short order. He ordered a new machine.
Temptation
So while my motor was going to be in use, the Yellow Behemoth
sat there. Unused. "I've never flown a unit with that
much thrust. Hmmm..." I wondered. Why not? So I figured to give it a try.
The Simonini power plant used by this machine is certainly a
thrusty fellow. Mated with a large prop as this unit does, it's got a gazillion pounds of thrust and enough torque to turn small ship.
For my little frame, JUST above idle power is enough thrust to fly me level. It's too bad
that this unit seems to spends most of that push crawling around your right side.
On this afternoon our group needed a wind dummy and I, apparently, was elected.
The NW breeze strained through the trees leaving too little for a reverse so I set up the forward. These monster motors require a different technique...you huff it into position, get it hooked up, start it THEN get in and stand up. The cage design required aluminum line-holding "whiskers" for the lines to be placed into; otherwise they would hang up on the radial arms.
Electric start is nice and after a few seconds of cranking she fired and ran well. Some lines fell out of a "whisker" and
a buddy put them back in. I was petrified of snagging a line.
Cool zig-zag pattern
Here we go: I pressed into the lines while BARELY squeezing power. She pushed and swung around the right side. The
wing came up crooked a bit (there's a surprise) but I let off the throttle and got under it. Now
straightened out, I gave it 1/4 power again. Wham! It crawled around my right side, pushing me left. The wing did it's obligatory right swing as I let off the power to regain control
all while running. I went through this gyration probably three times before I was able to garner sufficient control
for liftoff and avoid making corn meal.
Modulating the power is very difficult...of course high idle is probably enough to
fly my scrawny little butt.
 Great, now I'm flying. After climbing up a couple hundred feet at half power, my limbs still dangled the "spastic starfish" with my main leg arteries holding me up by the straps. I tried to get in the seat as I circled around. I couldn't. It just wouldn't let me into the harness (it
had no seat board either) even with both hands. Circling was easy and required no brake...of course your choice of direction is right or right.
As long as I had a Simonini on my back I figured I'd try full throttle. Never mind the crotch pain for a minute.
Wow. Nice climb.
As the circulation to my legs dwindled I enjoyed an impressive angle of ascension. Then
the observing instructor crackled on the radio about how far back the wing looked and said it puckered him. Puckered HIM!!! Been there before, have the dirt, got off the power.
Finally after a few more minutes of trying for the seated position I called
"Uncle" and came in for a landing. Of course I got abused on the radio for giving up too early but it seemed having functioning legs might be wise. The landing was the only reasonably graceful thing about this flight.
That was a relief...lord knows there were no style points anywhere else in the flight...at least this was good.
Then I couldn't out run out the wing (NO wind) which came down and draped all over me. Oh THAT was pretty! So much for landing points.
Internet Machine 1
Jeff
0
OK, so now I've flown a Simonini. Maybe some day I'll try it again on a different unit where they've figured out the torque problem but for now I'll stick with my humble
'Cruiser.
Boy do I pity the folks whose ONLY resource is the Internet.
While an incredibly valuable tool, this example demonstrated so eloquently why
finding a good match with your planned purchase is so important. It's much
better aided with the flesh and brains of a good instructor.
The Moral of the Story
PLEASE oh please go to an instructor before buying a
paramotor. Same for the wing. Ask around...there are some units out there that
are totally unacceptable, especially for beginners. Buy a rig the instructor is
familiar with. In the long run you'll likely save a lot more than anything a
direct purchase of either new or used equipment.
The gear in this story was brand new from a seller who offers
little or no training. That is the worst and most dangerous way to get into this
sport.
Obviously we recommend USPPA instructors; they've shown
significant experience and commitment. There are certainly others but ask around
if they're not certified! |
