Scared on takeoff

[aj_aviator]

I guess I would recommend meeting the gyrocopter pilots and just talk over pattern flight separation and inflatable wing sensitivity to turbulence.

There are a lot of bold pilots out there... most of them still living have never been exposed to an in-flight emergency of this magnitude. No wing, no control surfaces to work with, and 300 ft. AGL... You still have to fly the plane all the way in! If you're lucky, you may live to tell the story.

As pilots of less maneuverable aircraft, we don't have many options when it comes to evasive maneuvers. These days I typically error on the side of safety; If I see gyrocopters and Helicopters in the pattern, I'll fly another day.

Still enjoying those low-n-slow scenic flights...

AJ

P.S.: I'm am near completion of a homemade enclosed PPC trailer! The test pull with my little Ranger pick-up will tell all. I'm hoping the wind drag isn't too much.

[mignazito]

I fly at an airport that does a lot of helicopter training, sales and service. Having a radio and using it is key to flying with these birds. They do not fly in the "normal" pattern and fly more or less willy nilly. Like some PPC pilots. You have to keep an eye and ear on them when they are flying in the area.

[Frank Smrdel]

AJ:

Do you happen to have any pictures of that homemade enclosed trailer you could post? I'm thinking of building one this next winter and could use some ideas..

[aj_aviator]

I always use my radio and transmit my pattern flight intensions. Radio may not be effective enough to maintain a safe separation between a Powerchute and more maneuverable aircraft.
I've had bi-wing planes fly right up next to me, give a wing wag... and bank hard away! My belief is that general aviation pilots in more maneuverable aircraft do not perceive any danger in flying near inflatable winged aircraft. It will be up to the PPC community to inform the unfamiliar airman of the dangers in flying too close to an inflated wing.
I wish the FAA would add a paragraph to the general aviation training regarding inflated wing aircraft... just to educate the fixed wing pilots on the basics of the inflated wing and it's sensitivity to turbulent air.

I just got back from a trip to Wisconsin and will start working on the trailer again next weekend. I wanted to have it ready for the Wisconsin trip, but the axle is too far forward. I am in the process of mounting the axle in it's proper location. I'll test pull again and see how it goes. There are a couple issues I'm running into; Polar moment of inertia, CG, and wind drag. The axle move will take care of the stability, but the wind drag may make the trailer too hard to pull with my little Ranger Truck.

My ramp is nice... but it's heavy and it's quite a ways behind the axle, this adds to the Polar instability. When I started the project I decided to start with an existing 5x8 home-made trailer... I stripped it down and had a weld shop do the main frame expansion welding work, I went in after that and did the secondary welding work, new wiring, decking, siding, ramp, etc... Just another couple of weekends should be enough to finish!

I attached a few photos of the trailer and one of the scenery this summer in the front range. It's been a green spring here in Northern Colorado.

AJ

[indoruwet]

Originally Posted by aj_aviator

My ramp is nice... but it's heavy

Would a garage door spring work ? the one that they use for a roll up door ? Two cables about 30 - 50% back from the hinge ?
This value depends on the the amount of force created by the amount of turns the spring is subjected to.
I have no idea what it should be but you could experiment a bit ?

[mignazito]

I pulled a bigger trailer than that with my Mazda B2000. It was working hard and hills were an issue, but it did it.

[aj_aviator]

I have considered a Spring-assist ramp system; the door frame opening has about an inch clearance around the prop gaurd and line cletes, so I would need to route the cable thru the trailer frame to keep it from getting in the way of my Buckeye during loading and unloading. My plan is to minimize the ramp weight before I start adding additional hardware.

My outside wheel to wheel dimension is 101", I think the legal limit is 102", and it has 14" tires with a 3500# axle with electric brakes. This will be a nice trailer when she's done. If I can't pull it with my Ranger, I may need to sell this trailer to someone with more horsepower and start a new lite duty trailer project. The next one, I would probably do the entire frame design. I would consider using aluminum sheet metal for the skin, and would go to a trailer fabricator to get an estimate to have them skin it.

AJ

[mignazito]

A hand cranked winch or electric winch might be a solution.

I pulled a two place Bearcat with my Mazda B2000. It was all aluminum though I do not know it's empty weight.

[aj_aviator]

I like that idea... I used a simple boat winch when I loaded my buckeye into the back of my F150 truck bed. It would make for a simple solution to handling the heavy ramp door.

I've scaled down my fuel consumption since then and don't have the F150 anymore, but I still have the winch!

Thanks!

AJ

[Limegreen]

Well if you can afford it, I just bought a long version of Bear Perkins enclosed trailer. Was able to tow it at 70 behind a 5 cylinder Chev Colorado from Ga to Ks. Only draw back was 15 mpg. The trailer is well built and will be a winter project to convert to semi camper, toy hauler.

[sendertimes]

Originally Posted by Gary Fisher

I wrote the following in 2000:

Best and worst moments in a PPC flight
-------------------------------------
I always feel butterflies as I'm buckled up, revved up, and ready for takeoff. But my favorite moment comes just seconds later as I clear the ground and leap upward at full throttle. All at once, my formerly flat world becomes three dimensional. I'm actually flying... and all the butterflies are gone.

Now I'm free. I can fly low and slow, or climb to dizzying heights. I turn off my engine and soar like a hawk above the other birds, with only the whoosh of the wind surrounding me.

After floating from heaven back down to earth, I roll to a stop . Now even the wind is still. All is peaceful and quiet. As the adrenaline leaves my body, I melt into the seat. For a moment, I can only feel privileged to be living one of mankind's greatest dreams.

Then I give my wife a kiss of overwhelming gratitude for letting me have this experience, which I cannot express in words.

Amen to that, I just did my first flight, a few days ago, I had a textbook landing, my gosh , the freedom to climb high or fly low and slow, and I also came home, and hugged my Mom and My wife,, they were a bit against me buying a Powered Parachute, but I can now experience a new type of freedom, its unexplainable, I thank My Lord, for blessing me, and my family, and pray that future flights , will always be safe, for me and all of you who have dared to take this challenge in sports flying.