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 While the bad weather has complicated Ramon Morillas’ plans of climbing to 8000m by paramotor, at least he could do some incredible flights in the area with the highest concentration of +7000m peaks of the planet, from where he sent these beautiful photos.
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Behind these images there are many stories and adventures. The last one was Ramon’s emergency landing on a glacier after his engine halted on the flight from Hushe to Concordia, fortunately without consequences. This is how the pilot tells it:
"The engine suddenly stopped for ever; what to do? I decided to try to go back to where we came; thanks that I was flying the Omega 8 I could squeeze my glide ratio. With downward tail wind I passed just by the Gondogoro towards the Laila peak; I wanted to reach a meadow next to the moraine of the glacier but the winds blew down  increasing my sink rate. As in a deep stall, the glacier swallowed me and when I tried to turn face wind, a strong turbulence pushed me out of the vertical from the meadow. Without any options left I glided down wind to enter into a flatter glacier area just below the Laila, everything else were moraines with large rocks... I came in tightly and very fast with a high sink rate, at the last moment I was pretty sure that I would break something; I raised my legs and the chassis touched the ground first, then a good turn over sliding on the ice among the rocks... ending the glacier-landing".
Ramón and teammate Tomas de Dordolot are concluding the expedition to the Himalayas these days after suffering the heavy rains and bad weather of the last month in the battered Asian country where, they say, people opened them "their hearts and their homes" without asking anything in return.
+Info: http://www.rompiendolimites.es/
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 0 Comments to:
Stunning images of flying in Pakistan
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 The first paraglider with reflex profile from the Czech manufacturer is aimed at advanced paramotor pilots who will appreciate its wide range of speed and agility in flight, topped with the characteristic stability of this type of gliders. We tested the MacJet on several flights and its flight personality has captivated us.
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 After several years offering 'traditional' models of paragliders for motorized flight, Mac Para starts the reflex adventure with the MacJet, a wing of sophisticated construction and special flight characteristics. All this, intended for experienced pilots and competitors. The MacJet offers resources to spare to navigate at full throttle, crossing turbulence without blinking; plus, it has a very precise and direct handling and can be maneuvered dynamically, it has good performance in thermals and, in general, we found it very versatile. So much that we will try in competition in the next Spanish Paramotor Nationals, in September.
*Read about our sensations with this glider after many test flights, in the Review of the MacJet.
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Paraglider review: Mac Para MacJet
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 The Polish manufacturer launched their new home in the web featuring new design to be “faster, more functional, much more friendly when browsing and... nicer”. In the new site you will find a long and interesting article explaining reflex profile and the “rules” for steering reflex wings, and many fresh news from the company.
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 After several months of work, the new Dudek site is completed, although the company promised to continue upgrading it with new information and contents.
You will find detailed information about Dudek’s products but also useful articles on related subjects, like choosing your glider, technology used in the construction process, and even a FAQs page about paragliders. You will also find the history of records and medals achieved with Dudek gliders and reports on the past PPG World Championships.
The reflex profile section has detailed information regarding this technology, with the results of load tests on the risers that give a clear idea of what happens to your glider in flight when you open the reflex. Here (under History) you will read the company’s claim of the first series glider with “really working reflex profile”, and the ‘facts and myths’ about reflex wings. Worth the reading.
+Info: http://www.dudek.eu/en
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New website for Dudek Paragliders
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 This innovative system developed by the Spanish company Nac-Intercom for paramotor flying incorporates Bluetooth technology for intercommunication between a tandem pilot and his passenger, and allows the use in flight of Bluetooth devices, such as mobile phones, GPS Navigator, or even a radio.
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Compared to previous Nac systems the difference with this one is that we totally forget cables to enjoy improved clear communication through the headphones and micro installed in the helmet, thanks to the use of new  technology of noise and echo reduction. To achieve this, Nac-Intercom worked closely with a team of Superior Telecommunications Engineers from the University of Vigo who were in charge of the Bluetooth communication, while Nac’s telecommunications engineer, Serafin Miguez, designed the circuit board that hosts a CSR chip (Bluecore 3 MM) and subsequently supervised, updated and improved the computer software.
The result is a device that records the voice and background sound registered by the micro, digitally processes the signal to remove noise, and returns only the sound of voices through the headphones. Bluetooth technology allows you to be talking to the tandem passenger (equipped with another BlueNac3000) in less than 30 seconds at a distance of up to 30 meters. And all that, even if you have the engine working at top revs, as we have seen in our first tests with this system.
The system allows for many possibilities of in flight communication and settings, such as the above mentioned communication pilot-passenger; radio connection (with someone on the ground or other pilots, for example) using a Bluetooth module on the walkie-talkie; mobile phone communication for pilot and passenger independently; and the option that communication between them is interrupted when a call enters or if the pilot and/or passenger wants to talk by phone or radio privately.
 The communication is automatic, with no need to press any button, and the sound quality is outstanding, which adds to the experience of flying for tandem passengers, as the pilot can explain things in flight, show interesting places or answer questions.
Technical characteristics of the Bluenac-3000 include Bluetooth connection version 2.1 (Headset/Handsfree protocol); noise and echo cancellation cVc (Clear Voice Capture); sound monitoring as in aviation equipments; software control for PC via USB; ion lithium battery for up to 8 hours talking time and 150 hours standby time; charging time: 2-3 hours; and water resistant.
*We will soon tell you our impressions and experiences after thoroughly testing the BlueNac 3000.
+Info: http://www.bluenac3000.es
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New wireless communication system BlueNac 3000
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 The Spanish pilot is back in the Himalayas, where he flew up to 7800m in paramotor last year, starting another challenge in his career. This time he plans to fly from the Ghizer Valley in bivouac paragliding to the base camp near Concordia, about 400 km, from where he will then try to reach over 8000m with his paramotor at the K2.
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 These two challenges keep Ramon and his team busy these days, as they first had to travel from Hushe to Booni by land to then prepare and start the free flight journey along with Tomas de Dordolot. As Ramon’s brother Juan –meteorological support from Spain– explained to us, the weather conditions are not the best to fly from Booni now, as Ramon had originally planned it. The alternative was to wait until the last day of July, but instead the pilots chose to begin their flights in the Valley of Ghizer, about 30 km straight from Booni, where they already managed to cover 60 km before starting a few relax days, only flying in the morning, while they wait for the weather to improve.
"It was an easy flight following the Valley", says Ramon from Pakistan, and adds that he reached bases of 5000m before it began to rain on the route. The course will take the two pilots to the zone of Hunza and to where the Baltoro glacier begins, a route that offers at least one difficult mountain pass which has only been flown once by paraglider. Actually, Ramon’s projected route has never been completed in a sole journey although parts of it have been done separately by pilots like Brad Sanders, Julien Wirtz and John Silvester, among others. The goal is to reach the base camp at 4500m where, just a few days later, Ramon will try to beat his paramotor world record of altitude flying around the K2 massif, of 8611m.
For these mountain flights at high altitude, and possibly traveling many miles and spending many hours in flight, Ramon will use his Advance Sigma 7 glider size 23 with a light harness Lightness, while for paramotor flying he will take a Sigma 7 size 26 or an Omega 8 size 27 if the conditions are weak. The paramotor unit is the same one he flew to 7800m last year in this region, a PAP 1400 fitted with H&E R220 Duo engine, which will possibly use nitromethane again for good ignition at extreme heights. Certainly, the low temperatures and the isolation of the area are very relevant factors in this challenge, so Ramon is wearing a mountain suit tailor-made by the Spanish manufacturer Diamir, plus a survival sleeping bag. His mountain boots were manufactured in Spain by Boreal. He also carries climbing gear and a Spot satellite tracking system which will allow us to see his position in real time on the map, on his website.
At the moment, Ramón and his expedition teammates are enjoying the incredible landscape of the Himalayas and the experiences near the people of those remote villages. The pilot is upbeat about the imminent flights and expects to succeed in his high altitude goals. On his website you can access the online tracking (“seguimiento online”) and see the news that come from Pakistan (in Spanish).
+Info: www.rompiendolimites.es
*Related news: Video: Between Earth and Sky, Ramon Morillas & Thomas in Pakistan; Video: Paramotor World Record 7800m; Ramon Morillas flies to 7354m in Pakistan; Season of Paramotor World Records 2009
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Ramón Morillas flying high in Pakistan
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The Spanish manufacturer offers two new models of trikes with integrated engine. The C1 Sport is a new version of the single-seater, manufactured in Tig steel, with floating seat and double suspension system, characteristics that share with a totally renewed Mustang that inherits the proven features of the popular C2 tandem trike but with reduced weight and size.
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 Based on the C1, the paratrike frame to attach a paramotor, the C1 Sport is an integral structure that comes with built-in engine, which helps reduce the total weight and make it balanced and more comfortable to fly, according to the manufacturer. The C1 Sport can incorporate a choice of engine according to the pilot’s needs: FLY 100 Evo for light pilots, Corsair M 25 and F200 for heavy-weights, or Bailey 4V-200 4-stroke for the more "sophisticated".
The new Mustang 2010 is both a powerful solo trike and a light two-seater, which gives you the option of flying accompanied with all the power of the 45 HP offered by any of the two options of engine, Rotax 503 or Compact Radial 201. According to Lorenzo Alarcon, from Airfer, it also is a good choice for doing intensive tandem flights  for medium sized or small pilots. Its main structure and geometry come from its big brother, the C2, but with a reduction of some 15 cm in size and about 10 kg of weight. This makes it perfectly functional as a tandem but the seats are smaller resulting in better stability in flight; besides, the pilot position is somewhat higher for better visibility. The C1 Sport and the Mustang paratrikes share some features:
- Frame in stainless steel with polished finish or choice of enamel,
-New "floating" high density seats suspended from tapes, designed to improve safety in case of an impact, and
- Double damping system composed by zicral bars and springs.
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New Paratrikes C1 Sport and Mustang 2010 from Airfer
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0 Comments to:
Video: Acro paramotor tuning in
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 The 18-year old pilot (Ozone Viper 2 / Miniplane Top 80) was the best in the main category, foot-launch, of this event that was also international Open and had nearly 100 pilots competing in the foot-launch, paratrike and foot-launch tandem classes. His sister Coralie (25) was the female champion. In the Open (excluding the French), the winner was the world champion Michel Carnet (GBR) with Emilia Plak (POL) 2nd and Juanjo García (ES) 3rd. Read the report of the competition by Juanjo and watch the video interviews to Alex and Coralie, by Mathieu Rouanet.
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 "The area of the Championship was Blois, at the Le Breuil aerodrome, in the centre region of France, about 150 km from Paris; a completely flat, windy and thermal area. Turnout was high, around 70 participants in PF1 (foot launch), 20 in PL1 (paratrike solo) and 10 in PF2 (foot launch tandem). *Approximately 17 were foreigners and about a dozen were women.
On the two first days of competition we could hardly fly due to the wind and rain; we only did one valid task, a spot landing. On Wednesday we had two navigation tasks and an economy triangle. The French system is a bit strange and after these four tasks they make a cut in the ranking so that the 15 firsts start to fight for the French Championship and the Open (only foreigners) in the "top elite" class, as they call it, and for the rest they create a new category called "sport class". From then on there are two totally different competitions always with the priority for the top elite Championship. *There was no podium with the overall French + foreigners results.
I was the only Spanish pilot, from the five that went to France, who entered in the 'top elite' group, as I was 7th overall by then and 2nd in the Open behind Michel Carnet. In the tasks of Friday my engine broke during the first task and I dropped to the 5th position in the Open and 15th overall; up to then I was second, and fourth overall. Luckily the remaining tasks were slaloms and I could do them with a mate’s motor to climb up to the 3rd place in the open (12th overall). 
The Organization was good, lots of information; they gave us new loggers like the ones we used in the Czech Republic last year, then you could buy them for 60 €.
And regarding the French pilots, they are really very strong. The kid who won, Alex Mateos, who just turned 18, is -I believe– even better than Mathieu Rouanet; he did 40 seconds in the cloverleaf and 38' in the eight! He is fast and he also won the pure economy task; he is a tough rival. Mathieu was 4th (5th overall, including foreigners).
The scoring system goes for places; you always have to go to your limits. Missing a turnpoint, for example, when there are 10 or 15 pilots who have one more tp than you, can leave you with only 2 or 4 points from a maximum of 30. It is not very fair from my point of view, and almost all tasks are at full speedbar, determined by the speed.
One thing that upset me in the end is that we who were in the Open were not even mentioned at the prize giving; there was no podium, or medal or a single pat on the back. It was an ugly detail after travelling so far and spending one week competing...
Juan José García"
Video-interview to French Champion 2010 Alexandre Mateos, by Mathieu Rouanet:
Video interview to French Female Champion 2010, Coralie Mateos (Alex's sister), by Mathieu Rouanet:
Top results:
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French Championship:
1st Alexandre Mateos
2nd David Muzellec
3rd Pascal Vallee
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Open - foreigners:
1st Michel Carnet (4th overall)
2nd Emilia Plak (11th overall)
3rd Juan Jose Garcia (12th overall)
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Sport Class
1st Rafaelle Benetti
2nd Dominique Lapierre
3rd Carole Gobbe
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Women
1st Coralie Mateos
2nd Sandrine Muzellec
3rd Carole Gobbe.
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Alexandre Mateos wins Paramotor French Championship
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The FAI has certified the distance record set by the British pilot in Spain in October 2009. Karen flew from Seville to Zamora, to finally cover a total of 440,9 km, the longest distance ever flown by a female paramotor pilot.
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 The successor of the popular easy intermediate power wing from Paramania is a totally new design that offers a very wide speed range (20 to 65 km/h!) with “the highest stability at speed” of any reflex glider, thanks to “the most pitch positive profile” ever designed by Mike Campbell-Jones & Co.
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 The Argentine acrobat dared to try one of the most difficult manoeuvres of the acro catalogue, a series of chained tumblings, using his Sol Supersonic glider of 17.4 m2 and a PAP paramotor powered with a Top 80 engine.
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 The successful all-round model for powered flight from the Polish manufacturer already boasts two world titles and several records, yet it is a safe and accessible paraglider. It benefits from the reflex technology for a wide range of speeds and great stability, and introduces special features like an anti torque system or the mini wingtip controls compatible with brakes.
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