Golden5 paramotor appendix
5
GENERAL ADVICE
While paramotoring there is no reason to expose yourself to any danger caused by
thermal turbulence or strong wind, as you don’t need these to stay in the air on your
paramotor. Thus we recommend to all, especially to less experienced pilots, to fly in the
calm morning and evening hours and on low wind days only. Remember that close to the
ground strong winds always cause strong turbulence. An exception to this is at coastal
soaring spots.
We strongly advise against simulating any flight incidents as though on a free flight SIV
course. Because of the high mass inertia and wingloading in paramotoring, the risk of
having an incident when executing any extreme manoeuvre is much higher than when
free flying. Riser twists are more likely to occur, and coming down under a reserve
parachute will likely damage your machine, and, if unlucky, yourself. Remember,
paramotor harnesses do not usually have back protection like free flight harnesses do.
Over the next few pages we explain the main differences in the standard manoeuvres
when performed on a paramotor. Many of these explanations are valid for any paramotor
glider and are not specific to the Golden5. However, this manual is not a ‘How-to’
paramotoring guide and even for experienced free-flight pilots proper instruction is
mandatory.
TAKE OFF
It is at take-off where you will find the biggest difference between free flight and
paramotor flight. Because you inflate on the flat the glider will need more time to inflate
and rise above your head. You should avoid leaning forward with your body when adding
engine power, because the thrust from the engine will push you downwards instead of
forward. Try to stay as upright as possible and let the engine help to accelerate your body.
Because of the higher speed needed to create sufficient lift with the higher loaded wings,
we advise the following take-off technique:
Inflate your glider using either a forward or reverse launch technique. Due to the
Golden5’s good take off behaviour it is not necessary to add any engine thrust, even in
nil-wind conditions.
Once the glider is stabilised and centred above you, progressively add engine power and
accelerate.
Stay in an upright position and add only as little brake as necessary to control the glider.
Brake pressure is quite low in this range on Golden5. Don’t brake too much as this will
hinder your acceleration.
Once you have accelerated enough and you start to feel the glider lift, you can help the
glider to pull you off the ground by applying some brake.
For an easier climb and for added brake pressure, slightly open the trimmers.
Never try to take off in turbulent areas or in tailwind. This will be even less promising than
in free flight! Make sure that your flight path is free of obstacles and stay focused until
you are at a safe altitude. During take-off, never release the brake handle that you need
to apply to compensate for the engine’s torque.
