planet47

I have had my plane (or powered parachute as pylon500 calls it) for 6 months but would really like to find a Titan Tornado. Done about 60 hours of flying the past 12 months so it pays to have my own rather than try to fit in with other people when the conditions are good.

Oh, you're replying to my question on the previous page asking why he wants to fly 500ft circuits ! I was hoping that planet47 would tell us why he wants to fly low circuits where the terrain is unsuitable. She (the pilot) doesn't necessarily want to fly 500ft circuits and I have flown 1000ft circuits in the the 'silver. The slowsilver's net weight is 126kg and its upper limit is around 250kg. It is extremly susceptible to getting blown around and unless you've flown one of these, I don't think you could understand just how susceptible it is. A 10 knot wind is about the upper limit. Yes indeed I have found it pays to keep a 500ft circuit tighter than a 1000ft circuit and there have been times that I found the lower circuit level to be less turbulent particularly when the wind is from the northwest. Most of the land surrounding the tarmac and the grass strip is not necessarily conducive to emergency landings whether you fly 1000ft circuits or 500ft circuits. To the south is the river delta, bridges, an island dotted with power poles; not far to the east from the grass strip is a town area and dairy type farms and more power poles; to the north off the tarmac a few paddocks and then the trees start for probably about 7 miles; and to the west well that is just tiger country, with two small clearings, more power poles, a cemetery (and I don't feel like flying in there) and more waterways. I refuse to take off to the west cause there is no real option in the event of an emergency and I would probably end up parking it in the cemetery. The slowsilver is in the experimental category. At last count I have done around 30 hours in this particular machine and have done around 240 hours all up. Thanks to M61A1 for the advice - it is appreciated +++.

Remember the tecnam well. Congratulations!!!

Why "Molly"? "Slowsilver" but sometimes I think of George Jetson (cartoon fame) due to the shape, etc of the pod. It does however suffer from being called a range of other names at times .

When I first got the slowsilver I experimented with 500ft circuits and one day I powered off at the same point I normally did when flying 1000ft circuits. Suffice to say I felt abit too low especially on the turn to final near the river. So now I use some reference points which are generally dependent on whether I am using the tarmac or the grass strip which are sometimes geographical but mostly associated with the slowsilver's abilities. I generally now fly my circuits using lift from thermals to assist in gaining height cause it would appear the max climb rate is 3-400ft a minute on a good day. The slowsilver has a 447 motor and it generally chortles along at about 50-55 mph (not knots - great viewing platform but one can't rush it along). It is very susceptible to wind, turbulence, lift and any other condition that might like to prevail. Having said all that I have often found that I obtain unintentional lift on base turning final on the grass strip (I am not alone in this feat) and I do have to use some of those skills to land it.

Just a small question - I seek opinion as to how one should conduct 500ft circuits. I think gliding distance of the runway is always good especially if the surrounding landscape is made up to trees, a river and a few paddocks with power lines.

Maybe he was overcome with tiredness after a session on the stuff

If only people using drugs and piloting an aircraft would turn a different color under the influence!

From a nurse - I couldn't imagine what it felt like to have to wake the pilot up. Can only think of being in the passenger seat of a car with a narcoleptic driver.

To deter us from flying is the first thought that comes to mind but there are many other thoughts on the matter in existence.

My quicksilver = a piece of wool on the aerial, an ASI and an altimeter and also a dumb GPS.

I think you should complain, at least on my behalf seeing it takes me 30-45 minutes to travel out there! But I guess they will close it for another year in view of the most recent storm.

Such a beautiful view. I do miss those views and those type of days. Too much rain and wind here.

Thanks - hope to participate in meaningful way

Just landed - at the instigation of pylon500. Fly a quicksilver gt400. Knowledge always welcome but not necessarily retained.