I practice no engine landings all the time. One thing I would highly recommend is to do S turns and not complete 360 turns as you will have your back to your landing area and threw that turn you will be downwind you will loose more altitude and if not careful it can push you further downwind of your landing area. By maintaining an S turn you always have your landing area in site and a pretty constant headwind to then judge your glide/sink rate. Fly to 2000ft Cut your engine and spot your landing. Its surprising how much time you will have to feel your glider and plan your approach/landing
Thanks for the suggestion. Another comment suggested exactly the same thing. To do S turns instead of 360. I will be practicing more and for sure will keep that in mind. Thank you so much. 🤗
Thank you! 🤗. But it is frustrating when what was broken should have lasted much longer 😓. A design simply just to save a few grams on weight caused these pull housings to break is not worth it IMO 🤨.
Thanks for the video and the insight into your thought process. As a new pilot with about 80 flights under my belt, I've just recently been taking this more seriously and have been practicing spot landing at idle from about 500ft most every time I fly. The other comments on here were super valuable to me as well! Nicely done!
You are welcome 👍. I only have 60 flight under my belt. Even newer than you 😅. I will be practicing more now too. Thanks for your comment. It's good to know that this video helps others too.
Thanks 😅. Luckily I was high enough that gave me a lot of time to think. And, having that much beach area to land helped too. I would not say that I made "good" decisions, but just "good enough" and some luck 😅.
Thank you for your kind words 🤗. But I don't think I "aced it". Just at least passing grade 😅. There are a lot of Paramotor in England too. If you ever get into it, safe flying to you too. 🤗
Thank you. I had two more incidents with the pull starter since. One happened when I was about 100 feet agl in a canyon flight, and the other happened at about 250 ish ft agl in a wide open field. I will eventually make a video on those emergency landings. By the way Mark, I watch your videos all the time. Great videos 👍.
@@johngt1718 Yes it highlights the importance of having land-out options at ALL times. Here's my starter disintegration video ua-cam.com/users/shorts_sJ60-vFcNE?feature=share
Fantastic way to end the day I'd say bit of excitement, practically experience, and a near perfect landing also walked away great day with a great story. Good job
Thank you very much 🤗. It was a good experience. I actually have two now. But my second time happened last weekend and I was only about 50 ft in the air. Luckily I landed ok. 😬
Thanks. That was because I was flying high enough thus a lot of time to think what I should do next. 😅 Maybe I did not made the best decision, but made it down without breaking anything else.
Nice job. I learned the acronym "OWLS" when looking to land off field (precautionary or emergency). Obstacles, Wind, Length, Surface. Consider all of those when assessing an out landing. Figure 8s (or S turns) at the downwind end of the intended LS gives you full control over altitude and direction for the final approach.
Got it 👍. OWLS. Thanks so much 🤜🤛. I actually just had another emergency landing. But this time I was only about 50ft above ground. No time to think, only just react and landed on my butt 😅.
After over 600 flights, I had my first emergency landing. Just like you, I had enough altitude to safely glide back to the LZ (Panama City Beach, Florida) at Beach Blast in 2014. I had a small prop strike which put a hole in my fuel tank upon lift-off. So I ran out of fuel. Damn lucky.
Wow 🤯 after 600 flights. Man, that is a reliable engine you had. I was on my 60 ish flight only. And just had a second emergency landing last weekend too. Well, I purchase my used from my instructor. It had about 70 hr use only. What engine did you have?
Welcome 🤗. My reasons for making videos are to share with my family and friends, and if can help others that will be great too. But I am just a beginner, so my decisions may not be the best yet 🤔. Still learning for myself.
I just showed this to my 8yo son! Amazing and thank you for giving glory to God! We are Christians and he says it’s so cool you’re a Christian too. Praise Jesus!
Thanks man 🤗. But I am still learning, and a lot more to learn still. Since it was my first emergency landing and without previous practice, it was not skill really. Just a lot of luck IMO 😅
Congrats on remaining calm and getting down safetly and without damaging anything. Now if the same happens again (I really hope you NEVER have to go through anything again) but at least you know you can do it cause you already have.
Thank you so much. Being at higher altitude and having the entire beach to land on made it possible for me to stay calm. But I do need a lot more practices so that when it happens again and I am at lower altitude or less area to land on, I will be as in control as I did. Unfortunately, PPG engines will have failures. But luckily there is a big parachute above us 😅.
If you going _with_ the wind you can pull your trimmers for longer glide. If you going _against_ the wind you may want to _releace_ your trimmers and even use your speedbar (if available) for longer glide.
That is very true 🤗. I didn't think about that. I was flying once at about 10 mph wind, and when I was landing I was descending in a more vertical slope. Thus, with trim out I should be able to flatten the slope meaning move forward more. During my emergency landing I couldn't tell what direction the wind, and how strong. I was just assuming the wind was the same as when I took off about 15 min earlier. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Really appreciated. 👍🤜🤛
@@johngt1718 I am sorry I can't help popping in with my unasked «knowledge» sometimes, but these two things worry me: - "I couldn't tell what direction the wind, and how strong" - I believe we should try _at all times_ keeping in mind and watching the wind direction (and a provisional place for an emergency landing). - Landing with engine on, you say... Though all other aircraft do so in case of need to go around (and some instructors I heard encouraging this), I strongly believe paramotors are an exception. There is much more risk to trip on landing, fall on your throttle hand and accidentally ravv on, catch your lines or hit the ground with your prop, etc. So I always switch the engine off on my last approach. Moreover: we often switch off at ~600ft _over_ the exact touchdown, so that to practice the spot (and emergency) approach and landing. Best to You and sorry again.
@@michroz I am not sure why you are sorry for. But no need to be 🤗. I appreciate any help since I am still a beginner. 1) I do always try to know the direction of the wind when I am flying. But it's kind of hard to determine that at a higher altitude. I am not comfortable enough to mount my phone on top of my reserve yet to use the GPS. Luckily the wind that day was more or less than 4 mph. 2) I do turn off my engine at about 10 ft before I touch the ground, except when I wanted to do a touch and go. But I want to turn off my engine just to practice motor out landing only. I actually just had another emergency landing this pass weekend 😅. But I was just about 50ft in the air this time. Luckily I landed without any problems but I landed on my butt.
Not a pilot but somehow this showed up on my watch list. I'm a maintenance tech at a manufacturing plant and have to deal with failures of something all the time. Being this is the second time this starter cover has failed you just wondering if you have a prop that is a little out of balance that's causing an odd vibration that's stress cracking those starter housing webs, just a thought. And by the way, great job bringing it down.
Thank you so much for your inputs. I have thought about the balance of my prop, but I do check the balance after handful of flights, or whenever I feel the vibration of my engine feels a little different when flying. But, I am using homemade tools to check balance, therefore maybe I should have professionally checked once just to verify my work 🤔. Also, the two stroke engines have vibration even if the prop are perfect balanced I was told. And yes, after spending more time analyzing the pull starter, I am convinced that it is the weight of the pull starter itself on the opposite end from its mounting points that generated strong enough internal stress due to the vibration which caused fatigue breakage. I am in the process of making a new support bracket out of 10 gauge steel that hopefully will not fatigue out anymore. Last one I made was with 16 gauge, and it still broke the same way 😓, and I was also in the mid air when it broke 😭.
@@lookoutleo yea, unfortunately it requires a different level, listener, and gears to take others up. But there are others, and instructors that can. Just need to look it up and call them. Some charges a little price or free 🤗
I don’t even have big enough balls to try to learn how to use that machine. However, I have jumped off a curb in front of my house. I used a skateboard.
😄. I don't think is the "size" that matters in this case 😄. One you understand the risks in PPG, and set your limits, IMO this is safer than writing motorcycles in the streets. Again, just my opinion.
Oh, and sorry about the starter. That sucks. My moster 185 has eaten up 5 starters in the last 200 hours. In desperation, I've mounted a slightly modified $25 Tecumseh snow blower engine starter. 30 flights on it so far. Fingers crossed. 😅😅😅
Nice! Got to show me what you are using next time. I had heard others using different starter for the moster too. Hope it will last for you. When the time comes, I will like to get a moster or attom 80 too.
Well done John! Handled it like a pro. Nice graphics to help show what your thought process was. I would have landed out too (away from the main LZ). Anytime I can eliminate variables that are out of my control (like pilots wearing helmets and ear protection on the ground walking into my intended landing area when they can't hear an audible alert) I'll go with the longer walk and the extra margin of safety. Especially when you've got no possibility for a go-around. For added safety, consider large S-Turns instead of 360s. Longer look at the intended LZ without turning your back to it and the ability to shorten up the turn if the wind picks up and you're losing more altitude than expected. Really well done though. 👍👍
Hey David. Very good points. I am actually glad that I did not landed at LZ too. At the beach area, that gives me the best options to change direction at the last moment too. I will have to start practicing small wing overs 😅. Thanks for the advices.
@@NathanBrownUA-cam thanks you for your concern 🤗. I am doing fine. I share my computer with my son, and he is always either doing homework or playing games on it. Mostly games. 😓 So usually it's hard for me to edit my videos. Soon I will get him another computer and I will have more time to use my own computer 😅. I really on to show a video of my first cloud flying. And I actually just had another emergency landing yesterday 😓. This time I was only about 50 ft in the air. 🤨
I really hate pull starters for this exact reason. I can't tell you how many of my racing VIZA Scooters I had to replace as a kid growing up in the 90's because it would always break just like that. I ended up selling it to a kid in Staten Island when I got into high school, and when he received it, he complained that the brand new pull starter broke. I ended up feeling bad because I wanted him to be excited for it like I was when I was his age. So I purchased another to be sent to his house and every so often he'd ask me to help him get another. Do they not have electrical ones for paramotors? On another note- all the comments of people telling you to never lose your landing spot in sight and to do S. You clarified why in the video lol. I think it's wise to practice both in case of emergencies, your response time to doing both will be comfortable and will help not overthink about anything visually that your mind tends to do when your fluttering in panic. Good Job!
Thank you so much 🤗. There is electric start on Paramotor s, but it adds quit some weight IMO. And also that is just another thing that can go wrong 🤔. I have made a steel sheet metal bracket to replace the broken legs on the pull starter housing. So far it's working good and no sign of weakness after many pulls since. It's too bad that manufactures don't just make the housing with just a little more material to prolong the pull starter housing. I guess they see it as opportunity to sell more. About the S turn. I do agree with the guys who commented, because S turn does not necessarily means wing-overs. But yes I will be practicing both. Thanks again for your comment. Really appreciate 🤗.
I have heard that sailplanes are awesome, and yes super peaceful. Once I have the chance to ride one one, I will try it. But PPG is so much more simple to move around, takeoff, and land 🤗.
@@johngt1718 Yeah, needing to have the tug pilot and basically a whole team of experienced individuals around you just to get off the ground is a bit of a hassle. I'd actually like to try PPG myself someday, it looks awesome!
Great job John. Thanks for sharing this video. Most people that watch these paramotor videos, only see the perfect flights. I'm glad you are safe. How much damage did you do, and approximately how much did it cost to repair??
Thank you. Luckily the only damage was on the pull starter. That pull starter costs about $400 if I would of purchase another new one. But because same thing happened less than a year ago, and I did replaced with a new one, I don't trust the design of the pull starter anymore. Since I have two starter with just the housing broken, I made a steel bracket to substitute the housing. And it's so far working good and I did not spend any $ because I used scrap materials that I had I my garage and work. 😅
So much to discuss and learn from here. First congrats, as any unusual situation can unnerve people enough to make decisions that worsen the situation. You did great! As others have mentioned, consider S-turns instead of 360s, or better, a figure 8 pattern high and to the downwind side of your intended LZ. You had lots of altitude to work with and many safe places to land. Fixed wing glider manufacturers publish something called "polar charts", which give some insight into how speed and trim affect glide ratio. Google a few to get a feel for how the information is presented. Most paraglider manufacturers do not publish these style charts as there are so many variables with a fabric wing that exclude us from access to hard and fast performance data, that so much of the aviation world can count on. Once you understand the concept of those charts, you can practice building a similar understanding using trial glides with your PPG rig at different trim settings and differing amounts of brake deflection. Your results were good because you had altitude and options, but it might have been a whole lot more nerve wracking if you wouldn't have had both. THAT is why you need to practice motor off approaches and landings! The day may come when you need to stuff it into a narrow strip with obstacles. Lastly I noticed your speedbar was not connected. It is a tool that can really help you to put yourself exactly where in space you want to be, in terms of both altitude and airspeed. Using it effectively too, just like a well flown motor off approach, requires practice. Not something to try the first time when you really need it. Thanks for putting this out there.
🤗 Thank you so much, and thanks for sharing. Any information from anybody with more experience are very appreciated. I actually just have another emergency landing. I was only about 50ft above ground this time. Didn't have time to think this time, just reacted and landed in the nearest flat spot on my butt. Same breakage to my pull starter 😓. I don't have the time to make the video yet, but I will. I don't have speed bar nor I am comfortable yet to use it. But when I get more experience, I will definitely try speed bar 🤗.
Yes I know. But i figure I start with a used one to learn from and then change to a nicer one later when I am better and have more experience. Besides, I got it for a great deal that I accepted if I have to spend some time on maintenance. But did not expect the starter housing to be a bad design. Oh well, I heard that even the moster starter are breaking too. I have fixed my starter housing already. Hope it will last now. 🤞
@@johngt1718 10-4. And yeah, I've also heard of some of the starters falling off. My buddy has a Simonini 250 and the starter fell off after about 5 hours of flight. Anywho, fly safe!
Thank you for this educational piece. Quite a bit to learn from, and a reminder that this is very possible. On another note, what are you recording with, and what setting on that device? I record with my GoPro 9 and 10, in both 5K and 2.7K. Bu the time the video made it onto UA-cam, it looked nothing like this.
Glad my video is helpful 🤗. I am using a GoPro 8, at 2.7k, 30 fps (60 fps would be nicer because I can make video in slow motion if I need to, but larger file size), and super view. When I edit, I use 1080, 30 fps (actually the 29.xx fps one). Export 1080p and medium quality to keep the file decent size. Hope that helps.
hmm, well done... flying is a bit like life.. it has its ups.. and downs. and as in life your always learning .. no matter how many hours you've got.... the pull start housing?? is there an upgrade?? it just seems it's not the best of designs.. but anyway.. chill out. and have a few beers ... you landed safe and sound... thumbs up from me ;0)
Thanks. Yes, I believe the pull start housing was a bad design. Two broke exactly the same way. For additional few oz. of aluminum, the housing could of been much stronger. I actually made a steel bracket to fix the issue instead of buying another new starter that may again break anytime. And yes, I am learning everyday I life. 👍
Yes. But it depends on your own judgement and action you take. PPG "can be" dangerous too, but if you stay withing some risk limit IMO it is actually safer than riding a motorcycle. Again, it is all up to yourself as where is that risk limit will be. I am not about acro flying nor let's do this to have a great exiting video content. Just doing it for the joy of flying. The videos are just to share with my friends and family.
Excellent thinking there and judgment, if you watch videos of small general aviation aircraft decision-making during accidents most of them do not do that they don’t think clearly enough 👍 And most have not practiced or even thought of what to do in an emergency which is a giant failure because gravity
Thank you so much. Paramotor does fly and glide a lot slower than general aviation aircraft IMO. So luckily I was high enough and had time on my side to think. I was in another emergency landing this pass weekend, but I was only about 50 ft in the air. This time I did not have time to think, just had to react. Luckily I landed without injury 😅.
I assume that this is practiced at least 5 times during training. At least it is over here. just like pulling big ears and some other manouvres. just flying is the easy bit.
Thanks for commenting. But I've been dreaming to fly since I was little. PPG is the closest to flying like a bird IMO. I prefer to practice more and improve my skills to reduce my chance of hurting myself and enjoy more in life than quitting. 😉 And yes, my guardian angels was with me 😅
Interesting to read, however there are a couple of points that are worthwhile making. 1. Landing safely is the first and most important point, you clearly had lots of area to choose from. 2.Landing into wind is a well established practice, if you don’t have sight of a windsock turning through 360 degrees while you have height to establish your slowest ground speed will give you a reasonable accurate wind direction. 3.Check that trimmers are set appropriately for final landing approach. 4.Should you have excess altitude lose it upwind of landing area by turning 360 and then complete a convention a/c approach, eg downwind, cross wind and touch down into wind. S turning on the threshold of a landing area prevents other from landing and is not good airmanship.
Thanks for the points 👍. When I was reducing my altitude by turning 360, I did not think about to feel for the wind direction because I was very sure that the wind was still from the same direction when I took off. I was more concentrated on not running into other pilots and my decent rate. I will keep these in mind in my future practices. Thanks again for your inputs. 🤜🤛
I didn’t know there is such a thing as an “emergency” when you’re already suspended underneath a well inflated parachute. Not having a parachute and needing one is an emergency.
Not having the main power source to have another chance to do over, or redo the landing specially when I never done it before IMO is emergency enough 😅.
It's a EOS 150. Yea, I don't recommend it for USA pilots. because spare parts is only available thru a guy in Canada (nothing wrong with this guy in Canada by the way), or you have to order direct from Europe. But, if you look at the very popular Moster engine, the starter also brakes too 🤔. So, when I need to get a new one, I personally would rather get an engine that spare parts are more easier to obtain.
My pull starter housing broke as I said many times. What caused the breakage? I am not 100% sure . But I now believe its due to fatigue from engine vibration. There is a decent weight to the pull starter I believe. The three legs holding it to the engine looks kind of week design for the amount of vibration magnitude.🤔
If the translation to English is correct, then as you can see when the "Fan" does stop you are still gliding. So, don't position yourself in a situation where there is no landing option, then it's not that bad. But then again, if you don't know what to do, then I guess it can be 🤔. At least it is all up to your own judgement. Not depending on others 😉.
Thank you so much. But I end up making a sheet metal brake to transfer the load thru the pull starter body and the mounting points. It's working good now. Appreciate for your offer 🤗. By the way, the housing is solid machined aluminum. It just have bad design in the three little legs. Too thin, too small, and no corner radius so a lot of concentrated stress on leg ends. I just hope that the inner springs will not brake soon 😅.
@@johngt1718 ahh lol i didnt even think of that lol Now that i got you here ive wanted to ask this since i saw that video of that guy riding his para to mac donalds. What got you into this? How does one get into this? Does the answer to those question vary based on where u live?
@@Mudcreekmedia I always wanted to fly since I was little. But gave it up after realizing how much time, $, and effort it will take to get and keep a pilot license. But saw Tucker G. video on UA-cam one day and did not stop watching Paramotor videos since. After watching, learning, and understanding the risks I decided that I prefer to fly than saving up $ for a used C8 Corvette someday😁. After finally convinced my wife by making some promises that I will not fly above water, do acro, and will use my best judgements I found a very good instructor near me. Luckily my travel was only 2 hr to learn PPG. So, if you are thinking to get into PPG, I highly recommend getting a instructor first. Or start with reading a book called "The Powered Paragliding Bible" by Jeff Goin. Read the book first before lessons therefore you can ask questions that you may have to the instructor and therefore more productive too. Also, go to Facebook and search for Paramotor related groups. Asked for any recommended instructor near where you live. A lot of people are helpful there too.
😄. But it was not scary. I was more worried about loosing my pull starter, damaging my prop, and not being able to land right without the chance of redue (and therefore cause damage to my gear or hurt myself). 😅
Here is a landing setup that I think would have helped you. In that situation, I would haul ass to the LZ with as much altitude as possible, and then set up an approach like this. ua-cam.com/video/pIAZj_B7_SI/v-deo.html
Yes, I was trying to get back to LZ. But what trow me off was the wind direction change at the last moment. But I am going to try wrap my hand around the brake line like your video next time. Thanks. 🤗
Salut Rien de bien méchant tu t’es juste pose sans moteur Rien d’exceptionnel Je ne pose jamais avec le moteur c’est comme cela En plus tu es en plein désert Laisse moi rire 😂😂😂🙂
I was replying to your original post but looks like it got changed. But I didn't want to land at the LZ because there were a lot of pilots on LZ ready to take off. I had to fly over house because I was more worried about landing at that time. I didn't wanted to land right next to the beach, and my target was next to LZ where I have taken off and landed before. That is why I "flew away from the beach". Plus the wind direction "was" coming from the beach. And yes the 360 was to lose some altitude because I was too high to land where I wanted to land. 🤨
Great landing! Calm under pressure, navigate, concentrate, and aviate to the ground! Bravo!
Thank you 😊
I practice no engine landings all the time. One thing I would highly recommend is to do S turns and not complete 360 turns as you will have your back to your landing area and threw that turn you will be downwind you will loose more altitude and if not careful it can push you further downwind of your landing area. By maintaining an S turn you always have your landing area in site and a pretty constant headwind to then judge your glide/sink rate.
Fly to 2000ft Cut your engine and spot your landing. Its surprising how much time you will have to feel your glider and plan your approach/landing
Thanks for the suggestion. Another comment suggested exactly the same thing. To do S turns instead of 360. I will be practicing more and for sure will keep that in mind. Thank you so much. 🤗
I was on my way to the comment section to say the exact same thing
And he doesn't like the price of fuel these days😉
Well done making it safely back down ! Engine outs are good they put things into perspective and keep us more aware of potential risks.
Thank you! 🤗. But it is frustrating when what was broken should have lasted much longer 😓. A design simply just to save a few grams on weight caused these pull housings to break is not worth it IMO 🤨.
@@johngt1718 Yes I agree ! Very frustrating !
I was up there with you my friend great landing.
Chris (In UK)
Thank you Chris.
@@johngt1718 No problem so glad you were ok.
Chris.
Thanks for the video and the insight into your thought process. As a new pilot with about 80 flights under my belt, I've just recently been taking this more seriously and have been practicing spot landing at idle from about 500ft most every time I fly. The other comments on here were super valuable to me as well! Nicely done!
You are welcome 👍. I only have 60 flight under my belt. Even newer than you 😅. I will be practicing more now too. Thanks for your comment. It's good to know that this video helps others too.
Very interesting video, glad you made it down in one piece.
Thank you! 🤗
Wow!! You stayed calm and made good decisions. Nicely done. 👏👏
Thanks 😅. Luckily I was high enough that gave me a lot of time to think. And, having that much beach area to land helped too. I would not say that I made "good" decisions, but just "good enough" and some luck 😅.
I don’t fly unfortunately but had to watch this, in my humble opinion you absolutely aced that situation stay safe and respect from England 🏴
Thank you for your kind words 🤗. But I don't think I "aced it". Just at least passing grade 😅. There are a lot of Paramotor in England too. If you ever get into it, safe flying to you too. 🤗
One massive landing area down there. Hard part would have been picking from the thousands of options.
I was actually glad that I had that many choices because I have never done a motor out landing from that early before. 😅
Glad you made it down safe, my starter unravelled mid-flight and destroyed my prop! You were lucky and nicely handled!
Thank you. I had two more incidents with the pull starter since. One happened when I was about 100 feet agl in a canyon flight, and the other happened at about 250 ish ft agl in a wide open field. I will eventually make a video on those emergency landings. By the way Mark, I watch your videos all the time. Great videos 👍.
@@johngt1718 Yes it highlights the importance of having land-out options at ALL times. Here's my starter disintegration video ua-cam.com/users/shorts_sJ60-vFcNE?feature=share
Fantastic way to end the day I'd say bit of excitement, practically experience, and a near perfect landing also walked away great day with a great story. Good job
Thank you very much 🤗. It was a good experience. I actually have two now. But my second time happened last weekend and I was only about 50 ft in the air. Luckily I landed ok. 😬
Good landing and smart thinking.
Thank you.
Great job. Seems like the most important thing you did was stay calm throughout the entire process.
Thanks. That was because I was flying high enough thus a lot of time to think what I should do next. 😅 Maybe I did not made the best decision, but made it down without breaking anything else.
Good you stayed calm and could glide back even without the engine power.
Thank you🤗
Great handling of a crappy situation! i was there with you in soul!
Thank you🤗
You did all the right things. Fly first, navigate. I think you learned a lot during that flight.
Thank you 🤗. Yes, I gain a valuable lesson. And from people who comments here too. Still a lot to learn 😅.
Watched this a few time now thank god John was ok.
Chris (In UK)
Great way to end your day !!! You made it back down safe !! I see nothing wrong in that. Congratulations
Thank you 🤗 I got lucky too. Because I did not damage anything else except for the pull startet.
Nice job. I learned the acronym "OWLS" when looking to land off field (precautionary or emergency). Obstacles, Wind, Length, Surface. Consider all of those when assessing an out landing. Figure 8s (or S turns) at the downwind end of the intended LS gives you full control over altitude and direction for the final approach.
Got it 👍. OWLS. Thanks so much 🤜🤛. I actually just had another emergency landing. But this time I was only about 50ft above ground. No time to think, only just react and landed on my butt 😅.
After over 600 flights, I had my first emergency landing. Just like you, I had enough altitude to safely glide back to the LZ (Panama City Beach, Florida) at Beach Blast in 2014. I had a small prop strike which put a hole in my fuel tank upon lift-off. So I ran out of fuel. Damn lucky.
Wow 🤯 after 600 flights. Man, that is a reliable engine you had. I was on my 60 ish flight only. And just had a second emergency landing last weekend too. Well, I purchase my used from my instructor. It had about 70 hr use only. What engine did you have?
Any landing you can walk away from is a good one. Nice job.
Thanks you. I told myself that too 😅
Dude, you brought that in like a pro! Great video!
Thanks so much. But no where near a pro. Just got lucky and my guardian angels with me 😅
Thanks for this video, it is useful for new pilots to understand good thought processes in an emergency. I need to go and practice some engine outs.
Welcome 🤗. My reasons for making videos are to share with my family and friends, and if can help others that will be great too. But I am just a beginner, so my decisions may not be the best yet 🤔. Still learning for myself.
I just showed this to my 8yo son! Amazing and thank you for giving glory to God! We are Christians and he says it’s so cool you’re a Christian too. Praise Jesus!
Thank you so much. I am religious, but sorry to say that I am not Christian though.
You Rock ! Good skill all around man !
Thanks man 🤗. But I am still learning, and a lot more to learn still. Since it was my first emergency landing and without previous practice, it was not skill really. Just a lot of luck IMO 😅
That was scary! Glad you are ok!
Thank you. I would not say it was scary, but it sure caused me not to talk right 😅
Congrats on remaining calm and getting down safetly and without damaging anything. Now if the same happens again (I really hope you NEVER have to go through anything again) but at least you know you can do it cause you already have.
Thank you so much. Being at higher altitude and having the entire beach to land on made it possible for me to stay calm. But I do need a lot more practices so that when it happens again and I am at lower altitude or less area to land on, I will be as in control as I did. Unfortunately, PPG engines will have failures. But luckily there is a big parachute above us 😅.
If you going _with_ the wind you can pull your trimmers for longer glide. If you going _against_ the wind you may want to _releace_ your trimmers and even use your speedbar (if available) for longer glide.
That is very true 🤗. I didn't think about that. I was flying once at about 10 mph wind, and when I was landing I was descending in a more vertical slope. Thus, with trim out I should be able to flatten the slope meaning move forward more. During my emergency landing I couldn't tell what direction the wind, and how strong. I was just assuming the wind was the same as when I took off about 15 min earlier. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Really appreciated. 👍🤜🤛
@@johngt1718 I am sorry I can't help popping in with my unasked «knowledge» sometimes, but these two things worry me:
- "I couldn't tell what direction the wind, and how strong" - I believe we should try _at all times_ keeping in mind and watching the wind direction (and a provisional place for an emergency landing).
- Landing with engine on, you say... Though all other aircraft do so in case of need to go around (and some instructors I heard encouraging this), I strongly believe paramotors are an exception. There is much more risk to trip on landing, fall on your throttle hand and accidentally ravv on, catch your lines or hit the ground with your prop, etc. So I always switch the engine off on my last approach. Moreover: we often switch off at ~600ft _over_ the exact touchdown, so that to practice the spot (and emergency) approach and landing. Best to You and sorry again.
@@michroz I am not sure why you are sorry for. But no need to be 🤗. I appreciate any help since I am still a beginner. 1) I do always try to know the direction of the wind when I am flying. But it's kind of hard to determine that at a higher altitude. I am not comfortable enough to mount my phone on top of my reserve yet to use the GPS. Luckily the wind that day was more or less than 4 mph. 2) I do turn off my engine at about 10 ft before I touch the ground, except when I wanted to do a touch and go. But I want to turn off my engine just to practice motor out landing only. I actually just had another emergency landing this pass weekend 😅. But I was just about 50ft in the air this time. Luckily I landed without any problems but I landed on my butt.
@@johngt1718 (Sorry just because not everyone accepts an unasked advice :) Best to you! )
Not a pilot but somehow this showed up on my watch list. I'm a maintenance tech at a manufacturing plant and have to deal with failures of something all the time.
Being this is the second time this starter cover has failed you just wondering if you have a prop that is a little out of balance that's causing an odd vibration that's stress cracking those starter housing webs, just a thought.
And by the way, great job bringing it down.
Thank you so much for your inputs. I have thought about the balance of my prop, but I do check the balance after handful of flights, or whenever I feel the vibration of my engine feels a little different when flying. But, I am using homemade tools to check balance, therefore maybe I should have professionally checked once just to verify my work 🤔. Also, the two stroke engines have vibration even if the prop are perfect balanced I was told. And yes, after spending more time analyzing the pull starter, I am convinced that it is the weight of the pull starter itself on the opposite end from its mounting points that generated strong enough internal stress due to the vibration which caused fatigue breakage. I am in the process of making a new support bracket out of 10 gauge steel that hopefully will not fatigue out anymore. Last one I made was with 16 gauge, and it still broke the same way 😓, and I was also in the mid air when it broke 😭.
Looks a fun way to fly and atleast you landed safely. Just shows you how long it would glide when needed
Flying is addictive 😅. Gliding distance is depend on wind speed. Luckily was not windy that day 🤗.
@@johngt1718 shame you can't take me up as passenger :)
@@lookoutleo yea, unfortunately it requires a different level, listener, and gears to take others up. But there are others, and instructors that can. Just need to look it up and call them. Some charges a little price or free 🤗
I don’t even have big enough balls to try to learn how to use that machine. However, I have jumped off a curb in front of my house. I used a skateboard.
😄. I don't think is the "size" that matters in this case 😄. One you understand the risks in PPG, and set your limits, IMO this is safer than writing motorcycles in the streets. Again, just my opinion.
Oh, and sorry about the starter. That sucks. My moster 185 has eaten up 5 starters in the last 200 hours. In desperation, I've mounted a slightly modified $25 Tecumseh snow blower engine starter. 30 flights on it so far. Fingers crossed. 😅😅😅
Nice! Got to show me what you are using next time. I had heard others using different starter for the moster too. Hope it will last for you. When the time comes, I will like to get a moster or attom 80 too.
Well done John! Handled it like a pro. Nice graphics to help show what your thought process was. I would have landed out too (away from the main LZ). Anytime I can eliminate variables that are out of my control (like pilots wearing helmets and ear protection on the ground walking into my intended landing area when they can't hear an audible alert) I'll go with the longer walk and the extra margin of safety. Especially when you've got no possibility for a go-around. For added safety, consider large S-Turns instead of 360s. Longer look at the intended LZ without turning your back to it and the ability to shorten up the turn if the wind picks up and you're losing more altitude than expected. Really well done though. 👍👍
Hey David. Very good points. I am actually glad that I did not landed at LZ too. At the beach area, that gives me the best options to change direction at the last moment too. I will have to start practicing small wing overs 😅. Thanks for the advices.
@@johngt1718 hey man I hope your ok you haven’t uploaded in a while can you please give me a reply to know that your doing ok?
@@NathanBrownUA-cam thanks you for your concern 🤗. I am doing fine. I share my computer with my son, and he is always either doing homework or playing games on it. Mostly games. 😓 So usually it's hard for me to edit my videos. Soon I will get him another computer and I will have more time to use my own computer 😅. I really on to show a video of my first cloud flying. And I actually just had another emergency landing yesterday 😓. This time I was only about 50 ft in the air. 🤨
I really hate pull starters for this exact reason. I can't tell you how many of my racing VIZA Scooters I had to replace as a kid growing up in the 90's because it would always break just like that. I ended up selling it to a kid in Staten Island when I got into high school, and when he received it, he complained that the brand new pull starter broke. I ended up feeling bad because I wanted him to be excited for it like I was when I was his age. So I purchased another to be sent to his house and every so often he'd ask me to help him get another.
Do they not have electrical ones for paramotors?
On another note- all the comments of people telling you to never lose your landing spot in sight and to do S. You clarified why in the video lol. I think it's wise to practice both in case of emergencies, your response time to doing both will be comfortable and will help not overthink about anything visually that your mind tends to do when your fluttering in panic. Good Job!
Thank you so much 🤗. There is electric start on Paramotor s, but it adds quit some weight IMO. And also that is just another thing that can go wrong 🤔. I have made a steel sheet metal bracket to replace the broken legs on the pull starter housing. So far it's working good and no sign of weakness after many pulls since. It's too bad that manufactures don't just make the housing with just a little more material to prolong the pull starter housing. I guess they see it as opportunity to sell more. About the S turn. I do agree with the guys who commented, because S turn does not necessarily means wing-overs. But yes I will be practicing both. Thanks again for your comment. Really appreciate 🤗.
Happy ending. Bravo!
Thank you 😅
Well done
Thank you 🤗
Thank god you landed safely love from india 🇮🇳😍
Thank you so much 🤗.
Thought flying the paramotor with no engine was peaceful? Wait til you fly a sailplane, it's the coolest hobby in the world, I love it.
I have heard that sailplanes are awesome, and yes super peaceful. Once I have the chance to ride one one, I will try it. But PPG is so much more simple to move around, takeoff, and land 🤗.
@@johngt1718 Yeah, needing to have the tug pilot and basically a whole team of experienced individuals around you just to get off the ground is a bit of a hassle. I'd actually like to try PPG myself someday, it looks awesome!
Great job John. Thanks for sharing this video. Most people that watch these paramotor videos, only see the perfect flights. I'm glad you are safe. How much damage did you do, and approximately how much did it cost to repair??
Thank you. Luckily the only damage was on the pull starter. That pull starter costs about $400 if I would of purchase another new one. But because same thing happened less than a year ago, and I did replaced with a new one, I don't trust the design of the pull starter anymore. Since I have two starter with just the housing broken, I made a steel bracket to substitute the housing. And it's so far working good and I did not spend any $ because I used scrap materials that I had I my garage and work. 😅
I'm your 245 subscriber!
Thank you 🤗
Welcome to Sandy Shores! Avoid that crazy Trevor if you can. :D
😁
So much to discuss and learn from here. First congrats, as any unusual situation can unnerve people enough to make decisions that worsen the situation. You did great! As others have mentioned, consider S-turns instead of 360s, or better, a figure 8 pattern high and to the downwind side of your intended LZ. You had lots of altitude to work with and many safe places to land. Fixed wing glider manufacturers publish something called "polar charts", which give some insight into how speed and trim affect glide ratio. Google a few to get a feel for how the information is presented. Most paraglider manufacturers do not publish these style charts as there are so many variables with a fabric wing that exclude us from access to hard and fast performance data, that so much of the aviation world can count on. Once you understand the concept of those charts, you can practice building a similar understanding using trial glides with your PPG rig at different trim settings and differing amounts of brake deflection. Your results were good because you had altitude and options, but it might have been a whole lot more nerve wracking if you wouldn't have had both. THAT is why you need to practice motor off approaches and landings! The day may come when you need to stuff it into a narrow strip with obstacles. Lastly I noticed your speedbar was not connected. It is a tool that can really help you to put yourself exactly where in space you want to be, in terms of both altitude and airspeed. Using it effectively too, just like a well flown motor off approach, requires practice. Not something to try the first time when you really need it. Thanks for putting this out there.
🤗 Thank you so much, and thanks for sharing. Any information from anybody with more experience are very appreciated. I actually just have another emergency landing. I was only about 50ft above ground this time. Didn't have time to think this time, just reacted and landed in the nearest flat spot on my butt. Same breakage to my pull starter 😓. I don't have the time to make the video yet, but I will. I don't have speed bar nor I am comfortable yet to use it. But when I get more experience, I will definitely try speed bar 🤗.
Good job well done!!!!
Thank you! 🤗
Hey brother,maybe its time to upgrade the paramotor brand you use. There are some out there that are pretty tough, and can take some wear and tear.
Yes I know. But i figure I start with a used one to learn from and then change to a nicer one later when I am better and have more experience. Besides, I got it for a great deal that I accepted if I have to spend some time on maintenance. But did not expect the starter housing to be a bad design. Oh well, I heard that even the moster starter are breaking too. I have fixed my starter housing already. Hope it will last now. 🤞
@@johngt1718 10-4. And yeah, I've also heard of some of the starters falling off. My buddy has a Simonini 250 and the starter fell off after about 5 hours of flight.
Anywho, fly safe!
Thank you for this educational piece. Quite a bit to learn from, and a reminder that this is very possible.
On another note, what are you recording with, and what setting on that device? I record with my GoPro 9 and 10, in both 5K and 2.7K. Bu the time the video made it onto UA-cam, it looked nothing like this.
Glad my video is helpful 🤗. I am using a GoPro 8, at 2.7k, 30 fps (60 fps would be nicer because I can make video in slow motion if I need to, but larger file size), and super view. When I edit, I use 1080, 30 fps (actually the 29.xx fps one). Export 1080p and medium quality to keep the file decent size. Hope that helps.
hmm, well done... flying is a bit like life.. it has its ups.. and downs. and as in life your always learning .. no matter how many hours you've got.... the pull start housing?? is there an upgrade?? it just seems it's not the best of designs.. but anyway.. chill out. and have a few beers ... you landed safe and sound... thumbs up from me ;0)
Thanks. Yes, I believe the pull start housing was a bad design. Two broke exactly the same way. For additional few oz. of aluminum, the housing could of been much stronger. I actually made a steel bracket to fix the issue instead of buying another new starter that may again break anytime. And yes, I am learning everyday I life. 👍
Great job!
Thanks you.
Good job.
Thank you 🤗
Actually pretty safe considering most things don't end well losing power
Yes. But it depends on your own judgement and action you take. PPG "can be" dangerous too, but if you stay withing some risk limit IMO it is actually safer than riding a motorcycle. Again, it is all up to yourself as where is that risk limit will be. I am not about acro flying nor let's do this to have a great exiting video content. Just doing it for the joy of flying. The videos are just to share with my friends and family.
Nice job!
Thanks! 😅
better call ATC you got a 40 mile beach final to setup to land
Yep, smart move, slow and wasy! Never fails
Thanks. I was lucky because I was high enough and could land anywhere. It really helped with that in mind 😅.
The flight's not over until the chocks are in. Any landing that you can walk away from is a good landing. 😁😁
I think so too. 😅
Excellent thinking there and judgment, if you watch videos of small general aviation aircraft decision-making during accidents most of them do not do that they don’t think clearly enough 👍
And most have not practiced or even thought of what to do in an emergency which is a giant failure because gravity
Thank you so much. Paramotor does fly and glide a lot slower than general aviation aircraft IMO. So luckily I was high enough and had time on my side to think. I was in another emergency landing this pass weekend, but I was only about 50 ft in the air. This time I did not have time to think, just had to react. Luckily I landed without injury 😅.
I assume that this is practiced at least 5 times during training. At least it is over here. just like pulling big ears and some other manouvres. just flying is the easy bit.
I just wanted PPG1 training from my instructor.
Perhaps it the sign to stop? The angels were near this time, but...
Thanks for commenting. But I've been dreaming to fly since I was little. PPG is the closest to flying like a bird IMO. I prefer to practice more and improve my skills to reduce my chance of hurting myself and enjoy more in life than quitting. 😉 And yes, my guardian angels was with me 😅
Interesting to read, however there are a couple of points that are worthwhile making.
1. Landing safely is the first and most important point, you clearly had lots of area to choose from.
2.Landing into wind is a well established practice, if you don’t have sight of a windsock turning through 360 degrees while you have height to establish your slowest ground speed will give you a reasonable accurate wind direction.
3.Check that trimmers are set appropriately for final landing approach.
4.Should you have excess altitude lose it upwind of landing area by turning 360 and then complete a convention a/c approach, eg downwind, cross wind and touch down into wind. S turning on the threshold of a landing area prevents other from landing and is not good airmanship.
Thanks for the points 👍. When I was reducing my altitude by turning 360, I did not think about to feel for the wind direction because I was very sure that the wind was still from the same direction when I took off. I was more concentrated on not running into other pilots and my decent rate. I will keep these in mind in my future practices. Thanks again for your inputs. 🤜🤛
I didn’t know there is such a thing as an “emergency” when you’re already suspended underneath a well inflated parachute. Not having a parachute and needing one is an emergency.
Not having the main power source to have another chance to do over, or redo the landing specially when I never done it before IMO is emergency enough 😅.
What type of motor was that so I can be sure not to buy that one since it’s broken twice now on you?
It's a EOS 150. Yea, I don't recommend it for USA pilots. because spare parts is only available thru a guy in Canada (nothing wrong with this guy in Canada by the way), or you have to order direct from Europe. But, if you look at the very popular Moster engine, the starter also brakes too 🤔. So, when I need to get a new one, I personally would rather get an engine that spare parts are more easier to obtain.
Stay Safe
Thank you. I will do my best 🤗.
And the conclusion of the failure origin????
My pull starter housing broke as I said many times. What caused the breakage? I am not 100% sure . But I now believe its due to fatigue from engine vibration. There is a decent weight to the pull starter I believe. The three legs holding it to the engine looks kind of week design for the amount of vibration magnitude.🤔
Aren't all Paramotor Landings supposed to be done with a 'dead' Engine?
Try Paragliding. it's always peaceful and never a stressful landing with no engine.
I have friends who does both PG and PPG. They said the same thing. But PG is just not what I like. 😁
Achei interessante que é praticamente um cara voando de ventilador, eu não teria confiança nenhuma.
If the translation to English is correct, then as you can see when the "Fan" does stop you are still gliding. So, don't position yourself in a situation where there is no landing option, then it's not that bad. But then again, if you don't know what to do, then I guess it can be 🤔. At least it is all up to your own judgement. Not depending on others 😉.
If you send me a broken housing. I'll make you one out of metal that won't break like the cast ones You use.
Thank you so much. But I end up making a sheet metal brake to transfer the load thru the pull starter body and the mounting points. It's working good now. Appreciate for your offer 🤗. By the way, the housing is solid machined aluminum. It just have bad design in the three little legs. Too thin, too small, and no corner radius so a lot of concentrated stress on leg ends. I just hope that the inner springs will not brake soon 😅.
Your ground speed looks to be about 3 mph.
It is not the "speed" that can damage, hurt, and/or kill you. It is the "impact" when hitting the ground. 😉
No need to correct “motor” to “engine”. Ive heard 20+ year veteran car mechanics use “pull the motor” when talking about any engine
Thanks for the info 🤗. I guess that's right. After all, it's called Paramotor, not Paraengine. 😁
@@johngt1718 ahh lol i didnt even think of that lol Now that i got you here ive wanted to ask this since i saw that video of that guy riding his para to mac donalds. What got you into this? How does one get into this? Does the answer to those question vary based on where u live?
@@Mudcreekmedia I always wanted to fly since I was little. But gave it up after realizing how much time, $, and effort it will take to get and keep a pilot license. But saw Tucker G. video on UA-cam one day and did not stop watching Paramotor videos since. After watching, learning, and understanding the risks I decided that I prefer to fly than saving up $ for a used C8 Corvette someday😁. After finally convinced my wife by making some promises that I will not fly above water, do acro, and will use my best judgements I found a very good instructor near me. Luckily my travel was only 2 hr to learn PPG. So, if you are thinking to get into PPG, I highly recommend getting a instructor first. Or start with reading a book called "The Powered Paragliding Bible" by Jeff Goin. Read the book first before lessons therefore you can ask questions that you may have to the instructor and therefore more productive too. Also, go to Facebook and search for Paramotor related groups. Asked for any recommended instructor near where you live. A lot of people are helpful there too.
motor ,engine, power unit , all the same its the brooom broom thing on your back , Great vid and great safe landing , congrats
Rob
NSW
Australia
PPL
@@13yearsaprepperr.jtilbury.51 Yeap. Thank you. 🤗😁
I preferred No motor paragliding makes better pilot Motors too easy and this year you hard time lol
I agree that PG will make you a better pilot. But both PG and PPG have their pros and cons. I just prefer PPG 🤗.
When a Paramotor becomes a Scaramotor.
😄. But it was not scary. I was more worried about loosing my pull starter, damaging my prop, and not being able to land right without the chance of redue (and therefore cause damage to my gear or hurt myself). 😅
I mean you had a parachute soooo 🤷🏼♂️
Most people fly high enough that they deliberately run out of gas and land like they always do how is yours an emergency landing
Different is that they intentionally or planned to do that. I didn't and had no experience, yet. 😉.
Here is a landing setup that I think would have helped you. In that situation, I would haul ass to the LZ with as much altitude as possible, and then set up an approach like this. ua-cam.com/video/pIAZj_B7_SI/v-deo.html
Yes, I was trying to get back to LZ. But what trow me off was the wind direction change at the last moment. But I am going to try wrap my hand around the brake line like your video next time. Thanks. 🤗
Looked like Bombay Beach
Actually it is in the opposite side of the sea, Salton City.
Literally flying over blaine county
bros a sandy shores
Salut
Rien de bien méchant tu t’es juste pose sans moteur
Rien d’exceptionnel
Je ne pose jamais avec le moteur c’est comme cela
En plus tu es en plein désert
Laisse moi rire 😂😂😂🙂
Sorry. I don't understand French. Google translation does not make sense too. But thanks for leaving a comment. 😅
You made some classic errors which are probably apparent to you now, so I won't repeat them here. Flyin' Salton Sea is fun till the $#|T hits the fan.
I was replying to your original post but looks like it got changed. But I didn't want to land at the LZ because there were a lot of pilots on LZ ready to take off. I had to fly over house because I was more worried about landing at that time. I didn't wanted to land right next to the beach, and my target was next to LZ where I have taken off and landed before. That is why I "flew away from the beach". Plus the wind direction "was" coming from the beach. And yes the 360 was to lose some altitude because I was too high to land where I wanted to land. 🤨
A real man would've glided out over the water, unhooked himself and then mounted a shark to get back to land.
😄. That would be a real dumb man 🤪.
Trevor Jacob would have jumped!
🤣🤣🤣
OMG GTAV
Sorry. Not sure what GTAV means 🤔
@@johngt1718 GTAV stands for Grand Theft Auto 5 - a computer game, part of which is set in an area based on the Salton sea!
@@bobbymcgeorge oh! I did guessed that. But could not connect why 😄. Now I know. Thanks.
^5
Made in China
Actually EOS is a Austrian company 😓