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I was into paragliding pretty heavily. I haven't flown for a couple of years. I got up to advanced rating (P4) and was planning on getting certified as an instructor, but I've had other things come up. I'll probably get back into it in the future--some of the most serene and inspirational times of my life have been floating around at 16,000 ft on a clear summer afternoon with nothing but some lines and fabric over my head. Just thinking about it, I can hear the cool air rushing past the lines and canopy--that's the only thing you hear up there. I'll never forget that feeling. So peaceful!
What kind of weight payload will these ultralights handle? I am a fairly large guy and although I should go on a strict diet I don't want to wait a year or two to lose enough weight to go up.
Location: God's Gift to Mankind for flying anything
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Reputation: 5229
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunluvver2
What kind of weight payload will these ultralights handle? I am a fairly large guy and although I should go on a strict diet I don't want to wait a year or two to lose enough weight to go up.
What constitutes *a fairly large guy* ?
I am well familiar with PPC units, and they can handle a single pilot of around 300 lbs easy, all depending on where in altitude you start from, and what kind of an ultra-light you have.
In my case, I land at altitudes, where other people fly !!! (between 5000 and 8000 ft asl)
Also what exactly do you mean by *these ultralights* ?
They are all rather different, so more initial info is needed to give en answer.
Start with this assumption:
Figure a maximum wingload of about 1.8 lb/sqft for a *ram-air* wing.
Now take an average wing area of 500 sqft.
That will give you about 900 lbs, which is under the safety limit.
With a unit that probably weighs around 400 lbs, you are looking at 500 lbs payload.
Next comes the amount of HP you need.
If you are a *fairly large guy*, I would have at least 60 Hp under my butt at least.
If you are speaking of *fixed wing* ultra lights, ask somebody else,
like the manufacturer ????
I am well familiar with PPC units, and they can handle a single pilot of around 300 lbs easy, all depending on where in altitude you start from, and what kind of an ultra-light you have.
In my case, I land at altitudes, where other people fly !!! (between 5000 and 8000 ft asl)
Also what exactly do you mean by *these ultralights* ?
They are all rather different, so more initial info is needed to give en answer.
Start with this assumption:
Figure a maximum wingload of about 1.8 lb/sqft for a *ram-air* wing.
Now take an average wing area of 500 sqft.
That will give you about 900 lbs, which is under the safety limit.
With a unit that probably weighs around 400 lbs, you are looking at 500 lbs payload.
Next comes the amount of HP you need.
If you are a *fairly large guy*, I would have at least 60 Hp under my butt at least.
If you are speaking of *fixed wing* ultra lights, ask somebody else,
like the manufacturer ????
************************************************** *
Currently I weigh around 310#. I know absolutely nothing about ultra lights, that is probably obvious from my post. I cannot get a regular pilots license because of medications I take. Is a flight physical required for Ultra Lights?
I am interested in the hobby. I just wish I would have had time to get into it when I was younger. I enjoy hot air balloons but that is just too darn much hassle. The Ultra Light option looks like it wouldn't require the logistical support of the balloons yet offer the same thrills.
Thanks for the info,
GL2
Location: God's Gift to Mankind for flying anything
5,921 posts, read 13,850,300 times
Reputation: 5229
Quote:
Originally Posted by Igorflyer
I am interested in the instructors information very much, thank you
Instruction for *what* ?????
A bit more specifics please ?
What is your background ?
Where do you want to end up ?
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