Marsh.me.low: a visual incident report

A scenic fall afternoon flight in a paratrike ends in a crash into marsh lands. What happened and what I learned from it. See additional in-depth analysis at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1Sf8IPadto

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• paratrike
• PPG
• PPC
• crash
• accident
• invident
• rollover
• powered
• parachute
• paraglider
• Xcitor
• flight

[flyerppc]

design of machine is good, the chute is prone to thermal collaspe, hence it is not safe to fly low. the wing tips are too curved, manufacturer has gone for speed and compromised safety. Turf that chute get a chiron 340 or thunderbolt E340 and enjoy flying low.

[dorondekel]

@flyerppc: Actually the wing is exceptionally resistant to collapse. I flew the larger version, which has a lower wing load, and therefore theoretically less collapse-resistant, a few times through thermals, heavy turbulence and rotor and was thrown around like a puppet, but never saw even the slightest sign of any collapse.

[qpavlos]

BOUT Trim Setting:

Now we have a NEW condition to select a trim

seting: LOW to the ground ! ? "Conventional Wings" (Non Reflex) : IT has long been known that they behave better in turbulence at the slowest setting.

SO, Either XWing is NOT a Conventional Wing" OR

LOW to ground flying is not the same as

Turbulent air, in terms of possible risks.

[dorondekel]

If the air is turbulent or there is a rotor concern, slow trim and high altitude are the recommended setting.

[dorondekel]

Fresh Breeze called me to advise that a faster trim makes the wing respond much quicker and stronger to brake inputs, so this is the

setting they recommend for "nap of the earth" flying. I always thought it is safer to fly as slow as possible near the ground, but they are the experts!

[dpnihul]

hello doron

i am glad you came out of it good and well, you should know ,never to come on to a level flight dropping your rpm notice on your well done video and listen to the sound of the engine, but i must say that such a film can teach alot of us pilots how not to do that

thank you and safe flights

doron pollak

[dorondekel]

Thanks, Doron. It feels much better to make positive use of what would otherwise feel like a frustrating waste.

[MissDaProach]

looks like it has no rudder to me....

[TheGreatMrBill]

Just glad your OK Doron. You can replace parts, not people.

[PPGAddict]

@dorondekel Doron they gave you incorrect information as in the wing will respond quicker but only in relation the fact you are traveling faster across the ground. So yes you will get a quicker reaction but no faster for the distance you travel across ground than on slow trim. The one thing they did not mention to you is the fact that slow trim is your optimal glide position and the most stabile for the paraglider. Also you were passing over varing color changes on the ground. Hope this helps

[Clauteaux]

Hi,

I am glad to learn from your experience. Sorry for the dammages in your wonderful bird.

BUT, my paratrike does not NEVER land at your speed. NEVER. I trim it, to land, and I land at a max of 30 km/hour ! For the max !

Kisses from France, Good flights,

Rodolphe