19 Sep 06 - PEI Video Finally, I had fixed my Video software and my son Jonathan had taken some of our video shots of our first PEI XC and made a decent video. See video here
11 Aug 06 - Just a throttle Away - Mark D had taken an interesting photo while flying above cloud base!!
10 Aug 06 - Sussex Balloon Festival - Here we are again back in Sussex to fly with the balloons, boy the year went fast!!. Because of my commitment to the fall expo I could not attend the event until Sat evening. However Mark, Tim and local PPG pilot Ed had arrived days earlier and have already had a chance to fly the Sussex area. The weather for ballooning was not very good during the event and the balloons had only flown on two occasions. Ed had the opportunity to fly alongside a balloon during one flight. I arrived Sat evening and unfortunately the weather was not good for ballooning nor PPG flight. Sun morning was not great either with low cloud ceiling and high winds. It didn't look good for flying this morning, but a few hours later the skies opened up and cleared and the winds came down a little to entice us into the air. On arrival of the launch field the winds were quite high and we all knew that the flights were going to be fairly short. But, we all had to get that flight in!! (Few pics)
Nice launch site Mark D Ed E Tim R
9 Aug 06 - CFB Gagetown Fall Expo 2006 - The Fall Expo is held at the base each year to promote local clubs and organizations on and around CFB Gagetown. PPGNB had a chance to join in the event to promote Powered Paragliding. There was lots of people that showed interest in the Sport and equipment, but only time will tell if they take it to the next level. (Few Pics)
Potential Future PPG pilots!!!
8 Aug 06 - Glen Boyd's comment on PEI fly-in.
Hello Frank:
I hope there'll be many comments in your "News" section from the pilots who participated in the PEI Labor Day Fly-In.
Your initiative and effort in making it happen speaks volumes about your dedication to promoting this form of recreational aviation. N.B., N.S., and Ontario pilots had the opportunity to renew friendships or make new ones, and to share experiences; and all because of you.
The "Hospitality Suite" you and your gracious wife Johanne hosted daily in front of your motor home was a real oasis.
My personal thanks are that, aside from your invitation to attend, you were there to provide "moral support" in getting me in the air for my most memorable cross-country flight to date.
In a word, "Well done, sir."
- Glen
Note* As a reply to this gracious feedback from Glenn, I would like to thank all pilots and families for attending. I'm sure the residents of PEI will be looking forward to seeing us in the air next year. This event was successful due to the friendship and hospitality of everyone involved and an looking forward to next years escape to the Island. Thanks Glenn.
7 Aug 06 - Wirrall XC flight this morning. - Since the PEI fly the weather has been flyable every day. Tues evening Mark D and I had a valley run, last night I flew several flights with Roger at the field and this morning a few flights to include an XC run to Wirrall. Love this weather!!
5 Aug 06 - P.E.I Fly-in Success!! - There was not one pilot that left the Island without having a memorable flying experience during this fly in. There was up to 14 PPG pilots attending and the weather for most of the time was outstanding, all pilots had plenty of XC flying over this PPG paradise Island. I'll put together a Post event brief when I get more Pics and video from other pilots in the near future. Here are some examples of what some pilots had seen from the air. (Click to enlarge)
There's always a place to land!! PEI side of confederation Bridge Hmm!! Can I make it across to NB ??
Early set up for morning XC flights Getting ready to launch!! Pilots photo after first XC flight.
30 Aug 06 - Gone to P.E.I Fly-In - Myself and Johanne will be leaving this evening for PEI. I'll be arriving at the field tonight to start to get the field ready for the Fly-In this week-end. If you require to contact me I can be contacted on my cell at (506) 476-6502. For the pilots attending the event, Have a good trip!! Frank.
25 Aug 06 - Lots of flying lately!! - The last week has been excellent for flying. I have flown a XC yesterday as well as this morning. This morning I decided to take it easy and fly the trike. Once at a safe altitude, you set your trims/cruise control put your feet up and enjoy the long flight. The only thing missing is the in-flight peanuts!! "When are they serving food" This mornings flight lasted 1Hr 15 mins. Few Pics
23 Aug 06 - Another Qualified Pilot!! - Bob B had completed his training by flying two flawless flights this morning. Bob looks forward to flying around the Minto area on his own once licensed. Good work Bob!!
19 Aug 06 - Tim completes training - Tim and Bob had shown up early this morning to complete their remaining qualifying flights. Tim had reached his goal this morning, however Bob requires a little more practice on finessing his take-offs. Another day of instruction should have Bob qualified soon!! Great work today Tim and Bob!!
Tim Flying his final qualifying flight Bob and Tim getting ready for launch Tim after completing his final qual flight
18 Aug 06 - Bob Continues Flying - Bob had completed 6 flights this morning. Bob is also at the stage where we are fine tuning his flying skills. He'll be qualified soon!!
17 Aug 06 - More Trike Flying at PPGNB - Tim F had the weather on his side this evening and flew 2 flights. Tim is at the point where we are starting to fine tune his flying skills. (Few Pics)
17 Aug 06 - Bob continues training!! - This mornings weather was forecasted low winds but unfortunately the winds were at times a little high for beginner trike launches. However, I had flown some demo flights for Bob with his trike to include a couple short foot launches. Later on in the morning, the wind had settled down to a light wind and we set up Bob for his second flight. Again, after a few blown launches he was up and flying his second flight. Not long after Bob landed the winds had picked up again, So we waited, and I had taken a few more demo flights with Bob's trike. The wind by this time was definitely too high for Bob, so I had foot launched and had a chance to show Bob some thermal flying. I went up to 1500' and shut the engine down. The thermals were not that strong at that altitude, but were enough to keep me aloft for around 5 mins of Free flight. I continued to thermal fly for another 30 mins hoping the winds would settle down again, but they just got stronger. The winds were quite strong by this time which made it great for free-flying but it looked that it was a wrap for Bob's flying this morning. There is good weather forecasted this evening, so hopefully Bob will get more flying in.
16 Aug 06 - Bob M Flies!!! - It has been a while since Bob had a chance to continue training, but today he flew his first flight this evening. With about two hours of trike refresher training, Bob was ready to fly. It took a few attempts to get Bob flying, but with persistence he got in his first flight. (Did I mention that Bob is 65 years young) Good Work Bob!!
10 Aug 06 - P.E.I Fly-In - I am organizing a Mini-Fly-in P.E.I during the long Week-end of 1-4 Sep/06. So far the response is very good from local pilots to include a couple of pilots from Ontario.
Directions!! - On arrival on the Island you follow the Trans Canada highway (1)towards Charlottetown. Once you arrive in the town of Crapaud you take Highway13 on your left towards Cavendish. Follow the signs for Cavendish remaining on highway (13), it will take you directly to Hunter River. When you arrive at Hunter river you'll see a Irving Gas station across the street on your left. This intersection is highway (2). Take a right on highway 2 towards Brookfield and travel 4.4 Kms from this intersection. You'll arrive at the top of a hill and you will see an Orange Ball marker on the electrical wires on your left. You'll see a small dirt road there. Take a left and follow the dirt road to the airfield. Anyone interested in Motels/Hotels, you can go onto the web and there are plenty of facilities on the Island. The closest small town to the flying site is Hunter River. I'll be arriving at the flying site Thurs evening. If you require to contact me, my cell number is (506) 476-6502.
Weather note!!! - Because P.E.I is an Island, there is more chance of higher winds during the day. However, my past experience has been that every time that I've been on the Island the winds go down considerably in the morning and later on in the evenings. Bring warm clothing and gloves for flying in the mornings . I'm confident that we'll all see this beautiful Island from the air. "I hope"!!
Support: - I'll have a Porta-Potty on site as well as a small portable generator. Johanne will have fresh Tim Hortons coffee available in the mornings and during the day as well.
Cost$$ - Unknown as of yet. The only cost will be for the Porta-Potty in which is $109.00 dollars for the week-end. Also, we'll get a small gift for the owners of the property. I'll confirm cost once all the pilots arrive at the event. It shouldn't be no more than $20.00 dollars per pilot.
Here's copy of my E-Mail I had sent out to local and outside pilots.
Hello, fellow PPG pilots. I had the great opportunity to train and fly in P.E.I a few weeks ago. As most people know from visiting P.E.I, it has a very beautiful landscape and coastline. Thanks to Mike A (New Pilot), he had found a great training area close to Hunter River. The owner of the Farm (Sterling Macrae) had shown up and had stated that his small airfield on his 500 acre farm harldy gets used and had expressed that we can use it anytime. So, I had recently confirmed with the owner that he had no problem with us having a mini-Fly-In on his land. During a recent Fly-In in Quebec, I had mentioned about holding a Fly-In in P.E.I and some of the Ontario pilots had displayed interest in attending.
I will be holding the Fly-In during the labor day week-end of 1-4 Sep/06. I can tell you from personally flying the Island, the rolling hills and farm fields will allow you to fly 50Khm+ XC flights. During inclimate weather, there is plenty of things to do on the Island from Fishing, Golfing, Cavendish attractions, eating seafood etc,etc,.
We can possibly, organize a mass XC flight across the Island. Should be fun!!
I'll have my motorhome at the flying site with all the comforts of home where the wives/kids can have a place to go during inclimate weather. The Flying site has plenty of room for tents campers, trailers, motorhomes whatever what you want to call home for the week-end. (Few Pics of the flying site)
10 Aug 06 - Tim Flies this morning - Tim flew a successful Trike flight this morning, unfortunately winds aloft were a little high so we're going to wait to a latter date to carry on with Tim's flying.
9 Aug 06 - Busy Day at PPGNB - Lots of training going on today starting early this morning at 0700 Hrs. The weather was great for flying and Adrian had showed up to hopefully complete his last qualifying flights that he required to complete his course. Adrian was in the air in no time enjoying the fresh morning air, the winds were light and variable in which challenged Adrian in his launch procedure. I'm happy to say that Adrian had done a great job this morning and although did blow the odd launch, he had completed the remainder of his flights. (Few Pics)
Adrian was done by 0945 hrs this morning, just in time for Tim.F to show up and get in some kiting. Tim did very well in his kiting drills and we went to my place to carry on with In-Flight training on the in-Flight Simulator. Once completed ,Tim was ready to write his Pre-Solo Exam. Tim was successful in his exam and was issued his Student Pilot Permit. Tim will be taking his first solo flight tonight, I'll update when I get back!!
Tim Flies Trike!! - Tim and I arrived later on in the evening and went through the Trike launch technique . This technique is very easy and in no time Tim was ready to take off on his first flight. Tim had flown two flights tonight and is looking forward to getting in more tomorrow. Great work Tim!!
