Experimenter is a magazine created by EAA for people who build airplanes. We will report on amateur-built aircraft as well as ultralights and other light aircraft.
Issue link: http://experimenter.epubxp.com/i/339662
Is your family secure? Are you sure? Your current life insurance policy may contain an exclusion for pilots. EAA's Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Plan will help fill that gap for less than a $1.50 a day. Take care of the people you love. Get an instant quote and purchase your coverage today at EAAInsurance.org. Personal Insurance Coverage is underwritten by Starr Indemnity & Liability Company, a Texas insurance company, has its principal place of business in New York, NY and is an admitted insurer rated "A" (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. Administered by Falcon Insurance Agency, Inc. EAA Experimenter 35 is only one importer who has dealers that almost never stock parts. That means you can easily put yourself at the mercy of one guy halfway (or all the way) across the country to get parts, and he may or may not answer the phone. The best so- lution to the parts and support problem is to choose an engine that has several importers (not "dealers") around the country that stock parts. I remember trying to get a part one summer; I called the only U.S. importer for the engine I had at the time and was told something to this ef ect: "I don't have it, and the factory takes the month of August of . Call back in September and maybe I can get you one then." Flying with an engine served by several importers will pay for itself in time saved over and over again. Safety The sales information you will read often tries to make paramo- toring seem like the safest thing since walking the dog. That's just not true. Paramotoring has its dangers just like every other fl ying sport. Pilots love to argue about who has the safer fl ying machine, but no matter how you slice it, the potential for death or serious injury exists with every fl ight in any aircraft. The fact is everyone I know who's been paramotoring for any substantial amount of time has suf ered some serious injury or has done something so stupid that they probably should have been hurt. Can paragliding be done safely? Of course. It's risk management just like every other aircraft. What is the best way to manage the risk? I like to use the three P's when managing the risk of the next fl ight in any aircraft. • Pilot: trained, healthy, and thinking safety fi rst • Plane: quality aircraft in good condition; safety gear; thor- ough prefl ight and postfl ight inspection • Prognosis: weather, regulations, other air traf c, topographic, and environmental considerations reviewed. Bottom line: If you know what are the challenges to success- ful paramotoring, it's easy to minimize their impact. Minimize the negative ef ects of the big three and you will be on your way to a successful and rewarding paramotoring experience. And it's more fun than you even imagined! It's late af ernoon and there is a smooth, ocean-like breeze coming in of the Great Salt Lake, perfect conditions for launching a powered paraglider. E A A E X P _ J u l y 1 4 . i n d d 3 5 EAAEXP_July14.indd 35 7 / 1 / 1 4 9 : 5 7 A M 7/1/14 9:57 AM