DesertDevil 0 #1 November 15, 2007 I'm just wondering how many people use wings designed for ski flying without the skis? In other words, would you ground launch a wing, like the Ozone Bullet, in which the manufacturer recommends skis--without wearing the skis? Feel free to pm me. http://ulrichprinz.de/air/speed/index.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chris74 0 #2 November 15, 2007 Hello Birds, Me , may 200 /years under my skim12 ( 10.5m2 crossbraced). Need skills but still safe . Blue skies Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yoink 321 #3 November 15, 2007 Lots of people do! :) The Bullet, Nano, Ski'm and Hellracer are all regularly footlaunched if that's the style of wing you're after. Ozone have just released the Bullet 08 by the way and have also been testing a 8m square parachute design-inspired model in Austria recently. Pic here: http://www.paraglidingforum.com/download.php?id=10125 It looks similar to a Katana to me with less toggle attachment points towards the middle of the wing. Interesting to see a SpeedFly manufacturer take a step towards flatter, more skydive style wings, rather than the parabolic paraglider shaped ones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AirCanada 0 #4 November 15, 2007 Yup, I just spent a week in Salt Lake, dialing in my foot lauches / landings on my Swoop. Works fine. Beware of very dynamic roll axis reactions to slight assymetries in the risers. IE. When the lauching, the turn-around from facing wing to facing forward, un-evens the risers slightly... a paraglider wont' even notice this, but the mini wings seem much more reactive. Practice. Josh Briggs Canmore, AB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tahoepilot 0 #5 November 19, 2007 I agree, foot launching works great. Takes some practice but landing on foot shouldn't be a problem for anyone used to flying a high performance/ highly loaded canopy. I have a Bullet 14m as well as a Bullet 12m and I've foot launched both many times without incident. Both are highly loaded - 14m at about 1.9 lb/sqft and 12m at about 2.2 - with me on them so they are super dynamic in pitch and roll. That's how they fly with skis on too so I had plenty of experience with controlling them before I ever foot launched. Advice: have your ground handling under control (know how to kite the wing in most or all conditions) and know how to recognize and avoid mechanical turbulence - trees, rocks, ridges, etc all generate turbulence that is deadly when you're going fast close to the terrain, finally, aggressive control input anywhere near the ground will get you there very quickly. All in all, a great way to get the winter toys out of the closet when there's no snow. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEVINLOVE 0 #6 December 12, 2007 I fly with a friend who owns two Bullets.... I'll talk with him.... I know he does fly it with out skis, but he is a paragliding instructor, 13 years exp. so... I believe it is possible and safe in the right conditions and with the right experience level. I'll get back to you k Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEVINLOVE 0 #7 December 12, 2007 I should have read all post before replying.... as Tahoe pilot has already answered your question. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites