from Sofia to Black Sea
After I learnt to fly normally (with paraglider
without motor) and flew soaring and thermals for 5 years, I wanted
to try with motor and propeller at the back (like Karlson). Other
reason was that the first paraglider I ever saw was the passing powered
paraglider above my head. In 2002 I tried the paramotor of Metodi but
most ended tragically (fallings). But for me - a man loving free
flying and technique, engines and benzin - it was already decided. I bought
my own motor (when I fall to fall with mine) and quickly learnt
to take off with it. With food comes appetite and I started flying higher
and further.
For higher - this year I reached 4106 m amsl,
but I think 6000 m are possible.
For further - I started dreaming for a paramotor
flight from Sofia to Black Sea (Burgas). We thought a lot about
it with Metodi and I started to prepare the equipment for such a flight.
First most important thing is the choice of suitable paramotor. The chezh
motor I had was nice and light but optimal for pilots up to 80 kg when
I'm 95. It's also not good idea to keep it working 80-90% power. So I
managed to buy the best for my purposes paramotor - Pagojet with Kionin
engine - 3 star engine, 430 cc, 24 hp (3660 rpm), a carburetor
Valbro, without reductor. Soft and smooth work, simple and reliable, high
ratio - horse power/weight! Other important moment was the fuel tank but
when I saw the tank of off board Yamaha for motor boats I knew what I
wanted: automatic connection, fuel meter and pump. AVA sport (thank
you VERY MUCH) made me special harness for it.
During the competition in Montana 2003 I tried
the tandem Pasha II (MacPara) of SkyNomad as motor wing. And I
was right - tandem wing, shorter risers, stable take off, trimmers and
DHV 1-2 were the answer. According to my calculations my take off weight
will be about 185-190 kg. In September I started practicing with this
configuration and taking off with bigger and bigger take off weight. The
tandem was perfect. It was interesting that once when I was releasing
the water from the ballast the water drops injured the leading edge of
the propeller!
About meteorology: Me and Meto chose spring and
autumn as suitable seasons for the event: there are enough light hours
(I need more than 10-11); it's neither hot or cold. Researches
showed that I need light west or northwest wind in order to increase my
ground speed. I asked Mitko Ralev and Niki Yotov to look for such a day.
One week in advance Niki told me that 4 October will be the most suitable
and then the weather gets worse. I decided that this is day D.
Early in the morning (4th) Meto and Zarko came
home, we took all the equipment and we went to our airfield (300 m
from home). At 7 30 we layed down the glider and warmed the engine.
At 7.37 I tried to take off but the wing was wet because of the dew, I
didn't pull the risers properly and when I felt that the wing wasn't going
above me I canceled the take off. On second attempt I felt (it was hard
to make 190 kg running) but no contusions and on third attempt I took
off when 10 m about ground the engine stopped. Quick left turn and landing.
The reason was a pressed and curved benzin tube. On next take off I check
quickly everything and start the XC flight. A kilometer two from Bankya
I experience a strange dusk turbulence but more gas and continue further.
Yes but No
Above Simeonovo the engine started losing power
.. and then silence.. another hard landing on meadows next to the lift
station. The start team came - for the manual starting of engine (no
electrostarter) and new take off began...
No wind and hard running was needed. The wing
overshoots me, the engine gives me 70 kg power and I fall down with full
speed. This happens two more times. Now I'm wet, salty and bitter. Meto
asked me shell we continue? I answered last attempt. No wind, little gas,
started running, the wing is lifting, full power, the engine roar, the
propeller rattle, I run, I run and feel that the speed is above my limits
- hardly manage to move my legs ahead to hit the ground again and ...
I take off. I'm waving to people on the lift (probably they hadn't
see such a beast before;-) and start gaining height (3000 rpm)
to reach my highest altitude - 1600 m amls - 65 km from the take off.
Above Trakia I'm descending to 1100-1200 m and fly with 50 km/h. Sometimes
when I reach the highway I see the ground crew's car or hear them on radio.
Here I cannot describe anything - it must be seen. Views bellow me change
slowly: fields, lakes, villages, roads... There is not much free time
- equipment checks, looks at instruments and the area, radio or phone
calls, photos. I fly mainly without holding the brakes and with released
trimmers - pleasure for such long flights. After Plovdiv I fly to Stara
Zagora, by passing north from Chirpan.
Low down smokes show me wind from any directions,
but at 1000 m there's 3-4 m/s stable wind from west. Before Stara Zagora
I decide to avoid the town and fly south ... when I pass above military
base with some sad helicopters. Then I continue to Yambol. Here it's more
turbulent and I try more active flying. It was interesting that Bezmer
airbase my GPS blocked and in my camera I didn't found the pics of jets
I shot. May be it's a radar or kind of local radiation? The turbulence
continues above little lakes after the town and I remember that one of
the worse things for paramotor pilots is it fall in water. Later, on my
way is the place I was born - Krushevo. I shoot the lakes when I was fishing
with my grandfather; our family house; the streets; I become a little
sad...
Before Burgas I see a Boeing at my hight and descent
to 100 m above ground. In Nevtochim I see a beautiful windsock showing
southwest wind. I gave up Ahtopol and decide to go to another sea resort
with sweet memories. The engine works with 2200 rpm to keep level flight
(after Sofia it was 2800)...
The maximum task is completed and I have 5-6 litters
fuel more. I fly above Sunny Beach, photograph, then go to Sveti Vlas
and wait for Metodi to put the windsock. I land on the beach....
The returning to Bankya seemed endless!
FLIGHT DETAILS!
Pilot: Venelin Staikov - paragliding amateur for 6 years, 39 years
old, divorces with one child, 95 kg, 186 cm tall, firm manager.
Wing: Pasha II (MacPara) - from the Bulgarian dealers of
MacPara - Nikolay Yotov and Orlin Dimov
Engine: Pagojet M4, 3 star, 430 cc, 24 hp, 2 strocke, 3660 max
rpm
Propeler: 2 blades, wooden covered with fibreglass, handmade by
Luben Luchev - Troyan
Harness: modified Tangra harness by AVA sport - Montana
Reserve Parachute: AR 36 by AVA sport Montana
Fuel: 43 litters in two tanks (main at the back 18 l, additional
25 l) 99 octane mixed with Husqvarna oil 50:1
Instruments: GPS Garmin 72, Vario Flytec 4005
Food and water: 2x0.5 l Bankya and chocolate Milka
Meteorology: Dimitar Ralev and Niki Yotov
Ground crew: Metodi Arsov and Miglena Gaidarova
Date: 4 Octomber 2003
Start: 7.37 Bankya
Finish: 17.44 at Sveti Vlas (next to Sunny Beach)
Speed: airspeed 35-40 km/h; Average ground speed 37.9 km/h
