|
On Para Tour in a Para-Motor-Home
* Diary *
by Eric Dufour
Special thanks to Michelle Daniele
who corrected this English version.
|
We've had this idea for a few years
: A Para Tour in a Para-Motor-Home across southern USA during
the winter, when my school in Quebec is closed until spring.
|
|
|
Few minutes before leaving
our house in Quebec, Canada. |
|
September 26th, 1999, my wife, Elisabeth, our two daughters, Eleonaure
12 & Emie 8, and I, took to the road.First stop was on September 27th,
in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, for a quick visit to Eric Marzewski,
local paramotor instructor and founder of the PPG forum Pilots Club. Danny Kriseler, an other paramotor instructor in Maryland, came to
join us the day after. Unfortunately, it was too rainy to fly
together, but we had a nice chat. Guess what we were talking
about...
|
|
September 30th:We finally got to Albuquerque, New
Mexico, where I was expected to conduct the paramotor flights
with Francesco de Santis and Alan Chuculate, at the Kodak Albuquerque
International Balloon Fiesta. About 50 paramotorists coming from
France, Belgium, Malaisia, Canada and USA, were expected to participate
along with 800 to 900 airballoonists from all over the world.
So, we went to the paramotor launch
site and met with Michelle and Jerry Daniele, the organizers
of the paramotor part. In the evening, I also met with Boris
Mayforth and Tony Olmi, both nice local paramotor pilots.
|
|
|
|
My two daughters, at the paramotor launching
field, in Albuquerque. |
|
At 5000' altitude, this nice city was
built along the Rio Grande River, in a desert, with the Sandia
mountains near by. That evening, we flew. Nice scenery
with the mountains and the nice colors at the sunset. Once I
landed, I was happy to see familiar faces: Bill "Wild
flyer" Walsh, from Massachussetts and my friend Bruce Erion, from Georgia
|
The next day, Francesco de Santis arrived from Florida,
as well as Alan Chuculate from California and Scott Alan, from
Florida. The camaraderie was there and since the weather was
very good, we could all fly together. We were ready to participate
at the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta that was
starting the very next day. |
|
|
Albuquerque, October 11th:
The Balloon Fiesta is over, but I am
staying along until the end of this month, to help Michelle Daniele
upgrade her training skills by introducing many of my teaching
techniques. She flies a paramotor trike, but she has the desire
and I know she has the talent to foot launch and become a fine
pilot.
October 12th:
Michelle foot launched twice today. Very good landings.
October 13th:
There is nothing than flying on the
beach and there are lots of beaches here... with no water. Elisabeth,
my wife, who has flown tandem with me, but never soloed, took
her first tow flights today. She did great at ground handling
and asked to be towed because she liked the desert scenery.
October 20th:
There are many students and the weather
is great for teaching. It is almost a 7 days a week job. Eleonaure,
my older daughter, did another nice tow flight tonight. She is
still a little too small to flight yet, but she can't wait to
fly solo.
|
October 23rd:
|
Every weekend, if weather is nice -
and it usually is - many hot air balloons take-off very early, from
the teaching field.
So, just before starting training, I went
for a good flight with them.
What a nice way to start a day!
|
|
|
|
| October 24th:
Elisabeth and I feel that Michelle
is dedicated to the sport.
|
|
| This little woman full of energy is
learning well.
She is doing good at the simulator and is starting
to tow now.
She sure has the talent to be a good instructor.
|
|
|
October 27th: Two new paramotor pilots today: Pete
and Michael did nice solo flights. We celebrated with a good
cold beer, before going to Barbara's house (another student),
where we were all invited for dinner. Another nice evening.
|
|
|
| As more and more people come to
watch us train and Michelle keeps signing up new students, we
train everyday, since the weather is perfect for training. I
was supposed to leave for California at the end of this month,
but it looks like I will stay a little longer to finish training
here. Albuquerque is a very nice place and Elisabeth, our daughters
and me am happy to be here.
October 29th:
A very windy day today. Since I've
been here, its happened only once before. I decided to relax
a little. Jerry, Ray and Jerome took me for a cold beer in Old
Town, so I would not know that Elisabeth, our daughters, Michelle
and Laurie would prepare the Daniele's place for a surprise party
for my 44th birthday. Of course, knowing my wife, I suspected
something, but I still had a nice surprise. After our beer time,
we went to Jerry's and... SURPRISE! My local students and
other paramotor pilots were there to celebrate. It was a great
evening with nice ambiance and good food.
|
|
|
|
October 31st:
An other birthday: Emie turned
9 today. We started the day with a ride on the "Breezy Rider"
hot air balloon. Kathy
Smith was our pilot. It was very nice
and the girls enjoyed to seeing a rabbit and a coyote on the
desert floor, at 1200 feet above the ground. After that, we had
a little ceremony for our first hot air balloon flight, including
a "Happy birthday" song for Emie.
In the afternoon,
one of Tony Olmi's daughters and theDaniele's daughter, celebrated
with us the event out doors.
A nice warm day with lots games,
candies and gifts. As Emie is born on Halloween day, her and
her new friends ended the day by tricker treating, as usual.
|
|
|
|
November 1st :
Michelle & Jerry have just received
their own simulator. It works great. It also looks good on their
trailer, where it is attached and ready to use.
November 2nd :
We went to Santa Fe. The southwest
ambiance makes this beautiful town very special. Nice places
to visit and warm hospitality. We had lunch with Barbara (one
of my students) at nice restaurant. Good food and great service. |
November 3rd:
|
I Rushed to the airport to pick up
the new tandem from Fresh Breeze: The "Monster". Just
enough time to brake it and give the first tandem instructional
ride with Michelle Daniele, my first passenger.
No surprise it
was exactly like I expected: The unit is quiet, very powerful
and comfortable. In a few steps, we were in the air and I only
had to use half power to fly.
Lorrie, another student, also received
a ride. They both loved it and at 5000 ' altitude, this "baby"
has plenty of power to fly a wide range of passengers. I can't
wait to try it with a heavier pilot next time and see how heavy
I can do tandem here at this elevation.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Tandem flight with Kris Torres near
Taos, New Mexico. |
|
|
Taos is a charming little town, located
2½ hours North of Albuquerque. Kris and Dave Torres warmly
welcomed us in their home. At 7800' altitude, with nearby mountains,
canyons and the famous Taos ski resort, it is certainly one of
the most scenic places to fly.
Dave, Jerome - my student - and I,
took advantage of good weather to go for a nice flight.
|
|
Since I had my Monster PowerMotor with
me, I gave some rides to our wives. Kim was the first passenger,
Susan, Jerome's wife, was next, followed by Elisabeth. We ended the day with with a good dinner
with the Torres. |
|
