Looking to connect to SP140 owners in the UK

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I am based in west midlands, England. Anyone nearby or Devon way with a SP140 I can come and have a look before I buy one?

Also just keen to connect with other electric paramotor owners in the UK as I have never met any yet. I should be finishing my training soon, only had 2 flights so far. Thanks!

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I’m in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire and have an SP140. Where are you doing your training?

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Hi Dom.

I live in Herefordshire but training in Swindon. Keen to get a SP140 but I haven’t met anyone with electric. I’m thinking electric is the way forward. How’s it going for you?

cheers,

Aidan

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I just finished 2 weeks training in Spain. I was flying a PAP Atom80 and it wasn’t so heavy around 25-26kg with a 3-4 litres of fuel. The SP140 with the 4.8kwh battery is 37kg, it felt super heavy on my back. I decided to buy the half size battery 11kg lighter, 26kg in total, so it feels similar to the Atom80. I’ve had 2 flights with it in the UK so far, loads of power, really smooth no vibrations, easy launches. I’m not really flying very far and quite happy with a 15min or so flight to build up my confidence. After that I’ll have longer flights with the bigger battery.

I met some local guys who do longer flights, one flew from France back across the channel to Dover with about 50 others for a world record. They will do a flight across to the Isle of Wight. I won’t have the range on the SP140 for that. I hadn’t expected to meet others, I just wanted to be able to fly locally. I had thought about getting a 2 stroke setup as well but I think I’m still very new to this with only 10 flights in total and long challenging flights are something for the future. I think I will stay with Electric, I’m very happy with the SP140 and all the electric benefits.

Battery tech appears to be evolving and full solid state batteries that have higher energy denisity are on the horizon. So it won’t be too long to wait for longer flight times.

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There are at least 4 of us electric pilots (that I know of) in Cambridgeshire!

I’ve got a V1 Sp140 from 2022, two of the guys got their newer V2.5s this year, and the fourth gentleman has been flying electric since 2018 but I don’t recall the make and model.

Happy to chat if you’re ever in the Cambridge area.

Edit:

To build on what Dom said, I agree electric is the way forward.

I’m on almost 100 flight now, of which 53 have been electric. With my setup (105kg all up weight), I can reliably fly 1h30min on the 4.8kWh battery. There have been a couple of times when it would have been nice to be able to fly longer and/or I’ve been worried about getting back before the battery dies. The important fact is, ~85% of my flights are 50min or less, so the 4.8kWh battery gives me a comfortable buffer.

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Thanks Dom. I’m learning on the 185 so a bit heavier than the 80.

I think I will go for the bigger battery on the sp140 so I can do longer flights. Although it’s heavier it’s also close to the back so should be manageable.

Once I complete my training I think I will get the sp140.

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Thanks Michael. An hour and a half sounds perfect for a good long flight.

nice to hear you have other sp140 owners nearby. Thanks for the offer for a chat. I don’t come your way but I’ll keep it in mind. Would be nice to chat as I only see petrol motor owners. And would be nice to see a sp140 in the flesh before I buy one.

Lots to think about. Thanks for your positive feedback.

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