SP140 flight report from a lighter pilot

Finally got to fly my SP140 and would like to give a quick update. I am one of the lighter pilots that had trouble balancing the motor. I have the 4kWh battery and with my weight of 135lb it has been a challenge to get a normal lean angle.

I am happy to report that even with the higher than usual angle I was able to fly with no issues, no twist tendency and did try a few sudden throttle changes at altitude. I was flying in chill mode so my top power was already reduced. Being a lighter pilot is not all trouble with the SP140, I did manage to get a 56 minute flight and only used 2.6kWh. Cruise power with trims all in is at about 3.1kW and with trims all out about 4.1kW. Since I usually fly for an hour, it seems I will have plenty of reserve if I need to go over my normal flight duration.

A bit of background information. First of all this is my fourth paramotor and I am an experienced PPG pilot, being light I always had a higher than usual lean angle and have learned to be gentle on the throttle especially at take off. My current ICE motor is a Nitro 200, which is way too overpowered for what I need.

The lean angle with the SP140 was even higher than with the Nitro and that did concern me initially. However, I think the thrust vector related to the hook in points is equally important. With the default setup the thrust is below the hook in points and I was worried that as the thrust increases the lean angle will increase even more. What I ended up doing is moving the motor up on my back by moving the upper harness straps to the square bar below. This brought the thrust vector at about the pivot point and noticed that as I was increasing the thrust my lean angle would even slightly reduce (i.e. will be more upright), which is better than the other way around. The higher placement of the motor on my back also makes ground handling easier.

What I described is what worked on me, would not recommend this for an inexperienced and lighter pilot. Paul is working on a long term solution with the new bar design and this will be the ultimate solution to finding the right balance.

Overall I am very happy with the SP140 so far, the reduced noise and vibration makes the flight so much more enjoyable. The extra weight is manageable but I need to fly some more to see if it impacts my ground handling significantly. Would like to give a big thumbs up to @Pdwhite and team, awesome product and support so far, definitively worth the wait.

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Thanks, for the feedback. As a new pilot and my only motor, I’m still grounded and waiting for more information on how resolve the issue. :stuck_out_tongue:

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Paul is working on a long term solution with the new bar design and this will be the ultimate solution to finding the right balance.

@Pdwhite Curious if the new SP140s have this issue resolved since I weigh 135lb.

Thanks

Ya have new bars coming out, and frames for batch 3 are a bit closer to cg so that helps. Also can just use 1/2 batt pack that is pretty comfortable for lighter guys.

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@Pdwhite
Is it possible to get some clarification? Like a comparison of what has changed (image or video) to change the CG?
I don’t want to buy it and end up in the situation like some of the guys in this post.
SP140 first flight experience - Light weight pilot

Some of them ended up moving the whole battery to the bottom of the frame and moving the hang point beyond the arch in the goose neck bar!


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Would you have photos of the higher connection points (where and how…). Thanks a bunch.

I was told by Paul that the motor was closer to the CG… I assume by shortening the mount posts. He also said that changing the gooseneck would “make it so the pilot has not much room for movement”… which makes sense. If the mount point is much further back on the arm, you’ll be pinched between the backplate and the risers, shoulder blades flexing together so your elbows are behind your body plane if that makes sense. I’m in the same boat as a 145lb pilot. Definitely looking forward to a solid solution for this as I was already pricing out new swing arms =]

Is it just me that gets the willies seeing a steel hook on that aluminium carbiner. Don’t damage it!

Why? Is this carbineer that delicate? I have used them climbing and canyoneering for 5 years hooked into steel rock bolts and dangling from a belt hitting rocks all day with no issue or sign of damage?

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Ok just me then. :smile: