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26 Dec 06 - Santa gave me a break in the weather this morning!!
Yesterday, the forecast was not looking good for flying for a couple of days
but, they're was a small chance that the wet weather was not going to hit the
area until later on in the morning. I prepared my equipment for an early
flight last knight to include a steering bar I had made for the trike. This
steering bar allows me to control the aircraft while having my hands in around
chest height, this would mean that I can keep my hands lower therefore keeping
my hands warmer during cold flights. It worked great, and I went for a 35
min trike XC without getting my hands too cold. After the flight, the weather
was starting to pick up a bit and I knew that there was not much of a window
left to get in another flight. The wind was a little high for the trike, but it
was still good enough for foot launch. I quickly put away the trike and was off
in no time with my WJ XC. I flew around the field practicing foot drags for
another 20 mins until the freezing rain started, that meant for a quick landing
and packing of the equipment. Great day of flying!!
22 Dec 06 - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year -
Johanne and I would like to wish our family, friends and customers a very Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year. The sport of PPG has been picking in the
Maritimes and there is already plenty of potential students lining up for next
year's training . I hope all current PPG pilots lots of safe and enjoyable
flying this winter. For PPG students awaiting training, the dream of flight is
worth waiting for!!. See ya in the air!! Frank & Johanne
20 Dec 06 - Cold flight this morning!! - This morning the
temp was -15C and I went for a quick 15 min flight to attempt to get climatized
for this winters flights. The glove combination I used wasn't bad but it was
very difficult to get a grip on the flight controls. The trike operated very
well in the cold weather and look forward to many more flights this
winter.
17 Dec 06 - Great flights this morning!! This morning the
winds were light from the SW and the temperature was around -4 Deg C. I have
flown several times each week due to being fortunate of having my flying field
in my back yard and plenty of time on my hands. This morning I had flown two
mini XC's lasting 30-40 mins. I cannot say enough on how the Sussex area
is PPG heaven. I can see beautiful valleys as far as I can see. This summer I
can easily go 100+Khm XC's. For all you PPG pilots, come on down and give
Johanne and I a visit, hopefully the weather will be good and we can get a
flight in. (Few pics this morning of myself playing around the field).
28 Nov 06 - PPGNB will be changing locations and will be temporarily
disconnected - Johanne and I are in the process of moving to
Sussex N.B. We'll be in our new location by Thurs but we will not have access to
our E-mail/ internet connection until 6 Dec 06. Also if you require to get a
hold of us we will be keeping our old cell numbers until our tel is connected.
We will be keeping our web address, but the E-mail address will be changing. I
will post the new address on our site when the address is officially
connected. Frank & Johanne.
26 Nov 06 - Pilot's comment - Needless to say Mark
Dean had a great time flying in the Sussex area yesterday after flying for more
than 3 hours. For PPG pilots that have not had a chance to fly in and around
Sussex area, come on down to visit and try it out. All pilots and families
welcome. Frank& Johanne. Here's Mark's E-Mail.
To
Frank, Johanne and PPG New Brunswick.Com
Carolyn
and I would like to wish you the best of success in your new digs near Sussex.
What a nice place to fly with so many fields and valleys ripe with landing
zones, already friendly with farmers accustomed to balloon sightings and
drop-ins, ridges for soaring and free flight, very nice indeed. Launching from
your 35 acre grounds right next to the classroom, might I suggest you turn that
kennel into a ppg-doghouse for the wandering pilot, this would make “staying
in the doghouse” very good. New pilots of the Maritimes will be glad to
know they are in the hands of a competent instructor with a great background in
the Army, you my friends are the best things to happen to this sport around here
and we’re some glad to have you
Safe
flying to all,
Mark
Dean at fly4fun.ca.
25 Nov 06 - Flying Sussex!! - Mark and I had a chance to try
out the new flying facilities (My new Home) today. My actual move date is
1 Dec 06, but the old owner was gracious enough to allow us to move some personal
effects in early as well as getting some renovation work done before the big
move. Sussex is a great place for people who love aviation of all sorts. This
morning, before Mark and I launched, there were several hot air balloons in the
air as well as some Free fall parachutists jumping out of them at a fairly low
altitude. Mark had launched first and his first flight was a good 1 hour flight.
Unfortunately the floor contractor had arrived early and my flight was cut
short. Mark had flown two other long flights one with Ed E who showed up later
on in the day. Sussex is a great place to fly!! (Few Pics)
Another Calm morning in
Sussex!! There are two jumpers free
falling There's one, the other waits
last min
Mark D(Over 3 Hrs of flight
today)
Ed E Local Sussex
pilot
Last flight of the day
19 Nov 06 - Happy Retirement Johanne!! - My wife Johanne
has joined the ranks of the retired after serving 30 years of loyal service to
the Canadian Armed Forces (Regular Force). She is now officially part of
PPGNB full time!!
19 Nov 06 - Finally the weather breaks!! - It has been more than a
month since my last flight. I had missed the odd fly weather but for the most
part, the weather the last month has not been PPG friendly. This morning, Roger
and I had met at the field and wasted no time in getting airborne!! The flight
was short(20 Mins) due to cold hands, but nevertheless it was good to get back
into the air again. (Few Pics)
11 Nov 06 - Remembrance Day During today's Remembrance
Day Parade in Fredericton Junction, they showed an outstanding short video of
the hardships and dedication of today's military soldiers and family.
Their dedication and sacrifice allows us to enjoy the freedom that we all take
for granted. See Video
07 Nov 06 - PPGNB's Moving to Sussex!! - As of Dec 01/06 our
new address will be 3472 Rte 121, Apohaqui (Sussex) N.B. I will now be
able to fly and train off our own property. Sussex is one of the best locations
in N.B to fly, it has endless valley's that provide great long XC flights as
well as the hosting location for the annual Balloon Festival. Johanne has
retired this month after 30 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces and we
are both looking forward to moving to our new 32 acre home. However, I will miss
the great friends I have made and flown with in this local area.
I would like to send a special thanks to several good PPG buddies. Mark Dean
, who started me off in this sport and had been a good flying buddy of mine from
the beginning. Mark always had emphasized safety, and is the best and most
experienced PPG pilot in the area. Also Roger Harris, who was my first
student. His Family had supported PPGNB and allowed me to train off their
property. Roger flies frequently and has become a very good pilot, Students like
Roger are the reasons why you become an instructor. I'm sure Roger will maintain
the field and continue to fly at every opportunity. Sussex is only 1 hour east,
and I'm sure that I'll be seeing some of my flying buddies during good weather
week-ends. I welcome all PPG pilots to come down and visit Johanne and I in
Sussex, I can guarantee great XC flight's(weather permitting). Frank
01 Oct 06 - Dennis Beach Video - See
Video
25 Sep 06 Dennis Beach Flying - This was the first
year that I had the chance to go to Dennis beach N.B and get some flying around
Fundy Park. This event is hosted by Free flight paragliding pilots (No
paramotor) from around the Maritimes and had several pilots show up for
the event. Unfortunately the weather was not great for paragliding
and there was plenty of parawaiting during the week-end. However, the weather
did give up a bit of flying weather Sunday and a few pilots had a chance to soar
the beach. As far as PPG, there was Myself, Mark and Tim who had shown up with
our motors and did manage to sucessfully get in some great flying to include a
60 Km + XC flight along the coast. (Here are a few pics)
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