Oisin and Sacha, both undertaking expeditions by paramotor, taking very different routes and with different objectives, have most of the same issues in common!  An intensive (and exhausting) weekend of fantastic flying in the stunning backdrop of West Cork and Kerry, was combined with sessions on gear, planning, software, navigation hardware etc.  

As Sacha says..."Meeting fellow adventurers is always great and when you are pushing the boundaries of what is considered ‘normal’ it is really helpful to share ideas. But where do you meet someone who is planning an expedition over challenging terrain in a paramotor…?"

We practiced takeoff and landings in unfamiliar settings and different wind conditions.  We tried different wings and other equipment. Means of carrying equipment on a foot-launched craft were discussed! Equipment to be carried, Navigation hardware/ software apps etc.. Experiments were conducted in the use of Bluetooth communications in the air for interpilot communications, phone contact, and voice activated equipment for hands free operation and other technologies.

Fantastic opportunity, and much learnt.

Sacha's trip, 'The Flight of the Swans' will begin at the Bewick’s summer breeding grounds of high arctic Russia.
Taking to the skies in September, Sacha and the expedition team will set out on a voyage lasting as long as ten weeks, covering a distance of over 7,000 km, at altitudes as low as 100 metres.
Once they’ve safely navigated the vast Russian tundra – and its polar bears – Sacha and the team will continue to track the swans’ progress through Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium and France.

Information on Sacha's planed trip can be found here:  https://fots.wwt.org.uk/

Route planning for the Island hopping first few expeditions.

Flying Kerry near Barrow, Fenit/Tralee.

Plenty of early starts and late nights flying!  Not much sleep over the few days!

Sacha was joined by Jessica Pearson, who took photos and video of the flights.

​Article by  Mohamed Said Arabbate, of the Tanjiers newspaper Tanja24.  How cool!

SENA  Technologies EA office have come on board and offered SENA technology for communications and video for the trip.  @SenaBluetooth #FlyConnected 

​More update and details to follow.

The Garmin Fenix 3, is the best piece of kit I have used for a while! It is an amazing tracking device, and back up navigator, for the main GPS unit.  The watch is perfect for outdoor activities, with profiles allowing you to view/ monitor all essential data on your wrist, with the minimum of fuss! Smartphone notifications as well!
Tested here in a recent walk on Carrauntwohill, in Kerry.  Used recently for rowing and flying as well.  More info  to follow.

Garmin fēnix 3 is the uncompromising GPS sport watch designed for demanding athletes and outdoor adventurers. It is powered by GPS and GLONASS via the new steel EXO antenna and a brilliant colour display. Fēnix 3 comes packed with multi-sport training, trail running and navigation. It introduces a tough athletic design with quality materials and smart features like Connect IQ Appsfēnix 3 is designed to assist people during their sport activities and outdoor life. It supports performance sports like running, cycling, swimming, trail running, indoor training, cross country skiing as well as triathlon and recreational activities suchas hiking, climbing and downhill skiing. It measures performance on the go, tracks activities for sharing and navigates the user back home at the end of an adventure. And it does not stop there. The new ConnectIQ App support for fēnix 3 opens up the potential to develop many more functions and for all sorts of activities in the near future.

Find out more about SPOT GEN3 below.

This is the first draft of the new website for the trip.