BlackHawk Archives - BlackHawk Paramotors USA

Paramotor Spark Plug Color: What Does it Mean?

admin — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 18:45:43 +0000

Paramotor Spark Plug Color: What Does it Mean?

About This Guide:

This section provides a visual representation of how the Spark Plug can look depending on how the engine is running. If the engine is running too lean, the spark plug can look greyish white. If the engine is running too rich the spark plug will look black, sometimes a glossy black if it’s really rich. The goal is to get a good dark coffee brown color on the spark plug, which represents the correct color on the spark plug itself, and assures you that the Fuel to Air mixture on your carb is set correctly. This will also help assure you get the most power and longest lifespan out of your engine. Use the chart below as a guide to determine the correct Fuel to Air mixture that your engine is burning. A very special thanks to BlackHawk Mechanic Mike Gambrill & Team Pilot Brian Matthews for putting together this information.

DOWNLOAD PDF HERE FOR PRINTING & PERSONAL REFERENCE:

MAJOR LEAN:

The Spark Plug head will look grayish-white in color.
There will be very little to no carbon buildup
This can cause the cylinder head to quickly overheat even at a normal idle speed, and if you give the engine some throttle it will burn a hole in the piston head within seconds killing your engine.

MINOR LEAN:

The Spark Plug head will look very lite tan in color.
There will be some minor carbon buildup
This can cause the cylinder head temperature to be elevated, and may overheat when giving the engine full throttle.
This will cut the engine lifespan by 1/2

NORMAL COLOR:

The Spark Plug head will look dark coffe in color
There will be a thin layer of carbon buildup
This will optimize the lifespan of the engine, and it helps the engine run cooler

MINOR RICH:

The Spark Plug head will look black, but dry
There will be a good amount of carbon buildup
Carbon deposits will start building up in the decompression port
Carbon deposits will build up around the piston rings causing the engine to loose compression
This will increase the chance of fouling the spark plug and causing engine miss-fires
This will cause more maintenance to keep the engine running

MAJOR RICH:

The Spark Plug head will look glossy black in color and look wet.
There will be a major amount of carbon buildup
Carbon deposits will rapidly build up in the decompression port
Carbon deposits will rapidly build up around the piston rings causing the engine to loose compression
The engine will run rough due to the dab mixture of Fuel to Air
Uncontrolled Detonation of fuel in the cylinder that can cause the engine to overheat and burn up

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Need Help Paying For a Paramotor Package?

admin — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 20:53:02 +0000

Need Help Paying For a Paramotor Package?

Six Creative Ways to FLY NOW!…

Purchasing a Paramotor Package is a big decision for many people. It’s an investment – just like buying a car. Most people who discover Powered Paragliding for the first time are extremely excited by the concept and very anxious to get started! We wanted to take a moment and share some “tricks of the trade” that have helps potential Pilots (just like you) get started right away. Get creative, mix & match these options, and don’t be afraid to ask others for help. If you really want something bad enough – doors will open!

(#1) Can your business write-off the investment? If you own your own business, even if it’s a small part time one, consider putting your logo, phone number, or website on your Paraglider. It doesn’t cost much to do this and you could write-off the entire purchase as a “flying advertisement!” It’s a great way to get a VERY visible business sign in front of countless people! Along those lines, you can also come up with a way to use the Paramotor for business purposes. We’ve seen many people use them for aerial photography, scouting for livestock, filming online commercials for their business, etc. It’s CHEAP to get a business license for most small businesses. Check with your tax professional to see if this could work for you!

(#2) Have a nice boss? Consider talking to your employer about a sponsored trade. If you agree to put the business logo/number on your Glider, we’ve seen employers help purchase the Paramotor or part of it – then letting the employee (you) make payments out of your paycheck until it’s paid for!

(#3) Get around the astronomical credit card rates? Many CC (credit card) companies entice people by offering 0% interest for 6-24 months if you transfer the balance from one CC to another. Consider using a “balance transfer check” to purchase the Paramotor from one or several CC companies. As long as you pay it off in time, you could avoid having any interest!

(#4) Don’t forget – PayPal offers a line of credit: Several customers have had success using PayPal to help finance their purchase, and from what we’ve heard, the interest is lower than most typical credit cards.

(#5) Check with your local Bank or Credit Union… Many of our customers have secured very low interest rates from their local Credit Unions. Consider checking with the financial institutions in your area to see what you might qualify for.

(6) Get half now, and half later… Learning how to kite and control the Paraglider is 90% of the battle! You will learn just about everything required to be a skilled Pilot, before you ever leave the ground! Many customers will purchase a Paraglider and Kiting Harness prior to getting the actual motor. They will take lessons and then practice refining their skills for months – while saving up for the rest of the Paramotor Package Deal. Here is where BlackHawk can help: As long as you purchase the rest of the Complete Package Deal within 3-6 months of your initial purchase, we will still honor whatever our CURRENT Package Deal Price is!

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10,000 Aircraft and half-a-million people later…

admin — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 18:56:45 +0000

10,000 Aircraft and half-a-million people later…

EAA AirVenture 2015 knocks it out of the park!

Over 500,000 people from all parts of the globe made their way to Oshkosh Wisconsin to witness the ultimate aviation celebration. 10,000 aircraft flood the Wittman Regional Airport for this 7-day event, making it the “busiest airport in the world” at that time. Words can’t describe the excitement of the Airventure experience and this marks BlackHawk’s 3rd successful year attending!

This year, there was a total of 2,668 show planes on display! This included:

1,031 home-built aircraft
976 vintage airplanes
350 warbirds
130 ultralights and light-sport aircraft
101 seaplanes
30 rotorcraft
50 aerobatic aircraft

The 2015 airshow brought more than 140 new commercial exhibitors for a total of over 800 exhibitors. The International Visitors Tent registered thousands of attendees from a record of 80 different countries! Canada, Australia, and Germany were the top 3. EAA’s 5,400 volunteer staff helped make 2015 the biggest year ever.

“Highlights included the very popular day and night air shows, the Apollo 13 crew presentation and the return of legendary designer Burt Rutan. The EAA Young Eagles program took delivery of ICON Aircraft’s first production A5, and the premiere of EAA’s new Aviation Gateway Park drew standing room-only crowds to investigate new aviation innovations, including exhibits and demonstrations on drone technology.”

Aviation enthusiasts expect to see the usual aircraft at this show. Powered Paragliding however, is quite unusual. Thousands of people wandered through the event and when they came upon the Ultralight section, they stopped dead in their tracks to witness BlackHawk’s “backpack flying machines.” Many people never realize their dream of personal flight because of the hurdles they have to jump through to get there. Powered Paragliding has become a game changer.

With no licensing requirements and a smaller price tag than most ATV’s, the BlackHawk Paramotor booth was flooded with visitors – anxious to find out more. In the evenings, a wall of spectators lined up behind a gated area to watch BlackHawk’s Pilots demonstrate just how easy it is to fly a BlackHawk Paramotor. BlackHawk’s goal was to expose more people to the amazing experience of Powered Paragliding. With over half a million aviation fans attending, it was a total success!

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Unique Paramotor Follow Cam Adventure!

admin — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 18:23:44 +0000

Unique Paramotor Follow Cam Adventure!

The Perfect Shot. Always!

Paramotor Photographers and GoPro fanatics are always looking for that “perfect shot.” What if ALL your Paramotor footage was perfect and you could literally capture the “essence” of that brilliant flight? This video shows how possible it is.

These amazing BlackHawk Paramotor Follow Cams were developed by BlackHawk Engineer & Team Pilot Christoph Bueker. After countless prototypes and an unbelievable number of test-flights, the stability or overall accuracy of these Paramotor Follow Cams are unbeatable.

The Paramotor footage, as you can see, looks like another pilot with a giro stabilizer was flawlessly following the subject pilot from directly behind. The entire motor, glider, and surrounding scenery are captured, providing a “look” that you can’t get with any other system.

It’s been a challenge to keep these BlackHawk Paramotor Follow Cameras in stock. Every time we produce a Paramotor video with these Follow Cams, we get a number of people emailing in to ask “how we filmed that specific scene.” Once they find out how affordable the setup is, how easy it is to setup or fly with one, it’s being shipped from our warehouse that day!

SCREENSHOTS FROM THIS AMAZING FLIGHT (click to enlarge)

If you are interested in capturing your adventures with the same stunning results seen in this video, you should consider calling BlackHawk Paramotors USA and ordering your very own.

Please show your support for BlackHawk by liking, commenting, or better yet – SUBSCRIBING to our channel, so you don’t miss out on more amazing flights & products.

Fly safe from all of us at BlackHawk Paramotors USA. If you are one of the many people discovering the sport for the first time, give us a call. Our Team of experts are here year-round to provide the most accurate and inclusive information in the industry.

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How are Paragliders Certified Through EN Testing?

admin — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 14:26:49 +0000

What is “EN Testing” and “EN Paraglider Certification?

(Click Image to learn more about Paraglider Certification)

EN Paraglider Certification, or “European Norm” regulations, were originally developed to assess the flight characteristics of Paragliders. A group of experts from several European countries had the goal of creating a four-level glider certification system (A, B, C, &D). This was to help consumers and manufacturers determine which glider is appropriate for a pilot’s given skill level. (A) being the safest “beginner-friendly” gliders, and (D) being reserved for highly-skilled pilots. The founding members of the group wanted even the lowest level of safety (D gliders), to be “safer” than previous certifying organization’s top-levels, and with the most stable level (A gliders) being “safer” than any gliders in production. To ensure the consistency of certifications, a simple description of each class was developed early on. Countless tests are performed to determine the paraglider’s behavior in specific maneuvers. These tests are conducted at both the minimum and maximum weight limits of the glider. After a 10-year period of expert testing, writing, refining, and validating, the EN Certification Standards have become internationally recognized as one of the most trusted ratings in the industry.

Which EN Paraglider Certification is best for YOU?

The European Norm (or EN Paraglider Certification) focused on pilots with the least experience, guaranteeing the MAXIMUM LEVEL OF SAFETY. The various EN Classes are very strict. In fact, even the slightest deviation from the strict EN standards can disqualify the glider. Additionally, ratings not only take the pilot’s skill-level into consideration, but also the “flight characteristics” or responsiveness of the glider. “Flight Characteristics” is basically a term which describes the glider’s tendency to lose control, and the likelihood or speed of it’s recovery.

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EN-A Certified Paragliders:

FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS:

Paragliders with a maximum level of passive-safety. EN-A Certified Paragliders are extremely forgiving and show exceptional resistance to deviation from normal flight.

PILOT SKILLS REQUIRED:

EN-A Certified Paragliders are designed for ALL PILOTS, and suitable for any level of training. These are great for pilots with less than 1 year of flight experience, or for those who fly less than twice a month (25 hours a year).

EN-B Certified Paragliders:

FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS:

EN-B Certified Paragliders display good passive-safety and forgiving flight characteristics. The glider must have some resistance to deviation from normal flight.

PILOT SKILLS REQUIRED:

EN-B Certified Paragliders are designed for ALL PILOTS, and suitable for any level of training. There are a broad range of paragliders on the market fitting this category. Some are closer to “EN-A” gliders than others. NOTE: Pilots should have experienced AT LEAST 30 hours of flight-time in various flight conditions. At least 10 of those hours being in thermic conditions. EN-B Certified Paragliders are commonly flown by pilots with “ratings” or “certifications,” and for those who fly no less than 50 hours per year (3-4 times per month).

EN-C Certified Paragliders:

FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS:

EN-C Certified Paragliders possess a moderate level of passive safety. These gliders can potentially display dynamic reactions to turbulence or pilot errors. Precise “active piloting” or input may be required for recovery.

PILOT SKILLS REQUIRED:

EN-C Certified Paragliders are designed for intermediate pilots who possess good “active piloting” skills, and are quite familiar with recovery techniques. The pilot must fully understand the implications of flying a glider with reduced passive safety. Pilots should possess an advanced rating or certification, and have logged HUNDREDS of flight hours in ALL conditions (especially thermic). An “SIV” or “Advanced Maneuvers” Clinic should be completed by pilots flying EN-C Paragliders. Recommended for those who fly at least 10 hours per month (2 times per week), and for those who are comfortable handling large asymmetric collapses.

EN-D Certified Paragliders:

FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS:

EN-D Certified Paragliders have demanding flight characteristics. They can have potentially violent reactions to turbulence or pilot error. Precise pilot input will be required for recovery to normal flight.

PILOT SKILLS REQUIRED:

EN-D Certified Paragliders are for the most advanced pilots who are very well-versed in recovery techniques. Pilots should fly very actively, possess much experience flying in turbulence, and fully accept the implications of flying such a glider. Pilots should fly for many years before considering an EN-D Certified Paraglider. Various advanced maneuvers or “SIV skills” must be MASTERED to fly such a glider, and pilots should fly no less than 200 hours a year (often in strong conditions).

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NEW Paramotor Tips Video on Protecting Your Pull Start

admin — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 20:31:03 +0000

NEW Paramotor Tips Video on Protecting Your Pull Start

This video will show pilots a simple technique which can extend the life of your Paramotor pull-start cable & netting. This easy process takes minutes to complete and costs pennies to do. If you haven’t seen our other Paramotor Tips & Tricks Videos, you can find the entire collection by clicking the link at the bottom of this page. Your feedback determines which video we will produce next. It is our goal to provide the Powered Paragliding community with honest, real, and easy-to-understand instructional videos so pilots can enjoy this sport to its fullest! Please get involved and let us know what you think about this video by “liking,” “commenting,” or “sharing.”

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions. To access our CONTACT FORM – CLICK HERE. You can also use this contact form to suggest the next Tips & Tricks video you would like to see. Thanks for watching and FLY SAFE, from all of us here at BlackHawk Paramotors USA.

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Velocity’s NEW Reserve Chute Mount in 3D!

admin — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 18:54:06 +0000

Velocity’s NEW Reserve Chute Mount in 3D!

Pilot awareness on the importance of flying with a reserve parachute is growing. With the increased demand for Velocity’s Ultra-Lite Reserve products, Velocity is finalizing the prototype of a new reserve mounting system. This sleek, sporty design was engineered with strength, functionality, and versatility in mind. One of BlackHawk Paramotor’s Manufacturing Engineers created the above 3D prototype image so customers can get a “sneak-peak” at the new design. Mike Robinson of BlackHawk commented “We are excited about the new design. Not only does it look fantastic, it was custom-designed to function perfectly with the Velocity Reserve Chutes, the BlackHawk LowBoy II Quad, and is easily adaptable to all other types of quads / trikes. This mount fits 1 1/8″ tubing – vinyl tubing can simply be used to make up a difference in size with frames other than BlackHawk’s standard size.

TO SEE IN 3D:

Simply CLICK HERE to download the PDF. When the image opens, right-click the image & save it to your computer. Open the file with Adobe Reader. Hover your mouse over the image and (click to activate) 3D viewing.

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What is included in our paramotor package?

admin — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 15:05:38 +0000

What in a Paramotor Package Deal?

Welcome to the MOST INCLUSIVE Paramotor Package Deals in the Industry. When BlackHawk says “everything needed to fly,” we mean it! Check out or video below to see what comes in a Complete Package Deal from BlackHawk Paramotors USA. See how much you can save by going with the #1 selling brand of Powered Paragliding Equipment in the US!

Check out our Paramotor Packages CLICK HERE

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