Old Guy Paramotoring-1st flight of the Fly Products Eclipse Atom 80

In a few words...lightweight, nimble, comfortable and easy to start with Atom 80 engine.
Previous video on the arrival of the Eclipse and assembly: • Old Guy Paramotoring -...
First flight on the Fly Products Eclipse Atom 80. Weighs 41.6 lbs without fuel. The seat is a minimalist design and I use a front reserve using the Advance Zip Light container and the Advance Companion Square Light (120 kg). It is comfortable and well padded with little vibration from the engine. It does not compare with the Dudek Powerseat but it also weighs much less.
There is a separate reserve container that you can purchase to attach to the harness if you prefer that arrangement.
I use the Syride Sys’Evolution Flight Computer.
I did attach a pouch container to the right side of the harness to take a quick stuff wing bag just in case I land out somewhere and have to hike. I also have another small container on the left side for small stuff like phone, wallet, keys, etc.
Fly Products is available from Aviator Paramotor and they were very responsive when my package went “missing”, and when I needed a new pull cord. They do carry Fly Products parts as well as Atom 80 engine parts.
A complete line of parts is available from FlyProducts.com and they do ship internationally.
I also order a lot from SkySportsUSA.net and they have always been great.
Thanks!!

[@lt.dansparamotoradventures2592]

I'm 54 years old with a new hip and I started the sport. I love it! It's never too late!

[@kcrowe8211]

Awesome videos and nice info for some of us trying to get into the sport!! Mid-50s here, so goes to show it can be done, especially by sticking to light equip!

[@loums52]

Thanks! Just had my second flight after a little harness adjustment. Will post that soon.

[@kcrowe8211]

Lou Serrano what’s the brand of hour-meter, temp sensor you use?

[@loums52]

@@kcrowe8211 it's from Trail Tech that was already on through Fly Products. It reads rpm and engine time. I actually don't have a temp gauge and just monitor the spark plug regularly. So far so good.

[@loums52]

Thanks for watching! I fly from an area about 4 miles inland in the San Diego area. It's right across from the Little Black launch area for PG's. It's a combination radio control and PPG "airstrip". It's still sparse enough to fly around without bothering the neighbors but still noise sensitive. On a good day, you can fly to the coast and back. Fall through early spring is my favorite time to fly there. It can get pretty hot in some summer months. Right now it's very hot and muggy so waiting for some relief from the heat and staying near the coast and flying paragliders at Torrey Pines :-).

[@TonyEssig]

Love the uncontrollable sound u made. Me too does that from time to time

[@loums52]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching

[@flierbill]

I love it ! that's just what I need at my age, 61 my machine weighs 59.9 without fuel , I will be looking at this one. Thanks for the great review.

[@loums52]

Thanks for watching. The light weight makes all the difference for me. Hope you're able to demo one and experience the difference!

[@kcrowe8211]

Lou, keep up the great videos buddy!

[@BriMacsFly]

Nice setup. That's a good combo to start with.

[@loums52]

Thanks...I'm looking forward to several days at Salton Sea (when it's cooler) to really put some hours on the unit.

[@Robbo1966]

Just fab to watch, great upload

[@loums52]

Thanks so much!

[@ripmanridin7092]

Nice Lou..............

[@MrUpscaleman]

I think that spot you circled is where I took my paragliding class many years ago.

[@loums52]

It was one of THE places to learn many years ago. I think that insurance requirements has really limited the instructors that can (legally) use it now. I had MANY hikes up that trail when learning. Torrey Pines brings their students up here sometimes. Still my favorite spot to enjoy a nice hike & fly. Thanks for watching!

[@MrUpscaleman]

@@loums52 I moved to San Diego from Canada about 25 years ago for law school and I put surfing and paragliding on my "must do first" list. I ended up taking a one day course with a guy named "Squirrel." I still have vivid memories of walking up the hill 50,000 times in the roasting heat....if they told me in advance I would have bought them a golf cart. :) I have always wanted to go train on a paramotor. Now I'm a 51 year old little guy with one surgically-repaired knee. I love that Eclipse because it's so lightweight. Too bad there aren't more people flying it and vlogging it.

[@loums52]

@@MrUpscaleman Hopefully, you get up sometime in a paramotor. The Eclipse is a great unit and am surprised there isn't more videos on it. Take care!

[@chorleyted]

Been waiting for this one,Thanks lou great review 👍

[@loums52]

Thanks for watching. I do really like this unit. I'll work on the thigh support but other than that it's wonderful!

[@gw5818]

Hi Lou, I have never flown! I have spent the last 2 months reading and research on PPG. I plan on training in 02/?/2021, I will be 61 years and a month. One review of the Eclipse, equipped with Moster 185 claimed the frame was too flemsy. Any comments appreciated. Thanks, Greg.

[@miguelhuman8003]

Hello, Nice videos always, Would you please tell me what kind of app or Technology you use to produce your videos? Please and thank you

[@loums52]

Thanks for watching. Admittedly, I am using two older Go Pro cameras without a lot of stabilization. They also don't have an external MIC attachment option but I like doing the voiceovers anyway. My other camera is a Google Pixel 3a which is better than the older Motorola camera I used to have. I need to be more conscious of attaching an external MIC to the camera as there's just too much wind noise otherwise. I use the WeVideo video editor that works really well with my Chromebook (this is where I record the voiceovers). For a "premium" subscription I have access to lots of non-copyrighted music as well as abundant storage in the cloud. There are other more feature-rich editors out there but for my purposes, the WeVideo program works well. I have told myself that as soon as I have 500 subscribers I would get a newer Go Pro or other action camera with better stabilization and with an external MIC attachment. I'm almost there! Thanks again!

[@Mark-wm1tj]

Mark From Florida Here,. Cool Vid. I think you would like Kyle O videos on Paramotors. Be safe

[@loums52]

Thanks...yes, I have seen some of Kyle O videos. Wish I had some of those launch sites!

[@Jackofalladventures]

I am looking at getting a power2fly with an Atom 80. How has the Atom 80 held up for you.

[@loums52]

I’ve had two different Atom 80 engines on different frames and never any problems except for a defective starter cord that I replaced after only 4-5 pulls! Other than that loved the engines. Best wishes!

[@FanOfTheSky]

Do you mind sharing your weight? And how the Atom 80 handles it? Your climb rate looks solid.

[@loums52]

I'm 6 feet and 165 lbs. Keep in mind that I am near sea level but the Atom 80 worked great for me. Depending on what you need to do, the Moster engine would certainly give you LOTS more power but I really don't need that for my (mellow) type of flying. Thanks for watching and happy flying!

[@sirrabo8804]

Maybe you could do a video on that transport carrier you have. I’d like to see how you have your motor tied down to the carrier.

[@loums52]

Will do. I did have a Paramotor fall off my carrier once and fortunately I was going slow on a very deserted road! Will post how I secure my PPG soon. Thanks for watching!

[@adaltianno]

I have that same carrier and have modified/added ABS plastic specific for my P2F RS unit. Its real easy and transportation is solid!

[@loums52]

@@adaltianno I'm going to do a video on how I fix the unit to my carrier. Probably lots of great ideas out there.

[@brunodesousa3772]

Hi Lou. Could you tell me where you were flying at? Thanks for the awesome review.

[@NavidSaleki]

awesome Lou, i came across your video! Where are you flying in san diego! hope to come one day as i have family in Carlsbad! cheers! happy flying

[@loums52]

Right now I fly from an RC field across the street from the Little Black Glider launch area. It's within the Black Mountain community park. Not a lot of areas to launch in San Diego but so far this one is still open. Thanks for watching!

[@NavidSaleki]

@@loums52 awesome, hope to come as soon as covid-era is over!

[@austinkaufman9402]

Great video! do you still use that site I've been flying at Torrey and now have a paramotor, I'm looking for good spots in SD but want to make sure I'm not flying where I shouldn't be.

[@loums52]

Thanks!…the bottom line is that San Diego is not very PPG friendly. Either because of development or through homeowner complaints, lots of sites have been “shut down”. The site in the video was a very nice launch site (Black Mountain Park) and across the street from the Little Black Mountain PG launch site (only unpowered flight allowed there). Unfortunately, a few of the homeowners complained (they would regularly call the police) and the local city council voted to outlaw any paramotors there (there’s a few large official signs posted at the trail entrance to the area we used to launch). There’s a large empty field where the hot air balloons would land just west of the park but I’m sure it’s private property…I’ve been tempted but have not launched here. Some pilots launch at Fiesta Island but the area one can fly is very limited because of the San Diego airport airspace restrictions. Apparently, there are some areas that pilots launch from in the Otay area but because of traffic and distance, it’s not practical for me. An airport there used to allow Paramotors but a farmer complained of low flying over his cattle so that was stopped. I have asked Oceanside and Fallbrook airports for an ok but they won’t allow it. I think maybe Hemet or Borrego airports will and many people take a day trip to Salton Sea or other desert areas…but not in the summer! The San Pasqual area may have some open spots to launch but it can get quite windy during the day. Soboba flying area does allow Paramotors but I have not flown there. If I get back into PPG, that’s probably where I would fly. It’s about 1.5 hours from me but not open during the hottest summer months. Unfortunately, there’s absolutely no flying from any beach areas in San Diego (that includes Torrey Pines), but much further north of Santa Barbara are options. I really envy those pilots back east who launch in steady wind conditions from the beach (like Florida). Best wishes and hope you find a great spot to launch. What paramotor do you fly?

[@austinkaufman9402]

@@loums52 Thanks for all the info! That's too bad, it really seem san Diego is too crowded to do anything fun I guess its time to move haha. I think i will check out otay I know there some open area down there (at least for now), And I fly an open ppg sp 140 electric

[@loums52]

@@austinkaufman9402 Electric...that's great! How do you like it? I would love to get away from 2 stroke headaches (though the Atom 80 was pretty good). How's the weight on your back when launching and landing? This is definitely a consideration for me as I usually wouldn't fly longer than 40 minutes. Thanks again.

[@austinkaufman9402]

@@loums52 I haven't flown a gas powered unit so I cant give a great comparison but from others I've heard compared to gas the power feels instant, it is quieter (but still loud from the prop) no real maintenance which is my main reason for getting it. The unit itself is very light however, the battery is not, there are two options a 1 hour battery and a half hour unit. With the 1 hour all up weight is 77lbs the half hour is 55lbs. the half hour battery should be about the weight of an atom 80 with fuel but the flight time isn't great. I hate working on engines and have to store it in my apartment so for me a two stroke wouldn't work, overall I would say it's the way to go if you don't go on long flights.

[@loums52]

@@austinkaufman9402 Thanks again for the info. It does indeed sound like the 1/2 hour battery would be similar to my Atom 80 with fuel. Best wishes flying and perhaps we'll meet at Torrey sometime. Flying PPG again is always on my mind and the Open PPG is probably the way I would go. Take care!

[@stevewatts5167]

Great Video, Atom 80 has a lot of benefits but reliability has not been one of them, broken brackets, clutch, exhaust with only 60 hours, just an FYI..My Top 80 has over 200 hours with zero issues ever, thanks again for the video!!

[@loums52]

Yah, those 2 stroked can be a bear. I also had a Top 80 and it was very reliable.I only had to change the carb once. I don't have too many hours on this unit so will see. Do you have the MY 20 or an earlier version? I am still hoping for a relatively lightweight E-power unit sometime in the near future. Thanks for watching!

[@loums52]

I have not found that the frame is too flimsy...at least with the Atom 80 which is a much lighter engine. The seat is more minimal than the Parajet seat (which is a Dudek powerseat). If you are looking for a more rigid frame then perhaps a Parajet or Kangook. It also depends on what you want from your flying. If you are planning on aerobatics or power take offs then perhaps you need a more rigid frame. BUT check out Jack Pimblett's video on his review. He does use the Atom 80 but he also does aerobatics with it so he does have faith in the machine. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZDJdGucZ6uUkNE I wanted a lightweight and reliable unit and this fits the bill. It is definitely more rigid than the Miniplane that I had. The only downside is the more minimal seat which is not as good for long cross country flying as some other heavier units. Hope this helps and thanks for watching.

[@bradbrown2168]

Torque compensation?

[@loums52]

Good question…the Atom 80 has relatively little torque and is mostly felt on take off with full throttle (to the left). On cruise, there is some riser compensation that minimizes this. I have flown more powerful engines where the torque on take off was very significant and had to be very careful to avoid turning in a direction that would fight the torque (and possibly stall the wing). The Atom 80 engine is fairly benign but I would still turn when climbing out in the direction of the torque to avoid any problems. Hope that helps. Happy flying.

[@lt.dansparamotoradventures2592]

Where's the old guy?

[@loums52]

Still flying but in sailplanes mostly. Will have an update soon. Thanks!

[@aussiemotorman]

Hi Lou Did you weigh the unit They advertise 17.2 kg Nice video

[@loums52]

Yes, I did...I have NEVER had a weight that was accurate from the mfg. This one was light and was a little over 41 lbs. I was thinking around 39 lbs (as seen on other company and dealer videos) so not far off but not really surprised but always a bit disappointing. It seems that advertised weights always need to be taken with a hefty grain of salt. That said, so far I love this set up. Thanks for watching.

[@aussiemotorman]

Or 38 lbs

[@aussiemotorman]

Hi Lou Ordered mine last week so looking forward to the weight I have flown moster 185 for the last 10 years Not just the weight I struggled to start on my back Had a try of the Atom 80 like starting the weed wacker so easy Got the Dudek solo to go with it and ordered the companian reserve super lightweight Thanks for the videos

[@loums52]

@@aussiemotorman congratulations. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[@ClarksVideo]

3 kidney transplants 61 years old And I'm just getting into the sport flu for the 1st time October 1

[@loums52]

Fantastic and best wishes on your training and flying!

[@ricshaw55]

Hi, could you tell me what weight you are please?

[@loums52]

I weight 170 lbs. The Atom 80 is more than enough and I launch pretty close to sea level. Thanks for watching!

[@TCH2495]

Your weight,Sir?

[@loums52]

I weigh 165 lbs. The Atom 80 had more than enough power. Thanks for watching!