The worst way to land at

[@YankeeinSC1]

Mountain flying seems something you are at least somewhat familiar with living in Boone. Back in the 1980s I was flying for a wholly owned subsidiaries of the major airline I worked for due to overstaffing, economy softness and to avoid being furloughed. I spent a spring and summer season flying commuter equipment (BE-02-b and c models) in the North East (Bar Harbor Airlines). Marketing folks moved to modify the fleet on the east coast, so they transferred the 1900's I was qualified on to the western operation. Consequently I spent the bulk of the hunting season through the end of the ski seasons, flying in the Rocky Mountains (Rocky Mountain Airways). Both offered plenty of low weather and extremely demanding mountain flying. The ground school for moving to the western operation, was 4 entire days spent on performance and mountain weather! That's a ton of class room time for a professional pilot that was already flying the same equipment. I like to think those miserable days in the classroom kept me alive. To your vid...Unlike more predictable absorption rates, fog burn off, or what ever you want to call it over flatter terrain... mornings in the mountains can see valley fog extended farther into the day for many atmospheric reasons. Cutting up into the center of a narrowing valley that isn't wide enough to turn around in, is a common cause of accidents in general aviation. Add low weather to that equation, especially if the cloud bases and the end of the valley are located in the same general area, leaves one of two choices: Climb blind into the cloud and hope there isn't a radio tower or power line on the ridge or 2) attempt an aggressive 180 degree turn that almost always results in hitting the terrain. Your decision to continue much beyond @0:52 in your video paid off handsomely in scenery and cloud proximity experience, but certainly you understand it could have proven even fatal. The landing was just a symptom that manifested itself from a whole host of other bad decisions. I left the fly-in Saturday morning. I had my wife with me this trip, sometimes on the flight line. I am glad that your decisions didn't hurt other participants and particularly not me, or my spouse. I'd like to encourage you to make better choices, but I suspect the number of views and "COOL!" comments this vid is getting, will overshadow any chance for modifying your, or anyone else's approach to PPG flying. Anyhow I watched the whole thing a few times. I'd say "cool", but I know better.

[@jamesdodzweit]

Thanks for the encouragement to make better choices. I will try my best. 🪂

[@YankeeinSC1]

@@jamesdodzweit That's the best response I could have hoped for! I still love PPG and very rarely point fingers, even though we are all tasked with policing the community under AC 103-6 & 7. We all know the it "could have happened to me" feeling is a reality when it finally does. Take care and hope to see you at an event soon.

[@WillFly]

@@jamesdodzweit That is an awesome attitude!!

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@WillFly thank you sir. Pride has no place in this sport. If I’m too cocky to get advice, I have no business being in the air.

[@N14158TL]

Wow, that was some gorgeous scenery. I'm sure you learned a LOT on that flight. Glad you and everyone around was ok.

[@jamesdodzweit]

Yes, thank you. I live close by & get to fly this area all year. Love it.

[@stevekaluf2708]

So many mistakes were made, VFR flight into clouds, not enough fuel reserve, missed more than one hole in the clouds, turned final into the pit area instead of running downwind further away from runway and making the turn away from the pit area.....lucky to be alive, and not have hurt someone else.

[@fishflyjet4740]

Awesome video!! I think i went toward the sun that morning also! The view was epic !

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@fishflyjet4740 glad you enjoyed it. Views were amazing that morning.

[@AX01Adventures]

You were low on fuel when you took off. Glad you are OK.

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@AX01Adventures ya- expected a short flight but had to stay up.

[@brandonfasan]

Great video ñ beautiful scenery, hilarious ending only because you're okay, and learned from it and replaced ur buddyz tent...

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@brandonfasan glad you enjoyed it.

[@brandonfasan]

@@jamesdodzweit keep up the good work

[@asleepawake3645]

Any landing you can walk away from is a good landing

[@nateoverva]

Except in this case. That was a baaaaad landing:) But it was one we can all learn from.

[@bradgraberguitar]

Amazing footage in the clouds! Glad you’re ok! How is your camera following you in the air?

[@jamesdodzweit]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Camera following is a GoPro on a Chase cam. A string tied to the back of the wing.

[@EvilBikerGangOfTheSky]

Such an amazing flight. But why would you do that at the end?

[@jamesdodzweit]

Thought I was gonna land shorter but misjudged the approach. Not my most proud moment.

[@FlyLokietek]

cały film wyszedł ekstra tylko to lądowanie ;) pozdrowienia z polski!

[@jerrydelyea5820]

Maverick: permission to buzz the tower? Tower: absolutely not! Thankyou tower 😂😂. I flew pg for 25 years, ppl the last ten or so and have watched thousands of videos of both…. This is one of my favourites, so many things done wrong, some illegal even but….. some of it I’m jealous I didn’t do lol. Beautiful memory this one. Glad you and the peeps nearby were too! Flying in an active sky is mesmerizingly beautiful.

[@jamesdodzweit]

Thanks for the comment Jerry. So glad you enjoyed the video. Hopefully, I'm learning from my blunders. There is nothing like telling gravity, "you're not the boss of me anymore."

[@coloradocj243]

Man, what a video! When you broke through the clouds with nothing but trees right there with low visibility, that was a scary situation. It was good to meet you, thanks for the invite to sit around your campfire.

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@coloradocj243 thanks Andy. Glad you enjoyed it. I bet you are also glad I didn’t land in your tent. 👍🏼

[@coloradocj243]

@@jamesdodzweit Yeah, that was a surprise ending. I didn't want to ruin it for everyone else 😁. This video has everything! Glad you didn't get hurt.

[@warrengibson5988]

I had basically the exact same flight that morning. Same experience above the clouds and then they closed up. I took almost the exact same path back to the LZ except I knew I was headed in the right direction and I had plenty of fuel. I always have two forms of GPS, Gaggle and my Garmin watch with F3b Flight software, that shows my location and waypoint back to the LZ. I would never fly an unknown area without at least one. Too easy to get disoriented and turned around in the air, especially with cloud cover.

[@jamesdodzweit]

I think I saw you on gaggle as I was enjoying the splendor. I had emptied my gas can into my tank and figured 4 liters was enuf to enjoy the scenery. Having a 2nd GPS source is a great idea tho. i normally fly from this airport on weekends since it's so close (40 mins away from Boone) and very PPG friendly. I had never ventured in that area before tho. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@popsfereal]

Nobody is talking about how many mistakes were made in this awesome video.

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@popsfereal it’s the mistakes that make the video awesome.

[@DougBow96]

Agreed, use it as a learning experience please.

[@Dishcanfly]

I think the pilot knows, that’s why he’s sharing. Glad you or anyone else wasn’t hurt. Landing was epic ! Thanks for sharing.

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@Dishcanfly very true.

[@shipment7095]

How about forgetting the "glide slope" and not landing near objects and people. I can see the frame when you pulled to the left right into the obstacle. You could have hurt someone.

[@jamesdodzweit]

This is very true. I’m fortunate I didn’t. My motor was off so I couldn’t power out.

[@shipment7095]

@@jamesdodzweit reviewed a bit more. First frame of fuck up is at 3:56, when you pulled left for the first time. should have over flown and found a landing spot. I can see why you were trying to avoid going over the water feature at landing at 4:04 but should have continued on.

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@shipment7095always a joy when my errors are on full 4k display. Thanks for helping me get better.

[@AveryFlies]

Amazing flight footage. Glad you were okay. You missed my car, so I don't mind, feel free to drop in any time :P

[@jamesdodzweit]

Thanks Avery. Shoot me a message when you guys are flying and I would love to join you . . . hopefully without the landing carnage.

[@paramotorjack]

Thanks for sharing. Great view and intense video. Stay safe!

[@jamesdodzweit]

thank you. 🪂

[@DougBow96]

Happy you were able to fly another day. Hopefully a few lessons were learned about cloud clearance, scud running, fuel management and landing long.

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@DougBow96 yes- many lessons learned. Trying to get better every flight. I

[@DougBow96]

@@jamesdodzweit 👍😎

[@DrewBenderson]

Cool video

[@paraglidingtalk]

Rest in peace canopy.

[@jamesdodzweit]

Canopy actually survived unharmed.

[@paraglidingtalk]

Nice

[@GabrielManzanero]

Sick video tho that’s a wild looking landscape? North east US?

[@jamesdodzweit]

Mountain City Tennessee. I live in Boone (40 mins away). You should come fly with us.

[@nomadicengineer3396]

Brave pilot

[@DucksSpitPPG]

If u run even the free version of gaggle, it would have got u back to the lz even over the clouds which is probably safer. U could have done some s turns at the lz and bleed off some altitude or u can always go around if u have enough gas. 😂 I was camped about 4 spaces to the left from where u landed. Glad it turned out pretty good considering. Blue skies

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@DucksSpitPPG I kept looking at gaggle (free version)- it looked like I was not moving or the app was not updating. That’s why I was so nervous.

[@DucksSpitPPG]

Gaggle always seems to work for the most part for me. ​@@jamesdodzweit

[@tango_sierra8608]

Highly suggest shortening those brakes unless you use trike or another high hangpoint machine also. I was cringing at how deep you were in the brakes but then realized it’s an ozone so it’s probably normal/safe if you didn’t touch them. Feels so much more dialed and on rails when they are dialed in and shortened

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@tango_sierra8608 I’ve shortened them once already- (about 2.5 inches) but maybe I need to do it some more.

[@tango_sierra8608]

@@jamesdodzweit that’s about the average. I did 3” I think. Oh well nevermind then! Just something to be mindful off is all! You know your stall point better than me. Funny, I was staying in a cabin offsite but when I would come to fly I’d park directly infront of Avery and Dan and this settup. I wonder if my settup would’ve made this situation avoided or 10x worse haha. Glad it was a nonevent. Thanks for sharing

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@tango_sierra8608 I’m already looking forward to next year

[@GabrielManzanero]

Not a pilot here but considering the weather would you say it was a bad decision to fly in that?

[@jamesdodzweit]

The weather was smooth. Just needed to pay more attention to the clouds.

[@ToddBerthiaume-m6e]

That was really scary and you were really lucky that it was only a canopy that you hit. I’m sure you know that though. Otherwise great video.

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@ToddBerthiaume-m6e yes- I was puckered the whole time. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@markwillride]

Don’t you have cloud minimum clearances like any other aircraft? Looks like IFR to me most of the time.

[@jamesdodzweit]

There are some restrictions but overall pretty minimal for FAR103

[@georgewashington9058]

Far103.21 requires visual contact with the ground at all times. Far103.23 requires same basic VFR clearance requirements as aircraft. Good news is most airplanes will survive a mid air with a paramotor.

[@shanesplanetshane3795]

@@georgewashington9058 I dunno about that. Paramotor is 220lbs. I guess depends where on the plane you hit it and how fast you're going. Birds are only a couple pounds, they seem to do a fair bit of damage.

[@ryanpotter787]

Glide slope has nothing to do with this. You could have turned well before and missed the camp easily. Beautiful video - not the best execution.

[@naveedharoon36]

Should'nt you avoid flying in the clouds, since they can make your glider heavy ?

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@naveedharoon36 flying in/through clouds can only be done in an emergency situation, which this was. They will not make your glider heavy.

[@tonyparamotor9487]

Ill mention just afew. Always get your gps setting for the area. So while in the air U know exactly where you lz is.check. The amount of fuel before you get ready to fly.other then that .get proper instruction."live and learn or learn and live"

[@jamesdodzweit]

Solid advice Tony. Thank you.

[@ppgtraininguk]

Silly boy

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@ppgtraininguk not my most proud moment for sure. Hope you enjoyed the content.

[@aintchorrollmodel182]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA that was great!

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@aintchorrollmodel182 glad you enjoyed it.

[@flierbill]

Dude ! best video ever, except the landing, I want to follow you at a Fly-In .

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@flierbill glad you enjoyed it. There are much better choices to follow at a fly-in.

[@ryanmoore2672]

Posting videos of yourself blatantly disregarding FAA regulations is a GREAT idea… 🙄

[@RcSpicer1234]

coming in hot!

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@RcSpicer1234 yep- very embarrassing.

[@libertyforamericanow]

I was thinking that could be disorienting

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@libertyforamericanow I got lift at the last moment when I was hoping for the opposite

[@brandonthomas1887]

Why not just land on the grass in front?

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@brandonthomas1887 I had shut my motor off.

[@namvet9881]

This video shows us that common sense cannot be instilled in the mind of an idiot!

[@jamesdodzweit]

Oh wow. Now there is a comment. At least I hope you enjoyed the content

[@DarioushAryan]

bravoo

[@FainTMako]

The music at the end made it sound like you died

[@jamesdodzweit]

Haha- just my pride

[@shanesplanetshane3795]

Low fuel on an atom 80? Geez man, you really do like riskin' the biscuits. I think you need buy more lottery tickets, and remember me when you do!

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@shanesplanetshane3795 haha!! I didn’t plan on staying up so long but the view was so alluring and the clouds kept me up longer than I wanted. I’ll hook you up if I win the lotto.

[@shanesplanetshane3795]

@@jamesdodzweit impressive you don't break stuff. Seems like if I fart the wrong direction, it costs me a prop at the very least. I once took a tandem in the morning and we got caught in the morning fog rising from the mountains. Spectacular sight, seeing fog like cotton candy, flow the valley, with only the mountaintops visible. Makes you really want to jump down into it!

[@jamesdodzweit]

@@shanesplanetshane3795 if you look closely at my frame you will see it has taken a beating.

[@yodaworks]

along comes the FedEx plane on IFR and splat..... giving paraglider a bad name.. lessons learned.. NOT.... sheeeesh

[@XCmike0815]

Lessons learned should be not to land close to peoples tent. There was enough free space. Don't pose in front of people. It is your flight not theirs.