The excellent weather for flying on the coast of Isabela continues and we must make the most of it. We have learned that these weather conditions do not last for many days, and that after this we will surely have several days where flying will not be an option. So we have to make every day count.
Today we have the visit of Mr. Jorge Echegoyen, in charge of the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) Safety Team. He will be getting to know us, and giving us some safety talks, in addition to knowing our concerns as a group. Details later in the story…
Kamikaze Pilots and Family Present…
Hermes Ferrer, his wife Neisha and daughter Katelyn
Noel Vale and his wife Tata
Mario Muñiz and his wife Ivonne
Ricardo González and his wife Ermelinda
Efrain Guzmán and his wife Elisabeth, and sons Orlando and Enrique with their partners
Luis Ruiz, his wife Jessica and son Noah Enrique
Wilkins Torres, his wife Brenda and son Wilkins Jr.
Luis Antonio Cruz and his wife Jesenia
David Guzmán and friends from the Philippines, Andrew and Tony
David Silva
Fio Lopez
Sammy Badillo
Wilkins “Chino” Morales
Miguel Orona
The morning action…
Early in the morning we were surprised by the arrival of a boat of immigrants in the area. There was a lot of movement from the Coast Guard and the Police in the area. Luis Ruiz was able to take his paramotor for a fly once the Coast Guard helicopter left.
After some minutes, the pilots Wilkins Torres, Sammy Badillo, Fio Lopez and David Silva goes flying around the Coast. All of them managing to take off in low wind conditions, showing their skills as pilots. It is the first time that Fio managed to fly over the Guajataca Tunnel in Quebradillas.
Jorge Echegoyen, Federal Aviation Agency (FAA)…
The meeting of Mr. Echegoyen with Team Kamikazes Paramotor Puerto Rico had been coordinated in the past weeks. It is part of the initiatives we take in order for every pilot to fly safely while enjoying the sport. It is Mr. Echegoyen’s second meet. The first was via computer to every pilot who connected through the Zoom application, several months ago.
Mr. Echegoyen wanted to meet us in person and traveled to our flight activity in Villa Pesquera Isabela. A large group of pilots and their families gathered. Thank you!!!
Important Points of the Meeting…
*Mr. Echegoyen brought material for the present pilots, from magazines related to the world of aviation and the regulation, FAR 103, which regulates the actions of our sport. In this sense, several pilots expressed and clarified their doubts, mostly related to airspace and airport areas.
*Each airport on the island were in the topic, and Mr. Echegoyen explained how to contact them, depending on their respective classifications.
*New modifications of the regulations of the Aguadilla airport, BQN, to allow the activity of ultralight aircraft, with coordinated sessions. Previously, the airport indicated in its regulations, no ultra-light aircraft activity. There was talk in our meeting that the land near the south part of the airport could be a possibility to practice our sport.
*Our flight area in Villa Pesquera Isabela is being evaluated to be mentioned in aerial cartography and maps as an ultralight activity. This is very important, since our flight activities will be visible to every pilot in this charts passing through the area. Also, we need to call the BQN Airport tower if we are going to enter the area close to the airport.
*We discussed with Mr. Echegoyen, the Demo Flights oriented as Introduction to the Sport and our School Certification with USPPA. Also, the security measures that we are taken as Inflation Devices in our Paramotors. He mentioned that we are doing a good job, while keep seeing our Take Off and Landing in the area.
Here we share some documents submitted from Mr. Echegoyen that are related to our sport and conversations during the day.
Demo Flights…
Luis Ruiz was in charge of carrying out some Demo flights in the afternoon, as an introduction to the sport. The little wind made it difficult to take off, as happened to Tony (from Philippines), who on this occasion was not able to make the flight, (and we hope that she can visit us on a future occasion to try the sport).
Who managed to do it was Maricely Ventura. She arrived with her friends, and without much planning, she was ready to fly. Taking off was again the biggest challenge, but Maricely managed to run as best she could and she earn the flight. The rest was history, here we leave some videos that best describe their experience. God Bless!!!
Meritorious mention…
*Mention–>> Luis Antonio Cruz, a native of Ponce. He had not flown for a few months, and now a new paraglider had arrived. This weekend he spent both days in Villa Pesquera Isabela, on Saturday practicing the new paraglider, and on Sunday, after additional practice, he took it flying for the first time. Congratulations!!!!
*Mention–>> Wilkins Torres and his wife Brenda from Villalba, Wilkins continues to make great progress in Paramotoring. Their takeoffs in little wind are now common. In the same way, Brenda continues to polish her paragliding skills, and we will surely soon see her in the air flying with her husband.
*Mention–>> David Silva. It was very nice to see him arrive and with the sense of responsibility due to the FAA meeting. And he always brings his gifts for those present, such as delicious donuts. Thank you!!!
*Mention–>>Mario and Ivonne, who are always making sure everything runs smoothly in the tent, and also bringing gifts and/or food for those present. Thank you!!!
Closing of activities in the afternoon…
Luis Ruiz and Sammy Badillo made a “very low” altitude flight along the entire coast of Isabela. Luis Ruiz is preparing an unique video that will upload soon through his YouTube channel… Stay Tuned…
Photos…
