To our dear distributors, dealers and customers, Yet another year has gone by and I am already preparing the up coming event in Las Candelas (http://www.lascandelasparamotores.com/ingles.html ). It has been 5 years since I first arrived in Spain in the little work shop just outside of Madrid. Since that time HE Paramotores has done big jumps to complete its engine, paramotor and trike range. Today HE Paramotores has the most extensive range of paramotor suited engines on the market. At first it all started with the R80 but as the markets required more power we then developed the R120. The R80 is a perfect engine for pilots up to 74kilos. The R120 is ideal for pilots up to 94 kilos. We then developed the R220 for stronger pilots. With 71 to 74 kilos of thrust with a 125cm prop, the R220 is ideal for pilots up to 120 kilos and light foot launched tandems (with a tandem wing 150kilos embarked). The next step was to develop a more powerful version of the R220 for heavy foot launched tandems and light tandem trikes. The R220 plus version is now available. The engine kicks 81 to 84 kilos of thrust with a 125cm propeller. Both R220 classic or plus version come with either manual or electrical start. 2009 will also be the year of the introduction of our 4 stroke project: our prototype will be ready for demos at Las Candelas paramotor show. It is a 200cc engine weighing 19 kilos. It develops 54 to 58 kilos of thrust with a 125cm propeller. The four stroke marketing objective is for pilots who want to cross country and also compete. Finally we are developing in 2009 a twin cylinder 2 stroke engine for heavy tandem trikes. The idea with this engine is to have a light and powerful unit to enable take offs with a tandem wing, a pilot and a passenger and a big trike. This final twin cylinder project will complete our range of two stroke engines. In 2008, we have worked on the noise issue for the R120 and R80. Although both Engines are already DULVed, we have decided to go a step further and reduce the noise levels of the R120. After many modifications we have developed a longer silencer that is satisfying and keeps to power of the R120 at the same level. We are also introducing in 2009, a belt driven reduction system for the R120 and the R80. This belt reduction system comes with or without clutch. The objective of this reduction system is also to lower the noise and to offer a belt drive to our customers who prefer this system. In 2008, we have worked a lot on our trike range. We now have a complete trike collection to suit all needs: Firstly we have the light trike collection. This trike is already advertised on our website in its mono or tandem version. It has been designed for people who want to travel with their trike and paramotor. It is both light (15 to 17 kilos) and easy to dismantle. This product is adaptable for any paramotor that the customer wishes to install on it. Of course we recommend to us our paramotor range with it. The R120, the R220 or the R220+ are all suitable engines for this trike. This trike range is passing this year the DULV certification for resistance. Secondly, we have the medium trike collection. This trike will be presented on our stand in Las Candelas. It has been designed to be easily folded. It is equipped with two high resistance suspension systems. The complete unit weighs 35 kilos in its mono version and 42 kilos for its tandem version. The engine is fixed to the frame and the unit cannot be foot launched. It is equipped with the R220 or the R220+ engine for the tandem version. Thridly, we have the heavy trike collection. These trike are to be flown with heavy duty tandem wings. They have been developed for professionals or pilots who want to tandem fly their units on a regular basis. They are both comfortable and offer plenty of power with the 503 Rotax engine. In the near future, these units are going to b e equipped with our twin cylinder two stroke engine. This will enable the unit to improve its power to weight ratio whilst retaining maximum comfort at take off. All our engines are available on our 2, 3 or 5 parts frames. The frame comes in stainless steel for more resistance or in Aluminium for less weight. HE Paramotors has introduced a new 14L tank on all its units. We are introducing in 2009, on top of our current standard harness, three new designs: the DUVL, the light and the high security versions. The standard harness is certified and tested for all EU countries except Germany and Austria. That is why we have had to develop a special harness for these markets to comply with the specific administrative and technical requirements in these countries. The DULV harness differs from the standard harness by integrating a complete secondary backup harness. Also it has a safe clip in system with one central attachment point (instead of two on the standard harness). The light version is for people concerned about the weight of their machine. The harness only weighs 2.3kilos (instead of 3.2kilos for the standard version and 3.5kilos for the DULV version). The board making the seat is in carbon fibre and all the straps used are high resistance 2.5cm wide straps (instead of 4.5cm wide straps). The maximum security version incorporates a double air bag system for immersions of the unit or for strong impacts. This harness has been presented in Basse-Ham this year and it is by fare the most advanced security oriented harness on the market. All our paramotors are still available with 99cm, 115cm or 125cm wooden or carbon propellers. Here is a little table designed to help our customers choose their machines: Engine type Pilot’s weight THrust Prop size R80 50 to 74 kilos 48 to 50 kilos 125 cm R120 75 to 94 kilos 58 to 60 kilos 125 cm R220 95 to 124 kilos* 68 to 71 kilos 125 cm R220+ 125-164kilos* 78 to 81 kilos 125 cm *with a tandem wing, 35-45kilos can be added. 2009 will also see the arrival of our new flying bull logo. It is currently being polished by a design firm. This new logo not only represents Spain through its most vibrant symbol the bull, but it also represents the strength and robustness of this animal. For those who like mythology, the flying bull is also the reconciliation of the Minotaur with Icarus, the earth and the skies… Our new logo is going to be on our new accessories and HE cloth collection. We hope to see you all in Las Candelas or throughout the various trade shows in 2009. In the meantime, on behalf of the HE TEAM, I wish you all a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Pierre J. Diet HE Paramotores S.L. C/ Constitución, nave 6 28511 Valdilecha Madrid - España Tel. / Fax. +34 918738835 Mob. +34 666454408 www.paramotores-he.com