The young British pilot conquers first place in the XContest 2023 and sets a new record in the FAI Triangle.
Daniel Jones, the outstanding pilot from Norfolk, UK, is the new king of the sky with the Vittorazi Motors Atom80, his reliable flying companion. The Atom80, thanks to its lightness, great flight range, and incredible comfort, is the perfect engine for cross-country flights, Daniel’s absolute favorite.
With determination and commitment, Daniel went beyond all limits, achieving two incredible milestones. He set the FAI triangle record with a breathtaking flight of 516 km in 10 hours and 10 minutes (record pending official approval) and ranked first in the XContest 2023 with an impressive score of 6,611.08.
These achievements celebrate Daniel’s extraordinary talent and confirm once again the reliability of Vittorazi engines worldwide.
In between flights, Daniel shared with us his passion for flying and the incredible adventures he had with the Atom80.
Tell us something about your passion for PPG flying and how you started this adventure.
I first discovered paramotoring through videos on YouTube, a few days later a local pilot flew over my house, and I was hooked! I saved for 2 years and completed my training with UFly4Fun in August 2019.
Why did you choose the Atom80 as your main engine?
It was through a bit of luck and also support from Bulldog Paramotors. I was advised in my early days of flying that the Atom80 would be a great engine for my weight, and has been perfect for my progression because I have not had to worry about the engine.
How did you plan the long flight of the FAI triangle? Did you have to make some regulations to the paramotor?
To attempt such a big flight you must first become obsessed with the weather. A very handy tool I regularly use for FAI triangles is FlyXC, it makes planning very straightforward. From waking up to take off, it takes roughly 3 1/2 hours for breakfast, getting fully dressed, final weather checks, and preparation of the paramotor. Because of the track, I have 2 auxiliary tanks. Apart from this, no extra modification was required to the engine.
What considerations did you make when choosing the route and making decisions during the experience?
I always like to plan for a tailwind on the home leg. However, due to the size of the triangle, it can be hard to fit into the available airspace and benefit from favorable winds at different heights. I managed to get two legs with a tailwind but because of being trapped under airspace, I couldn’t get the most out of the last leg. Other considerations were a large water crossing which moved my track slightly to the west and many cities on the second leg. Another big consideration is daylight hours during the winter.
How did the ATOM80 respond during the 516.95 km flight? Did you find any particular advantages of its characteristics during the flight?
The Atom80 performed exactly as expected. The smooth throttle response allowed me to easily dial in cruising rpm when changing heights and staying settled. The light weight combined with its efficiency allowed me to carry more fuel for more distance, whilst remaining within the UK’s paramotor weight limit of 70kg. Also, the Atom80 requires very little attention, so I can fully focus on navigation.
How did you perceive the quietness of the engine during the flight? How did the low noise emissions affect your experience?
Particularly when the Atom80 is cruising at low rpm these noise levels are greatly reduced and make for a much more comfortable flight.
What would you like to share with those who are considering purchasing an ATOM80 for their PPG adventures?
The Atom80 is a very capable engine and has more performance than people may perceive. It is ideal for travel because of its small footprint and weight. It’s also very reliable and takes all the stress out of flying.
How did you feel during the flight and when you reached the finish line? Is there any particular moment stuck in your mind?
Having broken the 500km barrier only 1 month before, I felt confident my equipment was perfect to attempt the world record. With the comfort of my Bulldog frame and the smoothness of the Atom80 it was a pleasure to go on such an adventure. Flying for 10 hours requires a lot of concentration which was very tiring and exhausting. However, I was very pleased to have completed the challenge. Flying over the snow-covered Peak District was probably my favorite highlight.
How do you feel after accomplishing this feat?
I feel a multitude of emotions. Elated because I have completed the challenge, nervous because I await FAI’s ratification, tired because of such a long flight and driven to seek out the next challenge.
These days you also run first at the XContest, with a total score of 6,611.08. Tell us something about this result.
In 2023 I flew the whole season with the Atom80, to try and break 200km. In October, having completed my goal, I added two auxiliary tanks which enabled me to test the limits of the Atom80 where I achieved 429km. Now in 2024, I am back pushing the Atom80 further than before, already achieving two flights over 500km.
What next? Are we going to see you at BOPC or WEPC?
Absolutely! I have fallen in love with competition flying, it’s a perfect platform to set goals and constantly improve your skillset. I am part of the planning committee for both events and I’m really looking forward to the premier of the World’s 1st Endurance Paramotor Championships. I would also like to thank Vittorazi Motors for showing their support as a sponsor for these events, this year and previous.
Daniel’s report is filled with passion and dedication. It conveys the importance of using a reliable engine like the Atom80. His exciting journey shows us that with planning and dedication, extraordinary results can be achieved. His example will surely inspire future pilots to take to the skies and push their own limits. We look forward to seeing Daniel in action at the British Open Paramotor Championship and at the World Endurance Paramotor Championship. Get ready to cheer for him.
Let’s rock the sky, Daniel!
VITTORAZI MOTORS 250CC
(POR Marche FESR 2014-2020 Asse 1 - OS 1 - Azione 1.2)
Il progetto prevede, a partire da risultati di ricerca già acquisiti, l'ingegnerizzazione e l'industrializzazione di un nuovo prodotto..
Il progetto ha tra gli obiettivi: l'ingegnerizzazione e prototipazione esecutiva del nuovo motore, il miglioramento delle caratteristiche prestazionali e tecniche del prodotto, l'industrializzazione del nuovo motore, la promozione del prodotto innovativo e sviluppo della fase di commercializzazione per il nuovo mercato.
Ingegnerizzare, industrializzare e produrre il nuovo motore da proporre a un nuovo settore di clientela, acquisendo una fetta di mercato importante per lo sviluppo dell'impresa.
Investimento totale: 687.291,60 euro | Finanziamento pubblico: 337.675,80