Catch up TV

Series 2: Episode 3

In this second series of Extreme Wales with Richard Parks, the former Welsh rugby international turned endurance athlete is, once again, setting out to prove he can find extreme adventures right on his doorstep, in Wales. \n\nIn this final episode of the current series, Richard is on his toughest challenge yet, taking on an extreme adventure that he has never attempted before. He has just 10 days to learn how to fly a paramotor, a whole new skill for Richard. Paramotoring, which is similar to paragliding, uses a parachute canopy to carry the pilot through the air, but with the addition of a motor-powered propeller strapped to their back. This makes it faster and more manoeuverable. If Richard can master this marvel of the skies, he will attempt to journey the length Wales, from south to north, on a two-day aerial expedition. Along the way he will be given guidance and training from paramotoring expert, and world-class flight instructor, Alex Ledger and his team. Alex must prepare Richard, build his abilities and make him safe to fly as he faces what will be real dangers in front of him, whilst thousands of feet in the air. \n\nFirst he will learn to master the paramotor's canopy, or wing as it's known, grappling to control its often temperamental behaviour. He'll practice the tricky art of landing as he glides from a 100ft hill with the aim of hitting a predetermined landing zone. He must then turn his attention to the small, but powerful, 25 horsepower motor which will be his key to remaining in control in the air and will be used to adjust his speed and change his direction. If successful with these endeavours, he will put all of his new-found skills together and attempt his first solo flight with a paramotor, a heart-stopping moment for Richard.\n\nBut the challenge doesn't stop there. The next task is to tackle the tempestuous skies of Wales, battling high winds which can create terrifying turbulence, and avoiding rain which can fill the canopy and cause it to collapse in less than 10 minutes, both of which can send the pilot plummeting to the ground. If he stands any chance of completing his flying expedition, he will have to wait\nfor the perfect weather conditions. But in Wales, these windows in the weather are few and far between, and when they do arrive, they don't last long.

Source: BBC 2