Skywings news stories are available for the following publication years:
If you're looking for news stories published before January 2016, please visit the Skywings News Archive.
Skywings news stories published in 2026 are displayed below.
News stories published in the years listed above can also be searched by post date or headline (title).
To search by post date, please enter the month and year numerically as mm-yyyy (eg. 03-2016).
There are 23 news stories for 2026 in our database.
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A chain of events that only AI could have predicted has delayed distribution of the September edition of Skywings magazine.
It's too complicated and boring to explain. Let's just say say the Swiss Cheese model has been brought into play.
The BHPA apologises to members; the printed magazine could be up to a week late. The September edition is available online here.
Posted: 10 September 2026
By: J. Schofield
The British Women Pilots' Association (BWPA) has opened its 2026 aviation scholarships for applications.
The BWPA offers scholarships to support women in the UK of all ages and backgrounds in achieving their flying dreams, reinforcing one of its key aims, of promoting women's training and employment within aviation.
Since its founding in 1955, the BWPA has championed women in aviation, offering support, inspiration and practical assistance to help them achieve their ambitions in the air. This year, 15 scholarships are available for all levels of experience and all types of flying.
The awards will help scholarship winners in various ways, including gaining their first qualifications, building upon existing qualifications, or working towards a first paid flying job. Applicants will be asked to submit information on their current aviation experience, what they enjoy most about flying, why they believe they deserve the award and how they would use the award if successful.
They will be shortlisted by a panel of judges who will determine which of the candidates show the most promise for their future flying. Ava Udwadia, winner of a 2025 BWPA SkyDemon Flying High Scholarship, says, "I can't thank the BWPA and SkyDemon enough for this scholarship! I caught the 'aerobatics bug' quite early in my training, and being given the chance to develop these skills for myself means the world to me. I'm excited to exercise my aerobatic privileges and will make the most of this incredible opportunity!"
The BWPA actively works with partner organisations to extend the range of scholarships it can offer, helping to raise awareness and increase the opportunities available. Dr Stuart E. Smith of CATS says, “We're delighted to offer an aspiring female pilot the opportunity to turn their dream of a commercial flying career into reality.”
“Our scholarships continue to set a high standard across the industry and can make a real and lasting difference to the women who receive them,” said Annabel Cook, BWPA Chair. “They have helped women at many different stages of their flying, from taking their first steps into aviation to developing new skills and progressing their careers.”
For further information, contact Amber Dash at scholarships@bwpa.co.uk
Posted: 2 September 2026
By: Paul Dancey
In August the CAA issued 'CAA CAP 3268 EC Mandate Consultation'. It invites GA pilots to respond to its proposal for the COMPULSORY carriage of ADS-B Electronic Conspicuity devices in UK airspace below FL100.
The BHPA tech team has compiled a guidance document to assist members in responding to the consultation. Rather than a set of model answers, it prompts pilots to consider how the proposal would affect their own flying. Please use your own words and include points that reflect your experience or view.
The CAA's consultation page can be found here. And the BHPA response guidance is here.
Please note the Consultation closes on 22nd September 2026. If you wish to respond, it is imperative that you download and study the BHPA guidance as soon as possible.
The CAA Consultation, and pilots' responses to it, concerns the future of our freedom to fly in UK airspace. Please take the time to download the document, study it carefully and make a considered response.
Posted: 1 September 2026
By: Joe Schofield
After 7 tasks at Krushevo in late August, the British Junior Team emerged a very close second to the Swiss team to take the Silver Medal.
Dylan Mansley finished 7th and Jacob Aubrey 8th after winning the penultimate task; Jacob Butterworth was 14th. Kanan Thakur was second-placed woman pilot.
This is a brilliant result from a supremely talented team, very ably managed by Josh Sanderson.
Overall Junior World Champions are Spain's Alvaro Romero Camacho and Ivone Silva of Portugal. Germany finished 3rd overall. The French team, in dispute with the competition organisers over safety issues, didn't turn up.
[Photo: The original Team GB, only slightly changed, at Tolmin in 2025 having won Bronze at the inaugural FAI Junior World Championships!]
Posted: 1 September 2026
By: J. Schofield
Gin Gingo 4, Gingo Airlite 5, Verso 4 and Safari Pilot 3 rescue handles
Routine maintenance and long-term product monitoring have identified that, due to aging and operational wear, stitching securing the plastic paracord to the rescue handle on the above harnesses may weaken, become loose or detach.
This could prevent or delay the deployment of the emergency parachute.
Handles where the stitching remains intact and free of wear remain safe to use; however, regular pre-flight inspections are strongly advised.
Handles showing any sign of deterioration should be replaced immediately.
Inspect your rescue handle before your next flight. If the paracord moves or slides relative to the handle, do not fly until the rescue handle has been replaced. Contact your Gin distributor for a free replacement handle.
The full safety notice is available on the Importer & Manufacturer Safety Notices page of our website, and is also available on the Gin Gliders website.
Posted: 26 August 2026
By: Paul Dancey
The DHV have issued a safety warning that applies to all models of the A.I.R. Atos rigid glider.
In June, a fatal accident occurred involving a Japanese pilot whilst taking off from the launch site at Buchenberg (Bavaria, Germany). The main suspension had become detached from the Atos's keel tube. As a result, the pilot, who was in his harness, became separated from the glider and fell onto steep terrain.
The investigation revealed that the main suspension had not been correctly attached to the keel tube. Photographs taken at the launch site prior to the accident flight showed that the Atos in question (a glider on loan from the manufacturer) had initially been fitted with a correctly installed suspension.
The pilot had obtained a suspension of a different length from the manufacturer and had replaced the suspensions at the launch site. In doing so, he had failed to secure the new suspension. It was fixed to the keel tube with just a Velcro strip.
The Velcro held during the launch preparations and the take-off run, but came loose after take-off under the weight of the pilot.
A copy of the full DHV safety warning is available in the Importer & Manufacturer Safety Notices section of our website, and can also be found on the DHV Website.
Posted: 24 August 2026
By: Paul Dancey
The DHPU welcomes visiting pilots of all nationalities. The rising popularity of parakites has meant more visitors every year. When visitors are not aware of the local rules, fragile site relations can be threatened.
It's usually a case of missing information. There's a section for visiting pilots on the DHPU website, and information leaflets are available at campsites and tourist information offices along the coast. Please be aware:
• Licence. IPPI 4 is the minimum requirement.
• Insurance. Third-party liability insurance is compulsory.
• Airspace. Check the NOTAMs before every flight. Several military firing ranges overlap with our most popular west-coast sites, and the restricted areas change from day to day.
• Schools. Teaching students at any level requires an instructor licence issued by the DHPU.
Show respect to earn respect. Take your rubbish with you when you leave. Say hello to the locals. Follow the local rules. And, as always, good airmanship gets you a long way.
On behalf of Chairman Jesper Eybye and the DHPU Board.
Posted: 30 July 2026
By: J. Schofield
In the interests of openness, BHPA Staff and Exec. names, job titles and email addresses are listed on our website.
As a result their identities can be recreated by bad actors to generate plausible phishing emails coming, apparently, from BHPA people and bearing messages such as, 'Can you handle this - I'm in a meeting right now - can you buy some Amazon Gift cards, I will refund you when I get free …'
Such requests should be ignored and deleted. Access to your address is not through any BHPA data breach. Likewise, emails offering to sell the BHPA mailing lists are equally spurious and have not arisen from any data breach.
The contents of such emails are harvested from public facing pages like the Club Contacts list and Clubs' own websites.
Posted: 30 July 2026
By: Joe Schofield
last updated: 10 September 2026
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Further information about the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association and skywings magazine can be found on the about the BHPA and Skywings magazine pages on this website.
