British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association

John Aldridge is CIVL President

John Aldridge, British hang gliding comps director for 13 years and still the BHPA's Competitions Officer, has been elected as president of CIVL, the FAI hang gliding and paragliding commission.

John succeeds outgoing President Flip Koetsier with whom he has worked for many years. Formerly UK delegate to CIVL and head of its Sporting Code Subcommittee, John has been CIVL Vice-President since 2002 and was elected President at its February Plenary Meeting in Lausanne.

Of his new role John says, "I hope I can continue to help the worldwide community of pilots to continue to enjoy our sport in relative freedom, and help those who wish to measure their skills against others to do so in a safe, fair and friendly environment." At the recent meeting delegates heard John's assessment that the current CIVL safety committee structure no longer meets today's needs and operating methods. "It was agreed that we need to reorganise this to make it more effective, " he says, "and you will certainly see some changes."

First women's paragliding international

Ager in northern Spain will see female paraglider pilots from across the world compete together at high level for the first time in the Women's Paragliding Open.

The event will be the first FAI-sanctioned all-female competition. "The goal is to attract as many pilots as possible," said Klaudia Bulgakow, Polish women's champion and one of the organisers. "During the event we'll run evening seminars on subjects pertinent to female pilots: how to fly competitions, staying safe while flying, the right equipment and motivational training." Nicky Moss, another of the organisers, said, "We want to include as many women as possible, from those with very little competition experience through to those competing at the highest level including past and present World, European and Regional Champions."

British Open Paramotor Championships

After the very successful first leg of the 2010 British Paramotor League last September, the second leg of the series, now renamed the British Open Paramotor Championships, will take place over the weekend of April 24^th - 25^th at Boston Aero Club in Lincolnshire.

The British Open Paramotor Championships Final will take place over a long weekend from June 10^th - 13^th at the same fantastic Kerswell Green, Worcestershire venue used in 2009. The event promises to be bigger and better than last year, with trade stands, catering, evening entertainment, camping and a task commentary.

Pilots will be able to enter in teams for the first time and work together to win. As ever, the ethos will be Fun, Fair, Simple and Safe. For more information on both events, from ever-needed marshalling to pilot registration, go to www.ppgcomps.co.uk.

RAeC awards

The 2010 Royal Aero Club Awards ceremony will be held at the RAF Museum, Hendon on Tuesday April 27^th.

The event celebrates the achievements of UK pilots and behind-the-scenes workers from all branches of sport flying. Awards will be presented by HRH the Duke of York. BHPA recipients are Paul Dancey (RAeC Bronze Medal), Bob Dunthorn (RAeC Certificate of Merit) and Mark Dann (Ann Welch Memorial Award).

The British gliding team will receive the Prince of Wales Cup having won the 2009 European Championships team trophy, where team member Pete Harvey (who is of course a former British Hang Gliding Champion) won the Open Class.

Lakes Classic anniversary

The Cumbria Soaring Club is celebrating the 20^th year of the popular Lakes Charity Classic at Buttermere (arguably the most spectacular valley of the Lakes National Park) on June 4^th - 5^th.

Camping will be available from the Thursday evening and the celebrated Buttermere Bash will take place on the Saturday night with an eclectic variety of live music. Further information and entry to the Open Competitions is at www.cumbriasoaringclub.co.uk/lcc/CSC_LCCMain.php. Don't delay - the 100 competition places are normally very quickly booked up.