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 all non archived years 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 463 news stories for all non archived years in our database.
Displaying page 1 out of 58
[ Next ] - [ Bottom ]
The Royal Aero Club Trust has announced an opening date of the 1st November 2026 for their bursary awards scheme for young persons. Completed application forms must reach the Bursary Administrator by 31 December 2026.
Successfull applicants will then be notified by 27 February to allow training to be completed by the end of that calender year.
Young people from paragliding hang gliding and paramotoring, as well as those from gliding, ballooning, parachuting, light aircraft and microlight flying, and model aircraft fliers can benefit from bursary funds to develop their proficiency.
Applicants need to be aged between 14 and 21, and for an Advanced Bursary an upper age limit of 24 years applies.
Full details of the Royal Aero Club Trust bursary scheme, together with application forms, can be found on the Royal Aero Club Trust website.
Applications must be submitted through a sponsoring organisation (eg the BHPA).
A Royal Aero Club Trust Bursary Information Pack is also available for download on our website.
Posted: 30 October 2026
By: Paul Dancey
During an internal quality control inspection, Gin has identified a possible manufacturing defect affecting the emergency parachute compartment of some units. In these harnesses, a stitching point securing the inner fabric may be missing. If the fabric comes out together with the emergency parachute during deployment it may become entangled and prevent the parachute from opening correctly.
All Gingo Airlite 5 owners should carry out the required inspection before their next flight. Any harness that fails the inspection must not be flown until the issue has been repaired. Customers should contact UK Airsports Ltd. to arrange for their harness to be repaired.
A full copy of this safety notice is available on the Importer & Manufacturer Safety Notices page of our website, and on the Gin Website.
Posted: 21 October 2026
By: Paul Dancey
Gin have issued a safety notice for their GTO 3 paraglider. This was originally manufactured with Dyneema lines in certain upper cascade line groups.
Following an assessment of their dimensional stability over time, Gin has decided to replace these lines with Kevlar lines. Depending on usage and environmental conditions, particularly exposure to moisture, the Dyneema lines may shrink over time, potentially affecting the glider's original trim and flight characteristics.
All GTO 3 owners must inspect their glider's line lengths at 100 flight hours, following the procedure described in the user manual.
Gin will supply a replacement set of lines for any glider where the affected Dyneema lines have shrunk by more than 10mm compared to their original specified lengths. If the specified shrinkage limit is exceeded, the glider must not be flown until the replacement lines have been installed and all necessary checks have been completed.
A full copy of this Safety Notice is available on the Importer & Manufacturer Safety Notices page of our website, and on the Gin Website. For further information you can also contact UK Airsports.
Posted: 14 October 2026
By: Paul Dancey
Joe Schofield, the current editor of the BHPA's Skywings magazine, is retiring next year, and the BHPA is therefore seeking a suitable candidate to take over the role on a freelance contractual basis.
Given the specialist nature of the sport and its community, the BHPA would welcome interest from within the Association; however, external applicants with relevant editorial experience and an ability to understand and serve a specialist membership audience will also be considered.
The successful tenderer will be responsible for producing a coherent, engaging and accurate monthly magazine that reflects the breadth of BHPA activity and serves the interests of the membership; bringing together material from members, clubs, BHPA officers, committees, competition panels, technical staff, manufacturers, dealers and other sources to produce each monthly issue.
The Editor will report to the Skywings Director and, through them, to the BHPA Executive Council. For further information, please download the full tender document from the Skywings website.
Posted: 30 September 2026
By: Paul Dancey
Ozone have identified a potential issue that may slow down the reserve parachute deployment for Angel SQ Pro and Sublite Pods.
It only concerns the Angel SQ Pro and Sublite container pods [deployment bags], when the reserve packing is not compact enough. In rare cases, excessive resistance around the container flaps can delay the deployment.
Ozone recommends all pilots to test their pods are functioning properly by dropping the pod from a height of 1 metre while holding the bridle. If the pod flaps do not open, or in case of any doubt, the pod should be replaced.
A full copy of this safety notice is available on the Importer & Manufacturer Safety Notices page on the BHPA website.
If your pod needs replacing, contact your local dealer. You will receive an updated version in exchange for returning your current pod.
This safety notice is also available on the Ozone website.
Posted: 28 September 2026
By: Paul Dancey
Neo have identified localised wear on webbing straps on a limited number of Bikini tandem harnesses that have been subjected to particularly intensive use, typically exceeding 800 launches.
This is caused by repeated friction during reverse-launch procedures.
Neo wish to remind all users that a complete inspection must be carried out every year or every 150 flight hours, or after any significant impact. Particular attention should be paid to the condition of the webbing, stitching and load-bearing connection points.
If you have any doubts regarding the condition of your equipment, contact Neo or have your harness inspected by an approved service centre.
The full safety notice can be found on the manufacturers safety notices page of this website, and on the Neo website.
Posted: 18 September 2026
By: Paul Dancey
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
last updated: 30 October 2026
Displaying page 1 out of 58
[ Next ] - [ Bottom ]
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.
