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Skywings news stories published in 2018 are displayed below.
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There are 52 news stories for 2018 in our database.
Displaying page 6 out of 7
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Scott Mason has relaunched his Parahawking venture in Andalucia, southern Spain, aided by a pair of Black Vultures that he has nursed from fluffy chicks to masters of the sky. Scott was operating in Nepal until the government closed the project down after 17 years.
Parahawking in Spain will offer the same unique experience of flying and interacting with trained vultures and other birds of prey. Scott's mission is to educate and inform about the plight of vultures the world over: "Our aim is the same to promote a connection with vultures and other birds of prey whilst providing a life changing experience."
A wealth of information can be found on the Parahawking FaceBook page, the Parahawking Twitter page, and on Scott's YouTube channel.
Posted: 2 March 2018
By: Paul Dancey
The Icarus Cup human powered flying event will take place at Sywell, Northants from July 14th - 22nd. A generous donor has allowed the BHPFC to introduce a new competition and prizes - the Jacobson Figure-of-Eight competition.
It is hoped that the extra prize money, now at £2,000, will attract more constructors.
The aim of the BHPFC, formed in 2014, is to promote human powered flying technically and as a sport (even, in the future, as an Olympic sport). The club's hopes its activities will encourage other countries to start clubs and hold their own competitions - since competing in two Icarus Cup competitions the University of Bordeaux has has now started its own club.
Rules, regulations, entry forms and all other details can be found on the BHPFC website. The Icarus Cup is not to be confused with the Icarus Trophy!
Posted: 2 March 2018
By: Paul Dancey
Dates for this year's Buttermere Bash are Friday June 1st and Saturday June 2nd. Organiser Gordie Oliver says it's the UK's ultimate family-friendly free flight festival, the only place in the UK where you can share the sky and dance floor with some of the world's top acro pilots.
Jocky Sanderson and crew will set scenic tasks in the Lakeland Charity Open comp while musicians fill the evenings with song and dance. The Buttermere campsite will be open from Tuesday May 29th with a simple pay-on-arrival policy.
Further details can be found on the event's Facebook page; competition entries are open now on Jocky Sanderson's Escape website.
Posted: 2 March 2018
By: Paul Dancey
Independence Paragliding have issued a safety notice regarding a batch of Deployment bags for reserve parachutes where there is concern that the seam-line of the isolated upper loop, which is used to attach the deployment handle, could possibly cause a material weakening of factory delivered deployment bags.
This seam-line, if properly processed, has to be able to bear a load of 70 daN. Yet it was proven that a lower strength of this component can occur.
Owners are strongly advised to download the full Independence Paragliding safety notice for guidance on identifying if their deployment bag is part of the batch causing concern, and if it is, what action must be taken.
Posted: 26 February 2018
By: Paul Dancey
Run three times in the US and billed as the 'world's only long-distance paramotor race', this year the Icarus Trophy will be flown over South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia.
The race, over roughly 1,000 miles, begins just north of Johannesburg on July 25th. Pilots select their own routes to finish near Victoria Falls in Zambia, having flown over some of southern Africa's most iconic landscapes.
Pilots carry their own food, clothes, sleeping gear (hotels are just fine, however), tools and spare parts, while the organisers provide weather reports and tracking. The Icarus Trophy is 50% X-Alps and 50% motorcycling's Iron Butt rally. No-one who enters will ever be the same again!
Smaller related events are planned in other countries including a UK round on June 29th - July 1st. Details can be found on the Icarus Trophy website.
Posted: 3 February 2018
By: Paul Dancey
After four qualifying events, a Thai team narrowly beat France and Poland to take the 2017 FAI World Paramotor League Cup.
The four contributing events were the 3rd FAI Asia-Oceania Paramotor Championships in Thailand in May, the Czech Open in June, the paramotor event at the World Games in Poland in July, and the European Paramotor Championships in the Czech Republic in August.
Thai teamster Kittiphop Phrommat triumphed in the individual competition with a four-point lead over France's Alex Mateos and Slovakia's Ivan Pestun in joint second place. Highest placed female pilot was Marie Mateos, joint ninth.
Brits Paul Martin (North), Mark Morgan and Paul Martin (South) finished 19th and joint 55th respectively having contested one round only, leaving the Brits in a creditable 10th place. Thailand hosts the FAI World Paramotor Championships in May this year.
Posted: 3 February 2018
By: Paul Dancey
In early January another exceptional Forbes Flatlands comp in Australia saw seven consecutive tasks, with Rory Duncan beating seven-times winner Jonny Durand into second place by just one point.
The extraordinary career of Ollie Chity continues. Unfazed by finishing 44th on the third task after coming second and fifth on the first two, Ollie bounced back to win the fourth task, a mammoth 388km - another Forbes world record - and the fifth, a mere 153km.
Eventually Ollie had to settle for 7th place with Gordon Rigg - third in 2015 - not far adrift in 11th. Alexandra Serebrennikova took first place in the woman's task just ahead of Yoko Sano.
Posted: 3 February 2018
By: Paul Dancey
Parafest, set for July 27th - 29th, now has a spectacular new home at the huge ex-military airfield at Llanbedr, between Barmouth and Porthmadog on the edge of Snowdonia National Park.
Parafest's combination of a flying event and trade exhibition with a music festival is unique in the UK. Paraglider and hang glider pilots will be within easy driving distance of many great sites, and power pilots, including SSDRs, can fly out of the airfield and explore the coastline and the local mountains and valleys.
Manufacturers, dealers, and schools for all aircraft types will be exhibiting, alongside many non-flying stalls and sideshows including a kids' zone, a variety of food caterers and a licensed bar with real ales and cocktails. Parafest will also host the British Vintage Hang Gliding, last seen in the Lakes in 2016.
Professional acts will perform on the main stage on Friday and Saturday until midnight; details can be found on the festival's Facebook page. Those that like to party on can head to the Asbo Disco, far from the camping fields, for DJ sets till the early hours. Full details and ticket sales can be found on the Parafest website. Keep updated on developments by visiting the Parafest Facebook page.
Parafest isn't just a fly-in, it's a festival that you can fly at!
Posted: 3 February 2018
By: Paul Dancey
last updated: 19 March 2025
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