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Skywings news stories published in 2019 are displayed below.
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There are 42 news stories for 2019 in our database.
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A neat document is now available outlining the legalities of flying paramotors. At A4-folded size, among other topics it offers an overview of minimum heights and distances, the use of air charts, observance of airspace and legal in-flight visibility. The basic principle is 'Be safe, be aware, be legal, be insured, and see and be seen'.
The document, funded by the CAA and produced by the BHPA, follows a meeting between Association staff and the CAA's GA unit last October to discuss issues of paramotor pilots infringing airspace, and numerous reports of them breaking the low-flying rules.
The Paramotor Code is modelled on the CAA's successful Drone Code campaign. The CAA hope to inform non-BHPA paramotor pilots (who might not have been trained in airlaw) of the existence of the relevant rules and regulations. The objective is to encourage UK paramotor users to access the information they need about how to fly their aircraft safely and legally, without endangering others in the air or on the ground.
5,000 copies of the Paramotor Code, initially launched at Parafest in July, will be made available to clubs, dealers and manufacturers operating outside the ambit of the BHPA. A copy of the latest version of the Paramotor code can be downloaded from the CAA Website.
It is worth noting that the CAA's Enforcement team is now actively prosecuting pilots who break the law; their options include seeking the forfeiture and destruction of paramotoring equipment.
Posted: 10 July 2019
By: J. Schofield
The FFVL reports that the Dune de Pyla is under great stress from overcrowding. In the last few years increasing pilot numbers, bad practices (launching in high winds, poor airmanship, no helmets, etc) and numerous accidents have put the site at risk of permanent closure.
The FFVL asks all pilots to follow the widely publicised flying instructions and regulations, notably the new registration procedures for non-local groups, either French or foreign. Visiting pilots, whether individuals or groups now have an obligation to register with the FFVL. An online calendar allows local site managers to regulate the number of visiting pilots - if there are already too many you will need to change your dates.
A maximum of ten pilots (including organisers) in a group, and 50 pilots using the site at one time, will be enforced, and unregistered groups will be asked to leave if the maximum number is exceeded. Professional group leaders are also reminded that all EU citizens wishing to work independently in France as sports educators are obliged to register on the French Ministry of Sports website. Full details of the Rules and Regulations for Paragliding and Hang gliding at Pyla are available on the FFVL website.
Posted: 10 July 2019
By: J. Schofield
The Westgate Trophy is usually awarded for declared FAI triangle and straight-line distance-to-goal flights. The 2018 winner, presented at the North-South Cup in May this year, was Richard Carter in recognition of his UK record 300.91km straight-line-to-goal flight from the Elan Valley to Scarborough in July 2018.
Past winners have been Mark Watts, Hugh Miller and Kirsty Cameron (2013), Mike Cavanagh (2014), Phil Wallbank (2015), Julian Robinson (2016) and Graham Steel (2017).
Richard Westgate - pioneer long-distance XC paraglider pilot and multiple XC League winner - put his own money up for an award, initially for the first pilot to obtain 1,000 points in the UK XC league. The Richard Westgate Trophy itself was funded by his many flying friends around the world following his untimely death.
Winners have to be dedicated highly skilled. It's not about flying in the windiest conditions imaginable; much more about site choice, launch timing, really good flying, a safe landing and a valid tracklog. If you are good enough, plan your year to try to get your hands on it.
Posted: 2 July 2019
By: J. Schofield
On April 12th Giles Fowler and Paul Mockford touched down at RAF Halton, Bucks, having flown their paramotors over 44 current and former RAF airfields in the previous two days. The flight was to raise funds for the Royal Air Forces Association, the long-established charity that provides welfare support to the 'RAF Family'. Together they covered more than 265 miles in ten hours of flying, so far raising more than £2200 for the RAFA.
The flight was split over six legs, starting from the former Bomber Command airfield at RAF Goxhill in Lincolnshire. Support throughout the flight - fuel, necessary spares, supplies, etc - was provided by fellow paramotorists Katie Pagett and Andy Greaves. The route took them over Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, overnighting at Sywell Aerodrome before the final legs covering Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
The flight covered a number of historic wartime and post-war bases including Elsham Wolds, Hemswell, Scampton, Swinderby, Waddington, Digby, Cranwell, Cottesmore and Wittering, before the final landing at the legendary RAF Halton, originally established as No. 1 School of Technical Training in 1919, where Paul Mockford's father runs the RAFA Branch. You can still contribute to their fundraising on the Just Giving website.
Posted: 5 June 2019
By: J. Schofield
In April the Welsh Government announced proposals for significant changes to rights-of-way legislation. These are wide ranging and include measures to ensure dogs are kept on leads around livestock, to give farmers more flexibility in managing their land, and to grant horse riders, cyclists and others - including free flyers - the freedom to use many footpaths. Currently recreational users can access only 20 per cent of the rights-of-way network.
Open access land such as expanses of moorlands - e.g. the Berwyn mountains - will also see certain restrictions lifted, including for hang gliding and paragliding. Organised games and camping will however still be largely prohibited without prior permission. The Welsh Government had originally proposed to open up its rights of way in 2017, to widespread public support. Some minor changes are likely to happen fairly quickly; in the longer term an independent access reform group will consider more significant changes. Please note that these changes are at present proposals only; until new freedoms are formally notified there are no changes to land access in Wales. Ther announcement is a positive statement but there's some way to go yet.
Posted: 5 June 2019
By: J. Schofield
In May the Airspace Change Proposal submitted in 2018 by Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) was rejected by the CAA. First proposed five years ago, the final iteration of the proposal would have seen a vast area of West and North Yorkshire, including the Dales National Park, blanketed by an complex series of Control Areas with bases of 3,500ft - over terrain that rises to 1,500ft in places. The proposed airspace would have severely restricted XC flying for Dales, Derbyshire and Pennine pilots.
Local BHPA and BGA representatives formed a Regional Soaring Airspace Group (RSAG) and, supported by clubs and members, objected to the proposal on the grounds that it could not be justified, and that the safety of those outside of controlled airspace had not been properly addressed. The RSAG also protested that the LBA had not adhered to the ACP process.
Scrutiny of the proposal by the CAA's Safety and Airspace Regulation Group found that issues surrounding future expansion were not adequately justified and that the sponsors had provided ambiguous, reactive responses to the consultees. The consultation itself had been poor - more of an exercise in box-ticking.
The BGA recently employed a barrister to 'remind' the CAA of its responsibilities. Westminster has recognised the need for scrutiny of the CAA by forming the APPG [see below]. Lasham, with financial assistance from the BHPA, has launched an appeal for a judicial review of the Farnborough decision. It may be that the tide is turning.
It remains to be seen if LBA will try again; their professed need will not have gone away. The CAA's full response can be found on the CAA website.
Posted: 5 June 2019
By: J. Schofield
The unique four-day flying event and three-day music festival runs from July 11th - 14th at Caerwys, North Wales. It's a weekend of fun with like-minded people, the UK's only trade show for foot-launched and single-seat-trike aviation and the year's biggest pilot social.
The site, with easy road links from anywhere in the UK, is close to the hills for free flyers and to the coast and the sea breeze for power pilots. It's a social event the whole pilot community and their families can enjoy.
Musical attractions include the UK's premier Bob Marley tribute act and the spectacular 11-piece Chicago Blues Brothers, and support acts cover a range of genres. There's a second stage for 'unplugged' acoustic performances, and open-mic sessions for pilots and their friends to reveal their talents and jam with others.
Non-flying activities include a para-jumble (bring your pre-loved kit), Jean Francois Chabaud discussing his 6,000-mile US paramotor adventure, a GASCo safety presentation and many other attractions.
Parafest tickets must be bought in advance and will not be available on the gate. See the Parafest Facebook page for updates and the Parafest website for details and ticket sales.
Posted: 28 April 2019
By: J. Schofield
Estonian paramotorist Lauri Kadakas flew 1,132.7km on March 9th to claim the straight-line-distance world record, eclipsing the 1,105km flown by Ramon Morillas in 2007.
Using a Zero Gravity HPR225 motor under a MacPara Paradox 27 wing, Lauri flew from Queensland's Charters Towers airport and followed the Barkly Highway - Australia's Route 66! - westward, to land in the bush in the middle of nowhere after 15 hours in the air.
Lauri took off carrying more than 70 litres of fuel including 55 litres in a bag-tank on his lap; the gravity feed to his smaller tank failed and he was only able to stay in the air by continually squeezing the primer bulb. His take-off had been at an all-up weight of 200kg! Most of the flight was accomplished at between 7,000 and 9,000ft. We salute Lauri on this tremendous feat of endurance!
Posted: 28 April 2019
By: Joe Schofield
last updated: 29 March 2025
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