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 2021 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 58 news stories for 2021 in our database.
Displaying page 5 out of 8
[ Top ] - [ Prev ] - [ Next ] - [ Bottom ]
The May 2021 issue of Skywings magazine has now been published and is available on the Skywings page on the BHPA website.
The printed version has been posted and should shortly drop through your letter box.
Posted: 10 May 2021
By: Paul Dancey
The British Human Powered Flying Club will go ahead with this year's annual Icarus Cup competition for HPAs. The event will run at either Sywell or Lasham from July 24th to August 1st. Marshalls are required to assist with the running of the event; contact Tony Prentice on 01474706405.
Posted: 27 April 2021
By: J. Schofield
The paragliding world championship, originally scheduled for Coeur de Savoie, France, in May, was cancelled in March. Soon afterwards CIVL received a proposal from Loma Bola, Argentina, to run the event in November. Other proposals were sought and soon arrived from GV in Brazil and Roldanillo in Colombia.
Brazil was rejected on account of its problems in grappling with the Covid pandemic; Colombia was thought to be missing too many key elements such as an experienced organising team. The Argentinian proposal then became a formal bid, discussed by CIVL delegates and the paragliding committee.
Although the area is known for stable conditions and sometimes very short tasks, CIVL has agreed that the 17th FAI World Paragliding XC Championships will be at Loma Bola from October 31st to November 13, 2021. Early arrivals are encouraged and supervised training days will be laid on. Let's hope it's a good year down there!
The full story is here.
Posted: 15 April 2021
By: J. Schofield
The CAA EC Rebate scheme for Electronic Conspicuity devices has been extended until September 30th, 2021. There is a list of qualifying devices; for free flyers these mostly involve instruments with a FLARM element. Manufacturers currently offering instruments with a FLARM element are Naviter, Skytraxx and XC Tracer.
A Google search for 'CAA electronic conspicuity rebate' will show the relevant CAA page, with further details and the application procedure. You will need to register for a CAA Portal account, then complete identity checks; when the CAA have verified the checks you can complete the rebate form. You'll get 50% of your expenditure back, up to a limit of £250.
Posted: 15 April 2021
By: J. Schofield
The UK Government has confirmed that Step 2 of its roadmap out of lockdown will take place in England no earlier than 12th April. The BHPA has determined that at this point, its pilots holding the appropriate rating can undertake cross country flight if the activity complies with the UK Government's/applicable Devolved Administration or Crown Dependency restrictions on travel and social contact.
In order for an XC flight to take place, the rules restricting non-essential travel must have been lifted. As the countries that make up the UK are easing their "stay at home" and "stay local" restrictions at different rates, our guidance is as follows:
From 12th April, pilots in England and Wales will be able to make XC flights and travel across the England/Wales border when flying, or in order to fly.
For pilots based in Scotland: when travel restrictions are lifted, XC flights outside your local authority area can be made.
Currently, people are not permitted to travel to or from Scotland without reasonable excuse. Leisure flying is not a reasonable excuse.
In Northern Ireland the current restriction limits travel to local only. This precludes XC flying, however a review is due on 15th April.
General advice for cross country flying: Although it appears that COVID 19 cases are generally on a downward trajectory, the virus has not gone away. There are still restrictions limiting people coming together in groups both inside and outside. Every BHPA member carries an individual responsibility to abide by the rules governing the locality in which they intend to fly, and bear in mind that when crossing a border you may be subject to different restrictions. When involved in any flying activity, be it local flying or cross country, please respect social distancing and follow national advice about the protection measures you should be using when outside your home. Plan your retrieve options as well as your flight where possible. Follow national guidance about the use of public transport and use an appropriate face covering and hand sanitiser.
The timetables for the easing of restrictions can be accessed via the links below:
England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey: Please refer to each government's website and liaise with the local BHPA club.
When the easing of restrictions permit you to travel outside the UK to fly, follow the Foreign and Commonwealth Office guidance for travellers. Bear in mind that travel disruption is still possible and a resurgence of the virus may bring about national control measures at short notice. Make yourself aware of the flying situation in the country you are travelling to by visiting its national association's website (available for participating European countries through www.ehpu.org).
Posted: 10 April 2021
By: Paul Dancey
including BHPA registered Air Experience schools and schools providing tandem flights
The UK Government has confirmed that in line with Step 2 of its roadmap out of lockdown, GA training flights with an instructor can resume. This is currently planned to be no earlier than 12th April in England. Further information can be found on the Government's General Aviation guidance page.
The BHPA has determined that at this point, tandem licence holders can fly with passengers who are not from the same household. The UK Government's/applicable devolved administration's restrictions on travel, social contact and group sizes must be adhered to. The BHPA's currency requirements for dual licence holders is in the Instructor and Coach Newsletter No. 27 on page 5.
Many ground-based aspects of dual hang gliding and paragliding can be conducted whilst maintaining social distancing. This will require careful thought and some pre-planning by the licence holder. Time spent standing directly upwind or downwind of a participant (even if over two metres away) should be minimised or avoided when possible. Side-to-side interaction should be used in preference to upwind/downwind. During the flight and in other situations when social distancing cannot be maintained, participants must wear a face covering.
There is a possibility of transmission of COVID 19 from handling equipment and documents touched by an infected person. You should evaluate the risks and take sensible precautions including frequent hand sanitising and limiting the sharing of equipment that cannot easily be sanitised. You are advised to use appropriately certified passenger helmets that can be cleaned in-between use by different people (following the manufacturer's guidelines) and make available a facility for hand washing with soap, or hand sanitiser. Ask your passengers to inform you if they develop symptoms and follow Government guidance for disinfecting in the case of contact with a person suspected or confirmed to be infected.
Advice on protective measures can be found via the links below (specific to the country you are in):
English Guidance
Northern Ireland guidance
Scotland guidance
Wales guidance
Posted: 8 April 2021
By: Paul Dancey
As part of a wider plan to reduce fly-tipping and manage the area, access to Merthyr Common is now restricted. The site can only be accessed through a locked barrier to the south. A restricted number of keys for the lock are being issued to members of the South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club. Visiting pilots are advised to contact the Club or its members for further information.
Posted: 1 April 2021
By: J. Schofield
With the UK and other countries opening their flying sites, after a long lockdown, Jocky Sanderson has posted a video on Utube, sharing some simple safety reminders to help you keep safe while also protecting your gear.
Jocky's Back in the Air: Paragliding Safety Tips video
Posted: 18 March 2021
By: Paul Dancey
last updated: 29 March 2025
Displaying page 5 out of 8
[ Top ] - [ Prev ] - [ 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.
