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Skywings news stories published in all non archived years are displayed below.
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There are 420 news stories for all non archived years in our database.
Displaying page 22 out of 53
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'Acro' Jack Pimblett, lately an exponent of paramotoring as well as paragliding, has joined up with Italian manufacturer Fly Products as a brand ambassador.
'Having visited a few companies and their factories, I immediately felt like I was a part of the team at Fly Products,' Jack writes. They have a proven track record and the quality is great - it was a no-brainer. My Atom 80-powered Eclipse has been an absolute blast. At 18.5kg it changes the game for me!'
Jack first flew a paramotor at 16 but was put off by the heavy machines of the era. He says the aim of the new partnership is to show paraglider pilots the beauty of paramotoring and the advantages of being involved in both disciplines.
Posted: 26 August 2020
By: J. Schofield
Only eight days after Andy Hollidge had reset it to 126km, Carl Wallbank captured the UK flexwing hang glider triangle record at 142km.
In 2019 Carl had made 140 and 150km triangle attempts, both ending prematurely.
On July 13th he attempted another 150km triangle, again landing early having covered only 40km. On the same day Andy Hollidge completed an impressive 126km triangle from Sutton Meadows.
On July 21st, after a slow start to the day, Carl got away from Croft in Worcestershire at noon having declared 142km. Five and a half hours later he scraped home in deteriorating conditions to claim the Class 1 UK FAI declared and undeclared triangle record. Nick Collins also got round the route on a Class 5 glider, arriving 50 minutes later.
'On the perfect day I believe a 180-220km triangle is possible in the UK on a Class 1 hang glider,' said Carl after the flight. 'I'm sure Andrew Hollidge and the Cambridge crew will also be focusing on reclaiming the title.'
Posted: 26 August 2020
By: J. Schofield
The last few weeks have seen some major post-lockdown paraglider flights.
These include Alex Coltman's 232km by paraglider from Frocester, followed by 215km from Selsley Common only five days later; and Pete Logan's 170km by paraglider from Carlton Bank, in the company of Jake Herbert and Chris Fountain, that may turn out to be a site record.
Posted: 26 August 2020
By: J. Schofield
Manufacturer's Safety Notice
Woody Valley GTO Light 2: Critical - Mandatory Before Flying.
GTO Light 2 paragliding harnesses (all serial numbers) may have faulty parachute bridle V-line loops. In one case the seam on one of the two loops securing the V-line to the harness was missing.
Open the zip behind the shoulder straps of the harness and check that each of the two V-line loops has been sewn with white thread.
Be very careful; the loops may look OK even if the seam is missing because its two layers are glued together. If the white seam is there no further action is needed.
If the seam on one or both loops is missing the harness must not be flown. Contact your local Woody Valley dealer for reparation under warranty. The full safety notice, dated August 25th, is available on the manufacturers & importers safety notices page of this website.
Posted: 26 August 2020
By: J. Schofield
The FAI Medico-Physiological Commission (CIMP) is conducting a brief anonymous survey concerning mental wellbeing in air sports in general and the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The data will be analysed and reported within the FAI-CIMP bureau and country delegates.
The information will be used for further development and delivery of mental wellbeing support mechanisms in the air sports community. The results will be discussed in the ePlenary of the FAI-CIMP in September 2020.
The web-based survey consists of 12 questions and will take about 15 minutes to complete and should be completed by 15th September 2020. Please follow the link to complete the survey:
Posted: 26 August 2020
By: Paul Dancey
To all BHPA members
Update on COVID 19 and the safe return to flying.
I would like to thank our members for their support during the lockdown. Our air sports are very visible, both to the general public and to the many involved in the aviation industry in the UK.
I am pleased to say that BHPA members showed great fortitude in following the Association's advice and upholding national rules to stay safe and protect the NHS.
The BHPA's phased issuing of guidelines for the return of flying activities have closely followed the Government's systematic easing of lockdown restrictions across the United Kingdom.
Our initial stage enabled qualified members to resume flying following what was a significant break of many weeks.
Stage two permitted schools to operate, firstly with pilots who were part way through their training and then with beginner pilots, using adapted teaching procedures to enable social distancing.
The final stage of our guidelines was triggered when the UK Government confirmed that from 4th July, General Aviation flights would be permitted in England, with passengers who are not from the same household as the pilot. This enabled hang gliding and paragliding tandem flights to restart, using specific protection measures when social distancing cannot be maintained. We have emailled all Tandem Pilots with the details of these protective measures.
With the return of many of our activities on hills and airfields, it may seem like a step closer to normality. However, it is important to remember that the virus has not gone away. There are still restrictions limiting people from different households coming together indoors, outdoors and in vehicles. We have already seen a lockdown imposed on Leicester where the risk of virus transmission is particularly high. Rules may be tightened locally or nationally in the event that the situation deteriorates with a resurgence of virus cases.
As the nations and regions that make up the UK are easing lockdown rules at different rates, this message marks the end of the general advice the BHPA is able to give to its members about the return to flying. Every BHPA member carries an individual responsibility to abide by rules covering the locality in which they intend to fly. Please bear in mind that if you are flying XC, you may pass over areas with differing restrictions, you should know about these just as you would plan for airspace.
Please maintain social distancing whenever possible and follow national advice about the protection measures you should be using when outside your home, which can be found via the following links:
For England
Staying safe outside your home
For Wales
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
For Scotland
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Information for individuals and businesses in Scotland
For Northern Ireland
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
If you are planning a flying trip outside Britain, follow the Foreign and Commonwealth Office guidance for travellers. Bear in mind that travel disruption is still possible and national control measures may be brought in 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).
Marc Asquith Chairman
Posted: 19 July 2020
By: Paul Dancey
The BHPA has just been made aware of a tragic accident that occurred in France on 14th July where the pilot and passenger of a tandem paraglider were killed when the spreaders broke at the connection point with the glider, leading to the complete separation of the pilot and passenger from the wing.
The FFVL report (in French) suggests that the age of the spreaders was probably the cause of the rupture. The FFVL recommends that all tandem pilots check the condition of their spreaders, or have them inspected by a professional. They should be replaced if there is visible wear or damage, if they have had 500hrs use, or if they are more than five years old.
The BHPA FSC recommends all of its members who fly tandem paragliders to take heed of the FFVL's advice concerning spreader checks and replacement, and reminds pilots of the importance of regular condition checks on all of their tandem equipment.
As the incident occurred very recently, further safety information may be published as the investigation progresses.
Posted: 17 July 2020
By: Paul Dancey
The British Paragliding Comps Panel has decided that there will be no British Championship Open in 2020 due to ongoing uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
'We had hoped to be able to organise something later this summer' says Comps Panel Chair Guy Anderson, 'but with general concerns over renewed outbreaks, and the potential for further travel disruption, we couldn't be 100% sure of holding a fair and sporting competition.
'We are planning our next event, the British Winter Open, once again at Roldanillo, Colombia, in January 2021. It would be great to repeat last year's epic event with the legendary racing conditions of the Cauca valley.
'Local organiser Lucho Jimenez has exciting plans to take us on a mini tour of the valley to include the Piedechinche and Anselmo Nuevo launches. Obviously all will depend on the situation with regards Covid-19, so fingers crossed. We hope to have positive news for you later in the year.'
For the latest news see the British Opens web page.
Posted: 14 July 2020
By: J. Schofield
last updated: 19 March 2025
Displaying page 22 out of 53
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