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There are 424 news stories for all non archived years in our database.
Displaying page 27 out of 53
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It is with great sadness that we report the death of Len Gabriels, who, following a long illness, died at his home in Hollinwood, Oldham on Monday evening aged 93.
He will be remembered by many as one of the pioneers of hang gliding in the UK.
As proprietor of Skyhook Sailwings, Len designed, built and flew a range of Skyhook hang gliders. He can be seen here flying a mk1 Skyhook at Lobden Moor in February 1973.
This initial design led in steps to the successful Skyhook mk3a, plans of which were advertised in Aeromodeller magazines. In all 2,500 copies of the plans were sold, which generated a huge number of enquiries about where to get the tube, fabric, etc, so Len decided to start selling kits, and eventually complete hang gliders.
Len also took an interest in powered hang gliders, and in 1979 flew one across the channel. Len finally stopped flying at the age of 65, and took up sailing instead.
Len Gabriels' funeral will take place on Thursday 20th February at 12.00 o'clock at Oldham Crematorium, Hollinwood Cemetery, Roman Road, Oldham, OL8 3LU.
Posted: 14 February 2020
By: Paul Dancey
The 2022 World Air Games, to have been hosted by the Turkish Aeronautical Association (THK), have been cancelled. THK had asked the FAI to postpone the event until 2025 due to Turkey's current difficult economic situation.
After consultation, the FAI Executive took the decision to cancel rather than postpone, and to undertake a review of the WAG concept and format before deciding on any future iterations.
FAI President Bob Henderson said, 'The World Air Games is the FAI's flagship event and we must make sure it is held in optimal conditions. We will take this opportunity to discuss the future of the Games, taking FAI stakeholders' best interests into consideration.'
Posted: 11 February 2020
By: J. Schofield
Restricted airspace R111 has long existed over the Almuñécar area of southern Spain, encompassing several flying sites including Otivar, Itrabo, Loma del Gato, Alfamar and Carchuna.
Please click on the map to view the full size version.
The Spanish military intend to enforce the restrictions for R111 as military helicopters exercise in the area. To comply, local operators such as Hotel California have to seek daily permission to fly within the restricted airspace. The military will then confirm whether, and at what time, they will grant access for paragliding.
If the rules are respected the military will continue to allow paragliding in the area. Hotel California appeals to all pilots who wish to fly in and around Almuñécar to inform themselves before they start flying. Information and registration is available at the new WhatsApp group Almuñécar Vuelo Libre.
Alternatively contact Dirk Bormans at info@hotelcaliforniaspain.com.
Posted: 10 February 2020
By: Paul Dancey
The 2020 BHPA AGM will be held on Saturday March 7th at 2.30pm at the National Sports Centre, Lilleshall, Shropshire. Details of the candidates standing for election were included in the February issue of Skywings Magazine, and are also available in the documents section of this website.
Posted: 4 February 2020
By: Paul Dancey
Banish the February blues with the Prospeedflying team's spectacular video from their recent winter hike'n'fly trip to Chile.
Alexander Deyev and Tess Ivchenko, an intrepid pair from Crimea, spent five weeks in a camper van with a couple of Ozone Rapi-Dos wings, skiing and speedflying volcanos at Villarrica, Llaima, Lonquimay and Osorno. Find it here - it's stirring stuff!
Posted: 29 January 2020
By: J. Schofield
On December 14th Dr Markus Raffel's 1895 Lilienthal hang glider replica flew alongside an authentic replica of the Wright Brothers' 1902 glider. This remarkable event took place at Kitty Hawk on North Carolina's Outer Banks, close to the scene of the Wrights' early gliding experiments and their first flight of a powered aeroplane in December 1903.
The Wright machine had originally been built for the Centennial of Flight celebrations in 2003. The Lilienthal machine was flown by Andy Beem of California's Windsports school; the Wright glider by Billy Vaughn of local operator Kitty Hawk Kites.
'It was one of the best days of my life! reported Andy. 'I got to fly an authentic replica of a Lilienthal glider side-by-side with the 1902 Wright.' Equally elated, Billy Vaughn said, 'I had the presence of mind to look out through the structure of the Wright wing to see the Lilienthal glider flying next to me. It was humbling.'
Respect to the teams that built both replica aircraft, and to their determination in getting them to this historic spot for their momentous meeting. A video of the flights is available on Google Drive.
Posted: 29 January 2020
By: J. Schofield
Well-known trike and paramotor pilot Dan Burton won the trike category of the online 2019 XC Contest after a busy flying season. Although several leading pilots had submitted flights of over 350km during the year, on December 28th Dan was in second place, needing 324km to overtake Czech pilot Martin Lexa.
Early on the 29th Dan flew for seven and a half hours in challenging conditions to record a 326km triangle and take the top spot with 6,878 points over six flights - all FAI triangles.
His route from Topsham near Exeter took him west against a strong headwind to Start Point in South Devon, north to Martinhoe on the North Devon coast, and to Frampton near Dorchester before punching the headwind again for home.
Dan landed his Fresh Breeze Bullix 4T/Gin Falcon 34 combo with four litres of fuel remaining; his average groundspeed had been 43.13km/h. Dan also finished third in the Open Class ranking against more than 400 pilots worldwide.
Posted: 29 January 2020
By: J. Schofield
In June 2015, Farnborough Airport submitted a formal airspace change proposal to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and as a result the CAA have now issued an Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC)regarding changes to Farnborough Airspace that will be implemented on the 27 February 2020.
The circular is available for download from this website, and can also be downloaded from the CAA website.
Posted: 26 January 2020
By: Paul Dancey
last updated: 2 July 2025
Displaying page 27 out of 53
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