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 all non archived years are displayed below.
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There are 419 news stories for all non archived years in our database.
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Carl Wallbank's 264.99km straight-distance-to-goal record of last April has been recognized by the FAI as a European record. Carl's flight, on Moyes Litespeed RX 3.5, retraced the route of his 2012 UK record flight from Llangollen to land at goal at Weymouth (in 2012 Carl missed out on a similar goal by a few hundred metres).
In 2015 Carl topped the hang gliding XC league with over 1100km; last year he won again at 1,197km.
It's worth noting that the European obsession with alpine triangle flights for big records means that record straight distances and flights to goal are less common.
As a result Carl's 2016 flight stands as a previously unset European-area record, surely a unique distinction!
Posted: 6 March 2017
By: Paul Dancey
Helicopter pilot Mark Matthews, 49, was prosecuted at Bath Magistrates' Court in January for flying his helicopter into and out of the 2016 Glastonbury Festival without permission. Matthews was seen to have landed his Robinson R44 at the Love Fields on June 23rd, and was later photographed and filmed taking off again.
Since 1998 regulations have prohibited aircraft from flying below 3,100ft amsl within 2.5 nm of Glastonbury. Matthews, of Radstock, Somerset, did not have the required permission from the police to enter the TRA; he pleaded guilty to two charges and was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,000.
Readers may recall that paramotor pilot David Hoare was similarly prosecuted by the CAA and fined for landing at the site in 2015 and 2011.
For those of us that wonder why there aren't more prosecutions for illegal flying, it's clear that if enough people witness someone doing it - and take pictures - the CAA will see them in court.
Posted: 6 March 2017
By: Paul Dancey
A final reminder that applications for Royal Aero Club Trust bursaries close on March 31st.
The bursaries are of up to £1,000; last year the Trust awarded 50 of them to young pilots of up to 21 years to progress their flying qualifications and further their dreams.
New rules introduced last year allow previous winners of up to 24 years to make further progress.
In 2016 BHPA teenagers Ryan Jenkins and Joe and John Ashman all received substantial cash support to pursue their flying goals, and in 2015 Theo Warden's bursary enabled him to pursue SIV training. If you are between 14 and 21 and financial assistance would help you progress, please visit the Royal Aero Club Trust website. If you are a young BHPA pilot - apply now!
Posted: 6 March 2017
By: Paul Dancey
The PWC Superfinal starts at Brazil's Governador Valadares on Wednesday January 18th. The racing can be followed live, with tracking and the live commentary, each day on the PWC website. British competitors to watch are Julian Robinson, Guy Anderson, Brendan Reid, Russel Ogden and Idris Birch.
Posted: 23 January 2017
By: Paul Dancey
This year's Super Paragliding Testival at Kössen in Austria will run from May 25th - 28th.
50 of the world's major manufacturers will be there, exhibiting their products to 3,000 pilots or more. The set-up is ideal for pilots keen to fly and compare several brands of equipment. Kössen is ideal for this purpose; its north-facing mountain is famous for easy thermals and gentle convergence and the huge LZ boasts the world-famous Fliegerbar. Local pilots say it has the most flyable days of any site in the northern Alps.
The event is sponsored by the Tirolean Government and AXA insurance; details can be found on the Fly Kössen website.
Posted: 23 January 2017
By: Paul Dancey
The 10th anniversary Buttermere Bash and Lakeland Charity Open paragliding comp will take place on Friday and Saturday June 2nd - 3rd at its usual location on the shores of Buttermere.
Plans are afoot to attract some of the world's top acro pilots to perform jaw-dropping stunts at the UK's only acro display (photo shows John Oliver performing a SAT at last year's display), and some fantastic bands to fill the nights with music.
Details of the paragliding competition - A and B comps as well as a coaching group for low-airtime pilots - can be found on Jocky Sanderson's website. Camping will be available from Tuesday 30th May; details can be found on the Air Ventures website.
Posted: 23 January 2017
By: Paul Dancey
In September British paraglider pilot Matt Sudlow flew from the 19,300ft summit of Kilimanjaro as part of the Wings of Kilimanjaro charity expedition.
Kilimanjaro was flown in 1979 by British hang glider pilot Ashley Doubtfire and three others, and again in 1981 by Bill and Steve Moyes. There have been numerous attempts since, all hampered by the extreme altitude and the protective attitude of the Tanzanian government. Most recently Nepali pilot Babu Sunawar flew tandem from the summit in 2013.
Posted: 19 December 2016
By: Paul Dancey
Serbia, Hungary, France and Italy are now part of the International Pilot Proficiency Information (IPPI) scheme.
In operation since 1992, the IPPI card system provides a standard reference by which all national rating programs may be compared. IPPI cards are issued by approved associations to any of their licensed pilots for a small fee. When you travel abroad this card, together with your BHPA membership/rating card, gives site managers, instructors, etc, an easy way to verify your experience level.
For further details about the scheme and an application form, please visit the Flying Abroad page on this website.
Posted: 19 December 2016
By: Paul Dancey
last updated: 10 March 2025
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