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This year's Icarus Cup contest for human-powered aircraft was held at Sywell near Northampton from July 16th - 24th. After a total of 52 contest flights Mike Truelove, flying the Edgley Aerocycle 3, was declared the winning pilot and presented with the Icarus Cup.
The RAeS-sponsored team prize was won by John Edgley's team. After several years of design, development and setbacks, the Aerocycle has emerged as a truly practical aircraft. In second place was Betterfly, designed and built by Mercedes-AMG F1 engineer David Barford. Bath University took third place with two flights but Sheffield University's Volaticus (pictured right) did not manage to leave the ground.
The Icarus Cup was started in 2012 by the RAeS HPF group to develop the art and science of human-powered flight. Competitions based on the RAeS model have now taken place in Korea and Japan and there is activity in the USA and France; there's also a strong possibility that the first FAI international human-powered flying event will be part of the next World Air Games.
Posted: 25 August 2016
By: Paul Dancey
A 103.22km triangle flight by Julian Robinson on June 18th has broken Mike Cavanagh's 100.7km paragliding declared triangle record. Julian flew his Gin Boomerang 10 from Carn Dubh via Aonach Mor and just north of Loch Eigeach.
Mike's record was set from Carn Liath in May 2014 on an Ozone Mantra M6. A month earlier, on April 17th, Kirsty Cameron flew a 72.46km declared triangle from Combe Gibbet on an Enzo 2 to claim the previously-unset UK women's declared-triangle record as well as beat Helen Gant's 2011 non-declared record.
Posted: 4 August 2016
By: Paul Dancey
BHPA numbers passed the 7,000 mark in June, a level not seen since early 2007. Membership peaked at just over 8,000 in 1996 and has dwindled more or less erratically since then until beginning to rise again four years ago.
The current strength of 7,064 annual members includes 5,166 rated paraglider pilots, 1,075 rated hang glider pilots (446 pilots are rated in both disciplines) and 524 power-environment paraglider (i.e. paramotor) pilots, plus a number of smaller categories such as instructors and non-flying members.
Hats off to the schools who do the lions' share of recruiting - long may the slow increase continue!
Posted: 4 August 2016
By: Paul Dancey
Irish paramotor pilot Oisín Creagh plans to fly 2,000 miles from Ireland to North Africa to raise funds for the Gorta Self Help Africa charity.
Cork-based Oisín will leave in the autumn, crossing from Northern Ireland to Stranraer, down the length of Britain to Dover and thence through France and Spain to cross into Africa at the Strait of Gibraltar. Cork-based Oisin has been paramotoring for the last ten years. He plans to begin his journey in August flying a US-manufactured Air Conception paramotor.
The organisation supports small-scale, family-run farming across Africa. Follow Oisín's journey and donate to his fundraising page on the Fly Africa website.
Posted: 4 August 2016
By: Paul Dancey
The Irish Aviation Authority has decreed that all powered paragliders and hang gliders flown in the country must be registered and carry registration marks. The IAA requires the manufacture's name and designation, the serial number and the maximum occupancy of the machine to be submitted.
When issued, a registration mark must be carried on the aircraft on a fireproof plate and in 500mm-high letters on the underside of the wing. Paramotors and powered hang gliders of visiting pilots must also carry a registration mark issued by an 'ICAO-contracting state', eg the UK. It is not clear from published sources whether a PPL or equivalent is also required.
The legislation came into force on May 30th 2016; it is believed to be in response to several recent instances of daredevil flying in the Republic. Full details are available on the Irish Aviation Authority website.
Posted: 4 August 2016
By: Paul Dancey
The inaugural British Vintage Hang Gliding Rally, to be held at Keswick Flight Park on September 17th - 18th, is achieving critical mass.
The event will be an informal get-together of vintage pilots and gear to celebrate the early days of UK hang gliding. Attractions include Jason Board's British Hang Gliding Museum, the Simon Murphy collection, equipment, photo and magazine displays and other gliders including Judy Leden's Royal Jordanian balloon-drop K4, John Pendry's Planter's Magic 3 and many more vintage wings. There will also be a 70s band, hog roast, a cake and coffee stall, beer and breakfast at Jocky Sanderson's, plus T-shirts, mugs, stickers, jackets and other memorabilia for sale.
Other attractions include field events for pilots using period equipment, and a competition to find the best lookalike to Harry Martin's 'Old Git' cartoons. Bring your own vintage tackle - there will be prizes for the best gliders of each generation. The rally will raise funds for the Alzheimer's Society. For more information and details on how to book, please visit the British Vintage Hang Gliding Rally website.
Posted: 4 August 2016
By: Paul Dancey
Kathleen Rigg's World and European hang gliding record spree last July has been confirmed with no less than six ratified records to her credit.
Flying her Moyes Litespeed RX 3.5 from Hochfelln, Germany and later Bischling in Austria, Kathleen secured the following records at both European and World level: Female out-and-return distance (229.8km); Female 200km triangle speed (29,96km/h); and Female free triangle distance (200.8km). Congratulations, and respect!
Posted: 7 July 2016
By: Paul Dancey
Saturday July 30th sees a hangar party at Sywell Aerodrome, Northants, to celebrate Flylight's 21st birthday. All are welcome and demonstration flights can be arranged.
If flying in you will need to send your aircraft registration, number of visitors, etc, in advance as the airfield is PPR. Visitors are welcome to camp, by arrangement, but camper vans are not allowed on site; there is more comfortable accommodation at Sywell's Aviator Hotel and local B&Bs.
For further information please contact Flylight at info@flylight.co.uk.
Posted: 7 July 2016
By: Paul Dancey
last updated: 17 November 2025
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