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.
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 451 news stories for all non archived years in our database.
Displaying page 52 out of 57
[ Top ] - [ Prev ] - [ Next ] - [ Bottom ]
We are often helped out - at home or abroad - when we land out or are involved in an incident. Can we give something back to the communities that we fly in?
In Judith Mole's latest podcast, Bella Messenger tells the story of the Cloudbase Foundation, and Karma Flights' work in Nepal in response to 2015's devastating earthquake. There are ways you can make a difference - whether great or small. The podcast is available on The Paraglider website.
Posted: 25 August 2016
By: Paul Dancey
The 11th incarnation of the legendary Forbes Flatlands competition runs in new South Wales from December 30th to January 6th.
The FAI Category 2 tow-launched hang gliding championships is famous for its laid-back atmosphere, superb weather and and a warm welcome to newer pilots. The previous comp set a record 367km task, completed by eventual winner Jonny Durand in five hours, 41 minutes.
How good is Forbes? Visit the Forbes Flatlands website and find out!
Posted: 25 August 2016
By: Paul Dancey
A mammoth 224km task at the US Nationals in Chelan in July has become the longest paragliding task ever set. It was won by Josh Cohn (Enzo 2) in 4 hours 14 minutes at an average speed of 50km/h. Brit Harry Bloxham (IP6) came home in the lead gaggle only a few seconds adrift.
Richard Perkes and Bruce Goldsmith also made goal, as did Bruce's son Tyr (18) who went on to win the Sports class just ahead of Bruce. After the task Bruce is reported to have told Tyr (pictured, left), "You might as well stop flying now ... it doesn't get any better than that!" Josh Cohn went on to take the overall win.
The full results are available on the 300 Peaks Paragliding website.
Posted: 25 August 2016
By: Paul Dancey
The Long Mynd club's popular flying site at Bache is now permanently closed to all flying. LMSC Chairman Nick Le Gras cites 'persistent failures to observe site rules' and 'selfish and thoughtless actions by a minority of pilots.'
The 600m southerly and south-easterly site near New Radnor in Powys has been the launching point for many epic flights and competition tasks. Alas no more.
Posted: 25 August 2016
By: Paul Dancey
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
last updated: 30 July 2026
Displaying page 52 out of 57
[ 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.
