Super Saturday!
April 11th last year saw Hugh Miller miss the 200km mark on a paraglider by 1km. This year the same date provided superb XC conditions (rough day - strong winds!) to allow a raft of big hangie XC flights.
These include Grant Crossingham's 266km from Selsey Common near Stroud to Dymchurch near Folkestone, with Nev Almond only a few km behind from the same site. Sadly Nev's 250+ km flight clipped airspace - a 'Kobo moment' no doubt - and will not qualify.
Meanwhile, from Devils Dyke, Ollie Chitty reached North Foreland for 128km, Dave Matthews made Deal (120km) and Luke Nicol reached Tenterden near Ashford having launched on a flexie for the first time in six months. It was very windy and turbulent at the Dyke too - only 50% of the hangies who turned up chose to fly.
Existing flex-wing record holder (276km) Carl Wallbank had woken early with a view to driving down south but was put off by lashing rain. This time out it was the paragliders - and Carl - who had to go shopping!
Posted: 13 May 2015
Cambridge comp flies again!
The Cambridge Aerotow Club will be holding an aerotow competition at their Sutton Meadows base over the August bank holiday weekend, with at least five other clubs bringing their own tugs.
The competition will run from Saturday to Monday and it is hoped to run a practice day on the Friday. The two previous CAC competitions were both well run and well attended - registration will be limited and is expected to fill quickly.
Further details are at www.cambridgeaerotow.co.uk and www.aerotow.uk.
Posted: 13 May 2015
Noel Whittall honoured
In February former BHPA Chairman and CIVL Secretary Noel Whittall was made a life member of the Dales Club.
Noel has been flying since the very beginning of the sport and has seen his two sons prosper in the sport. Honorary Memberships are a rare thing in the Dales Club; Noel become only the second recipient in 40 years!
Posted: 13 May 2015
Aerochute 'Flight For Life'
Five Midlands Powerchute pilots are planning an ambitious coast-to-coast charity flight on Aerochute microlights.
Led by Mike Gaylor, the team plans to depart from Boston on August 28th and, weather pemitting, reach the River Severn on August 31st.
The team, which has already secured substantial support from industrial cable and bearing supplier Igus, aims to raise at least £10,000 in donations and sponsorship, 100% of which will be given to Cancer Research UK. If you are interested in sponsoring the flight, go to www.aerochuteflightforlife.org.
Posted: 13 May 2015
New podcast
Judith Mole's latest podcast contains much useful wisdom.
With the recent decline in hang gliding, many paraglider pilots have only limited opportunities to fly with hang gliders. This can lead to a lack of awareness of hangies' flying, launch and landing characteristics and has sometimes led to problems and friction between the two communities.
In Sharing the Sky, top UK hangie Kathleen Rigg explains some of the issues from the hangie perspective and outlines how to make things easier for everyone.
Sharing the Sky can be downloaded at www.theparaglider.com/podcasts.
Posted: 13 May 2015
Cash Awards for Sports People, Clubs and Projects!
MARS Milk are looking to help you play more with the launch of their MARS Milk Play Fund.
From May 4 2015 for 22 weeks, they are seeking to award five monthly awards of £1,000, and 44 weekly awards of £300 to sports individuals, clubs and projects.
So whether you need help with travel costs, kit, coaching or new equipment they may be able to give you a helping hand.
For more information please visit the Mars Milk website.
Posted: 13 May 2015
For further information about the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association and skywings magazine, please visit our about the BHPA and Skywings magazine pages on this website.
