British Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association

Jack Pimblett joins Advance Team

British acro star and all-rounder Jack Pimblett has been invited to become an Advance Team pilot.

Flying from a young age, Jack finished 7th at the 2018 Acro World Tour final.

He joins fellow Advance neophyte Victor 'Bicho' Carrera, the Chilean acro and professional tandem pilot who finished two places above him at the World Tour final.

Posted: 5 April 2019
By: J Schofield

Icarus Cup volunteers sought

This year's BHPFC human powered aircraft competition will be held at Lasham from July 20th July to the 28th.

Any volunteers interested in helping to marshal the event over the week should email Tony Prentice, or phone him on 01474 706405 (onsite camping is available).

The RAeS will shortly announce a new competition aimed at first-time builders and flyers, to encourage new entrants to the human-powered flying world. More details here soon.

Posted: 5 April 2019
By: J Schofield

Aerobatic judging seminar

CIVL's Aerobatic Committee has organised a seminar for candidates to become competition judges, to be held at Organyà in Spain on May 12th - 16th. It will be led by top acro pilots Théo de Blic and Horacio Llorens.

The aim is to form a team of highly-qualified judges from as many nations as possible.  Acro is the most complex discipline to score and a new 'battle' format has made it even more so.

To register your interest, please complete this on-line form ASAP. A selection will be made by the committee and elected candidates invited to the seminar. Travel and accommodation will be jointly funded by CIVL and the national aero clubs.

Posted: 5 April 2019
By: J Schofield

General Aviation Champion

The UK Department for Transport are seeking to appoint a General Aviation Champion to assist the department to effectively take into account the specific needs of the GA sector.

The post will be based in London, and will involve two days per month with a remuneration of £350 per day.

The closing date for applications is the 19 April 2019.

For further information please visit the UK Government website.

Posted: 2 April 2019
By: Paul Dancey

Safety Notice - Finsterwalder Quick-Out Carabiner

Finsterwalder and the BHPA have issued a safety notices regarding the Finsterwalder Quick-Out Carabiner.

When Finsterwalder set up their production of the Quick-Out release buttons in January 2015, about 20 release buttons were produced incorrectly; and at least one such faulty Quick-Out carabiner was put into circulation.

The error eliminates one of the 4 security levels: To open the carabiner, it is sufficient to press only the correct release button instead of pressing both release buttons simultaneously.

At the final inspection, every single Quick-Out carabiner undergoes a load test of 2,000 DaN. However, the error was not noticeable, since the stress test is also passed with only one release button intact. If the Quick-Out is operated in accordance with the current version of their operating instructions, downloadable from the Finsterwalder website, the error will be noticed immediately.

All Finsterwalder Quick-Out users are therefore urged to check their carabiners before they next use them.

For further information about this issue, and how to spot a faulty carabiner, please download BHPA Safety Notice 034 or the Finsterwalder Safety Notice.

Posted: 2 April 2019
By: Paul Dancey

Wanted GA Alliance Programme Manager

The General Aviation Alliance is involved in a significant and increasing amount of regulatory engagement and response activity, including that related to airspace modernization.

To provide professional support to its engagement and response activity, the GA Alliance is seeking a contracted Programme Manager.

The scope of the task includes the management of;

• All consultations on issues launched by regulators and Govt
• All airspace change proposals submitted under prevailing regulation
• Liaison with GAA member representatives, GAA appointed consultants, and external stakeholders

This remunerated contractor role, that is initially likely to require the around 10 hours per week, will suit a person with a formal qualification in business administration or significant business administration experience, and who has knowledge of general aviation as well as a desire to learn more.

The closing date for applications is 29th March 2019.

Please submit a CV and application letter via email to pete@gliding.co.uk or by post to;

Pete Stratten, GA Alliance Secretary, Lower Floor, 8 Merus Court, Meridian Business Park, Leicester, LE19 1RJ

Posted: 13 March 2019
By: Paul Dancey

The BVHGR returns!

The British Vintage Hang Gliding Rally (BVHGR) will return to Parafest for 2019 with displays of gliders and nostalgia galore. 'We had everything in place for a fantastic rally in 2018,' writes BVHGR Chairman Steve Pionk, 'but were stymied at the last minute by the weather.

'We think we've found the correct weather God to pray to this year and are planning to coax a few old hang gliders out of their bags to spread their wings. Parafest is the best flying festival in the calendar and we are looking forward to working with Mark Meadows again.

'Roll on July 11th, and see you there!' Tickets for Parafest can be found on the Parafest website, and keep an eye on the BVHGR website for the latest info. Photo by Justin Parsons shows Dave Parsons and Vortex 120 at Hackpen Hill, Wilts in 1997.

Posted: 5 March 2019
By: J. Schofield

PWC Superfinal info

The Paragliding World Cup Superfinal takes place at Baixo Guandu in Brazil from March 19th - 30th. Supporters can follow the event on the PWCA website where they will find live commentary and live tracking, plus pilot profiles, or via the PWCA app which now features photos and a 'follow' button to allow you keep up with your favourite pilots.

British pilots will include Guy Anderson (Ozone Enzo 3), Idris Birch (Gin Boomerang 11), Harry Bloxham, Martin Long, Russ Ogden (all Enzo 3), Julian Robinson (Boomerang 11), Theo Warden and Andrew Williams (both Enzo 3).

Posted: 5 March 2019
By: J. Schofield