Skywings news items published in all non archived years are displayed below.
All non archived Skywings news items 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).
If you're looking for Skywings news items published before 2023, please visit our archived news pages.
Stolen paramotor found
On Sunday 30th July, two months after having his Bailey V4 paramotor stolen, John Richardson went down to the local recreation ground to walk his dogs and fly RC gliders. His partner noticed a silver BMW convertible with a paramotor and wing in the back, and said it looked like his.
Walking over for a sneaky look while the two guys set up the wing in the middle of the field, John immediately recognised it as his and called the Police.
The micreants were arrested and John has his paramotor back. When the Police visited the thieves' house they found 28 stolen paraglider wings, equipment, etc. If you have had equipment stolen contact PCs Sarah Warren or Simon Wright at Beeston (Nottingham) - phone 101, extension 318 9987. The Crime Reference Number is 17000224163.
Posted: 7 September 2017
By: Paul Dancey
Opportunity: Airspace Support Consultant
The GA Alliance (GAA) are seeking an Airspace Support Consultant to provide contracted, paid project support to member organisations through the GAA airspace team.
The job involves proactive awareness, research and analysis of strategic and local airspace issues, and developing, with others, potential solutions and guidance to member associations.
The successful applicant will have a well-developed understanding of UK airspace operations and good knowledge of airspace developments and the relevant legislative framework.
They must be flexible and committed, with strong verbal and written communication skills, and able to prepare high-quality submissions. Applications, marked 'GAA Airspace Contractor', should go to Pete Stratten, Secretary, GAA, 8 Merus Court, Leicester LE19 1RJ by September 9th 2017.
For details please visit the BGA website.
The GAA was formed in 2004 to provide a co-ordinated response to UK regulatory issues, working on behalf of the 72,000-odd members of the BBAC, BGA, BHPA, BMAA, BPA, HCGB, LAA and the RAeC.
Posted: 7 September 2017
By: Paul Dancey
Marathon Man sees the light
Some readers may remember the YouTube footage of a paramotor pilot, flying at extremely low altitude, along the Brighton shoreline on the day of the Brighton Marathon in April.
The CAA had been already been alerted as it appeared he had taken off from within the Shoreham ATZ. The pilot in question (not a BHPA member) was later tracked down by the BHPA and local paramotor pilots and interviewed under caution by the CAA's Enforcement Branch.
Taken aback by the volume of evidence presented, the pilot is said to have apologised to all concerned and, with a view to furthering his airmanship, has since requested further training. Respect is due to all in the paramotor community involved in engineering this positive outcome from a potential PR disaster.
Posted: 7 September 2017
By: Paul Dancey
2017 British Paramotor Open
The 2017 British Open took place in the very scenic Surrey Hills, at the Green Dragons Flying Centre.
It was a small turnout, probably due to the pessimistic weather forecast, but we enjoyed guests from Poland, Turkey and Sweden.
Despite the prevailing strong wind, rain and low cloud over the 4-day event, Barney Townsend, the excellent Meet Director, managed to run 7 excellent tasks to validate the Championship.
Dylan Marsh won the fuel economy task and Mark Morgan won the navigation task but it was the landing accuracy tasks that ultimately provided the tie break, with Michel Carnet winning the British Paramotor Champion Trophy for a record 13th time!
Michel was flying with the same equipment that he had been flying for the last 6 years, a Nirvana Instinct 200 and a Nirvana Nucleon WRC31, and he was hoping that reliable and proven equipment would prevail over untested or unsafe gear.
Sadly, the air ambulance was called to rescue the young Dylan Marsh, who stalled his wing on a target landing approach. A disappointing way to end the competition for the promising young pilot who is now back home recovering from his injuries.
Many thanks to Andy Shaw from Green Dragons, and to all the marshals and volunteers.
Posted: 21 August 2017
By: Paul Dancey
Opportunity: Airspace Support Consultant
The GA Alliance (GAA) are seeking an Airspace Support Consultant to provide contracted, paid project support to member organisations through the GAA airspace team.
The job involves proactive awareness, research and analysis of strategic and local airspace issues, and developing, with others, potential solutions and guidance to member organisations.
The successful applicant will have a well-developed understanding of UK airspace operations, and good knowledge of airspace developments and the relevant legislative framework.
They must be flexible and committed, with strong verbal and written communication skills and able to prepare high-quality submissions. Applications, marked 'GAA Airspace Contractor' should be submitted to Pete Stratten, Secretary, GA Alliance, 8 Merus Court, Leicester LE19 1RJ by September 9th 2017. For details please visit the BGA website.
Posted: 1 August 2017
By: Paul Dancey
BHPA AGM 2018
The BHPA's 2018 Annual General Meeting will be held at Nottingham's Belfry Hotel (adjacent to Junction 26 of the M1) on Saturday February 17th, in tandem with the BGA AGM and trade exhibition.
The meeting will include the election of officers to the BHPA Executive Committee, officers' reports and a members' discussion forum. At this early stage, any BHPA member considering seeking nomination for election should contact Chairman Marc Asquith or another Exec member to find out what's involved.
Posted: 1 August 2017
By: Paul Dancey
Paragliding Worlds - Brits 4th!
Britain's four-man team finished a remarkable fourth at the 15th FAI World Paragliding Championships at Monte Avena in Italy, July 1st - 15th, (Photo by Martin Scheel).
Guy Anderson finished second, just five points shy of winner Pierre Remy. Fellow Frenchman and 2015 World Champion Honorin Hamard was third. The Brits continually improved their game over ten tasks ranging from 45 to 117km, rising from 13th place after five tasks to 7th on the penultimate day after an earlier fifth-place finish by Guy. He then won the final task to lift himself to within a sniff of the overall win and the Brits to 4th place.
The other members of the British team were Seb Ospina (14th), Julian Robinson (20th) and Idris Birch (75th). France took the team title for the third time, ahead of Slovenia and Switzerland. The top ten pilots all flew Ozone's Enzo 3 as did Sebastian; Julian and Idris were aboard Gin's Boomerang 11. The top three women pilots were France's 2015 World and 2014 European Champion Seiko Fukuoka, Australia's Kari Ellis and Silvia Buzzi Ferraris of Italy, all flying Ozone wings. We offer our congratulations to all concerned.. The Brits continually improved their game over ten tasks ranging from 45 to 117km, rising from 13th place after five tasks to 7th on the penultimate day after an earlier fifth-place finish by Guy. He then won the final task to lift himself to within a sniff of the overall win and the Brits to 4th place.
The other members of the British team were Seb Ospina (14th), Julian Robinson (20th) and Idris Birch (75th). France took the team title for the third time, ahead of Slovenia and Switzerland. The top ten pilots all flew Ozone's Enzo 3 as did Sebastian; Julian and Idris were aboard Gin's Boomerang 11. The top three women pilots were France's 2015 World and 2014 European Champion Seiko Fukuoka, Australia's Kari Ellis and Silvia Buzzi Ferraris of Italy, all flying Ozone wings. We offer our congratulations to all concerned.
Posted: 1 August 2017
By: Paul Dancey
Parafest: from strength to strength!
This year's Parafest was held at the same site as last year. By the weekend of the event the campsite was rammed even fuller than last year (Photo by Clive Mason).
There were many more traders' stands than in previous years and the event field, immediately adjacent to the camping field, was well filled. Stands ranged from paramotor manufacturers selling their wares to wood carvings and general clothing. A range of food outlets provided varied fare, from the standard burger bar to a veggie street-food outlet, and there was of course a bar!
BHPA Technical Officers Mark Shaw and Ian Currer put up a small marquee to provide revision lectures and examinations to help experienced paramotor pilots obtain their BHPA Power rating. 15 existing BHPA pilots obtained their Power Pilot or Club Pilot rating, four members who would not otherwise have renewed did so and also obtained their Power Rating, and three pilots joined for the first time and obtained their Power Rating.
A total of 27 exams were taken and the proprietors of three schools currently outside the BHPA expressed interest in becoming BHPA Registered. Since the work on paratrikes and the obtaining of the exemption making it legal for them to fly, the BHPA is seen in a much more positive way by the power community.
Being thoroughly rained off, Friday was a good day to sit an exam. Saturday and Sunday made up for Friday's loss with decreasing winds and bright sunshine. Organiser Mark Meadows gets an unreserved thumbs-up for his event, apparently conceived and executed almost single handedly.
Posted: 1 August 2017
By: Paul Dancey
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.
