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 2019, please visit our archived news pages.
CAA nails Red Arrows infringer
A microlight pilot who infringed a Red Arrows TRA and caused a display to be halted was fined recently following prosecution by the CAA.
On July 9th last year Anthony Hope, 52, infringed the Temporary Restricted Airspace surrounding the Flying Legends airshow at Duxford. The Red Arrows broke off their display until Hope's Quik GT450 trike had left the airspace. Hope claimed to be aware of the NOTAM announcing the TRA and blamed his infringement on poor timekeeping.
At Luton Magistrates' Court in January he pleaded guilty and was fined £1,250, plus costs of £500 and a victim surcharge of £125.
Posted: 7 April 2018
By: Paul Dancey
Buttermere Bash
Dates for this year's Buttermere Bash are Friday June 1st and Saturday June 2nd. Organiser Gordie Oliver says it's the UK's ultimate family-friendly free flight festival, the only place in the UK where you can share the sky and dance floor with some of the world's top acro pilots.
Jocky Sanderson and crew will set scenic tasks in the Lakeland Charity Open comp while musicians fill the evenings with song and dance. The Buttermere campsite will be open from Tuesday May 29th with a simple pay-on-arrival policy.
Further details can be found on the event's Facebook page; competition entries are open now on Jocky Sanderson's Escape website.
Posted: 2 March 2018
By: Paul Dancey
Icarus Cup
The Icarus Cup human powered flying event will take place at Sywell, Northants from July 14th - 22nd. A generous donor has allowed the BHPFC to introduce a new competition and prizes - the Jacobson Figure-of-Eight competition.
It is hoped that the extra prize money, now at £2,000, will attract more constructors.
The aim of the BHPFC, formed in 2014, is to promote human powered flying technically and as a sport (even, in the future, as an Olympic sport). The club's hopes its activities will encourage other countries to start clubs and hold their own competitions - since competing in two Icarus Cup competitions the University of Bordeaux has has now started its own club.
Rules, regulations, entry forms and all other details can be found on the BHPFC website. The Icarus Cup is not to be confused with the Icarus Trophy!
Posted: 2 March 2018
By: Paul Dancey
Parahawking
Scott Mason has relaunched his Parahawking venture in Andalucia, southern Spain, aided by a pair of Black Vultures that he has nursed from fluffy chicks to masters of the sky. Scott was operating in Nepal until the government closed the project down after 17 years.
Parahawking in Spain will offer the same unique experience of flying and interacting with trained vultures and other birds of prey. Scott's mission is to educate and inform about the plight of vultures the world over: "Our aim is the same to promote a connection with vultures and other birds of prey whilst providing a life changing experience."
A wealth of information can be found on the Parahawking FaceBook page, the Parahawking Twitter page, and on Scott's YouTube channel.
Posted: 2 March 2018
By: Paul Dancey
Last call for RAeC Trust bursaries
A final reminder that applications for Royal Aero Club Trust bursaries close on March 31st. The bursaries are of up to £1,000; last year the Trust awarded 50 of them to young pilots of up to 21 years - and previous winners up to 24 - to progress their flying qualifications and further their dreams.
Recent BHPA recipients include Theo Warden, 18, top Brit at the PWC Superfinal, and Jack Pimblett, also 19, 5th in the South African Pre-PWC in December. Theo received an RAeC Bursary in 2015 and Jack was a recipient in 2017.
If you are between 14 and 21 and financial assistance would help you progress, please visit the Royal Aeroclub Trust website. If you are a young BHPA pilot - apply now!
Posted: 2 March 2018
By: Paul Dancey
RAeC Awards
A number of Royal Aero Club awards have been made to BHPA members. Sacha Dench (Flight of the Swans) receives this year's Britannia Trophy; coast-to-coast paramotorist Giles Fowler the RAeC Silver Medal; former BHPA Technical Manager Mark Dale and Tony and Ioana Stephens the RAeC Bronze Medal, and aerotow pioneer Donald MacKenzie and BOS Club Class guide Mark Woodhams the RAeC Certificate of Merit.
This year's Ann Welch Memorial Award for excellence in instructing goes to Jocky Sanderson. Awards will be presented at the RAeC's annual ceremony at the RAF Club on Thursday 17th May. Congratulations to all concerned!
Posted: 2 March 2018
By: Paul Dancey
Deployment bags for reserve parachutes
Independence Paragliding have issued a safety notice regarding a batch of Deployment bags for reserve parachutes where there is concern that the seam-line of the isolated upper loop, which is used to attach the deployment handle, could possibly cause a material weakening of factory delivered deployment bags.
This seam-line, if properly processed, has to be able to bear a load of 70 daN. Yet it was proven that a lower strength of this component can occur.
Owners are strongly advised to download the full Independence Paragliding safety notice for guidance on identifying if their deployment bag is part of the batch causing concern, and if it is, what action must be taken.
Posted: 26 February 2018
By: Paul Dancey
Parafest 2018
Parafest, set for July 27th - 29th, now has a spectacular new home at the huge ex-military airfield at Llanbedr, between Barmouth and Porthmadog on the edge of Snowdonia National Park.
Parafest's combination of a flying event and trade exhibition with a music festival is unique in the UK. Paraglider and hang glider pilots will be within easy driving distance of many great sites, and power pilots, including SSDRs, can fly out of the airfield and explore the coastline and the local mountains and valleys.
Manufacturers, dealers, and schools for all aircraft types will be exhibiting, alongside many non-flying stalls and sideshows including a kids' zone, a variety of food caterers and a licensed bar with real ales and cocktails. Parafest will also host the British Vintage Hang Gliding, last seen in the Lakes in 2016.
Professional acts will perform on the main stage on Friday and Saturday until midnight; details can be found on the festival's Facebook page. Those that like to party on can head to the Asbo Disco, far from the camping fields, for DJ sets till the early hours. Full details and ticket sales can be found on the Parafest website. Keep updated on developments by visiting the Parafest Facebook page.
Parafest isn't just a fly-in, it's a festival that you can fly at!
Posted: 3 February 2018
By: Paul Dancey
Skywings news last updated: 18 July 2019 at 11:37:29 AM
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.
