No. 364 AUGUST 2019 The magazine of the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association2 SKYWINGS AUGUST 2019 THE BHPA LTD 8 Merus Court, Meridian Business Park, Leicester LE19 1RJ. Tel: 0116 289 4316. Skywings magazine is published monthly by the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association Ltd to inform, educate and entertain those in the sports of Paragliding and Hang Gliding. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, their Council, Officers or Editor. The Editor and publisher accept no responsibility for any supposed defects in the goods, services and practices represented or advertised in this magazine. The Editor reserves the right to edit contributions. ISSN 0951-5712 SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DELIVERY ENQUIRIES Tel: 0116 289 4316, THE EDITOR Joe Schofield, 39 London Road, Harleston, Norfolk IP20 9BH. Tel: 01379 855021. COVER PHOTO Colin Fargher test flying Skywalk’s Arak at Pralognan-la-Vanoise, French Alps. Full report coming soon. Photo: Colin Fargher THIS PAGE Steve Haze, Paramania Fusion and Bailey V5 above the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, during the big swell surf season. Photo: Atilla Benoit DESIGN & PRODUCTION Fargher Design Ltd. Killane House, Ballaugh, Isle of Man, IM7 5BD. PRINT & DISTRIBUTION Newman Thomson Ltd, One Jubilee Rd, Victoria Ind. Est, Burgess Hill, RH15 9TL. ADVERTISING Tel: 07624 413737 SKYWINGS ONLINE Go For the August issue enter the username Aug_2019 and the case- sensitive password 2*UVb9#C For the September issue enter the username Sep_2019 and the case-sensitive password WnP%b+Y8 DEADLINES News items and event/competition reports for the October 2019 issue must be submitted to the Skywings office by Friday August 30th. Letters for the September Airmail pages should arrive no later than Friday August 16th. Advertisement bookings for the September edition must arrive by Saturday August 10th. Copy and classified bookings no later than Saturday August 17th. regulars regulars reviews features attitude 4 SKYWINGS AUGUST 2019 I was about 35km into a cross-country flight from Milk Hill, approaching the A34 and rapidly going from hero to zero as I plummeted from cloudbase at 5,000 ft towards the ground in solid sink. I made my track choice based on the usual balance of best lift options, safe landing areas and proximity to civilisation. While heading towards a likely-looking cloud and the boundary of a shadow and sunny area, I was approaching the grounds of a country manor house where there appeared to be activity in setting up some form of bandstand for a music event. I made an excellent approach, even if I say so myself, and touched down in a clear grassy area some way from people or activity. That’s when I saw Mr Stompy approaching me with a retinue of security people. I’ve visited plenty of farmers and landowners in my time as a sailplane and paraglider pilot, and almost always had the very best of receptions. As a sailplane pilot I used to find the local farmer and say something along the lines of, ‘I’d like to apologise but I’ve just made an emergency landing in your field down the road.’ This diffuses almost any potential situation and I’ve been invited in for tea and bickies, beer and lunch, as well as walking away with bags of hand-picked fruit, and once a brace of pheasants for dinner. This time I’d not got out a single word before Mr Stompy started yelling ‘You can’t land here, this is private property,’ and this is the purpose of my article. I see no point in arguing with any landowner; you have after all just invaded their privacy and land. So I apologised, explained that I’d not intended to land here and offered to pack up and leave in the near future. ‘This is private property, you can’t fly over here or land here,’ This is where we get into the realms of fantasy land, as there is no exclusion zone over the property and no active NOTAM today. Still, best not to enter into a debate, so while gathering up my things to pack away, I reassured Mr Stompy that I’d be gone in ten minutes. ‘I’m going to charge you a landing fee! You’re not leaving here until you’ve paid £50.’ Again, best not to engage in the legal rights and wrongs of services rendered for provision of a landing fee, so I stuck to my guns and once again assured him that I just need pointing towards the nearest public highway. ‘I’m calling the authorities.’ I agreed that it would be an excellent idea if he were to call the Police. I could explain over the phone that I’d made a safe emergency landing and was agreeing to leave at the earliest possible opportunity. I didn’t see jail in my immediate future; that much was clear. Needless to say, Mr Stompy declined to call the Police. ‘I’m going to impound your equipment until you pay! Or at least until you consider paying £50 towards a charity.’ I sensed some lightening in the mood, however I was still feeling vulnerable as my wing was splayed out in front of me. I’d be much happier when it was in the bag and safely secure. There’s no point in arguing the legal ramifications of impounding kit and the resulting insurance and care issues. I could see he was just venting steam, more likely because of some experience in the recent or not-so-recent past influencing his behaviour. I was now only five minutes away from completing a pretty rapid pack and hightailing it out of there. ‘I’m going to have you escorted from the premises!’ Finally, success … I sensed the beginnings of some form of transport, a lift even. By the time I was packed up and ready Mr Stompy had got on his walkie-talkie and summoned a minion in a 4x4, then disappeared to leave me with a rather embarrassed and sheepish looking security guard. The groundsman arrived in a pickup and we had a very pleasant conversation while he drove me off the estate and to the local pub. So the moral of the story is clear: don’t land in the grounds of posh houses. No, the real moral is that you can meet a landowner anytime and anywhere … and you immediately become an ambassador for your club and your sport. You should be polite, apologetic and agreeable. Don’t start paying landing fees or compensation if you’ve not done any form of damage to the land, and don’t get into arguments over the legal right to fly over or land anywhere. My final recommendation is not to land at Highclere Castle. Apparently it’s private land and the Castle Manager is Mr Stompy. Landing attitude NICK SMITH, THAMES VALLEY HANG-GLIDING CLUB SAFETY AND AIRSPACE OFFICER I met a very rude man last weekend. Actually, to give him the benefit of the doubt, he was probably having a fairly stressful day and I was a good person to take it out on …Lots going on this last month! I’ve been flying gliders that are going out to customers, and just can’t keep up. I last flew this Moyes Max when it was brand new and, eighteen years to the day, I got to fly it again. It flew me all around Woolacombe Bay, and then I sold it. Hey - nice harness! Is it for sale? This is me drifting around the south coast on my BGD Cure demo. Take off is the white cliff in the far distance, and the Cure handled all the gap- crossings with disdain. What a glider! It is for sale: Hang gliders, like their pilots, last forever. This is a 30 year old Calypso that flies like a dream, and gave me a great day out. Cancer? What cancer? The glider is probably sold, but if Slick Pete doesn’t snap it up I’ll probably keep it. Back on the south coast, I decided to test fly a stock Skyman Cross Country. It was an EN B delight, and flew almost as far as the Cure, feeling safe and stable at all times. Gorgeous, light, and it’s available for immediate delivery! Make me an offer. I dragged my Malibu 2 out of the hangar and had another epic flight on the North Coast, with mind- blowing views and great company from up-country. This Malibu is NOT FOR SALE no matter how much you offer me! No, really. Oh, go on then…..make me an offer. Here is the view I got while flying the Skyman Cross Country. What are views like this worth to a human being? Lots, I reckon. Down here at the Flying Circus we supply almost all your flying needs, and dish out vast amounts of free advice garnered from 44 years of free flying. Just another hang glider? No! The Flex weighs just 17kg, so dear old geezers like us can fly it. Bob has taken delivery of the first one in the UK, but I suspect it won’t be the last. Go I’m surprised this lovely Stratus rigid wing is still here, given the amount of interest that has been shown. I’ve had loads of offers, but nobody has quite come up with the Right Stuff. No hurry, now I’m feeling so much better I may revert to the original plan and use it myself for aerotowing. Here is another picture of that magic day on the lovely Max. It serves as a reminder that I sell gliders, harnesses, helmets, reserves, instruments – all sorts of stuff, both new and used. I’m no sky-god, so I understand the needs of us ordinary pilots. Just ask! I’ve sold so many hundreds of Zoot Headsets that almost everyone must have one by now! Four versions in stock, and still about the same price as they were five years ago! Check out the range on the tel: 01404 891685 Turfhouse, Luppitt, Honiton, Devon, EX14 4SA Forty years in the business - my extensive range allows you to choose what best suits your needs. Find lots more on the Zoot headsets: Four models for open- and full-face helmets and various radios. Prices from £34.45. Zoot Radio outfits: A great radio and a choice of Zoot headsets for just £77! I stock various speaker/mics and antenna, too! Instruments from lots of manufacturers, priced from £79.95. Charly Quickout Karabiners for tandem pilots. Weighs 200 gm with a breaking load of 4000kg. £60each The Austrialpin Delta Steel karabiner for hang gliding, weighs 215gm and is rated to 32Kn. £24 each Charly Pinlock alloy Karabiners: Weighs 80gm, certified to 25 Kn. £27.50 each. The new Charly Snaplock alloy Karabiner, weighs 75gm and certified to 30Kn. £23 each. Tow releases from £48. Hang glider wheels from £51.10 a pair. Zoot Camera Mounts £29.50. Zoot Pip-pins, three lengths from £10.75, and Zoot Caps at £2.75. SMFC Speedarms, assorted colours and sizes at £29.50 Acessories WITH THE FLYING CIRCUS! It’s All Go!Chrigel’s 6th X- Alps win! Unbelievably, Christian Maurer has won the Red Bull X-Alps race for the 6th time. A poor forecast at the Salzburg start on June 16th favoured the strong runners in the field, but good flying conditions on Day 2 allowed the leaders to cover nearly 300km in the air, with Maurer, Maxime Pinot, Tom Coconea and Patrick von Känel among the lead group. By Day 4 the pattern of the race was established, with Maurer just a few kilometres ahead of Pinot and about 100km covering the whole field. At one point Maurer led by 40km, but Pinot caught up when Chrigel landed short of Turnpoint 5. Italy’s Aaron Durogati was the closest chaser, 40km behind Pinot with Paul Guschlbauer in 4th position. Rain then intervened, forcing pilots to the ground for the next two days. Eliminating back markers every 48 hours saw Rodolphe Akl and Dominika Kasieczko, one of only two women in the race, retire. Maxime Pinot, showing signs of stress and fatigue, started Day 6 around 50km behind Maurer, who was able to make short flights between the rain and tag Turnpoint 8 at Mont Blanc. The ensuing weekend saw good flying conditions and some full-on racing, with Pinot dropping back to 80km adrift and Guschlbauer 60km astern of him. French pilot Antoine Girard was forced to withdraw on Sunday evening with a knee problem; the field was now spread over 500km. On Tuesday, as a heatwave continued to build across France, Maurer reached the penultimate turnpoint at Peille after nine days and three hours, and in the evening flew down to the raft at Monaco to win. Pinot – pictured above (R) with Maurer (L) – was secure in second place, finishing on Wednesday morning in nine days and 21 hours. Guschlbauer and Outters teamed up to cross the line together, securing joint third. Six more pilots made the 24-hour cut-off, most using night passes to hike in. After 1,138km of alpine terrain, Maurer said he’d lost three kilos in weight but was ‘in the shape of my life’. To tenth finisher and last pilot home, Belgium’s Tom de Dorlodot who has contested the X-Alps seven times, the final word: ‘The level is so high now. It was never like this before!’ Much, much more detail, pictures, video, etc, is at 6 SKYWINGS AUGUST 2019 news At 3.30am on Monday July 8th, BHPA member James du Pavey, 34, launched his paramotor at John O’Groats, intent on reaching Land’s end in record time. In the afternoon of the next day he reached his destination having covered 1,200km and spent 24 hours airborne out of a total of 36 hours en route. The flight was made to raise money for the Stoke-on-Trent based Donna Louise Children’s Hospice, for which £15,000 has already been subscribed. James suffered two engine failures en route and a third just 10km from Land’s End. ‘I’ve flown with fast jets though the Scottish Highlands, with eagles, with helicopters circling me, through rain and against massive headwinds,’ he reported after his flight. ‘I feel unbelievably tired and ruined, but it has been incredible. However I am never, ever doing anything like this ever again – if anyone wants the record they are welcome to it!’ You can contribute to James’s efforts at James’s two ground crew were kept busy – in addition to his 11 planned refuelling stops he made three forced landings, one caused by a seized main bearing and another by a broken exhaust. He started off using a Parajet V3 Thor 250, swapped to a V3 Moster and completed the route on a Maverick Moster; his Dudek Snake XX 20 went the whole distance. The first recorded Land’s End-John O’Groats paramotor flight was made in seven days by Andy Phillips, supported by the Royal Marines, in 2000. The first known north-south flight, by John Caston, Brian Pushman, Alex Heron and Henry Glasse, took five days in 2009. And in 2016 a southbound team including double-amputee Cayle Royce took six and a half days. John O’Groats to Land’s End by paramotornews 8 SKYWINGS AUGUST 2019 UK airspace legislation ‘unfit for purpose’ The Inquiry into UK airspace and how it is managed, commissioned last year by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on General Aviation (APPG-GA), has concluded that the current Airspace Design Process is ‘... unfit for purpose at every level – from Section 70 of the Transport Act 2000 to the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) interpretation of the legislation.’ The Inquiry, chaired by Lord Stanhope, reported on July 8th after hearing oral testimony from stakeholders and written evidence from nearly 50 witnesses. Its chief conclusion is that the Government should scrap the legislation that sets the direction for UK lower airspace design and replace it with a system based on safety, proportionality and need. Lord Kirkhope wrote, ‘It has been clear to everyone in the aviation community for some time that the current Airspace Design Process is unfit for purpose, and as a result the UK has one of the most complex airborne environments in the world. The outdated legislation and complex guidance that comes from it has created a system that is overburdensome and potentially dangerous for future airspace users. I hope the Government takes these findings seriously and I look forward to their response.’ The Inquiry specifically called for the introduction of a ‘ratchet down’ process for removing underused volumes of controlled airspace. No-one at any level of recreational a viation will be surprised at these findings, only relieved to discover that ‘it’s not just us’. Whether the Government, with other more pressing items on its agenda, will take the report on board remains to be seen. Nevertheless the CAA, and NATS (and the airlines and airports who own nearly half of it), should take note: pressure for the reform of airspace procurement is growing. Problems at Pyla The FFVL reports that the Dune de Pyla is under great stress from overcrowding. In the last few years increasing pilot numbers, bad practices (launching in high winds, poor airmanship, no helmets, etc) and numerous accidents have put the site at risk of permanenent closure. The FFVL asks all pilots to follow the widely publicised flying instructions and regulations, notably the new registration procedures for non-local groups, either French or foreign. Visiting pilots, whether individuals or groups, now have an obligation to register with the FFVL at online calendar at this address allows local site managers to regulate the number of visiting pilots – if there are already too many you will need to change your dates. A maximum of ten pilots (including organisers) in a group, and 50 pilots using the site at one time, will be enforced, and unregistered groups will be asked to leave if the maximum number is exceeded. Professional group leaders are also reminded that all EU citizens wishing to work independently in France as sports educators are obliged to register at the above are at The Paramotor Code A neat document is now available outlining the legalities of flying paramotors. At A4-folded size, among other topics it offers an overview of minimum heights and distances, the use of air charts, observance of airspace and legal in-flight visibility. The basic principle is ‘Be safe, be aware, be legal, be insured, and see and be seen’. The document, funded by the CAA and produced by the BHPA, follows a meeting between Association staff and the CAA’s GA unit last October to discuss issues of paramotor pilots infringing airspace, and numerous reports of them breaking the low-flying rules. The Paramotor Code is modelled on the CAA’s successful Drone Code campaign. The CAA hope to inform non-BHPA paramotor pilots (who might not have been trained in airlaw) of the existence of the relevant rules and regulations. The objective is to encourage UK paramotor users to access the information they need about how to fly their aircraft safely and legally, without endangering others in the air or on the ground. 5,000 copies of the Paramotor Code, initially launched at Parafest in July, will be made available to clubs, dealers and manufacturers operating outside the ambit of the BHPA. Copies of the print version can be obtained from the BHPA office; it will also be available online on its own website It is worth noting that the CAA’s Enforcement team is now actively prosecuting pilots who break the law; their options include seeking the forfeiture and destruction of paramotoring equipment. Sopot Acro-Cross! The last week in August will see the world’s first-ever Red Bull-sponsored AcroCross competition, combining acro with XC flying, at Sopot in Bulgaria. The format has been devised by world record tumbling champion Veso Ovcharov – as pilots fly through specified checkpoints they have to perfom a number of acro tricks and finish with an accuracy landing. A simple scoring system will monitor stunts and times; the winner will be the first to compete the route and its attendant manoeuvres. Established stars like Tim Alongi, Christina Kolb, Horacio Llorens, Jack Pimblett, Francois Ragolski, and Felix Rodriguez are already signed up. Very heavy media presence is anticipated! XCBrazil Steve Barton and Dean Crosby will be working together again to run three Brazil tours in early 2020. They hope to visit some of the famous sites – Castelo, Baixo Guandu, Alfredo Chaves, Sao Jose do Divino and Governador Valadares – and others less well known. Steve is an accomplished competition pilot and organiser who lives in GV; Dean set a new FAI triangle record from there this year and holds the straight- line distance record from Baxio Guandu. Next year will be 26th since Dean’s first client tour of Brazil. The XCBrazil experience aims to offer variety, but the priority is BHPA 500 Club WIN CASH PRIZES AND HELP THE ASSOCIATION! June winners Robert Bougourd £133.60 Malcolm Mayo £66.80 Colin Chapman £33.40 Henry Hookings £20.04 David Hayes £16.70 Mik Gold £16.70 Chris Wood £13.36 John Parker £13.36 Mick Ford £10.02 Alexis Roxburgh £10.02 BHPA £334.00 If by the time you read this you have not received your cheque, please contact me on 07802 525099. Marc Asquith Be legal Next >