No. 406 FEBRUARY 2023 The magazine of the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding AssociationMinor mishaps We’ve all been there right? That slight slip or stumble, forgetting to do the pod up or turn the vario on before launch, landing a bit further away from where we planned, or maybe clipping a bit of bush on a soaring beat? In and of themselves these little imperfections are no big deal and so we pay them little attention; we certainly wouldn’t file an incident report. The point I want to make is about how we can improve as pilots if we really pride ourselves on ironing out these little wrinkles. Maybe you forgot to check Notams or didn’t go back to the beginning when your pre-flight routine got interrupted? Complete your logbook with absolute honesty and log an unsafe moment (an unsafe flight being one with a minor mishap attached). Tick that honesty box in the log and see if you can keep it to less than 1 in 20 flights. If you actually log what you did then you might find you repeat the same silly mistake. And one day that slip may be the one that breaks bones, so focus on the small things and pay attention to the details. Incident Reports As part of my work for the UK Paragliding Competitions Panel, I review competition safety. At the time of writing, only four incidents involving advanced wings were logged in 2022. Either the incidents are not happening or they are not being reported. If we don’t have the reports then we don’t know the scale of the problem or what needs to be addressed. If you don’t share what happened to you, someone else might do the same thing and perhaps come off worse. As a reminder, an incident worthy of reporting is one which meets any of the following criteria … • Involves injury, whether to participants or others • Involves damage to property, whether or not it is third party • In which an insurance or legal claim might arise • Involves the use of non-standard procedures or training • Involves equipment which has broken, failed to function or malfunctioned • Involves anything that might highlight safety points or was unusual • Is something from which the sport may learn. Perception v. reality Having undertaken a number of surveys pre- and post-event, our pilots feel the gaggle is the place of most risk, yet most harm happens down the course line. Sometimes the obvious danger is so well signposted we never succumb to it. But like the minor mishaps, it’s the small things that add up and the cumulative effects lead us to the place of peril. Pilot attitude is the next biggest issue cited by competing pilots. The last British Open certainly seemed a lot more disciplined than previous editions back in the day. Most pilots who responded to our recent survey felt ‘fairly’ or ‘very’ safe, and this is something we want to see echoed at all levels and in all disciplines of competition. For those with longer memories, the idea of ‘Brits abroad’ having a week with no deployments and no injuries is really quite a thing. But we still need to bring an end to the gung-ho/macho attitude, and peer pressure is one of the factors that will help resolve it. Moving forward In future there will be increased focus on safety in all forms of competition, driven by the difficulties of securing insurance. We simply cannot afford any more mishaps if we’re to be able to continue to find adequate cover. Of course the random acts will happen, but we need to acknowledge, report and learn from those. It’s often said that there are no new mistakes, but are newer pilots making the mistakes of an older generation? With no report we have no idea. New technology Pilots are being encouraged to fly with trackers and report back to HQ sooner. With the widespread use of smartphones, gone are the days where you needed a stash of 10p pieces, an OS map and directions to a phone box. Now the Electronic Conspicuity rebate scheme has seen everybody adopt something which can show where we are in the air. Wing choices Be honest with yourself about your next wing choice. Yes, I too hate being told what to fly, I don’t want to think that I’m not capable of handling the hot-ship I love flying, and I certainly don’t want my next wing to be my last. Yet a recent French study showed an alarming correlation between hot wings, older pilots and fatalities. The study can be found here: captions and auto translate if your French is ‘pas si bon’. It is sobering stuff indeed … Look and learn I would encourage anyone thinking about coming to a comp to look at the safety and learning resources being developed and published at the PGComps website: Join us! Please be careful with Spring. Be careful at the competitions, and please report it if you happen to find you haven’t been careful enough. I hope to see some of you on or above a hill soon. 2 SKYWINGS FEBRUARY 2023 Attitude is everything … PHIL CLARK, BRITISH PARAGLIDING CHAMPIONSHIPS SAFETY OFFICER attitude Photo: Phil Clark4 SKYWINGS FEBRUARY 2023 regulars reviews features 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 John McBride and Icaro MastR above the Suffolk Hang Gliding base at Mendlesham on January 2nd. Photo: John McBride THIS PAGE BGD’s new Epic 2 Motor is put through its paces at Gourdon Photo: BGD 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 All issues of Skywings magazine are now freely available DEADLINES News items and event/competition reports for the April issue must be submitted to the Skywings office by Friday March 3rd. Letters for the March Airmail pages should arrive no later than Friday February 17th. Advertisement bookings for the March edition must arrive by Saturday February 11th. Copy and classified bookings no later than the following Saturday February 18th.FEBRUARY 2023 SKYWINGS 56 SKYWINGS FEBRUARY 2023 news Russ Ogden MBE! Perusal of the government’s New Year Honours List list in early January revealed the following: ‘Member of the Order of the British Empire: Russell Ogden, Lead Designer and Test Pilot, Ozone Paragliding; Paragliding World Champion 2021/2022. For Services to Paragliding.’ Thus reigning World Champion Russ takes a deserved place alongside the likes of Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane … and Judy Leden, who received an MBE for her services to hang gliding in 1989, and former BHPA Chair Percy Moss in 1990. ‘It’s a real honour,’ said Russ, ‘and I accept it on behalf of the British team and squad who have always had my back. The support and love I have received from far and wide is humbling.’ Respect to Russ, and to the unseen figures on and around the Comps Panel who had the wit and determination to help this happen. Tomorrow, the world! Oh, wait … The Great Race hots up Teams so far entered for the HPA community’s Great Race across the Channel (see January news) include Aerocycle, headed by John Edgley; Bordeaux University’s DaSH team; the Singapore- based Merlion team in association with Brunel University; and a team from the University of Lisbon. In addition Toronto University have requested entry details and may enter their two- person machine. Aerocycle and Alec Proudfoot’s le DaSH (pictured) are both of conventional layout and have considerable flight time. Merlion is a biplane with a novel drive system; the Lisbon entry is an unconventional swept-wing design. With the now-extended race period it is possible that others may yet request entry. Postponed due to the pandemic, the Great Race has been rescheduled to start in June. Prizes include £50,000 for 1st place, £10,000 for the next-fastest team and £5,000 for the fastest female pilot. Teams will start between June 1st 2023 and August 31st 2024. The race is intended to promote STEM engagement among students and inspire the next generation of HPA pilots and engineers. There’s much more EC update In December the CAA and DfT announced their intention to provide a new EC specification for UK airspace users. Their Surveillance Standards Task Force had earlier commissioned a comprehensive report on the subject, outlining the current situation and recommending a solution, and the work needed to make it happen. The key observation is that EC usage, now primarily for collision avoidance in uncontrolled airspace, is moving towards providing surveillance data to ATC and flight information service providers. And UAV operators. They call it ‘Enhanced EC’, and it’s intended to enable implementation of the CAA’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy. The blueprint suggests an ADS-B-centred approach, now on two frequencies – one for aircraft, one for UAVs. Uptake would be voluntary where possible, and mandatory ‘only where necessary.’ This suggests more airspace in which Enhanced EC will offer conditional access. No actual technical standard has yet been published, so it’s hard to see what may be accepted and what won’t be, but the adherence to ADS-B is ominous for the free flying world. Aircraft without their own power supply aren’t mentioned, nor whether uncertified aircraft such as ours (ie without aircraft-specific paperwork), however well equipped, would even be acceptable in Enhanced EC zones. Neither Flarm, FANET, OGN or Safesky will be compatible; it’s not even clear if a SkyEcho 2 unit would be of the required standard. The report ends by positing a new category of device offering definable performance and data quality, backed by design and build standards. Such equipment will undoubtedly cost more than existing EC solutions, and ground installation (eg ATC) won’t come cheap. Given the costs, and the current lack of even a basic spec, Enhanced EC is likely to be a slow train coming. Nevertheless the report indicates a confluence of ideas, and some of the forces behind them – prospective UAV operators – are already impatient for progress. What seems likely is an accelerating use of Transponder Mandatory Zones in areas where we normally don’t venture, and in those where we do. Should we worry? Not yet, but the direction of travel – and the degree of intent – is now abundantly clear. Yet the BHPA’s position statement on EC still seems to be falling on deaf ears at the CAA. The immediate takeaway has already been obvious for some time: our kind of flying and the projected proliferation of UAVs are incompatible. This document doesn’t make them any less so. Alternative ways to manage this impasse are already under examination in Europe. Richard Westgate Trophy Initially awarded in 2011 to the first pilot to obtain 1,000 points in the XC League, and more recently to the pilot scoring the most points for a single flight, the 2022 Westgate Trophy has, unusually, no less than seven recipients. August 9th saw a dozen pilots at Worcestershire Beacon in the Malverns, all hoping for a stab at a 100km + triangle flight. In fact seven of them went on the complete a declared triangle which trued out at 108.32km, netting each of them 325.3 XC League points using the 3x multiplier. Hats off to Guy Anderson, Mike Byfield, Kirsty Cameron, Jake Herbert, Richard Meek, Hugh Miller and Roger Turner! Richard was a pioneer long-distance paraglider pilot, multiple XC League winner and holder of the tandem world distance and other records. He brought a passion to XC flying, pushing the boundaries of what people thought possible. Before he died in 2012 he put up the prize to encourage others to follow his lead. FEBRUARY 2023 SKYWINGS 7 BHPA expertise exported! Last November, BHPA Senior Technical Officer Mark Shaw was invited to be a keynote speaker at Taiwan’s International Forum on Paragliding Experience Exchange. Unable to travel in person because of the country’s stringent Covid regulations, Mark gave an online presentation on hang gliding and paragliding topics. These included the BHPA’s training systems and the work of the EHPU. The National Taiwan Sports University presented Mark with a certificate and an interesting trophy featuring a glass model of the island of Taiwan. The model’s mountainous relief hints at amazing opportunities for mountain flying over there! Good news from Pakistan Lida Hoozori, the 28-year-old female Afghan paraglider whose plight we reported last October, has made it to Pakistan. With help from Afghan journalist Edris Lutfi, and crowdfunding organised by US journalist Erica Berenstein, Lida and her sister Fereshte were able to secure Pakistani visas and cross the border in December. ‘Breathing in the atmosphere of peace and tranquility is exciting,’ said Lida on her arrival. ‘Only those who have lived in Afghanistan can understand what the oppression of the misogynist Taliban is like. This is a step towards freedom, happiness and a bright future, and I thank each and every one of you who has supported us.’ Thanks to the help of a local flier and some family cousins, the pair now have a safe and affordable place to live. However their visas don’t allow them to work while their asylum applications are processed, and they still need help to try to save 24-year-old Fereshte’s eyesight. Please help if you can by donating (no amount is too small). Go 8 SKYWINGS FEBRUARY 2023 news In brief Sports Class PWC renamed. Przemysław Czerwinski’s ‘Sports Class PWC’ (see January issue) has been hastily renamed the Paragliding Grand Prix. Rounds so far announced are Clopotiva (Romania) in June, Levico Terme (Italy) in July and Kruševo (Macedonia) in September. The Nova-sponsored series offers attractive prizes: 800 Euros in cash to each overall winner, 400 Euros to the best female pilot and 300 to the best EN B flier. The overall series winner can look forward to a copy of Nova’s forthcoming EN C two-liner. Details are Green Dragons awards. Presentations to Green Dragons pilots from the club itself – in its 48th year of operation – include the Tony Eaton Sportsman of the Year award (Joe Stapleton), the Thermal Chaser Pilot of the Year (Leigh Wallace) and the Leslie John Shaw Dedication Award (Myri Ewington). Best newcomer was Tom Elsmore, Most Improved Pilot was Myri Ewington, and Top GD-Sponsored Pilot was Matt Bignell. Congratulations to all! Record cancelled. The record-breaking 610km paraglider flight from Del Rio, Texas, by US pilot Sebastien Kayrouz (Enzo 3) in June, has failed to stand up to FAI scrutiny. It’s not clear in what detail the claim fell short, the FAI simply reporting, ‘sporting code not completely respected.’ Thus the 529km world straight-distance-to-goal record remains in the hands of Brazil’s Rafael Saladini. BHPA Office news. April Lane, longtime member of the BHPA Office team and the last of a long Lane/Burdett family line to work for the Association, has left our employ for personal reasons. We thank her for her years of service. Any member who may have been mid-correspondence with April should contact Office Manager Michelle Lanman BHPA 500 Club WIN CASH PRIZES AND HELP THE ASSOCIATION! December winners Sandra Panks £131.20 Stephen Harrold £65.60 Alexander Giannakopoulos £32.80 Kaine Joel £19.68 Adam Anthony £16.40 Henry Hookings £16.40 Philip Lovemore £13.12 William Mather £13.12 James Brown £9.84 Darren Williams £9.84 BHPA £328.00 If by the time you read this you have not received your cheque, please contact me on 07802 525099. Marc Asquith The FSC wishes to make paramotor pilots aware of a potential issue in adapting or clipping a paramotor frame to a wheeled undercarriage or trike unit. If you clip your paramotor onto a lightweight trike, be aware that significant additional loads will be imposed on the paramotor, especially during take-off and landing. These loads can potentially lead to structural failure. Pilots undertaking this retrofitting are advised to consult their paramotor unit manufacturer to ascertain its suitability for this adaptation. Pilots are further advised to seek appropriate instruction in the required techniques that are specific to wheeled undercarriage flight, in particular the correct and safe techniques for the powered launch. All paramotor pilots should read, digest and take action on the contents of this advisory notice and keep it for future reference until it is superseded or withdrawn by the FSC Chairman. This notice will remain available on the BHPA website. Angus Pinkerton, Chairman FSC, December 19th 2022 Safety Advisory Retrofitting paramotors with a lightweight wheeled undercarriage or trike BHPA Coach and Instructor courses February 18 - 19 BHPA Club Coach Sky Surfing 07729 726160 March 18 - 19 BHPA Club Coach Malvern 07905 736274 April 26 - 28 BHPA Instructor/Sen Coach Shropshire 0116 289 4316 safety mattersBHPA Accident and Incident digest The following is an edited digest of Incident Reports submitted to the FSC occurring between November 17th and December 9th 2022. Note that we now include the pilot’s experience and recency in hours; thus ‘Experience: 20 hours (5)’ indicates 20 hours total airtime and 5 hours within the previous six months. The complete database of reports can be found 17.11.2022. Pilot aged 51, CP rated Experience: 17 hours (6) Site & conditions: Kerdous, Morocco, 20- 25km/h Glider: Advance Alpha 5 Incident: Pilot was lifted up and dragged by a gust while preparing to launch. Put feet out in front to try and stop but hit rocks. Injury: Serious: feet, legs 19.11.2022. Pilot aged 34, CP rated Experience: 48 hours (25) Site & conditions: Lords Seat, 5-10km/h, not turbulent Glider: Ozone Fazer 4 speed wing Incident: Pilot did not gain enough airspeed on launch, causing harness airbag to catch on the ground. Glider stalled and pilot was thrown forward down the hill. Injury: Serious 19.11.2022. Pilot aged 43, P rated Experience: 54 hours (4) Site & conditions: Tinto, 25-30km/h, not turbulent, fog Glider: Air Design UFO 2 Incident: Pilot attempted to launch an unfamiliar wing in windy conditions, but could not control it. Pilot was dragged and caught leg on uneven ground, dislocating their knee. Injury: Serious: feet, legs 20.11.2022. Pilot aged 55, CP rated Experience: 100 hours (70) Site & conditions: Snaith, 5-10km/h, calm, light turbulence Glider: Dudek/Parajet Zenith PPG Incident: Pilot landed normally but caught foot on clump of grass. Injury: Serious: feet, legs 09.12.2022. Pilot aged 46, P rated Experience: Not recorded Site & conditions: Tor y Foel (Talybont), 0- 5km/h, not turbulent Glider: Ozone Rapidos speed wing Incident: Pilot entered a turn at low level and impacted heavily. Injury: Serious BHPA Club Parachute Repacking Sessions February 11 SHPF Ratho February 26 Thames Valley (BFR) Aldershot Please book all repack places in advance; some clubs may require money up front or a deposit Quick facts ab bout the NG series: (²) Surface )(k Max load )iht (k)iht (k NG NG light The world´s leading rescue systems Use of high-q• even at low sp g, g • Available in 3 certified acco • New, innovativ • Excellent sink to a jump from • Very reliable o • Intelligent, ligh uality lightweight materials peeds gp sizes as NG and in the light ver rding to EN12491 ve X-Flare concept for high effic k rates, each just over 5 m/s, equ m a height of about 1.3 m opening and extremely good pe htweight construction for fast op pg , NG 14 NG 12 flfhX NG 10 rsion NG light, ciency uivalent endulum stability penings, 33 14040 Serie 2912020 Serie 2510000 Serie (m²)g)(k 1,49 1,85 1,3 18 1,6 ,1 g) 1,45 g)weight (k concept -FlareX- s to the , thankface -Nearly flat top sur innovative X weight (k 1, for oL r fast opening w canopy height projected surface area bution across the large -geneous load distri --flares for homoX stability pendulum outlets for air defined Precisely concept. Next >