No. 413 SEPTEMBER 2023 The magazine of the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association2 SKYWINGS SEPTEMBER 2023 As announced in July’s Attitude page, my longtime friend Stuart Prosser finally hung up his helmet after 45 years in the sport. He may actually still need his helmet; his adrenalin replacement, a 1970s Lancia Stratos, is potentially more dangerous. I was lucky enough to meet Stuart in 1979, the year we both entered the sport of hang gliding. Stuart’s engineering skills were immediately apparent in his bespoke and elaborate roof rack designs, marrying hang glider transport with his love of open-top sports cars. Always a competent flyer, he was one of the Thames Valley ‘Band of Brothers’ – the most enthusiastic, driven, achieving and fun bunch of people I’ve ever met. These are too many to mention, but included the likes of Dave and Kay Draper, Jason Prior, Kev Ramm, Alan Eckton, Kim Tipple, Jerry Pack, Richard Newton, Nick Fitzhugh, Nick Collins, Geoff Adams and so many more. We were still in our early 20s (with Stuart and Richard being quite old at 30!), and every weekend and work holiday was immersed in flying. Talk to any of these guys and the camaraderie and memories just come flooding back. My point? – what a privilege that we experienced that decade; the halcyon days of hang gliding indeed. Whilst at the time it just felt normal, in hindsight it was a special sort of normal. After his first Rogallo Stuart flew a Chargus Cyclone 165, possibly one of the best flexwings ever produced. We knew Stuart was a scientist at the UK Atomic Research Establishment at Harwell, but not surprisingly knew little of his work. His work-related visits to Chile spawned some exploratory hang gliding trips out there, alongside other memorable trips into Europe. His introduction of UK pilots to Chile in the ‘80s was a proposition that still ripples through the free flying sport. The idea that you could go anywhere in the world, find like-minded people, jump off any mountain and live to tell the tale inspired so many of us to leave the Downs and head to all corners of the world. Whilst Stuart’s modesty (and work contract) didn’t tell us much about his work, it was revealing when we found out that he was one of a select group of scientists sent to advise on the Chernobyl disaster after Russia had requested help. With a very limited set of potential employers, Stuart left for Australia in the late 1980s to work for their equivalent Atomic Research Establishment, coincidentally within reach of good flying; both Stanwell and the annual inland comps. Returning to the UK after 15 years abroad, Stuart relocated in Dorset to be closer to his family. He enthused about and transitioned to rigid wings, and in the following decade enjoyed both his Atos VQ and latterly a VRS. For the last seven years Stuart de-risked free flight by adding power to capable soaring wings. Personally, as an (almost) 63-year-old, I fully understand the move; the hoiking around of kit and always needing to be prepared for occasional less-than-perfect landing conditions does need extra care. Stuart did everything to fight the inevitable and ‘Quit while you are ahead.’ He still chuckles at his foray into paragliding with a three-word summary: ‘Too effing dangerous!’ I’ve always respected Stuart’s judgement. During 2022 Stuart had been trying to sell his extensive collection of hang gliding, SSDR and paragliding kit. He had gotten frustrated at the selling process and at having all these toys that were ‘built to be used’. In October I received a characteristically concise email titled ‘Free’. I’m now forever grateful for the gift of a high-end Atos VR190 which, in Stuart’s words, he ‘… just wanted to be put to good use,’ a directive that I’m doing my best to fulfil. Stuart has promised me another ten years flying, minimum, and this gift comes at a perfect time of life – thankyou, chap! There is actually too much kit for one man, so after bureaucracy prevented us adding the other significant asset, an SSDR, to the Malvern Aerotow Club fleet, it will be sold, the proceeds going to Stuart’s chosen charity, the Air Ambulance. A fitting hanging-up of helmet … thanks again from all of us! Photo: Jason Prior attitude Stuart Prosser - what a career! NEVILLE ALMOND4 SKYWINGS SEPTEMBER 2023 regulars features SEPTEMBER 2023 SKYWINGS 5 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 Acro training at Ölüdeniz: ‘progress, not perfection.’ (see page 28) Photo: Gary Burchett THIS PAGE New female World Champion Sasha Serebrennikova enjoys dreamy late-autumn flying with Gerolf Heinrichs at Schöckl, Austria. Photo: Sasha Serebrennikova 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 November issue must be submitted to the Skywings office by Friday September 29th. Letters for the October Airmail pages should arrive no later than Monday September 18th. Advertisement bookings for the October edition must arrive by Tuesday September 12th. Copy and classified bookings no later than the following Tuesday September 19th.6 SKYWINGS SEPTEMBER 2023 news UK tow-launch record falls The 109.8km site record for North Luffenham had stood for five years, but when it fell it fell hard. Friday July 7th was the day, with Pete Howes ably manning the winch and a good southerly breeze, forecast to rise through the day. First away from Rutland Airsports was Anthony Pettit (Zeno 2), who went on to fly 190.5km, bagging a first Humber crossing before choosing to stop short of the North York Moors given the increasing wind strength. Anthony held the club record for less than an hour however, as Mick Roche pushed on to land at Northallerton on his Avax XC5, clinching a place in the 200 Club with an open distance of 201.0km. But Mick was soon overtaken by Richard Butterworth (Enzo 3, pictured), who flew 217.6km for what is believed to be a new UK record, breaking the previous tow-launched open- distance record of 203.3km set by Graham Steel in 2017. Landing not far from Teeside CTR, Richard said, ‘I had my fair share of luck, with a couple of lowish saves that could easily have gone the other way. I could have got further, but bottled it and flew back to a nice, big, flat landing field. It was a touch breezy.’ Congratulations! [Report: Hugh Burnaby-Atkins] Crickhowell Joint Services Centre to close Following a recent review, the Joint Services Paragliding Centre at Cwrt-y- Gollen, Crickhowell, will close from November this year. This will leave JSAT paragliding operating solely from Oberstdorf in Bavaria, with personnel support from Crickhowell on a rotational basis. The change should alleviate staffing difficulties at Oberstdorf and allow for course numbers to increase. Whilst some Crickhowell equipment will be transferred to Germany, the Centre will remain the administrative base for personnel when not abroad. The new arrangement and its outcomes will be re- evaluated in 2026. Brilliant news from Kruševo on August 19th, where a firing-on-all-cylinders British Class 1 team secured Silver at the World Hang Gliding Championships. Halfway through the comp the Brits were lying 5th; brilliant team flying in the final tasks saw them climb the rankings to a solid 2nd place behind the Italians. The final task saw Grant Crossingham 3rd and all six GB pilots in goal [Photo: Nick Chitty]. Grant finished 5th overall, Ollie Chitty 17th and Gordon Rigg 21st. The Italian team led from start to finish and Alex Ploner is World Champion for the 4th time. The Brazilian team finished 3rd and Austria’s Sasha Serebrennikova is the new female World Champion. Congratulations to Grant, Ollie, Gordon, Jeremy Soper, Andy Hollidge and Steve Penfold, and to team manager Garry Hume, on a superb result. Class 5 had far fewer pilots and the British team, already weakened by last-minute withdrawals, was further hit by covid-like symptoms. The Austrians are Class 5 World Champions and their Anton Raumauf is individual Champion. Mike Armstrong was top Brit. Full report next month. Brits take World Championship Silver! Scouts are back at Green Dragons! Green Dragons Airsports started out in the 1970s flying Army cadets. Rising costs, and later the need for extra instructor qualifications, conspired to make working with young people economically difficult, and it all but died out. However in July CFI Andy Shaw reported with enthusiasm: ‘We’ve just flown our first Scout group in many years!’ Andy is launching a ‘Flying4youth’ programme, aimed at introducing Army and Air Cadets, Scouts, Guides, Explorers and youth clubs to hang gliding, paragliding and parachuting. ‘I’m actively looking for a sponsor and volunteers to support further developments, says Andy. ‘Full training to BHPA standards is available for young people who wish to fly, and for volunteer helpers too. Our aim is not just to provide flying but to help youngsters “unclip their wings” and fly solo.’ Thanks for hard work so far to Green Dragons teamsters Judith Freeman, Danielle Grantham, Matt Bignell, Jamie Robe, Kyle Tripp, Wayne Black, Jo Black, Del Lazell and Billy Elliston. For info SEPTEMBER 2023 SKYWINGS 7 Nova 2-liner imminent? It’s long been an open secret that the Nova development team was working on a 2-liner paraglider. This originally seemed to be a development of the Sector, but now it appears that a brand new high-performance EN C 2-liner will be unveiled at St Hilaire. As one might expect from Nova it will have a fairly low aspect ratio, and Nova suggest that it will prove an easy step up from gliders like their EN B Mentor 7. According to X-Alps finisher and Nova team pilot Nic Donini, who flew one to 2nd place in the Nova Grand Prix in July, the new wing remains within Nova’s core mission of the correct ratio between performance and safety. Photon site record Owen Thompson at Skygods Paragliding, based at Dráma in northern Greece, reports that visiting Australian pilot Ron McKenzie broke the local site record on July 7th with a 124km flight from Pyrgi. Ron (pictured) landed his Ozone Photon on the shores of Lake Vistonida after five and a half hours in the air. BHPA AGM The Association’s 2024 AGM will take place at Loughborough University, LE11 3GR, on Saturday February 24th; it will be accessible online via BHPA Facebook. Any member wishing to raise a discussion topic should email details to the BHPA Office by December 31st. Any member who thinks they might want to join the Exec team steering the Association should contact Chair Jenny Buck for election to Exec must be received by Monday November 27th; contact the Office for a form. Nominations are also sought for BHPA Merit Awards. If you fly or work with someone who has put commendable effort into the sport over a number of years, don’t hesitate to nominate them. Citations should arrive at the Office by Friday December 22nd. Mick Moloney Mick Moloney MBE, beloved husband to Carol and father to daughters Ashley and Katie, passed away on July 20th after a long battle with cancer. Mick was CFI of the UKAF Paragliding School in Bavaria, Germany. He had devoted his life to providing first-class training to military personnel, from the early ‘90s until he moved back to the UK in 2007. His passion for flying, teaching and nurturing pilots through their ongoing development rubbed off on his students and colleagues alike. Many became instructors themselves, continuing the legacy, morals and principles he incubated in them. Mick was truly inspirational, and many BHPA pilots past and present have experienced his infectious laughter and passion for paragliding. Mick was awarded the MBE for services to paragliding, a well- deserved recognition for all the work he had put into paragliding over many years. He will be missed by all those he touched. [Sean Simmons, RAFHPA Chief Coach] 8 SKYWINGS SEPTEMBER 2023 news In brief Women’s meet postponed. The planned women’s July flying meet on South East Wales sites has been put back to late September. Following a long spell of good flying weather, the forecast for the original weekend was for heavy rain and strong winds. But since its announcement the idea of a women’s meet has gained considerable traction. The new weekend dates are Friday September 29th to Sunday October 1st. For details see the women’s Telegram group or the Glide Gals UK social media, or email Soperman 8th at Spanish Nationals! British team pilot Jeremy Soper (Litespeed Rx4) finished in 8th place after six tasks at the Spanish National Hang Gliding Championships at Ager in late July. Hungary’s Attila Bertok took the overall win and Daniel Martin Mota is Spanish Champion. The FAI Class 1, Clas 5 and Women’s World Championships were scheduled to begin at Kruševo on August 6th. New paragliding O/R world records. France’s Clément Latour set a new mark for speed over a 300km out-and-return course on July 22nd by logging 35.16km/h on an Enzo 3; also a new O/R distance of 311.1km. The speed record was previously held by Slovenia’s Jošt Napret (2018); the distance record by Tomaž Eržen, also of Slovenia (2022). If ratified, both figures will also be new European records. Two flights, six records! Just four days in July separate Frenchman Justin Puthod’s new 25 and 50k paragliding triangle speed record claims. 40.7km/h over 25km on the 26th netted World (Junior) and European record claims; four days later 43.1km/h over 50km garnered World and European (both General and Junior) records. Both flights were from Annecy’s Planfait Aircraft aboard a Niviuk Icepeak X-One. Dispossessed in both cases, if Justin’s flights are approved, is Slovenia’s Primož Suša. Justin is 23. Apco power record. German paramotor pilot Daniel Tydecks has secured the FAI world record for ‘distance over a closed circuit without landing’ in the RPL1T (solo trike) class. Daniel flew his Air Conception Tornado 280 under Apco’s hi-speed, high- tech F1 wing, from Niddatal near Frankfurt. The 303.3km triangle flight was made in July 2020 and the record was ratified in November 2022; it’s unclear why it has taken so long to reach us. Paragliding fatality. It is with regret that we report the death of CP-rated BHPA member Kylan Donnelly, 22, following a speed flying incident on Hay Bluff on July 20th. A BHPA Formal Investigation has been convened to investigate the circumstances of the accident and a report will appear in due course. We offer our sympathies to Kylan’s family and friends. Most of the usual suspects were on the hill by 10:30. We knew we had a roughly one-hour window to get away before the top cover arrived, followed by wind and rain. Alex Coltman was away first, too early it turned out. Then Tom Cole and Mike Byfield went, followed by Craig Atwell and Joe Dart. I left in a big gaggle with Kirsty Cameron, Andrew Kruszynski, Laurie Lawson, Tom Janikowski, Steve Watts and Andrew Craig (and a few others I couldn’t identify), just before midday. Good company, I thought! The first 100km to Oxford was plain sailing, in good air with some strong climbs to be had. But around that point the top cover began to make its presence felt with slower climbs. Kirsty, Andrew K, Laurie and Tom got away from me above Milton Keynes, as I arrived lower into their climb and failed to find their 3m/s core. But I stuck with my 1-1.5m/s and eventually made it to 5000ft again in the company of Steve, and Joe who’d caught us up having got very low with Craig earlier on. Soon though Joe and I were down to 1500- 2000ft, whilst Steve cruised serenely over us at almost 6000ft – grrr! But we got up again because, despite the ever-thickening top cover it was still working well – the airmass was so good that it lifted off with just a bit of heat on the ground. Kirsty, Andrew K and Laurie had set a 233km goal at the Norfolk Towing Club, but once north of Huntingdon they had to push crosswind, and that was to cause their downfall. They got low before Doddington DZ, likely inactive at the time, but being unsure they had to land at 180k. Joe was ahead of me but low, and Tom J, who’d kept me company for a while as we approached Huntingdon, had dropped back. So I was on my own, and getting low as I approached March. I was down to 1500ft before I found a weak climb which drifted me right over the prison. I hope none of the inmates looked up and compared my complete freedom with their lack of it! The sky had been 8/8 for the best part of an hour and I was content to let this weak climb do all the work, drifting me ever closer to my goal. Still in the same thermal passing Wisbech 12km later, I stuck with it until, with 13.5km to go and a 12:1 glide needed, I decided to go for it. I arrived over goal at the outskirts of King’s Lynn with 1000ft to spare – perfect! No sooner had I packed up and arrived at the station than it started raining! As with the whole day, perfect timing!! The rule of thumb for retrieves is that it takes as long as the flight itself. That was the case here, landing at 17:30 after a 5hr 46 flight, and getting home at 23:40 after a 5hr 40 journey home! Thanks are due to my dear long-suffering wife Lisa, who picked me up from Bath station at 23:30! It turned out that with a straight-line distance of 216km (219 with wiggles) I had the longest flight of the day, followed by Tom Cole (199), Tom Janikowski (193), Mike Byfield (192), Joe Dart (184), Andrew Kruszynski (182), Kirsty Cameron (181), and Laurie Lawson (180). Steve Watts made his 161km goal just north of Huntingdon. What a day! (Another) Big Wednesday! TIM PENTREATH MAKES THE MOST OF A BRIEF WEATHER WINDOW ... Wednesday 26th July. Depending on the speed of the approaching warm front, there might be the opportunity to surf it all the way to King’s Lynn. Well, that was my plan, though I’d have been happy to reach Milton Keynes for 100km. But a 215km goal from Milk Hill? Norfolking way, I thought! Tim Pentreath (nearer camera) and Laurie Lawson crossing the M40 east of Oxford, en route to goal at 216km Photo: Andre w Kruszynski Quick facts ab bout the NG series: (²) Surface )(k Max load )ih (k)ih (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. When the sport of hang gliding exploded around the world in the 1970s, its origins could be traced back to one aircraft – the Dickenson Ski Wing, first flown in September 1963. That machine combined a tubular airframe with a flexible wing, controlled by suspending its pilot within a triangular A-frame. The magic of this design was the perfect fusion of extreme simplicity,structural integrity and user- friendliness. No other aircraft in history has been as easy to build or fly. John’s design was introduced to America in 1969 by fellow Australians Bill Moyes and Bill Bennett, and copied worldwide by many home-builders and early manufacturers. It is both ironic and misleading that his design should have become known as the ‘Standard Rogallo’; research has since corrected this impression. Among many other awards in recognition of his achievements, John Dickenson was made a BHPA Honorary Life Member in 1993, inducted to the Space Technology Hall of Fame in 1995 and awarded a USHPA Presidential Citation in 2004. He was awarded an FAI Diploma in 2006 and the FAI’s Gold Air Medal in 2012. Few have contributed so significantly to sporting aviation and mankind’s quest to fly as birds do. We are all in his debt. John Dickenson 1934-2023 In early August we learned that John Dickenson, inventor of the hang glider as we know it, had died on July 5th in Australia.Next >