NO. 425 SEPTEMBER 2024 THE MAGAZINE OF THE BRITISH HANG GLIDING AND PARAGLIDING ASSOCIATIONI will confess my own accident was dealt with by myself in a completely inappropriate manner. Stalling my wing whilst still 20ft off the ground and impacting a very hard field in North Wales in mid- summer was not my best move. Nor was the subsequent action of packing my wing, walking out of the field and climbing over two fences after a very hard shock to my right gluteus maximus and damaging my pubic bone. As you can imagine, I ended up in Casualty – a two- day stopover in the local hospital having my blood pressure monitored every 30 minutes to ensure I did not bleed out into my pelvic cavity. On discharge I still went back to Parafest for another night of camping followed by a long drive home (thank goodness for heated seats). Again, stupid behaviour which resulted in a protracted period off work and about a month on crutches. My period of recovery, I was told, would have been considerably shorter if I had waited for the Emergency Services at the point of impact, and also not carried on after discharge as if nothing had happened. I still live with the pain in my hips today. Thankfully the second and third incidents were dealt with in a considerably more expert manner, having professional paragliding instructors and Emergency Services at both. The second incident, which I actually witnessed on the hill, saw Jenny Buck and I running ourselves ragged, travelling over four hours a day for the best part of a week, dealing with the plethora of civilian and military paperwork to look after our casualty in a Spanish hospital, and arranging military medical evacuation back to the UK. I will admit I personally burnt myself out, but recognised when I returned to the UK that I was in a very bad place, and needed the help of the NHS to provide counselling and support to get over the trauma of the week. Having experienced that, I had a small understanding of what people involved in my third incident might be going through following the fatality. I do not claim to be qualified in any sort of counselling, but I do know how to signpost people in the right direction. That direction always starts with your GP. So a simple phone call to those I knew were involved, to make sure they had thought about leaning in to the NHS, was all that was required. What I did realise after my own incident, which I am hoping helped support the following two incidents, is that I needed to be better educated in post-incident management, not only for my own wellbeing but also that of my fellow pilots. So where to go to first? How many members of the BHPA know that there is a section on the BHPA website entitled ‘Documents’, and embedded within there are a series of documents called Dealing with Incidents, Dealing with Press and In an Emergency? I would strongly advise that you print these off, read them and then stuff them in a pocket in your back-pack. Then, when you are enjoying a minute or two of Parawaiting, you can get them out and read them again, pass them around your fellow Parawaiters, and have a chat about what is in them. What have you got to lose other than potentially saving somebody from suffering life-changing injuries or worse? Next thing, do a First Aid Course, preferably the two-day course with specific reference to the outdoors and falls from height. It won’t turn you into an experienced incident manager comparable to the Emergency Services, but it will go a long way to taking away the fear of stepping up and taking charge. It will also teach you the initial actions of what to do and, possibly more importantly, what not to do (I refer back to my accident in North Wales). Familiarise yourself with the BHPA Incident Report form so you know what information is expected. Use the club environment to deliver an ‘Actions in the Event of an Accident’ evening where you can talk about the BHPA aide memoire, talk through the Incident Report Form, engage with your local Emergency Services including the local Mountain Rescue Team (if you have one), and invite them in for a demonstration and volunteer to be a ‘paragliding casualty’ for one of their training events. The list of things to do is not exhaustive, and I am sure there are more ideas and initiatives out there that I have not mentioned or know about, but that is not a reason not to do it. Even if it just starts with pressing Print on a BHPA document and reading what pops out over a cuppa. 2 SKYWINGS SEPTEMBER 2024 attitude Post-incident trauma STUART BLACKBURN, CHAIRMAN, SOUTH EAST WALES CLUB During my relatively short flying career, I have been unfortunate to be involved in a number of incidents. One directly involved myself, another a fellow pilot on an overseas trip and, probably the most distressing, a fatality at a club site for which I am the Chair. Each accident resulted in life-changing injuries of various forms. Destination: Porterville Escape to South Africa this winter Photo: Tom Yeoman 5 launch sites + Local guide + Retrieves 7 nights · £490 · Nov-April Luxury en-suite accommodation · Swimming Pool · Wifi Full English breakfast · Braai facilities · Free retrieves Booking enquiries: (UK number 07751 195220) 4 SKYWINGS SEPTEMBER 2024 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 CSC member Jude Osborne and Advance Epsilon 7 at the Dune du Pilat during a Ground Handling & Wing Control course with Malin Lobb of Flyeo. Photo: Jude Osborne THIS PAGE Ben Ashman over the Kent Estuary sands near Carnforth, en route to Troutbeck and, eventually, Scotland! [see page 28] Photo: Ben Ashman 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 Email: 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 27th. Letters for the September Airmail pages should arrive no later than Wednesday September 18th. Advertisement bookings for the August edition must arrive by Wednesday September 11th. Copy and classified bookings no later than the following Wednesday September 18th.SEPTEMBER 2024 SKYWINGS 5 regulars reviews features Johnny Car in goal on his 75th birthday! British veteran Johnny Carr, in action at the French hang gliding Open at Laragne, celebrated his 75th birthday on August 5th by reaching goal in the company of a host of top British and world-level pilots. Limbering up for the British Championships which followed at Laragne on the 11th, after his birthday goal flight Johnny was in 39th place. After two tasks the competition was led by Attila Bertok from Mario Alonzi, with Grant Crossingham in 4th place and Steve Penfold 10th. Also present at the Open was Gerard Thevenot, who in 1979 made the podium with Johnny at the second-ever FAI world championships at St Hilaire. Germany’s Josef Guggenmos took the win and the British team were 2nd on that occasion. Photo by Gary Wirdnam. Full results are at French Open! Paramotor Worlds After three days of flying in early August the British foot launch paramotor team took Silver at the Manston World Championships. French pilots Romain Mauban and Glenn Michelland took individual Gold in PF1 (foot launch) and PL1 (trike) classes. The French also took both team Golds, with GB 4th in PL1. Top Brits in PF1 were Dan Jones (8), Russell Hesketh-Roberts (12) and British Champion Bruce Daniels (13); in PL1 Alex Anderson (16) and Daniel Brice (17). Team leader Andy Shaw was delighted with the outcome. 'It was a landmark event,' he reported, with the whole team pulling together, sharing their knowledge and experience.' Andy also praised Barney Townsend's work as director. 'He had been bold to take on this first-ever 'Endurance' World Championships, but secured resounding support from all 83 competitors and the 17 countries represented. With one eye on the weather, he got us prepped for every possible flying window.' The event wasn't without its problems. On one task pilots encountered rough air in converging sea breezes from both Kent coasts. And 5am flying generated some local discontent. 'This was defused by inviting folks to attend and showing them around,' said Andy. 'Two people who complained are now thinking of doing a course!' Guschlbauer summits Alaskan volcano In June Red Bull X-Alps pilot Paul Guschlbauer seized the moment fly from the 1,252m Augustine volcano. Augustine is an island part of the volcanic Aleutian chain, about 300km from Anchorage. With the help of friends and a small aeroplane, Paul has been scoping out this feat for several years. Initially landing his vintage Piper Cub on the beach, and later on flat ground at about 700m, Paul was able to climb another hundred metres and launch in favourable winds to climb above the summit. ‘My plan was to fly as high as possible with the plane and then conquer the mountain and fly down,’ he reported. ‘Circling up from the volcano, surrounded by the sea, was an unparalleled experience. I had never imagined I could land on the summit, but the opportunity was there, and I was ready!’ There is, of course, a spectacular video of this feat at New Pyla pre-registration scheme This year has seen many serious accidents and at least 15 helicopter evacuations at the Dune du Pyla [Photo: Lorna Adam]. The FFVL has asked us to circulate a link to new safety measures that are in place. The pre-registration scheme encourages pilots to learn about safe flying, regulations and precautions at the site, to agree to site rules and submit third-party insurance details. The FFVL have agreed that you can simply type in ‘BHPA’ followed 6 SKYWINGS SEPTEMBER 2024 newsby your membership number; this will tie up with your name elsewhere on the form. Pilots wishing to fly at Pyla should start Glider struck by drone A T.21B sailplane, approaching to land at Dunstable at about 100ft, was in collision with a small drone being intentionally flown very close to it. The glider landed safely with only superficial damage. The drone was being flown from a nearby public car park by a young operator accompanied by two adults. Video evidence from the drone itself shows it airborne on the direct approach path of the glider. An Operator ID is required to fly any drone weighing over 250g, and those under 250g equipped with a camera. The operator must be 18 years or over; in this case the drone operator was too young to obtain such an ID. The DJI Mini 2, identified as the type of drone involved, is said to weigh 249g. The AAIB notes that, ‘A person must not recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft to endanger any person property.’ See info. [Photo: AAIB] BHPA AGM The 2025 Annual General Meeting will be held in the Conference Room at the Association’s Leicester Office on Saturday March 1st at 11am. This year will see a number of changes to the format adopted in previous years. The move to the much smaller venue is a cost-saving measure based upon the historic low level of attendance by members at the AGM. Members will be able to participate online via a GoTo meeting link rather than simply observing via a Facebook livestream. It is anticipated that those receiving awards will still attend in person. Any member who thinks they might want to join the Exec team steering the Association can contact Chair Jenny Buck information as to what is involved. Nominations to stand for election to Exec must be received by Friday November 29th; 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 20th. Any member wishing to raise a discussion topic should email details to the BHPA Office by December 31st. Wind of change? The new government’s decision to lift the ban on onshore windfarms and double capacity by 2030 is likely to mean that England and Wales will follow Scotland with an increasing number of applications for wind turbine developments. Unfortunately, developers and local authorities are not aware of our flying sites or how we operate and are not legally obliged to consult with us. The BHPA’s position is that any risk assessment that does not properly consider the safety implications for all aircraft is fundamentally flawed. Members and clubs are encouraged to keep a close eye on their local authority’s planning portal and local media. Engagement with developers and the planning authority at the earliest opportunity is highly recommended. Further advice and moral support is available from the BHPA Sites Officer Martin Baxter AAdv lli venture l y n live your SIN SS‘‘MANMANSKY EDSIR SKY ybrid single sh THE SKINNGLE WERFWERFPO POTTOSOSM SHARK M acwith 20% double surfkin DMUND FUL IS FUL ec K EDSIR t pomos SHARKDMUND lyFe&ikH orerful single skin fw crShort T sttry flighounoss-cr hermalling T ly Fe &ikH In brief DE&I in the BHPA. At the last Executive Council it was agreed to appoint newly- elected Exec. member Stuart Blackburn as the BHPA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) representative. His role will be to build a network across the BHPA membership to develop and deliver the BHPA’s DE&I strategy. We are looking to recruit volunteers across all personal characteristics; if you wish to get involved then please contact the team at BHPA HQ and they can put you in contact with Stuart. Junior records are heating up! Spain’s José Jiménez Belda is claiming the European junior free-distance-via-three- turnpoints record following a 357.04km Niviuk X-One flight from Arroyomolinos de Leon on July 24th. This previously-unset record already has a provisional claim at 335km from Frenchman François Montuori after the big-record day of April 24th. Another PA record. Something is going on! No sooner had Yang Chen surpassed Matjas Sluga’s 2021 world record for consecutive landings at 5cm or less with 59 on July 6th, then Kosovo’s Fanol Shala presented a claim for the European record with 33 consecutive <5cm arrivals, set a month earlier on June 2nd. In this case Fanol dropped just 63cm in all 33 landings, averaging under 2cm overall. Both these feats are of course subject to the FAI ratification process. The accuracy world is heating up too! British Winter Open dates. Paragliding’s winter Open returns to the balmy skies of Roldanillo in 2025. Despite the prevailing El Niño the 2024 Open at Rolda was a resounding seven-task success (see April Skywings). Full details and registration will be 8 SKYWINGS SEPTEMBER 2024 news Maintaining a good lookout I Good observation is a key element of safe flying, but even though paragliders, in particular, have an extraordinarily good all-round field of vision, the human eye can only really focus on a fairly small area at any one time. The solution to this is to move your head regularly and scan each sector of the airspace around you, including above and behind, to ensure that you maintain an updated ‘mental map’ of the other pilots in your vicinity. You need to concentrate on each area for three or four seconds before moving your focus to the next sector. This is because a converging aircraft will appear to be stationary relative to you (and our visual processing system is more sensitive to movement) but it will be getting bigger, and identifying this can take a few seconds to resolve. The above information is contained within the I AM SAFE Pilot exam revision document; there is a question on maintaining a good lookout in the ‘Human Factors’ Pilot exam paper. See Maintaining a good lookout II The CAA offer their own advice on lookout. Although slanted more towards power pilots with a range of instruments to scan and a more restricted view of the sky, it offers a structured method: ‘Adopting a systematic approach to scanning the surrounding area will help you maintain an effective lookout as well as giving you time to check your map or instruments. ‘In general you should move your eyes and head as necessary in short and regularly-spaced movements that bring central areas of sky into the visual field. You should pause for at least a second to refocus on the new area and detect any aircraft. The centre of focus should shift by about ten degrees per movement. Since 15 degrees is about the normal area in which the eyes can focus in detail on an area in front of them, ten degrees allows for some overlap. ‘There is no single correct way to maintain an effective lookout scan. There are however two methods that have been identified as effective techniques. ‘Side-to-side scanning method. Start at the far left of your visual area and make a methodical sweep to the right, pausing for a couple of seconds in each ‘block’ of the viewing area to focus your eyes. At the end of the scan return to and scan the instrument panel and then repeat the external scan. ‘Front-to-side scanning method. Start in the centre block of your visual field. Move to the left, focusing very briefly on each block, then swing quickly back to the centre block after reaching the last block on the left and repeat the action to the right. After scanning your instruments or map, repeat the external scan.’ From Version 4 of the CAA’s Skyway Code: BHPA 500 Club WIN CASH PRIZES AND HELP THE ASSOCIATION! July winners: John Ling £128.60 Brian Parkins £64.30 Rob Williams £32.15 John Edwards £19.29 Philip Lovemore £16.08 Paul Burton £16.08 George Preston £12.86 Peter Bennett £12.86 Richard Sheppard £9.65 Robert Bradley £9.65 BHPA £321.48 Winners will note that payments of the above sums have been made to the account from which they contribute to the 500 Club by standing order. In case of error, please contact Marc Asquith on 07802 525099. BHPA Club Coaching courses October 19-20 Unallocated Stef Blankley 0116 289 4316 November 23-24 Scottish HPF Mark Mortimer 07811 433040 December 7-8 SE Wales Alistair Andrews 07575 280508 January 18-19 Cumbria Contact to be confirmed March 22-23 Long Mynd Phil Bibby 07977 122563 Thermalling sailplane Possible light aircraft/helicopeterParaglider abrasion damage Recent Incident Reports from pilots and paraglider service centres have highlighted cases of abrasion and abnormal wear in the material covering internal leading edge rods (see photo). In some cases sections of rod have been fully exposed on multiple cells. Repairing this damage should be carried out by an expert or by the manufacturer; it may prove costly. Such wear may occur when the leading edge is allowed to drag over an abrasive surface, for example when inflating or when folding to pack away, and may may occur more rapidly when launching, landing or packing on a paved surface. Lightweight/hike-and-fly paragliders made from lighter fabrics may wear at a faster rate and require more care. The greatest risk of abrasion is when launching on naturally-occurring abrasive surfaces in the UK, or concrete surfaces like the launch at Ölüdeniz in Turkey. It doesn’t appear to need many repeated abrasions on such surfaces for damage to occur. Pilot using the ‘cobra’ launch technique should note that the glider’s top surface can be drawn across the ground as the ‘cobra’ rises up. As well as the possibility of damage during inflation, it’s not unusual to see pilots concertina-packing on rough or dirty surfaces or sand. It is far better to immediately ‘posy’ a glider into a clinch or a quick-pack bag and only concertina-pack it when you have access to smooth, clean grass. Professional tandem and test pilots invariably use the posy method. Paraglider and paramotor pilots are advised to: • Check the condition of their glider’s leading edge, and any other surface which covers internal rods, as part of their daily inspection. • Choose packing locations wisely and consider using a packing technique that does not involve dragging the top surface material over the ground. If wear is detected, follow the manufacturer’s advice in your user’s manual. Consult a paraglider service centre or the paraglider manufacturer for advice on appropriate repairs. You may be advised not to use the paraglider until repairs have been carried out. The FSC has issued a Safety Advisory on this DHV Safety Notices Woody Valley X-R7 harnesses. Misconfiguration of the deployment system can result in an accidental parachute deployment. This can be rectified by fitting nylon washers available from your dealer. The Safety Notice, marked ‘Critical: inspection mandatory before flying’, covers serial numbers from #0001-1838. Full details: Finsterwalder Paralock 3 carabiners. Risers have been released unintentionally when used in conjunction with a speed system. Carabiners must must be double- locked before take-off unless precautions have been taken to prevent the release button from becoming wrapped around in flight. 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