No. 428 DECEMBER 2024 The magazine of the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association2 SKYWINGS DECEMBER 2024 attitude The September weekend was forecast to be great for flying at one of our club’s small coastal cliff sites. The season was drawing to close and I had a number tandem flights booked in, clamouring to fly as ticket validity was running out. The Saturday turned out to be amazing, soarable from 10:30 until sunset. I managed, with the help of my team of Rachel and Evan, to do 12 tandems, completing my Saturday bookings and equalling my personal best. However I still had further bookings for the Sunday, and there were more eager participants in the wings. Sunday’s forecast wasn’t so great. There was a strong likelihood of it blowing out after midday, and there was a significant wind gradient and some rain possible. I rearranged for everyone to come earlier. I only say the above to give some indication that the forecast was fairly clear. Most of it was on XCWeather and the wind gradient was on RASP. It wasn’t too tricky to find. Why then, at 3pm on Sunday, were a fellow club member Paul Knibbs and I running towards a pilot flying a C wing who had let himself stray into an obvious rotor zone near the launch/top landing? The pilot had achieved this by making his top landing approach, in already marginal conditions, along a bowl where the wind would gather and accelerate. Unsurprisingly, he got hoovered over the top. Before we got to him his wing took two asymmetrics, one on either side, and then stalled into the hill. He had worsened his ‘pinned’ situation by letting go of his brakes and mocking doing the crawl. This caused him to lose much-needed upwind metres, just where the wind was strongest. Fortunately, when the rotor hit him he had managed his wing well enough to prevent a steep turn and the worse injuries that could have ensued. While I was attending this incident, and talking to the emergency services about his possible injuries (fortunately only a damaged shoulder and some ribs), I looked around at the pilots still in the sky. There were lots of them. At least three to the east and a similar number to the west. Everyone appeared to either be pinned or going backwards. There were one or two pilots higher up in front who were OK, with sufficient speed to manoeuvre. Two of the pinned pilots to the east were descending vertically into a similarly rotary area. One of them seemed to take a hit just as he descended out of sight; the other continued to descend vertically. People ran from the first casualty to assist the likely others – one sustained a suspected broken ankle, the other seemed to have got away with it. I think all three ‘got away with it’, as none were in much control of their outcomes at all. The difference between a broken ankle, shoulder, etc, and a life-altering (or ending) injury is really little more than luck! The emergency services’ phone operator was concerned whether there had been another accident. As I wasn’t able to reassure him immediately they decided to send a helicopter. There were still pilots in the sky, but I managed to reassure him that there were none within a km to the east. The pilots to the west seemed to be penetrating against the wind and escaping south to the open sea, away from the venturi. But moments later they let themselves drift back into it and get stuck again. I think this happened three times. Meanwhile the helicopter had landed by the casualty and ground-based paramedics had arrived too. These guys were super efficient: less than 15 minutes for the ground crew, and the helicopter was less than 25. The point is this: if we want to maintain the respect of the emergency services and landowners, and stay alive and uninjured, we need to not make these kind of elementary errors. • Monitor your ground speed at all times, particularly if the wind is forecast to increase and/or you are flying a site with a significant rotor. • Maintain a reasonable safety margin for changing conditions. Keep at least your speed bar range in reserve, preferably more. • If you notice a wind gradient, push further forwards; it is not necessary to stay close in for the lift. Be prepared to use your bar and big ears to do so. You can expect the wind in lower areas to pick up to the speed of the wind aloft as the day progresses. • Visualise the morphology. Think what water would do if there was a massive river flowing over it like the wind does. Where would the water be white? Where would the water be accelerated? Where would the water be decelerated? • If having to top land, choose a sensible approach track that makes you spend the least time possible in the venturi and doesn’t take you too far back. • Don’t lark about showing off to your mates when you are fully exposed with very little safety margin. Yes it’s ‘only the coast’, but the coast in a strong wind can be properly dangerous. • If a helicopter is around, land, or go miles away. Please remember: the coast can be one of the safest places to fly, but water and strong winds can and do kill. In this instance no one died or got seriously hurt. Thank gawd, or something, that luck was on our side. Photo: Jim Mallinson Maintaining respect … and staying alive EDDIE COLFOX, HUGELY EXPERIENCED ADVENTURE PILOT, TANDEM PILOT, GUIDE AND INSTRUCTOR4 SKYWINGS DECEMBER 2024 regulars regulars features DECEMBER 2024 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 Carl Weiseth indulging in some winter sports with Ozone’s ARC speed wing. Photo: Tess Ivchenko THIS PAGE Sky and water surfing at Compton Bay on the Isle of Wight Photo: Dominik Wrotny 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 February issue must be submitted to the Skywings office by Friday December 27th. Letters for the January Airmail pages should arrive no later than Monday December 16th. Advertisement bookings for the January edition must arrive by Wednesday December 11th. Copy and classified bookings no later than the following Wednesday December 18th.6 SKYWINGS DECEMBER 2024 news The Great Race: a new format Five years after the opening of the Great Race – to cross the English Channel by Human Powered Aircraft (HPA) – not one attempt has been made. Four teams have entered, but none has yet provided details of their pilot(s) or their aircraft performance, required to facilitate an attempt. The original concept was for teams to race across the Channel on the same day. It soon became obvious that it would be difficult to organise, and that four aircraft crossing the world’s busiest shipping lane would involve unacceptable risks. In 2023 the rules were revised: a summer flight window would open, with teams choosing when they flew. Multiple attempts would be allowed, the fastest at the end of the window winning the prize. Despite this revised arrangement, still no team reached the start line by declaring their intention to attempt a crossing. Meanwhile the Great Race committee had been organising take-off and landing sites, and liaising with British and French authorities for flight approval in what is now restricted airspace. Despite the red tape, agreements had been reached and things were ready. However, given the lack of any attempts, or prospect of one being made in the near future, the committee has declared that the Great Race is dead. But long live the Great Race: the task now changed to a race to flight! The £50,000 prize has been repurposed to encourage groups to design, build and fly their own aircraft. The race is now simply to achieve flight by an HPA group. Supporter Anne Williams, key member of the 1961 SUMPAC team, says the new direction retains the idea of fostering interest in human-powered flight, and also celebrates the first successful HPA flight in 1961. The committee will promote groups, primarily from the UK, to design, build and fly their own HPA. More details from committee chairman Tony Prentice Huge flights in Brazil The annual record camp at Assu, from where pilots hope to take advantage of October big-distance conditions in the Brazilian Sertao, has been busy this year. On October 28th Richard Meek flew 486.63km but couldn’t reach Harry Bloxham’s British overseas record mark of 552km. However on October 22nd Kirsty Cameron flew 442.61km to take Kat Thurston’s 285km British record. ‘Kat has held that record for an amazing 29 years, although I was able to break it three times in Brazil with 318, 411 and 436km,’ reported Kirsty. ‘The male and female world records are both way beyond 500km, and that sort of distance isn’t easy, here or anywhere else in the world. Nevertheless there were several flights of just over 500km while we were there.’ Also present at Assu were Chris Fountain (338km), Pete Logan (349km), Richard Butterworth (435km) and Leszek Ziolkowski (446km), several of these best distances also being set on October 22nd. [Photo above right shows Kirsty climbing out well north of Quixada after a low save.] Notable among the European pilots present was France’s Justin Puthod, who made several big 400 and 500km flights and clocked up around 1,400km in three successive days. Justin ended up with a best distance of 513km, and Czech pilots Stanislav Klikar and Hugo Hadaš made 513 and 512km from Caraúbas, 75km west of Assu. The Assu camp has so far netted only two World Record claims. Switzerland’s Serena Ronchi – already winner of the female World XContest for the third time – flew 421.8km on the October 13th to secure the General and Female distance-via-up-to-three- turnpoints records, both held since 2018 by Seiko Fukuoka Naville. Serena is also claiming the comparable European records. Injured pilot overnights on Lakeland fell Mountain Rescue teams were mobilised on October 29th to search for a speed flier missing in the Lake District. The alarm was raised when Matthew Thornton, 34, failed to return from a flying trip to Great Rigg near Grasmere. Keswick MRT were joined by other teams and search dogs from across a wide area, including southern Scotland. Great Northern Air Ambulance and Coastguard helicopters were also deployed. The search resumed at first light after being called off at 2am. Despite extremely poor visibility Matthew was located at the 500m level beneath Great Rigg, north of Grasmere, suffering from multiple injuries. He was evacuated by a coastguard helicopter and transferred to hospital at Carlisle by air ambulance. In the wake of this incident, which occupied over 60 rescue personnel and three helicopters over two days, Jocky Sanderson, a member of the Keswick MRT, is recommending that UK pilots (and others worldwide) follow the FFVL’s lead in promoting the use of a tracking app. ‘It makes sense to use a single app on which pilots can register multiple devices, including their phone. If it becomes the norm we can all say to all emergency services, “If you are ever looking for a pilot, go to XYZTrack.” ’ [Photo: Keswick MRT] SKYWINGS 7 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 Red Bull lists X-Alps athletes 35 athletes from 17 countries were revealed in October as starters in the 2025 X-Alps. The 12-day event, starting on June 15th involves running, hiking and paragliding across the Alps. The list, comprising 18 veterans and 17 new entrants, includes eight-times winner Chrigel Maurer and many regular names, not least Aaron Durogati who has competed six times, Tobias Grossrubatscher (four times), and Tom de Dorlodot who has competed in every edition since 2007. The list of veteran entrants also includes world paragliding champion Maxime Pinot and world hike-and-fly record holder Tanguy Renaud-Goud. Despite Eli Egger becoming the first female pilot to make goal in 2023, there is only one woman entrant, veteran Celine Lorenz. Among the newcomers is Bei Yu, the event’s first Chinese entrant, Gabriel Jansen Rabello of Brazil and Shane Tighe of Australia. There are no British entrants. Niviuk Fly Wide Open The Niviuk Fly Wide Open is an evolution of the very popular entry-level paragliding event previously known as the Gin Wide Open. It will take place at Kruševo, North Macedonia from August 16th-23rd, 2025. The Fly Wide Open is specifically aimed at intermediate pilots starting out on their XC journey – those who want to embrace comps but avoid some of the stress that can accompany competitive situations. It promises an educational yet fun experience, with talks from experts and opportunities to share experiences with like-minded pilots. Pilots from all countries are welcome, but admission will be restricted to those with very little previous competition experience, flying EN C (or lower) performance gliders. Registration opens at Christmas. For more information go Wills Wing update In 2021 we reported that US manufacturer Wills Wing had moved to Valle de Bravo, Mexico, under the stewardship of longtime dealer Rudy Gotés and chief designer Steve Pearson. Three years on we learn that the company is very much alive and kicking. Wills Wing Mexico are actively researching new developments and have built more than 500 gliders since the move, including several exported to the UK. ‘Making hang gliders from zero has been a challenge involving a lot of learning and lot of excitement,’ says Rudy. ‘The machined parts are made in Mexico, but we buy materials from all over the world. Chiefly the USA, but we source 7075-T6 tubes from France, sailcloth from Germany and carbon and composites from New Zealand and China. Our goal is to keep the quality, make safe hang gliders and promote the sport.’ 13 people work at the Valle de Bravo factory [pictured], where good local conditions allow them to test-fly gliders almost every day. They also have a hang gliding continued on page 98 SKYWINGS DECEMBER 2024 17.08.2024. P rated pilot aged 68 Experience: 530 hours (15) Site & conditions: Sutton Meadows, 0-5km/h Glider: La Mouette Top Secret Incident: Following a heavy landing the pilot noticed that the retaining strap connecting the inboard trailing edge of the wing to the keel had snapped, and the metal D-ring connecting the strap to the locking device on the keel had disappeared. Injury: None 22.08.2024. Unqualified pilot aged 25 Site & conditions: Buching, Germany, 0-5km/h, not turbulent Glider: Independence Cruiser 4 Incident: Shortly after launch the pilot noticed that their emergency parachute had come out of the front-mounted outer container. The pilot was able to stow the parachute between their thighs and landed without further incident. Injury: None 07.09.2024. P rated pilot aged 60 Experience: 1000 hours (20) Site & conditions: Site not reported, 0-5km/h Glider: Paramania Revo 3 Incident: The paramotor pilot experienced an engine failure shortly after launch and landed in long grass. Injury: Minor: feet, legs 12.09.2024. P rated pilot aged 67 Experience: 193 hours (65) Site & conditions: Worcester Beacon, 20-25km/h, moderate turbulence Glider: Zoom X2C Incident: Controlled airspace infringement. The pilot was formally debriefed after this incident and reminded about the importance of observing airspace limits. The flight was excluded from all BHPA competition scoring. Injury: None 14.09.2024. AP rated pilot aged 70 Experience: 1000 hours (17) Site & conditions: Northrepps airfield, 15-20km/h, moderate turbulence, leeside Glider: Aeros Adam 13T Incident: The engine of the wheeled Sub-70 SPHG failed on final approach. The pilot encountered sinking air and opted to make an emergency landing in another field. The aircraft sustained damage on landing. Injury: Minor: pelvis 14.09.2024. P rated pilot aged 34 Experience: 350 hours (35) Site & conditions: Draycott, 20- 25km/h, moderate turbulence Glider: Advance Sigma 11 Incident: After take-off the pilot became aware that their harness pod would not close correctly; an instrument tether line had tangled with a pod closure line. The pilot was able to correct the issue in flight. Injury: None 15.09.2024. CP rated pilot aged 48 Experience not reported Site & conditions: Eype, conditions not reported Glider: Nova Ion 4 Incident: Wind strength was increasing when the pilot elected to top land in a field adjacent to the normal launch. The pilot noted they were unable to push forward. Their wing was seen to collapse in rotor behind the cliff edge and the pilot impacted the ground. Injury: Minor: hands, arms, shoulder 28.09.2024. P rated pilot aged 59 Experience not reported Site & conditions: Herne Bay, 15- 20km/h, not turbulent Glider: Not reported Incident: The reporting pilot had to take action to avoid conflict with a pilot who had just launched into their flight path. Injury: None BHPA Accident and Incident digest The following is an edited digest of Incident Reports submitted to the FSC between August 20th and September 30th 2024. ‘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 BHPA Club Coaching courses Dec 7-8 SE Wales Alistair Andrews 07575 280508 Jan 18-19 Cumbria James Jackson BHPA club parachute repack sessions January 18 Dales Ilkley January 25 North Wales Chester January 25 Derbyshire Bakewell February 9 Thames Valley (BFR) Aldershot March 9 Pennine Chipping Please book all repack places in advance; some clubs may require money up front or a deposit. BHPA 500 Club WIN CASH PRIZES AND HELP THE ASSOCIATION! October winners: George Allen £134.00 Donald Mapp £67.00 David Whittle £33.50 Mark Winstanley £20.10 David Tweddle £16.75 Joe Willis £16.75 James Goldsborough £13.40 Charl Erasmus £13.40 Andrew Burton £10.05 Dave Sheppard £10.05 BHPA £335.00 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.school at El Peñon, where a team of tandem instructors fly down with students before being being trucked back up the hill for the next flight. Nova’s pilots of the year Nova has selected its 2024 Pilots of the Year. It’s about sporting success, but also attitude: fairness, communication skills and commitment to the Nova team and the sport in general. This year’s winners are Poland’s Lukasz Sieminski, who made seven 200km+ flights including a 276km triangle on an EN C Codex; Austria’s Christian Berger, another Codex pilot who came 7th in the World XContest; and fellow Austrian Simon Raffeiner, who was 5th in the Bordairrace and dealt with numerous setbacks with exemplary grace. In addition, Italian H&F artist Martin Stofner secured second place in the Dolomitenmann on a Bantam 2, and won five of the seven Treffen Südtirol races to win overall. Fellow countryman Daniele Scarcella was crowned Newcomer of the Year after his almost-200km Xenon triangle. Pilots of the Year received a personalised beer mug and 400-euros voucher. Read more at BFR 2025 The Thames Valley club’s Big Fat Repack event will take place on Sunday February 9th. The venue will again be Aldershot’s Garrison Sports Centre at GU11 2EY. The BFR offers an opportunity to deploy your parachute from a zipline descent, then repack it under qualified supervision. Talks and demonstrations by BHPA-licensed packers will help demystify the process. You can also discuss flying safety concerns with experienced pilots, coaches and committee members. The event runs from 9am to 5pm and is open to all on a first- come, first-served basis. Booking is essential; go In brief BHPA AGM. A reminder that the BHPA 2025 AGM will be held at the Association’s Leicester Office on Saturday March 1st. Members will be able to participate online via a GoTo Meeting link; it is hoped that those receiving awards will attend in person. Remember too that nominations are sought for BHPA Merit Awards. If someone has put commendable effort into the sport over a number of years, please nominate them. Citations should arrive at the BHPA Office by Friday December 20th. Any member wishing to raise a discussion topic should email details to the BHPA Office by December 31st. Paramotor conversion courses. In conjuction with Tim King’s Paralab, Flight Culture are offering week-long paramotor beginner and conversion courses in southern Spain during February. You’ll be picked up from Seville airport and installed in a private room in a luxury villa. All equipment is provided and instructor- student ratios are low. Dates are February 1st-8th, 8th-15th and 15th-22nd. A paramotor safari for experienced pilots follows from February 22nd-March 1st, flying over Moorish watchtowers, crusader fortresses and the beach at Trafalgar. 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