Skywings news stories are available for the following publication years:
If you're looking for news stories published before January 2016, please visit the Skywings News Archive.
Skywings news stories published in 2024 are displayed below.
News stories published in the years listed above can also be searched by post date or headline (title).
To search by post date, please enter the month and year numerically as mm-yyyy (eg. 03-2016).
There are 30 news stories for 2024 in our database.
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The BHPA office will be closed for Christmas from 12 noon on Monday 23rd December until 8.30am on Thursday 2nd January 2025.
As a result we will be unable to process any orders placed in our online shop until the office re-opens on the 2nd January 2024.
Posted: 19 December 2024
By: Paul Dancey
Finsterwalder have issued a Safety Notice for the Paralock 3 carabiner. This follows several cases of unintentional opening in flight and a fatal accident.
Whilst this is probably due to incorrect operation, to rule out malfunction all users must carry out a functional check before the next flight.
The check consists of releasing the swivel lever at a deflection of about 45 degrees. It should then lock automatically. Correct locking must then be checked by applying counter-pressure.
This function check must be carried out regularly. If the function check is negative, the Paralock must be returned to the manufacturer.
The Paralock 3 operating instructions must also be observed. In particular, the secure engagement of the swivel lever must be checked immediately before each launch by pushing against the release button.
In addition, the Paralock 3 may only be flown with the additional blocking mechanism activated.
This applies to tandem and solo use. The pilot must not unblock the carabiner during flight (except after an emergency parachute deployment).
A copy of this safety notice is available in the Manufacturers Safety Notices area of this website, and can also be found on the Finsterwalder website.
Posted: 24 November 2024
By: Paul Dancey
The Thames Valley club's Big Fat Repack takes place on Sunday February 9th, 2025. The venue will 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. To attend and repack your parachute costs £30; booking is essential. There's more information here.
Posted: 14 October 2024
By: J. Schofield
Rumours appear to be circulating that BHPA members flying 'Parakite' wings such as the Flare Moustache and Flow Mullet are not covered by BHPA Insurance. This is not correct.
As these wings do not hold a recognised certification, such as the EN scheme, they lie within the same 'uncertified wings' requirements as speed wings, mini wings and paramotor wings that are not tested to EN 926-2 (i.e. they can only be flown solo).
BHPA members with a Paragliding Hill rating (or, subject to the CP Speed Flying limitations, a Speed Flying CP) can fly 'Parakites' and are covered by our third-party insurance.
We trust that this clarifies the situation.
Posted: 8 October 2024
By: Joe Schofield
During a recent inspection of the inside trim system on a Woody Valley Tenax 3 hang-gliding harness, it was discovered that one of the bolts that attach the posts to the backplate had become loose by some 4 turns allowing considerable movement of the post. The BHPA has therefore issued a safety Advisory Notice regarding this issue.
By experiment, a loosening the bolt by 2 more turns allowed sufficient movement of the post to allow the rod to detach completely. It was also noted that the grub screw that is threaded into the post to lock the rod to the post was missing.
Pilots who fly using either a Woody Valley Tenax 3 (with Inside Trim), or a Tenax 4, harness should therefore not fly with them until they have inspected their harness to ensure that the post mounting bolts are tight, and the grub screws are present and secure, at both ends of the rod attached to the back plate.
For further information please read the full Advisory Notice for Woody Valley Tenax 3 & Tenax 4 harnesses, which is available on the Safety Advisories page of our website.
Posted: 15 September 2024
By: Paul Dancey
Following recent reports that in some cases the threaded sleeve-nut on a paraglider maillon/quick link could be easily wound by hand beyond the top of the upper screw thread to fully expose the lower screw thread, the BHPA has issued a safety Advisory Notice about this issue.
For a maillon to function as a load carrying connector, the long, threaded sleeve nut must bridge the 'gate' (the short open portion). Maillons have been known to unscrew over time, so they should be regularly checked and tightened appropriately (being careful not to over-tighten).
If no manufacturer's guidance is available on the correct tightening torque, the BHPA Pilot Handbook recommends nipping up the nut to be finger-tight, and then giving a further one-eighth turn with a small spanner.
For further information please read the full Advisory Notice for paraglider maillon/quick link connectors, which is available on the Safety Advisories page of our website.
Posted: 15 September 2024
By: Paul Dancey
When installing the reserve system in the Breeze2, two white loops are threaded through the eyelet using a packing loop, then secured with the split-pin system of the reserve handle. It has been reported that, during an initial installation, one of the two loops tore.
The issue has been reproduced in at least one other Breeze2 harness. To eliminate any safety risks, the Breeze2 harness must not be used until both loops have been inspected. Please contact your dealer or importer to have them inspected.
If you know how to install the reserve container into the harness you can check it yourself using a spring balance.
Full details are included in the Skywalk Breeze 2 Harness Safety Notice which is available on the Importer & Manufacturer Safety Notices page of this website.
Posted: 24 August 2024
By: Paul Dancey
HG Comps Panel are proposing an autumn weekend to help pilots develop XC skills.
It's aimed at competent hill pilots who haven't yet flown XC, or who lack confidence in XC flying. Classroom sessions and flying work will be focused on instilling confidence and the relevant skills, and may include short tasks.
It is hoped to run the weekend in September or October '24 or early spring '25; numbers will be limited to allow individual support. The Long Mynd area is a possible focus, but is as yet unconfirmed.
Costs will be kept to a minimum. Pilots will be responsible for their own accommodation and transport but a retrieve system will be in place.
If you'd like to start flying XC and/or would welcome support and guidance, complete the Registration of Interest Form here ASAP.
Posted: 10 August 2024
By: J. Schofield
last updated: 13 January 2025
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