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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.
Displaying page 2 out of 4
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Johnny is limbering up for the British Championships which follow at Laragne on the 11th, in the company of a host of top British and world-level pilots.
After two tasks the competition was led by Attila Bertok from Mario Alonzi, with Grant Crossingham in 4th place and Steve Penfold 10th. Full results are here.
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; the British team were 2nd on that occasion. Photo by Gary Wirdnam.
Posted: 6 August 2024
By: Joe Schofield
LZ changes at Worcester Beacon (West Side). The old 'hockey pitch' landing field is no longer available. The only official landing option is well to the south-west of take-off, and is marked clearly in orange on the site map on the Malvern Hang Gliding Club website here.
The owners of the fields marked in red on the map have made it very clear that they do not want paragliders landing in their fields. Please have a thorough read of the guide before even considering flying from this site.
Before taking off think carefully about your landing options. If you start to lose height, either slope land quickly or push out and southwards to be able to reach the official landing field with enough height.
The only other available space is immediately beside and on the upslope side of the car park below the take-off, before the road. There is bracken and other growth here and your wing may well get snagged. Check it out before walking up the hill.
Posted: 5 August 2024
By: J. Schofield
Paul Harvey, Mike Armstrong and Steward Red took 8th, 9th and 10th places, with Tim King 12th, Ricardo Marques Da Costa 19th, Nigel Bray 20th and Neil Atkinson 27th. Apart from Ricardo and Neil's VRs, the Atos VQ was the weapon of choice. Austria's Chris Friedl took the overall win and Germany took Bronze.
In Class 1 the Brits finished 5th overall, led by Gordon Rigg in 21st and Dave Matthews in 24th places. Steve Penfold was 33rd, Soperman 39th, Darren Brown 42nd and Malcolm Brown 49th. Team winners were the Czech Republic ahead of Australia and Italy. Frenchman Mario Alonzi was the overall winner. Full results are here.
Posted: 5 August 2024
By: J. Schofield
Due to the large number of serious accidents that have occurred at Dune of Pilat (Pyla), pilots wishing to fly this site must now complete a online registration form before flying this site.
When completing the form, you will be asked to supply details of your third party insurance cover, and to confirm that you agree to abide by site rules and recommendations. The FFVL have agreed that BHPA members should simply enter 'BHPA' and their BHPA membership number under third party insurance details.
Posted: 24 July 2024
By: Paul Dancey
The 1st FAI World Paramotor Endurance Championship takes place between the 3rd and 10th of August, at Manston airport in Kent, hosted by the Paramotor Competitions Panel of the BHPA.
83 pilots from 17 countries are now expected to attend this historic event, including 10 British pilots.
It is a rare and exciting opportunity to host an FAI Cat. 1 championship on home turf. In order to help manage and keep all these pilots flying safely, the Marshal team would welcome extra support, particularly from BHPA members who are insured and familiar with paramotor deck safety issues.
Marshalling is the best way to see all the action from the front row, and a great way for pilots in training to learn from seeing the top pilots in the world fly. No prior experience necessary, our experienced existing team will provide all the training you need.
Camping on site is free for marshals, 3 meals a day are provided, and a free competition T shirt. No need to commit for the full period either, even 2 or 3 days would be very welcome.
And hopefully you'll get to see the British Paramotor Team with medals in their hands!
If you are interested in helping, please complete the expression of interest form linked below and the chief marshals Simon Pitchford and Lynne Orgovanyi will be in touch.
Marshal Volunteers Expression of Interest
Posted on behalf of Barney Townsend
BHPA Paramotor Competitions Panel Chair
Championship Director
Posted: 18 July 2024
By: Paul Dancey
Woody Valley have issued a critical safety notice for their X-R7 harness.
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.
A copy of the safety notice is available in the Importer & Manufacturer Safety Notices section of this website, and on the DHV website
Posted: 13 July 2024
By: Paul Dancey
Finsterwalder have issued a safety notice for 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.
A copy of the safety notice is available in the Importer & Manufacturer Safety Notices section of this website.
Posted: 13 July 2024
By: Paul Dancey
Advance have issued a safety Notice for their Progress 3 and Easiness 2 Harnesses (certain serial numbers)
In a reported incident the yellow plastic release splint came away from the reserve handle so that the parachute could not be released. Owners of these harnesses (Progress 3 harnesses with serial numbers lower than 1147390, and Easiness 2 harnesses with serial numbers lower than 1147140) must immediately inspect the reserve handle - the handle and reserve container may need to be changed before the next flight. Replacements will be provided by Advance free of charge.
Full details are available on the Advance website, A copy of the safety notice can also be found on the manufacturer and importer safety notices page in the Safety Section of our website.
Posted: 5 June 2024
By: Paul Dancey
last updated: 31 January 2025
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