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Skywings news stories are available for the following publication years:

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Skywings news stories published in all non archived years are displayed below.

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There are 441 news stories for all non archived years in our database.

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Skywings News - all non archived years

Marshals needed - World Paramotor Endurance Champs

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

Safety Notice: Woody Valley X-R7 harnesses

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

Safety Notice: Finsterwalder Paralock 3 carabiners

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

Safety Note: Advance Progress 3/Easiness 2 harness

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

Safety Advisory: aluminium components and sea air

corroded brummel hookA pilot flying a paraglider at a coastal site recently reported a failure of the aluminium Brummel hook (sometimes called sister hooks) that connected his paraglider's speed bar. This pilot flew regularly at the coast, and when checking found that the hooks on both sides had been badly corroded, almost certainly as a result of repeated exposure to sea air.

The connection point was enclosed in a neoprene sheath and the damage was not apparent until the covering had been peeled away.

Following this report, FSC has issued a Safety Advisory to draw attention to the possible corrosion of aluminium parts resulting from repeated exposure to sea air.

A full copy of the advisory issued is available on the Safety Advisories page in the Safety Section of this website.

Posted: 5 June 2024
By: Paul Dancey

Brits win European Paragliding Championships!

June 1st: Despite the presence of a very strong French team, the British team took the lead after the 7th task and didn't look back. Maxime Pinot led from Day 2 and took individual Gold.

Seb Ospina won the 4th task and remained in strong contention throughout, climbing the rankings to take individual Silver. Dylan Mansley flew extremely well, holding 6th place at one point to eventually finish 18th. The French pilots faltered on Task 7 and were never able to catch up, eventually setting for team Silver ahead of Slovenia. Top woman Constance Mettetal led from Day 1 to take Gold.

Hats off to Seb, Dylan, Martin Long, Richard Meek, Jacob Butterworth Grant Oseland and Magdalena Janaway on a brilliant win ... and to Maxime Pinot, Constance Mettetal and the French team!

Posted: 1 June 2024
By: Joe Schofield

Hike & fly world record

Tanguy Renaud-GoudTanguy Renaud-Goud achieved a new hike-and-fly world record on April 26th, climbing (and descending) 17,534m in 24 hours. In that time he ascended over 800m on foot no less than 22 times, to a take-off at Le Criou near Les Deux-Alpes.

Tanguy, a Bornes to Fly and X-Alps 2023 veteran, flew Niviuk's Kode P 16 wing during daylight hours. At night he switched to the single-surface Skin 3 P 20 to better accommodate any katabatic wind.

He had first taken the record in June 2021 at 13,390m, losing it to Brit Andy Symonds (16,697m) in May 2022. The original record was set in 2018 by Lukas Hofer: 13,040m at Italy's Kronplatz. With the exception of Andy Symonds' 2022 record using an Ozone XXlite 2, all attempts have involved Niviuk lightweight equipment.

Posted: 31 May 2024
By: J. Schofield

Green Dragons hangie training at GBAR

Green Dragons Airsports will be running a full-time hang gliding school for the duration of the GBAR aerotowing event at Deenethorpe, Northants from May 24th to June 2nd.

As well as trial days, EP and CP tow courses, tow conversions and CP Tow revision training, the team will also offer free BHPA Trainee Instructor and Operator development using the parallel-tow method. Training will include theory lessons.

To maximise flying there will only be six slots per day - book early to confirm a place. This intense training week represents a great opportunity for all hangie starters and improvers. For details, prices, booking, etc, go to the Greens Dragons' website.

Posted: 24 April 2024
By: J. Schofield

last updated: 24 March 2026

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