In spring 2009 Axis UK will be running a series of “Mountain Masterclass” weeks for pilots who wish to develop their Alpine flying skills under the guidance of Axis UK team pilots. Aimed at UK Pilot (or equivalent) rated pilots who already have some mountain XC flying experience, there will be three courses of a [...]

Furthering their speed range, which already includes the Bullet 09 and Bullet GT, Ozone have now added the XT16, for for foot launched speed flying. A totally new design by Rob Whittal, the XT16 is large enough to easily and comfortably foot launch in no wind or high wind, and offers you the chance to [...]

Newly certified LTF 1-2 / EN B is Nova’s Mentor in XXS size (18 m2), as an XC machine when flown in the 60 – 80 kg weight range, or LTF 2-3 / EN C for pilots up to 100 kg who want a fun machine to throw around or to jump off windy mountains [...]

New from Montana Vertical is the ultralight (350 g) Jump helmet. Designed to meet the needs of para-Alpinists, it has been EN certified for both skiing and paragliding use.

Over the Easter weekend 2009, 11 – 13 April, there will be a gathering of paraglider pilots headed to Annecy for the first Free flight Exhibition there. There will be gliders available to test, a second-hand market, an art and artwork exhibition, bar-restaurant, animations and more. The event is being organised by Doussard Parapente, the [...]

Icaro and Fly-More got together to throw a party on 15 November in Flintsbach to celebrate a successful year, with Uli Strasser winning 2008′s DHV XC Contest (sport class) aboard his Icaro Maverick, and Xandi Meschuh taking 3rd place in the Acro World cup. With excellent food and a suitable choice of drinks the party [...]

Jim Mallinson and Chicco Patuzzi share two passions: paragliding and the religious culture of India. Together they combine them both in an aerial pilgrimage to the ancient temple of Himani Chamunda, the presiding goddess of the Kangra Valley. Perched at 2,800 m on a rocky spur, all previous pilgrims have had to make an arduous [...]

‘Acrobatics’ is a 156-page visual extravaganza that tackles paragliding acro instruction head on.

Apco’s new beginner / intermediate wing, the Karma SP (for Sport) has been EN tested in the S and M sizes and attained a B rating (but with very few Bs in individual tests – mainly scoring As). XS and L sizes will follow, and all-up weights covered by the range will be 60 – [...]

Planned for release in December 08, Skywalk’s new Arriba has achieved LTF 1-2 certification in sizes S and M. XS and L sizes are also in the pipeline, so takeoff weights of 55 – 120 kg are catered for by the wing. Based upon the successful Tequila 2, and incorporating the aluminum-coated cloth from the [...]

Following on from the success of the 08 Challenge, the Tennessee Tree Toppers have confimed the dates for the 2009 challenge as being 27 September to 3 October. The same emphasis on learning and mentoring will be implemented as this year, but with an added class for those up-and-comers who wish to pay extra to [...]

The 2009 Worlds are to be held in Laragne, France, from 20 June to 4 July. Registration is now open. NACs (federations) of nations who would like to compete should reserve up to 4 places for their team by downloading the form from the Chabre2009 website. If team selection is not yet complete, places may [...]

During the 4th round table meeting on 18 November in Starnberger See in Germany, it was unanimously agreed that all paraglider flight and load testing, as of 1 January 2009, will be done to EN specifications. The round table members comprised representatives of the DHV (German Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association), DMSV (German paramotor association), [...]

Brazilian manufacturer, Sol Paragliders, have released an array of new products, for flying and non-flying ventures. Their black briefcase will take a laptop of up to 15″. There is a small, light, multi-purpose shopping-style bag that will stash in a pocket or backpack until it is needed. Then there are two general rucksacks: a small [...]

Nerves of steel, the reactions of a Jedi and the mind of a scientist: Marcus King visits Paratest on the shores of Lake Geneva to discover if he’s got what it takes to be a professional test pilot

U-Turn’s Bodyguard II replaces the Bodyguard as its beginner and training glider. The company say the glider has the same high level of safety as its predecessor but shows improvements in performance and agility, and is made from lighter cloth with all Liros lines. It is available and in stock now in 4 colour choices [...]

U-Turn have found that the new kevlar masterlines that they have been fitting to their acro wing, the  Morpheus, for some months have led to remarkable improvements in its flight characteristics for acro manoeuvres. Notably the stretching and shrinking has been reduced, although pilots should be aware that the kevlar lines are more susceptible to [...]

The Acroaria team are very pleased to have been assigned the task of running the second FAI World Aerobatic Championships in Omegna, Italy from 6 -15 August 2010. Acroaria ’09 (9 – 16 August) will serve as a pre-event. Despite their 8 years’ experience of running acro comps, the team are still keen for any [...]

The 2009 NZ hang gliding Championships will take place from 14 – 22 February at Havelock, at the top of the South Island. It will be a FAI cat. 2 event and welcomes international pilots. The organising team will help you with transport (to and from the airport and during the comp) and with cheap [...]

Jonny Durand (AU) was declared the winner of the 2008 Canungra Classic, just 19 points ahead of second-placed Attila Bertok (HU), but amidst some controversy re. the scoring.