The new GoPro helmet-mounted video camera, the Hero 5, is now available and in stock at www.xcshop.com. The new Hero 5 sports a new 5MP sensor, improved low light performance, faster “Photo every 2 seconds” mode, and mega-wide 170 degree lens. Its quick-release mount enables it to be easily attached to any helmet, bike, board [...]

The Thermik.net speedflying weekend 08 takjes place on the weekend of 19 – 21 December at the Mölltaler Gletscher, Austria. Sponsored by Swing and O’Neill, The Swing Savage and Flash gliders will be available to test. Thermik.net would like to invite all speeflyers and speedriders to come and join in! Email info@flattach.at or visit www.thermik.net

Fancy flying down a zip wire from 5 storeys up and chucking your reserve, then listening to the inspirational tales of John Silvester? In January, in Scotland but in the comfort of an indoor climbing arena? Two days of free flight indulgence take place over the weekend of 24 – 25 January 2009, at the [...]

As an interesting exercise aimed to gauge the popularity of their wings and their success in competition, Nova have analysed the results of online XC contests. They looked at Xcontest.org, onlinecontest.org and DHV XC. They were extremely pleased with their findings: Nova was among, if not the, most popular manufacturer overall, and the Mentor dominated [...]

The 12th annual Wills Wing Fly-In, party and anniversary celebration will take place from 31 March – 4 April 2009 at Wallaby Ranch, Florida, USA. Wills Wing gliders will be available to demo, and gliders ordered before 15 January can be delivered to the event for collection by the new owner, to save on shipping [...]

Hannes Papesh of the PMA (Paraglider Manufacturers Association) has released a further explanation of the changes that are set to be put into place in January. The EN Standards 926-1 (for flight tests) and 926-2 (load tests) will remain unchanged, though some comments have been added to the documentation to clarify some points and correct [...]

Throughout the winter of 2009, there will be a series of two-day Vol & Ski (flying and skiing) challenges taking place at a different resort each time, in France, Switzerland and Italy. The FFVL-run series is sponsored by Sup Air, Advance and Parapente magazine, and the dates are as follows: 10 – 11 January, Les [...]

GIN is proud to support the 3rd edition of the Speedflying Pro Les Arcs, France, the biggest Speedride event in the world. The 25 best riders will fight for the title of speedflying champion 2009. See the trailer video here… www.speedflyingpro.com

Registration has opened for the Àger Open 2009 which takes place from 11 – 18 July. There are 150 places, and priority will be given to national teams of up to 5 pilots per country. Those pilots who are not part of a national team will be placed on a waiting list. Places will be [...]

Moyes Litespeed pilot Jonny Durand jnr won the 2008 Gulgong Classic hang gliding competition in Australia

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 [...]