This is a short video that Marcus King shot with the GoPro when reviewing it for the magazine, see mini reviews issue 123. The files were downloaded and the video was quickly cut together, no image correction was applied to the video.
Air Turquoise SA reports it has been approved by the German authorities as a test centre for the inspection of aerial sports equipment. Paragliders (including tandems), harnesses, back protectors and reserves can now be tested and certified to LTF standards (what was known as DHV). This means the company can test and certify paragliding equipment worldwide to the EN standard and for Germany to the LTF standard.
Since EN and LTF are two different standards and tests, Air Turquoise have chosen to separate the web pages completely. You will find all reports and news concerning LTF on www.para-test.de while EN reports and news are at www.para-test.com.
A new paragliding record in India puts Debu Choudhury in the XC hotseat
Another date to note in your free flying calendar is 2 – 4 October 2009, when Free Flight Tegelberg is to be held. The first hang glider flight from Tegelberg, near Schwangau in Bavaria, Germany, back in 1973 was a historic moment for the sport, and 36 years on the area is to host a free flight festival. 100 exhibitors are set to attend the trade show, and visitors can enjoy flying in the beautiful autumn mountain scenery that claims the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle (of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang fame) as its own.
Please visit their website for details and safety requirements (including no overflying of the road on landing approach at less than ten metres altitude).
UP is introducing the new Ascent 2, an LTF 1/EN A glider aimed at a broad segment of paraglider pilots, right from fresh-out-of-school beginners to safety conscious weekend warriors and even recreational XC pilots.
UP say the Ascent 2 is the logical step forward from the original Ascent. Based on the same Hybrid Synergy Airfoil as the UP Kantega XC and the UP Summit XC, they say it will impress connoisseurs with even better inflation and launching characteristics as well as with its impressive and very usable top speed of +51km/h.
UP say, “Most LTF 1 gliders never leave the immediate surroundings of the school hill, and for a good reason. On one hand the pilots on the school hill really aren’t ready for any prolonged airborne adventures; on the other hand their gliders wouldn’t let them even if they were! There is every chance that the majority of UP Ascent 2s will also spend most of their lives in close proximity to school hills across the planet, but we think it must be a reassuring thought for their pilots that should they choose to go on a foray into the unknown, their gliders will be up for the challenge in every way!”
The first French speed riding championships took place in Samoens on 3 – 5 April. 50 riders from France, Switzerland, Germany and Spain battled it out over five tasks: 2 slaloms, 2 freeride, and one derby. François Bon lead from the first day with his Gin Gliders ‘Fluid’, and became the first French speed riding champion in history by a comfortable margin… Patrick Lachat was second, and Cyril Planton third. Sabine Duvivier, flying an ITV Pil-Pit, was best female, ahead of Charlotte Lee and Caroline Brille.
http://parapente.ffvl.fr/championnat-france-speed-riding-2009
Team 5 Blue MT intermediate mountain paraglider
Team 5’s Blue Mountain (MT) is certified LTF 1-2, and ready for demo. Team 5 say that this, the lightweight version of the Blue, is ideal for walking and remote journeys, or simply to save on excess baggage costs at the airport. It weighs in at 3.5 kg (XS) to 4 kg (M) size: XS, S and M versions are ready and in stock.
Those who are waiting for the LTF 2 Red to come out, are asked to be patient for just a little longer. The M is due at the end of April, with all sizes planned to be in serial production by the end of May. Team 5 say the Red is a “climbing miracle”, with an amazing sink rate and great stability, even on bar.
Team 5 red LTF 2 paraglider
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The village of Laragne Monteglin in the south of France is preparing itself to host the 17th World Hang Gliding Championships this summer. The event, which takes place from 20 June to 4 July, will see 130 pilots from 34 nations, representing the best pilots in the world, battling it out in the skies of the Hautes Alpes. They won’t be allowed to do it quietly! From the opening ceremony in the streets of Laragne on 20 June, right through to the closing ceremony in the chateau courtyard on 4 July, pilots and spectators will be welcomed with a series of events (Fête de Montéglin on 26 June, pizza and paella night on 27th, festival of the air and sport on 27 – 28 June, spaghetti and music night at Chateauneuf de Chabre on 30 June), not to mention the exhibitions of hang gliding cartoons, historical gliders and imaginary flying machines that will be on display around Laragne.
For more information or to watch the video of the pre-worlds that took place in June – July 2008, visit the website at www.chabre2009.com/.
The UK hang gliding comps committee are very keen to encourage new blood into the comp scene, and so the British Open series comp that is to be held in Crickhowell, SE Wales from 1 – 5 May will feature a new sports class, aimed at pilots who are new to or inexperienced in competitions. It will be run alongside the main competition though with simpler tasks with the focus on improving cross country and competition skills in a relatively stress free environment.
British Champion and Worlds team member Grant Crossingham has kindly agreed to act as mentor, and will be available to offer advice and coaching for the tasks throughout the weekend. In addition, there will be a series of lectures from top pilots should the weather prove inclement, or after flying if the forecast is good. There will also be a retrieve system in place with a dedicated driver and vehicle, included in the sport class entry fee. (more…)
A new hotel in Oludeniz, Turkey, is offering the very special price of 5 GBP per person per night B&B for the month of May. In a great location only 20 minutes from the Blue Lagoon beach, The three star Tonoz Beach Hotel’s introductory offer could be hard to refuse.
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