The Red Bull X-Alps 2011 athlete list was announced today. Surprise entrants include ‘Mad’ Mike Kung from Austria, who is entering for the first time.

The 2011 Fly Forever calendar from Cross Country and Paraglider magazines wil be available in XCshop.com from November.

Plusmax PlusAir EN 966-certified helmets can now be converted from open- to closed- face by the addition of a specially-designed chinguard.

Nova have released a lightweight version of their EN B paraglider, the Ion.

A new firmware upgrade is available for the Go Pro HD Hero camera, that amongst other things enables upside-down mode and one button mode.

The SAS is a new reversible harness from Sup’Air, specifically designed for speedflying. It is lightweight and compact with an airbag and a reserve parachute pocket.

The 2011 World Air Games has been cancelled, but bidding is open to find a host for the Games in 2013.

Gin’s Genie Race 2 harness for experienced cross country and competition pilots is both EN and LTF certified. It is designed to give sensitive glider feedback and to be comfortable for long flights.

Finsterwalder & Charly have brought back their heatable neoprene speedbar fairings for hang glider pilots.

Swiss paragliding company Advance have a new lightweight, robust two-rung carbon speed bar with an angled attachment so that it is always easy to reach in flight.

Ava Sport have released two new harnesses, one for students and one for tandem pilots, both using their new generation back protection system (NG).

Austrian firm Flugsportservice have invented a keel hinge, to help stabilise a hang glider while you prepare it for flight on uneven ground or in strong winds.

Sup’Air have collaberated with Plusmax to create a ligtweight, EN 966-certified helmet, the Evolution, available in red or grey with Sup’Air graphics.

Gin have a new video, showing off their EN D competition wing, the Boomerang GTO.

Gin say their new EN / LTF C Tribe is for cross country pilots, and offers top performance with a a well-coordinated, homogeneous and secure feeling.

Nova have replaced the highly-acclaimed EN B Mentor with an all-new design, the Mentor 2.

Brazilian paraglider manufacturer Sol have a new Team T shirt that is available in grey or black, plus two new items of sun-protection headwear.

This year the Kendal Mountain Festival in England’s Lake District is to have a dedicated free-flight evening, so come along to socialise and enjoy the flying-related films and lectures.

Swedish doctor and hot air balloon pilot John Grubbström was elected the FAI’s new president at the organisation’s general conference in Dublin this month. He succeeds Pierre Portmann, who held the post for six years and has now been made ‘President of honour’.

Michael Pohl and 18-year-old Christoph Bessei, were awarded iPod Touches from Austrian paraglider manufacturer Nova, who named them ‘Pilots of the Year’.