February 2010 news
04/02/10 13:54
Parahawking II
Those who recall Martin Cray's Parahawking DVD will be pleased to know that Parahawking II - Share the Sky is in production as we go to press. Martin again follows parahawking pioneer Scott Mason, whose tandem flight business has received worldwide media coverage. But Scott's vulture friends are in trouble as Asian scavenger populations collapse from feeding on drug-tainted carcasses. The new film shows him securing safe feeding areas in Nepal in a last-ditch effort to save the birds, and being drawn deeply into Nepalese culture as he seeks to secure the local people's understanding and co-operation. Nevertheless the beauty of the birds remains, and there's also an account of the rehabilitation of a wild Steppe Eagle. Parahawking II - Share the Sky is a plea for the survival of the Asian raptor. The new DVD will cost £20 but you can pre-order with a £5 deposit. Details are at www.parahawking.com.
Coupe Care Blanche
The third Coupe Care Blanche was held at the Saint Hilarie du Tout ski resort on January 29th - 31st, writes Liana Ginzburg. The weather again co-operated and the snow, sun, pilots and good mood (in any order) were in place for a very nice weekend. The event included an official speed-riding competition, speed-riding lessons for the rest of us, costumed runs, speed-riding demos by pros (by day and by night!), equipment loans by major brands and a nascent winter free-flying film festival (a legacy of the event's bigger sister the Coupe Care). The Coupe Care Blanche is an event slowly but surely finding its place. Details are at www.coupeicareblanche.com; Ilan's photographs are at www.murblanc.org/cib2010/.
SA distance records
On January 11th Carlos Pellisé of Spain flew a 356km out-and-return from Burgsdorf, Namibia to claim a new Class 5 record. Carlos set the existing record of 348km in 2008 with Pascal Lanser and Patrick Chopard. Also on January 11th, French pilot Jacques Bott flew a 337km out-and-return on a his Swift Light to claim James Neff's 1998 330km record. Both flights are subject to the FAI homologation process.
Forbes speed records
Meanwhile, in Australia, Phil Schroeder broke Robin Hamilton's 2002 Class 2 200km triangle speed record by clocking 46.19km/h on January 26th aboard an Aeriane Swift at Forbes. Two days later US pilot Armand Acchione (USA) pushed the same record to 52km/h, also on an Aeriane Swift, also at Forbes. Both flights are of course subject to the FAI homologation process.
Chabre Open
The 5th Ozone Chabre Open will take place from June 5th - 11th. The entry fee is 220 euros (less if you fly an Ozone glider). Entry criteria will encourage mixed-ability teams, female pilots and diverse nationalities. Online registration is open now at www.flylaragne.com.
Those who recall Martin Cray's Parahawking DVD will be pleased to know that Parahawking II - Share the Sky is in production as we go to press. Martin again follows parahawking pioneer Scott Mason, whose tandem flight business has received worldwide media coverage. But Scott's vulture friends are in trouble as Asian scavenger populations collapse from feeding on drug-tainted carcasses. The new film shows him securing safe feeding areas in Nepal in a last-ditch effort to save the birds, and being drawn deeply into Nepalese culture as he seeks to secure the local people's understanding and co-operation. Nevertheless the beauty of the birds remains, and there's also an account of the rehabilitation of a wild Steppe Eagle. Parahawking II - Share the Sky is a plea for the survival of the Asian raptor. The new DVD will cost £20 but you can pre-order with a £5 deposit. Details are at www.parahawking.com.
Coupe Care Blanche
The third Coupe Care Blanche was held at the Saint Hilarie du Tout ski resort on January 29th - 31st, writes Liana Ginzburg. The weather again co-operated and the snow, sun, pilots and good mood (in any order) were in place for a very nice weekend. The event included an official speed-riding competition, speed-riding lessons for the rest of us, costumed runs, speed-riding demos by pros (by day and by night!), equipment loans by major brands and a nascent winter free-flying film festival (a legacy of the event's bigger sister the Coupe Care). The Coupe Care Blanche is an event slowly but surely finding its place. Details are at www.coupeicareblanche.com; Ilan's photographs are at www.murblanc.org/cib2010/.
SA distance records
On January 11th Carlos Pellisé of Spain flew a 356km out-and-return from Burgsdorf, Namibia to claim a new Class 5 record. Carlos set the existing record of 348km in 2008 with Pascal Lanser and Patrick Chopard. Also on January 11th, French pilot Jacques Bott flew a 337km out-and-return on a his Swift Light to claim James Neff's 1998 330km record. Both flights are subject to the FAI homologation process.
Forbes speed records
Meanwhile, in Australia, Phil Schroeder broke Robin Hamilton's 2002 Class 2 200km triangle speed record by clocking 46.19km/h on January 26th aboard an Aeriane Swift at Forbes. Two days later US pilot Armand Acchione (USA) pushed the same record to 52km/h, also on an Aeriane Swift, also at Forbes. Both flights are of course subject to the FAI homologation process.
Chabre Open
The 5th Ozone Chabre Open will take place from June 5th - 11th. The entry fee is 220 euros (less if you fly an Ozone glider). Entry criteria will encourage mixed-ability teams, female pilots and diverse nationalities. Online registration is open now at www.flylaragne.com.