Released last summer with the sponsorship of the FAI, ‘And the World Could Fly' tells the story of how piloting for the masses became a possibility and then a reality thanks to the birth of Hang gliding and Paragliding. More than a hundred pictures in 100 pages cover the story of free flight since the early experiments by Lilienthal or Hargrave, the story of Francis Rogallo, and many later attempts to build super-light aircrafts. Well documented and spiced-up with stories of some known and unknown heroes of our sport, the book will surely keep you amused till the last page, and you'll learn a fair bit in the process.

Edited by Stéphane Malbos and Noel Whittall, ‘And the World Could Fly' contains contributions from many parts of the world as well as much new writing. Together, the editors have more than fifty years of undiminished enthusiasm for foot-launched flight.

“See how the happy conjunction of the research of NASA aerodynamicists and the determination of Australian water-ski showmen produced a hang glider anyone could fly. Read how the parachute changed into a self-inflating wing capable soaring for hundreds of kilometres. This is a tale of a free flight in every sense of the term” say the authors of the book.

To order the book contact Noel Whittall, e-mail: n.whittall80@ntlworld.com or Tel: +44 (0)113 250 2043.  UK Retail price is 22 €uros.

+Info: http://www.fai.org

Tragic news from Italy:
Well known hangglider and paraglider pilot Angelo d'Arrigo died in an airplane crash yesterday in Comiso, Sicily . The pilot, 45 years old, was on a Sky Arrow airplane piloted by a retired general of the Italian military aviation. According to witnesses, the airplane took off, made a turn and got out of control, crashing the ground from an altitude of 200 meters. Apparently, the airplane stalled during the turn and the pilot was not able to control it.
D'Arrigo was an adventurer and will be remembered by feats like his amazing HG flight over the Everest and, more recently, a 9100m flight over the Aconcagua, the highest summit of the Andes (between Chile and Argentina). He was also involved in birdlife conservation projects and wrote a book about adventure flying.
Angelo leaves wife and children. Our feelings go to them and his many friends around the world.
More about Angelo D'Arrigo on his site: www.angelodarrigo.com

This new emergency system has been specially developed for para-alpinist and vol-bivuac lovers, as it adds only 1,3 kg to your gear. The Profile Light is a pull-down apex system parachute, made of NCV Porcher Marine E901 cloth, and certified up to 100kg. The system attaches to the main karabiners of the harness and doubles as an instrument cockpit. It has a flat area of 24 m², projected area of 12,56 m², and offers a sink rate of 5,5 m/s with 90 kg weight. The deployment speed is 4 seconds. At UP say that this light chute is also becoming popular among competition and Acro pilots, “as a 3rd chance”. Weight range: 40 to 100kg. Size of pack: 280x90x90 mm.

+Info: http://www.up-paragliders.com

Posted: March 24th, 2006

+Info:ww.activeflightsystems.com

posted: March 7th, 2006

After thorough testing by top PPG pilots, UK’s company ‘Active Flight Systems’ have released their 4-in-1 flight computer Quest XC for Paramotors, Paraplane and Microlight pilots. This exciting new instrument designed by paramotor pilots is “a new breed of flexible Intelligent Flight Planning and Monitoring Equipment” offering the answer to most questions you might have during your flights. The Quest XC combines in a single unit a Fuel & Engine Monitor; Vario & Altimeter; Flight Computer & Planner; and a Data Logger. Apart from being an Altimeter / Vario you can use in free flight, it also monitors your engine temperature, Revs., engine hours, fuel quantity, how long the fuel will last, the wind direction and strength, your air speed, how long it will take you to get back to your start point (in today's wind) and if you have enough fuel to get there. The Quest XC is also equipped with alarms “on just about everything!”, according to the manufacturer, and logs all data every second so that you can re review it post flight on a special free program for Flight Analysis.

Paul Hallat, from Active Flight Systems explains: “For me it is all about Quest XC knowing what is going on and warning me so that I don't have to worry. It tells me if something is wrong, too hot / too cold, not enough fuel / need to turn back, which way to land, how far I can go before turning round, etc. We made Quest! XC to simplify our life and take the stress and worry away so that we can enjoy the flying more. Kind of "Quest! XC knows so you don't have to" sort of thing.”
The flight computer is a big help for competition and cross country pilots, as it can calculate the best navigation plan to a certain point according to the expected wind strength and direction, and also how long and how much fuel it might take you. If you connect a GPS unit, then you’ll have almost all the necessary info to fly to any place.
Quest XC comprises a display unit, no bigger than a standard altimeter/vario instrument, attached to a sensor box by only one wire. Without the sensor box attached it can also be used as a top of the range Alti/Vario for free flying, with GPS connectivity and post flight PC analysis. The Quest! XC is designed for beginner, intermediate and competitive pilots alike.

Three years after the 1st Ojovolador PPG Comparison, a meeting with paramotor manufacturers to test and study their newest models, we decided to organize the 2nd edition of this event that will also be a PPG & PPG Trikes Festival. The meeting will take place on May 19, 20 and 21, in an airfield in Aldeacentenera (near Trujillo) in the province of Caceres, Extremadura, Spain.

The spirit of this special event dedicated to paramotoring is to collect interesting data about performance and behavior of the different machines that help us get airborne, currently available in the market. This information will allow us to compare them, and will surely help the regular pilot choose the paramotor that will best suit his/her needs. To make it even easier for you, the pilot, we plan to build a ‘PPG Buyer’s Guide’ from the information obtained during the PPG Comparison event that will be freely available in Ojovolador.com after the meeting.

Thanks to the essential support of many international manufacturers we will put some of the newest paramotor models through a predefined series of objective tests, such as: maximum thrust, weight, consumption, noise, or start efficiency. For every model we’ll also register all the technical features and relevant data.

We know that the pilots are curious to know more about the present paramotor units, so we are preparing a fun flying weekend in which you will be able to learn more about PPG gear, see some of the newest products in the market, watch videos, hear technical talks, and fly as much as you want! There will be a small commercial fair outdoors, and manufacturers and dealers will also show their machines (paramotors, gliders, trikes) in the air in a special exhibition area (low altitude flying). The airfield has a bar and terrace for the ‘chill-out’ moments, and there will be free camping onsite for registered pilots. Registration will open soon in the event's webpage.

The page of the Ojovolador PPG Comparison is still under construction but you'll already find some useful information in it: www.ojovolador.com/co/eng.html

If you have any question, please send it by email to info@ojovolador.com

posted: March 7th, 2006

If you are into distance flying, hone your skills and get an Apco glider to try and break a Paragliding World Record: The Israeli manufacturer Apco is offering U$25.000 to the pilot who conquers a new open distance or declared goal world record (free flight), on one of their current standard and certified gliders. The record/s must be FAI approved, fully documented and followed by a “well written story” and a collection of nice, print quality photos featuring Apco products used for the record.
The company will also “handsomely reward” a good story with attractive photos telling about an attempt to break a World Record on an Apco wing –even if it was unsuccessful and just ended up with remarkable flights– publishable in the media.
“Previously, World Records have been made on specially built prototypes or comp. wings which are not manageable by a regular guy and does nothing to promote paragliding. The real race should be for stock - standard wings to break World Records. We intend to prove that this is achievable. So the pilot on the hill flying Apco's wing knows that this is the wing which broke the World Record and he can do the same” says Apco’s boss, Anatoly Cohn.
For pilots needing to obtain an Apco wing to make an attempt to break the World Record - a special deal will be offered.
+Info: www.apcoaviation.com

posted: March 1sh, 2006

The biggest success of this special free flight competition, focused on distance flying without the pressure of traditional races, was that over 40% of the participating pilots had the best flight in their career during the comp, and 3 new national records were set. Held in the Dominican Republic from January 30th to February 5th 2006, the Ozone Caribbean XC Challenge had a refreshing free-distance task format –over a maximum of three turnpoints– with no defined tasks or goals. It was all about launching whenever pilots felt was appropriate and flying in the direction they chose according to the day’s conditions. The overall winner was Aljaz Valic (Slo), with a Mac Para Magus proto glider, followed by his brother Urban Valic with a Magus 4 in 2nd place, and Italian Giuseppe Sigismondi (Gin Boomerang 3) in 3rd. The 3 first classified of the 5 categories of the competition (according to the glider’s certification) were also awarded prizes.

Appart from pushing personal marks, there were national records: A new straight distance national record was short by only 2 km, but the longest distance over three turnpoints ever flown in this Caribbean country was done by Urban Valic: 117 km, also the best distance in the comp. Other two national records were broken during the first days: British pilot Mike Bretherton set a distance over a triangular course record by flying 80km on his DHV 1/2 glider (Airwave Sport 2), while Aljaz Valic broke the existing 69 km out and return record completing an 84 km circuit.

For Julian Molina, organizer of the Challenge, it was a great success: “The main goal was making an event appealing to pilots of different level and skill. We created a set up and a competition format that made this possible. Experienced pilots had plenty of freedom to fly XC and make the most out of the flying days while less proficient pilots took advantage of the controlled environment and Jocky Sanderson's guidance and advice to expand their frontiers. The most memorable anecdote was after the fourth flying day, when absolutely everyone arrived in San Juan with a big grin as the flying had been superb and because there were no tasks or goals to make, everyone felt like winners!”

The ambiance was splendid thanks to the relaxed open format. Takeoff with no windows favored clean hassle-free traffic as house thermals never got congested, while flying the first kilometers was easy for everyone as there where pilots marking thermals all around.

Complete results, maps and tracks at www.CaribbeanXC.com

posted: February 28th, 2006

Photos: Marco Sicot

2006 US National Paragliding Championships - Idaho
Up to 100 of the finest paragliding pilots in the United States will meet in Sun Valley , Idaho , August 27 – September 2 to fly the skies high over the Sawtooth Mountains and compete for the title of US National Champion. This competition is officially sanctioned by the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. Courses of 10-100 miles are expected as participants reach heights up to 18,000 feet. All flights will originate from the summit of Bald Mountain , the top of the famous Sun Valley Resort. The local paragliding business, Fly Sun Valley, is the official host of the event. Chuck Smith, owner/operator of Fly Sun Valley, is excited about the up coming competition. “We are looking forward to hosting a very successful event. The latter part of August has proven to be a highly consistent window, offering great weather, excellent lapse rates, wonderful thermals and one of the finest times of the year for distance flying”.
Honza Rejmanek, a tandem flight instructor at Fly Sun Valley, currently holds the Idaho state distance record of 115 miles, set last year from Bald Mountain.
+Info: www.flysunvalley.com

Canadian Hedley Open and Mountain Festival
The Upper Similkameen Indian Band wishes to invite the world paragliding community to the Hedley Open and Mountain Festival, on May3rd-10th, 2006. This will be a Canadian Class 2, B event valid for international points. They are also hosting a less formal but World's First PARA-PARAPLEGIC FLY IN Hedley is a new and exciting Canadian venue with "huge air" potential, the "Utah of Canada", with a desert like ambience and the nation's hottest climate. Besides paragliding there will be many attractions, mountain films, Salmon BBQ's, and multi-sport festivities. The flying venues include soaring above the spectacular Mascot Gold Mine, or the spectacular Snazai'st rock formation that offers soaring at a venue several times the width of the El Penon rock in Valle De Bravo, Mexico; and amazing new, often unexplored, cross country potential. “We expect phenomenal thermal conditions for May 2006” says organizer Peter Chrzanowski. The price is $100 and includes free camping. A purse and a variety of prizes, cash and other, will be made available to the top ranking participants. Registration is open until the first day of the event.
+Info on www.explorex.net ; registration at http://events.dowsett.ca/

Paraglidingforum.com Fly-in /Comp in Annecy (France)
The administrators of the most popular paragliding discussion forum in Internet (in English), the Paraglidingforum.com, thought it would be a good idea to organize a competition and convivial event in which the forum members could meet face to face, fly together and have fun. The idea took form and it will take place in Annecy on the same weekend as the Acrofolies –so that the pilots can also watch some of the best acro pilots in action- Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th May 2006 . There will be an XC clinic on Thursday night and a Pgforum party on the Friday night. The organizers will also arrange demo flights of some of the newest gliders from different manufacturers. Registration will cost between 30 and 50 Euros depending on number of registered pilots, to cover party and minibus to take off each day.
+Info: http://www.paraglidingforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=5517

Mathieu on the edge of the balloon basket ready to jump down. Photo © Samir Elari.

Dani during the jump, with the glider partially open. Photo © Samir Elari.

'Aerotowing' with PPG trike, a way to tow a glider that's more complicated and technical than it appears: Don't try this on your own!

He was one of the best pilots of powered paraglider in the world, yet it was his great human quality what revealed in the emotive tribute that more than a thousand people gave to Belgian pilot Johan Bossuyt, deceased in a PPG trike accident last week.
Johan was a pilot, an instructor and also a dealer of PAP paramotors. He got the 6th place at the Paramotor World Championship in France last year and was often seen on podiums around the world.

From Ojovolador we want to express our respects to a happy pilot and fantastic flying mate, to whom his relatives, friends and pilots worldwide will doubtlessly miss in the sky.

posted: January 16 th, 2006

posted: January 13th, 2006

*See our photo-report of last year's 'Las Candelas' in our Spanish site, click here!