SHPF Blog

4 Bob M - Glen Ogle
5 John N - 1225 - Landed on Ben Vorlich walking to road.
7 Paul M - 11:30 Tarmachan
8 Helen G - 1pm plodding up Tarmachan at top of pipe
10 Dave T - 1445 Landed on South side of loch Earn
11 Adrian S - 0920 -579346
14- Dave H - Also plodding up Tarmachan with Helen at the pipe
25 Andy M 10am also at top of pipe on Tarmachan
21 Scott R - 1455 About to take off from Tarmachan
24 Peter W - 1300 Tarmachan
30 Jitka P - 1200 About to take off from Tarmachan

Labels: paragliding event 2008 scotland, X-Scotia status pilot

X-Scotia Paragliding and Hiking Adventure Race 2008

1st Overall - Steve Nash - Sup`Air X-Ride Light Speed Riding Harness & SHPF X-Scotia Trophy - sponsored by Northern Paragliding

2nd Overall and Longest Flight 2008 X-Scotia - Paul Myerscough - 1 week at La Basse Beaumettes - sponsored by Ulric and Ruth Jessop of www.pottyplace.com

Highest % Walking and 3rd Overall 2008 X-Scotia - £300 Voucher - Mark Leyland - sponsored by Niviuk UK

1st Female 2008 X-Scotia- Skywalk Overall Jacket + Sunglasses - Jitka Polechova - sponsored by Northern Paragliding

2nd Female 2008 X-Scotia - Teva Shoes - Helen Gant - sponsored by TEVA

Special 2008 X-Scotia Sportsmanship award - Teva Shoes - Nick Ogden + Julian Robinson - sponsored by Teva

Heaviest Pack 2008 X-Scotia - Subscription to Cross Country Magazine - Peter Will - sponsored by Cross Country

1st tandem 2008 X-Scotia 2008 - Teva Shoes - John Newton- sponsored by Teva

All pilots competing received T-shirts and other small prizes.

Labels: 2008, awards, events, hiking, paragliding, prizes, winner, x-scotia

Just a bit of fun but I took the previously posted data on X-Scotia pilots and their pack weights and generated this - interesting ?.

Labels: pack, paraglider, paragliding, scotland, weight, x-scotia

Status -
4 Bob M No reports last seen in Killin boozing
5 John N In Lochearnhead heading for Ben Vorlich at 12:15
7 Paul M - on Tarmachan 1 hour ago
8 Helen G 2km 2 Killin heading North 3 hours ago.
10 Dave T Just landed North of Lix Toll
11 Adrian S - 579346 at 0917 this morning
13 Johan 590365 near Killin 9am
14 Dave H heading towards Killin at 9am 548310
25 Andy M at 10am at top of pipeline at Tarmachan
21 Scott R With Jitka - through Lochearnhead heading for Loch Vorlich
24 Peter W at 917am at 579346
28 Patrick A - heading for Ben More Hotel
30 Jitka P - 2 turnpoints done currently heading up Ben Vorlich
31 Ian W - with Paddy A also heading for the Ben More Hotel.
35 Gordon S - about to launch from lower down on the Tarmachan

Finished
Steve Nash - unofficially reached goal First
Paul Myerscough - " 2nd
Mark Leyland - " 3rd
Julian Robinson - equal 5th?
Nick Ogden - "

Retirements.
Mark Harrison, Chris Miles, Peter Shields, Billy Casson, Crawford Coulson

Labels: paragliding, position, results, scotland, status, x-scotia

Here are some of the photos that I have managed to upload very slowly of the first day of X-Scotia 2008 event. There will be lots more to come along with videos later.

X-Scotia Paragliding Competition May 10th + 11th 2008

Labels: 2008, paragliding, pictures, scotland, x-scotia

Well whilst I was asleep the blog entries faded out but now it is time to catch up from roughly midnight...

06:25 Mark Leyland landed in the finishing field coming third. This was after having walked up Ben Vorlich during the night and flying down at first light. Luckily although unexpected he was spotted and the cameras caught the action - pictures soon...

Julian Robinson and Nick Ogden landed equal fourth - with lots of stories to tell- video to come.

Peter Shields and Billy Casson retired near the Killin Land Rover garage at 1:15am. Other retirements Mark Harrison, Crawford Coulson,

Loads of people staying in Killin at B+Bs.

Labels: 2008, paragliding, results, scotland, status, x-scotia

At about 23:20 this evening Steve Nash arrived at the finish line and between 1 and 2 minutes later Paul Myerscough also arrived . There was a little consternation when Paul arrived as race control hadnt realised that he had completed all the turnpoints on a different route to Steve a stunning achievement from them both. They professed to be tired but my opinion would be that they looked amazingly good. After the welcome and the deserved congratulations some of the stories are becoming out, 2 short examples....
Steve only just managed to get a flight in from the Tarmachan with what sounds like the very last chance before the weather closed in...
Paul it seems may have had the longest flight of the competition .. all to be confirmed with the GPS / picture data tomorrow...

Labels: 2008, competition, paraglider, paragliding, Paul Myerscough, SHPF, Steve Nash, winner, x-scotia

Well a few hours have passed now and it is fairly clear how the tactics are resolving for the evening.
Fist Steve Nash who is awesome - having completed all 3 turnpoints and he is expected to complete before midnight. This is an estimate after he just reported his position as just North of Killin a few minutes ago and he is still running ...

Second place - an interesting situation is becoming apparent between Julian Robinson and Nick Ogden - both have completed 2 turn points but in different directions. Julian having gone clockwise to Ben More / Tarmachan and Nick has gone anti-clockwise Tarmachan - Ben More and both have very similar distances to go and the final climb of Ben Vorlich - this will go down to the wire.....
Fourth contenders include - Paul Myrescough currently on Ben Vorlich having done Ben More.
John Newton - on Tarmachan, and a few others.....

Ladies - Both Jitka and Helen are about the same distance from the finish though both have followed completely different routes it will be very interesting to see how this pans out as well ...

Everyone else - well basically a lot of people near Killin with a few staying out on the hills overnight ...

Retirements - Matt Church, Mark Harrison, Crawford Coulson.

Labels: 2008, May, paragliding, scotland, status, x-scotia

As at about 6pm the following people appear to be competing for the top places.
Clearly in the lead Steve Nash - first to round 2 turnpoints, and apparently a close race amongst Julian Robinson, Chris Myles, Mark Leyland and John Newton for the following places.

Labels: paragliding, scotland, x-scotia

Early this morning prior to race start there was a fun competition to find glider weights for the participating paragliding pilots to the X-Scotia event. Here are the results of the pilots who agreed to be weighed and in no particular order ...

All up weight Kg / Without Paraglider / Paraglider + kit weight Kg / Name

92.5 / 73.0 / 19.5 / Andy
106.5 / 82.5 / 24.0 / Paddy
112.0 / 87.5 / 24.5 / Gordon
106.5 / 82.5 / 24.0 / Ian Wall
109.5 / 84.0 / 25.5 / Peter
115.0 / 91.5 / 23.5 / Dave Hutchinson,
94.0 / 77.0 / 17.0 / Dave Thomson
114.0 / 99.5 / 14.5 / Julian Robinson
80.0 / 63.0 / 17.0 / Scott
96.5 / 81.5 / 15.0 / Paul M
92.5 / 72.0 / 20.5 / Jitka
82.0 / 64.0 / 18.0 / Johann
109.5 / 87.0 / 22.5 / Crawford
114.0 / 91.5 / 22.5 / John - 5
89.0 / 78.5 / 10.5 / Steve Nash
109.5 / 89.5 / 20.0 / Adrian Smith
101.576.5 / 25.0 / Matt Church
83.5 / 63.5 / 20.0 / Helen

Labels: paraglider, scotland, weight, x-scotia

Here are the positions of people as recorded as at 2pm ish ..

Pilot 1 Mark Leyland, 444197 at 11.55
3 Steve Nash 11.05 Balquidher Ben Vorlich achieved
4 Bob Mathews 13:10 Ben More
5 John Newton 11:05 Ben Stoibhienen?
7 Paul Midgely 11:35 Ben More
8 Helen Gant 12:45 Rounded Vorlich, Balquidher
9 Julian Robinson 12:00 430230
10 David Thomson 11:30 492232
11 Adrian Smith 10:39 454188
12 Mark Harrison 11:55 511230
13 Johan Kritzinger 13:05 585234
14 David Hutchinson 10:48 Kirkton Glen
15 Nick Ogden 13:45 Killin having rounded TP2 Tarmachan
16 Paul Myerscough 13:35 Leaving Ben More
21 Scott Rigg 12:27 Ben More
24 Pete Will 13:45 Cleared TP3
25 Andy McGregor 13:55 535298
26 Cris Miles 13:45 Killin Road,
28 Paddy Angier 11:50 Balquidder Braes
29 Peter Shields 12:45 Rounded TP3, Lochearnhead
30 Jitka Polechova 14:05 439210
31 Iain Wallace 13:30 534237
32 Billy Casson 12:45 Rounded Ben Vorlich now Lochearnhead
34 Crawford Coulson 13:45 Ben More
35 Gordon Smythe 12:45 Landed near Start/Finish having rounded TP3
36 Matt Church 13:10 494821

Labels: locations, paragliding, scotland, x-scotia

Ok - it is nearly 2pm on the inaugural X-Scotia event and 6 hours have passed.
Tactics and routes are varying quite significantly ....

There have been a group who have headed West along the road towards Ben More and then headed North into the spurs of Ben More. And an equivalent group headed into the Balquidder Braes and then apparently planning to fly towards Ben More.

Another group has headed SE up Ben Vorlich and have flown down to near the start finish line again. Who are then splitting to either head West or Nortth to the other turn points.

1 person at least headed from the start straight North to Ptarmichan (Nick Ogden) and has now turned South West heading for Ben More having rounded turn point 1.

More soon ....

Labels: live, paragliding, scotland, x-scotia

X-Scotia - status as at 1pm on Saturday 10th May 08
What has been happening at base whilst all the competitors are doing the hard stuff well...
Computing crises - especially wrt to GPS tracks from different types of machine and connectivity and Google Earth issues (This should be put into context as there was a relaxed breakfast earlier of course.

Lots more pilots reported their positions by radio or text message and even after looking out there glasses!....

X-Scotia text status as at 11am, 10th May 2008
Last night the pasta party was a huge success and the chance for everyone to start casing out the competition. Then the briefing from Steve Durkin, Cliff Smith and Dave Thomson (who summarised a very complicated weather situation very clearly and having already had the invidious task of choosing the weekend of the event must have felt some pressure..) hopefully you will soon be able to see the video of this. Most people went to bed fairly early in the tents or campervans based near the Lochearnhead Watersports Centre in preparation for an early start today.
Saturday morning 10th May- X-Scotia 2008 - race weigh in - Heaviest pack wins a prize - results for this fun bit of fun will be shown below asap.
Race start - at 07:30 this morning - different strategies apparent from the onset, most notable being Steve Nash who must win the lightest pack competition if there were one! with a running start. And just a few minutes ago he reported that he was above Balquidder and had just rounded the TP3 - the first reported TP rounding. Just 2 more to go!

Labels: 2008, live, paragliding, scotland, x-scotia

X-Scotia 2008 Weekend of 10th + 11th May 2008 Status - GREEN

Labels: 2008, events, green, paragliding, scotland, SHPF, status, x-scotia

Rik kindly prepared a video from the recent paragliding and hang-gliding reserve deployment excercise held at Ratho near Edinburgh.

Here are links to each quarter of that film, each of which is very large at ~269MB so I strongly suggest that you right click and save as .... just clicking will probably cause things to seize up!

• Part 1


• Part 2


• Part 3


• Part 4

Labels: hang-gliding, paragliding, Ratho, reserve, scotland, SHPF, throw, video

Just a reminder that at 9pm on 24th March Channel 4 showed a programme about Bear Grylls working with Giles Cardozo of Parajet - with the aim of trying to fly over Mount Everest on a paramotor.
To see more details about this programme maybe you would be interested in this link or here at GKN

Labels: Mt Everest, paramotor, tv

To reiterate news that you may have already seen elsewhere the next consultation meeting regarding Mode S Transponders is to be held at Portmoak (Scottish Gliding Centre) Thursday 20th March at 7pm.

Paraphrasing the above information and links from the BGA :-
"These meetings are a great opportunity for members to engage with the rulemakers and further clarify our airspace needs. .... We are calling on all glider pilots to make a response as was done to such great effect during the first round of consultation and, as such, ALL pilots should try to attend one of the meetings."

A succint summary of the current situation from the BGA

Labels: hang-gliding, mode, mode S, paragliding, transponder

On the 11th March at The BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards 2008 within the "Best First Time Producer ? Factual" category Dave Hipkiss was nominated for X-Alps: The World?s Most Extreme Race.

This features Ulric and Ruth Jessop during the 2007 X-Alps competition and the film was made for BBC Scotland.

Update - unfortunately this film did not win, however that does not lessen in any way the quality of the film or the amazing amount of dedication required by Ulrich and Ruth to enter and compete in this event.

Labels: bafta, film, paragliding, X-Alps

Chucking your reserve is planned for Friday evening (14th March) from 5pm - 9.45pm at Ratho.

Repacking with guidance (for those that need it and subject to availability
of repacking help) on Saturday (15th March) at the Tinto hotel, plus SHPF AGM and some flying at Tinto if conditions allow.

Para-phrasing Dave Thomson :-

a )The booking for the Ballroom for the day (£100 ) has been confirmed and they have been advised that everyone "will do their own thing" re meals - They have a tour in so the restauraunt will be quite busy. Bar meals should be OK, although they would still like an idea of numbers.

b) It is obviously crucial that we get some folk along who have some packing experience. Has someone been approached to take the lead in getting a team together to help folk who have not done it before ? The entire success of this day depends on getting enough folk to help. Volunteers contact Dave, Mike or Al.

c) Mike J and I were discussing how successful the format of last years event was. Clearly, of we are packing all day, there is less time, but we felt that the Day would be a lot more enjoyable (and attract more folk to the AGM ) if we put something on for the early evening/ Since X Scotia is the main SHPF Event coming up, we are proposing a series of short chats on Fly Walking ;- eg Equipment; Tactics; Nutrition (10 minutes each ) then a Discussion Forum ? Then show the 2007 X Alps film (either the official one or the BBC one about Ruth abd Ulric )

d) I've got (almost) all the Trophies sorted. Does anyone know anything about the whereabouts of the SHPF longest Flight Trophy ?

Unless there are any better suggestions, Dave will make the arrangements re item (c), but really doesn`t want to be left with (b) - As stated above if you are volunteering please contact Dave , Mike or Al - or anyone really.

David

Register your interest with Alistair Bowman at:

Email :- ambowman43@aol.com

Please give an indication of what time you plan to be at Ratho in the evening.

Cost £20 per person.

Mike Jardine

Information for attending pilots
Your covering email/letter will give you a registration number. This number determines approximately when you will be using the zipwire. If you do not turn up for your allocated slot, you will be included as soon as possible.
1. Programme (may be subject to change)
Friday 14 March
4.30pm onwards Registration Location to be confirmed
This is primarily for the first group of names but anyone is welcome to come along at any time.
However, use of the zipwire will be dictated by registration number. If you do not turn up when you are
due to use the zipwire, you will be slotted in as soon as possible.
Follow signs for SHPF repack. Bring all your kit but no resonsibility will be accepted for lost or
damaged items.
5.00pm - 9.45pm Reserve deployment SkyRide level 5+
The fun starts. The number of pilots allowed in the take-off area at any one time will be 5. This gives
you the chance to watch how the system works before your flight and to provide moral support or
give marks out of 10 to those in front of you. Each pilot will be called forward by number, briefed and
attached to the zipwire. Two screwlock caribiners will be used to attach the pulley system to the hang
points on your harness. When you are ready and happy with the arrangements - yehahhhhhhhh -
remembering to deploy reserve as quickly as possible.
When you come to a halt you will still be suspended some 15" above the floor so wait until you
are lowered. Someone will then help you to detach yourself from the pulley. Bundle up reserve and remember to collect the deployment bag.
You then have the option of taking your reserve home for un-assisted repacking (if you are confident of what to do) or bringing it to the Saturday repack.
NB. This is the ideal opportunity to re-pack your reserve at home BEFORE the deployment, to
test your reserve re-packing skills.

Saturday 15 March
10.00am onwards Reserve repacking Tinto Hotel, Symington
The Tinto Hotel have provided their Ballroom for mass re-packing. We hope that SHPF coaches will be
on hand to offer some assistance but it is your responsibility to carry out your own repack.
Flying?
If it?s flyable, you can head off to Tinto once you?ve packed away your reserve.

AGM Tinto Hotel
The time for the AGM will be based on the flying conditions. If a non-flying day, the AGM will be around 1.00pm, if flyable expect a 5.00pm start (or later).
Notes:
1. The programme times may be adjusted depending on numbers - priority will be given to those who have pre-registered.
2. The amount of repack supervision may also depend on total numbers, but priority will be given to those who are new to reserve repacking.
3. Please bring:
Full harness and reserve
Helmet and gloves
Reserve manual (if you have)
Warm clothing (it can be cold in Ratho)
Radio tuned to 143.675 (if you have)

Important
The zipwire will be installed and supervised at all times by Adventure Centre staff. All persons using the zipwire must follow the directions of Adventure Centre staff and take full responsibility for proper adjustment of their own harness.

Food and Drink
Coffees, drinks, snacks, bar snacks and full meals are available at the Ledge Cafe (Ledge in
Climbing Hall) and Stone Room Bar/Restaurant (Level 5).

Labels: 2008, AGM, hang-gliding, paragliding, Ratho, repack, reserve, SHPF

The minutes from the recent committe meeting of The Scottish Hang-gliding and Paragliding Federation (SHPF) can now be found by clicking on the above title.

Labels: federation, hang-gliding, meeting, minutes, paragliding, Scottish, SHPF

Website: Click on the above title.
Info on the venue: http://www.walcothall.com/
When: 20th ? 22nd of June
Where: Walcott Hall, Lydbury North, close to the Long Mynd

The Triple X Free Flying festival will be held at the weekend of the 20th ? 22nd June 2008 at Walcott Hall, Lydbury North, Shropshire. This is the inaugural event in what is hoped will become an annual event. Held near the legendary Long Mynd flying site, there will be plenty of opportunity for flying, whatever level of experience pilots have.

The festival will to be an event for the whole free-flying community, with flying and non-flying activities planned for each day of the festival. Activities confirmed to date are:

· Free-flying trade fair with major exhibitors and manufacturers
· Aviation car boot sale
· Acro display from multiple world acro champion Raul Rodriguez
· Model aircraft displays
· Ground handling seminars
· Free flying films
· Beer tent sponsored by the famous Three Tuns Brewery
· DJs, bands and lots more.

Whatever the weather, the festival promises to be fun for all attendees!

Organiser Mark Leavesley says: ?We hope the event will be MASSIVE! It should be the best free flying event this year.?

Costs:
· (before 1st April 2008) Full festival pass 3 days £40
(after 1st April 2008) Full festival pass 3 days £50
Day pass £15
· Aviation car boot sale stand £20 for 3 days
· Children under 12 years old ? free
· Trade stand (bringing your own tent) £200
· Trade stand (in provided marquee) £250

All profits are going to the local children?s hospice

Contact Details: Mark Leavesley, 01588 630253 or info@leavesleyaviation.com

Hello,
I have recently been sending some invitations to people in the Scottish free flying community to contribute directly to this blog. If you haven't received this and you have anything that you would like to post then send an email to me using bob@shpf.co.uk and I shall send you an invitation asap thereafter.

Thankyou in advance.

Bob Veitch

Labels: blog, SHPF

This coming weekend the rescheduled Arran round of The Scottish Nationals Paragliding Series is arranged, the usual webpage (that the title links to) has been updated with details.

Registration and briefing will be at 10:45 at the Mc Alpine hotel opposite the ferry terminal Brodick Pier, Arran, on Saturday morning.

Bob V

Labels: 2007, Arran, nationals, paragliding, Scottish, series

Owing to the less than ideal weather conditions forecast for the weekend, we have decided to postpone the Tinto round of the Scottish Nationals for one week.

Weather permitting, we will hold the Tinto round on 25/26 August.

George McGhee
Series Co-ordinator

RV - As usual as more details are made available they will be on this page :-
http://www.shpf.co.uk/scotparanationals.php

Labels: nationals, paragliding, Scottish

Airshow at The National Museum of Flight today, For more details see here.

Here is the Notams info although I suspect it is just a tad windy - at least for us floppies !

NAVW: Q)EGPX/QRTCA/IV/BO/W/000/081/5600N00243W006
FROM 07/07/28 11:55 TO 07/07/28 12:33 J3329/07
E)RESTRICTED AREA (TEMPORARY) AT EAST FORTUNE, LOTHIAN FOR A RED
ARROWS DISPLAY WI 6NM RADIUS 560001N 0024302W. AREA
ESTABLISHED UNDER
ARTICLE 96 OF THE ANO 2005 (MIL ACFT SHOULD COMPLY WITH
JSP552.201.135.9). AIC 33/2007 (MAUVE 218) DATED 26 APRIL 07
REFERS.
AUS 07-07-0029/2934/AS1
F)SFC G)8100FT AMSL

NAVW: Q)EGPX/QWPLW/IV/M/W/000/120/5600N00243W005
FROM 07/07/28 14:45 TO 07/07/28 15:45 H2767/07
E)PJE BY RAF FALCONS FROM C130 WI 5NM RADIUS 5600N 00243W
(EAST FORTUNE - LOTHIAN). HEIGHT SUBJECT TO ATC CLEARANCE.
DROP TIME 1513 HRS. SUPPORT ACFT MAY FLYPAST DROP ZONE ON
COMPLETION
AUS 07-07-0029/2925/AS1

Enjoy.

Labels: airshow, flight, museum, notam

Please don't forget that the next round of this friendly competition is scheduled for this coming weekend the 7th and 8th July. Also as usual, as details are made available, they will be on the above linked page.

See you there.

Labels: competition, nationals, organising, paragliding, Scottish, series

Hi just a quick post to say that I have spent quite some time this evening updating both the weather links and all the free flight clubs outside of Scotland on the links page.
If you know of any ommissions or corrections please contact me asap.
Thankyou in advance.

Labels: clubs, link, links, SHPF, weather

Hi,
If you wish to see the photos and videos (in Picasa format) that I took on 3 of the 4 days of the recent Scottish round of the BPC - click the title.
Bob V

Labels: Bob Veitch, BPC, photos, Scottish, videos

Evenin' All,

Quick note to inform you of the rescheduling of this weekends Scottish Nationals Paragliding Series round scheduled for Arran.
Owing to a clash of dates with the Lakes Charity Classic and a fairly
poor weather forecast, the Arran round will now take place later in the
year.

Cheers,
George

Labels: 2007, Arran, nationals, paragliding, Scottish

Photos by Bob V from the first day of the BPC round held at Broughton on 26th May 2007 and based at Tinto Hotel, Symington.

A ~45km task was set with goal near Clovenfords and I am sure the results will soon be here on the BPC website.

Labels: 2007, BPC, british, broughton, cup, May, paragliding, picture, scotland, video

Hi,

Do your bit for the environment by getting a lift to the BPC Tinto
round on Saturday morning in one of the hired mini-buses.
I have one minibus in Edinburgh (and George McGhee in Glasgow has another)

Plenty of space for kit on the top. If you have any tarpaulins or DPC
sheeting / rope that might be useful though....

I suggest meeting at The Steading at 07.00 for a 7:45 ish departure -
getting you to Tinto Hotel in time for late registration if necessary
- for more details see :-
http://www.bpcup.co.uk/borders.php or http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ksy99i/bpc/bpc_borders_2007.htm

Please contact me on 07799 406215 if you are coming or if you have any
issues / questions/ tarps etc.

Bob.

Jerome Maupoint coming to the Isle of Arran 14th-24th May for a filming session. Gin Demos available - Pilots invited to come and fly contact flying Fever info@flyingfever.net

Zabdi Keen

Flying Fever
Strathwhillian Farm Cottage 2
Strathwhillian Road
Brodick
Isle of Arran
KA27 8BQ

+44 (0)1770303899
+44 (0)7717712727
www.flyingfever.net
info@flyingfever.net

Labels: 2007, Arran, Jerome Maupoint, May, paraglding