“The sky is big and hang gliders are hard to see – we separate so fast. Things are getting desolate. Then solid sink, really solid sink … the ground is coming up fast.” Gordon Rigg describes the experience of flying the longest hang competition task ever – 367km to goal. To read ‘367km to Walgett’, […] …read more
Spring in the Mountains: By Jon Chambers
“On good spring days the thermals can start surprisingly early. The air mass is cold and the trigger temperature is reached sooner. This is very different from summer flying. Make sure you launch from a south-east face to take full advantage,” writes Jon Chambers on his guide to mountain flying early in the season. To […] …read more
El Nino Peaks: A Record Year
“The 2015/2016 El Nino has been strong. Flying-wise, it’s no surprise records have been broken both in South America and Australia…” Ed Ewing explains the effects of El Nino 2015/16. To read ‘El Nino 20156/16′, check out issue 168 …read more
The Big Sled Ride: By Honza Rejmanek
“There’s something magical about hiking up a big mountain and flying off the summit,” writes Honza Rejmanek. “But first you have to work out your chances of getting off the top…” Honza details the logical steps in forecasting to guarantee success. To read ‘The Big Sled Ride’, check out issue 168 …read more
Who’s the Paragliding World Champion?
“Who’s the paragliding world champion? No idea – nada!” You’re twice as likely to be well known among the free flying community if you devote yourself to designing wings, rather than flying competitions, we discover, through our poll of nearly 2,000 pilots. Due to confusion between different competitions and a general lack of interest, only […] …read more
A Little Bit Square: The New Companion SQR
“You get the aerodynamic advantages of square reserves – opening, sink rate and pendulum resonance – due to the airjets, but it is very easy to pack, like a round canopy.” Peter Mack explains the concept behind the new ‘SQR’ reserve design. To read ‘A Little Bit Square’, check out issue 168 …read more
Cross Country 168: April 2016
Cross Country 168, April 2016 is out now. Here’s what’s in the issue, from remembering Pierre Bouilloux to paragliding through the wilds of Tajikistan… With his Gallic nose, quiet nature and penchant for long, solo vol-bivouac trips, there was something very bird-like about Pierre Bouilloux. He was wise, too. “If you’re ever stressed, go and […] …read more
Pierre Bouilloux: ‘It’s out of this world’
With his Gallic nose, quiet nature and penchant for long, solo vol-bivouac trips, there was something very bird-like about Pierre Bouilloux. He was wise, too. “If you’re ever stressed, go and stand with your back against a tree, and rest your worries against it,” he once told me. “It’s seen far more than you’ll ever […] …read more
GIN granted CCC exemption after factory closed down
GIN have requested a temporary change in the rules to the new CCC regulations for Cat 1 paragliding comps because their factory in North Korea has been closed down. In a notice issued on 7 March 2016, CIVL said that GIN, which make the Boomerang 10 comp wing, had asked for an exemption to the […] …read more
Cross Country April 2016: The Never-ending Journey
What makes a good flight? Is it flying further than you’ve flown before? Flying a new site? Flying an old one with new friends, or a new one with old friends? Is it heading off alone through the wilderness, or is it soaring the beach and waving at the people below? All of these and […] …read more