Pilot exam revision days

Kate has kindly organised some revision days with Northern Paragliding for the pilot exam. Let here know if you wish to attend:

“I have had a chat to Ian this morning at Northern Paragliding and asked them if they can do any revision sessions for the pilot’s exam. They have agreed to do 1 full day for us at the end of Feb on one of the following dates: Sat 16^th, Sun 17^th, Sat 23^rd or Sun 24^th at their new premises. We need a minimum of 6 people (I know we have already got a definite 3) and I need to know which date people are available so I can book it a.s.a.p. people can email me at katerawlinson@hotmail.co.uk they don’t want paying but are happy to receive donations to Air Ambulance.

Thanks Kate.”

December Club Night

Could those members with trophies please bring them to the next clubnight on the 6th December.

Also, could you return any club library items if you’ve had them over a month.

Many thanks.

Triple X free flight festival & Homegrown

No it’s not as dodgy as it sounds! Mark Leavesly of Leavesly Aviation is currently organising what is sure to be a huge festival down near the Long Mynd. The event will be on the 20, 21, 22 of June and will have ballon drops, acro displays, stalls, model aircraft, ground handling seminars, beer tent, live band food etc etc. Raul Rodriguez from Niviuk and world no.1 acro pilot will be attending and all event profits will go to charity.

More info: http://www.paraglidingforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=15361

Also, the homegrown festival will now be on the 12,13,14 September. Sure to be a hit again after it’s success last year.

More info: http://www.homegrownfestival.com/

Two dates you must add to your diary!

Helicopter Rescue

On the programme Helicopter Heroes on Monday night, there was a piece about a hang-glider who crashed at Wether Fell. Both in the programme and as said by people there at the time, pilots of both hang-gliders and paragliders continued to soar the hill whilst the helicopter was on its way and when it was trying to land to assist the casualty.

This is obviously extremely dangerous for all parties involved and has made both the sport and the club look very bad, just the sort of publicity we don’t need.

The correct proceedure for when a helicopter is on it’s way to an incident at a flyable hill, is to land immediately.

The signs to show others that a heli is on the way and to assist the heli locate the incident, is to create a large “H” visible on the ground made of 3 paragliders weighed down so as not to blow away by the heli’s downwash.

Also use big ears to get down quicker and warn others in the air, of the heli on it’s way.

Use radios where available.

National XC League results

The 2007 UK XC League has now ended and here are the results: http://www.pgcomps.org.uk/?page=/xcleague/xc/2007Results.html

The Dales PG team came 6th this year with the Cumbrians finishing on top – well done to them!

The usual suspects were also in the mix like John Ellison, Jake Herbert, Chris Fountain, James Goldsbrough and others all doing well. Jake won the highest scoring flight above 54 degrees latitude with a massive 130km flight from Wether Fell to the coast at Bridlington!

Here’s how the Dale’s xc league shaped up: http://www.pgcomps.org.uk/xcleague/xc/view.php?year=2007&leagueView=10&showView=0&goButton=Go

Here’s hoping for great weather and more kms next year!

AGM Agenda

Held at the Riverside Hotel, Ilkley at 8.30pm on Thursday the 1st of November 2007

AGENDA

1) Apologies for absence.
2) Chairman’s opening address.
3) Minutes from the previous meeting.
4) Matters arising from the minutes.
5) Reports from officials.
a) Newsletter editor
b) Membership secretary
c) Treasurer
d) Chief club coach
e) Safety officer

Humesett

Has anyone got any experience of Humesett, the little used site in front of Stags Fell, with a big walk up?

It has a new owner and before I try to confirm arrangements I’d like to establish what we want and what we think we already have.  Unfortunately the grid reference in the sites’ guide doesn’t tie up with the map/diagram and neither looks suitable for a safe take-off.  I have walked it a couple of times and found what I consider to be good alternative take-off and top landing points, although some require access through a gate and routes off the Pennine Way.

On the other hand if no-one has flown it for the last 10 years, perhaps we don’t need it?

All advice and comment gratefully received.

Martin Baxter
DHPC Sites (N)

Bleriot Cup

Well done to the britsh team who won the Bleriot cup again this year, especially our very own John Ellison who put in the best flight of the comp.

Read more at http://www.pgcomps.org.uk/ - under Competitions, Bleriot Cup

Dales Club AGM – November

Hi All

We have a slightly greater turnover of Committee Members occurring this year, just due to circumstances. They are as follows:

Skywords Editor – Ian Sadler, who’s has done a fantastic year’s work. Put together Skywords, the Club newsletter, principally emailed out.

Safety Officer – Liz Addy, who has done sterling work for the club over many years. A necessary function when accidents occur, also for parachute repacking

Librarian – Liz Addy, who has done sterling work for the club over many years. Looking after and purchasing new DVD’s and books, keeping good records

Membership Sec – John Edmonds, has done a great job here but now is abroad a lot. Sending out membership reminders and feeding the dosh through to the Treasurer.

Chief Coach – Dean Crosby, so knowledgable and has done a great job. Controlling training by Senior Coaches

Southern Sites Officer – Mick Bolton, has done this for quite a few years. Looking after sites in the southern area of the DHPC.

The AGM is a very important meeting, where you can shape the way the Club is run, either by your proposals which need to be submitted sensibly in advance or by joining the Committee.

Please come along to the AGM which is on Thursday, 1st November at the Riverside Hotel and please give strong consideration to joining the Committee to help run YOUR CLUB.

If you want to submit a proposal or stand for a committee post then email contacts@dhpc.org.uk.

Cheers
Trev

Baildon Sod

The 112^th Annual Baildon Sod festival of free flight was held Wednesday 12^th  September. A light northwest wind put us on a small slope across the road from the usual hill. Conditions were good, and some good flights of short distance and low altitude scraped off down the hill. Andy Woods was the clear winner of the hang gliding trophy whilst Pete Logan and Kev Mcloughlin share first place, for flights made on Pete`s paraglider! See yourself in action at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/paracomps/BaildonSod2007