Jocky Sanderson

Wonderful India XC tour - Bir

2011-11-22T15:03:00.000-08:00

We have just returned from a fantastic flying tour to India. Thanks to Foram Pandya, a pilot and friend, who attended an SIV course in Annecy. She invited us to come to India and teach a small group of pilots in Bir, in the Himachel region of northern India, and then to run a 3 day work shop for a larger group of pilots in Kamshet, near Mumbai. I will start first with Bir trip...

Bir, what a wonderful place. The flying, the birds, the mountains and the people, they were all great. It was like going back in time, with civilised accommodation, thanks to the Colonel and his wife, who were perfect hosts. They organised everything and made all of us feel so welcome with lovely food and cosy evening sat by the fire with a polite team of staff bringing all you could want.

Now what about the flying? Well is was great too. We flew 80km out and returns, got to above 10,000 ft, flying an average of 3 hours a day, every day! It couldn't get much better.
To add the the great flying and accommodation was the company. Our group was small, with only 8 pilots and two guides, it was a perfect number. Everyone had a positive attitude and all got on really well. In fact I think everyone got a personal best in their flying, from distance and time, to altitude and goals.

It was a good blend of completely different characters all sharing the same love of flying and sense of humour. We all shared our flights and social time with other pilots staying at the colonels place, with other tours organised by John Sylvester, Jim Mallinson and Eddie Colfox, who are all great friends and pilots. It was a very happy environment and a pleasure to knock about with old pals. I even managed to get the last three days with mad jack mac mad Mark Russell, my mate from Dorset.

We also flew there the day after the Russian pilot had the Griffin vulture fly into his wing, the one that was made famous on YouTube. We even had our own mid-air when a vulture bumped into the wing tip of Nihad's glider. It rip the tip and cut the stabiliser line. Fortunately both the vulture and Nihad flew away un hurt and richer for the experience. The birds were realy nice to fly with and they were very relaxed, some were even swooping down and soaring the leading edge of our gliders, like this one playing with Kirans glider. I also saw a few vulture mesmerised by the dot on the top of Klaus's Gradient. They kept on gently diving down, with their talons extending, as if to try and pick it up, and then flying off again. Fortunately Klaus was oblivious, but they looked great.

Another lovely aspect of India are the people, they are lovely and, without exception, they were all kind and hospitable when ever we landed. It is very humbling to see such warmth and a strange organisation and discipline amid such perceived chaos. They are well presented and proud and a pleasure to be around. During the relaxed long nights, Kiran taught us about the stars and we took pictures of the moon through his telescope, which was amazing, considering it was a case of sticking it in the viewfinder and holding it very still.

I am definitely going back next year because the flying and place is so wonderful. I also only want to take a small group because it is a place where you need know where everyone is. Plus there will hopefully be a few local pilots so the blend of local and visiting pilots will help to bond the group, like it did this year. So book early if this trip appeals to you.

Annecy 2011

2011-07-05T02:24:00.000-07:00

John Jones crosses the lake

Annecy! I will never get bored of that lovely place, it is so beautiful and so versatile. You can fly around the lake, on either the petit tour of about 30km, or do the grande tour of about 60-70km. Then, when you are done with that, you can fly south towards Genoble, over stunning national parks and mountains, or north along the Aravis to Chamonix. Then there is the lake for some superb SIV and general playing about with your glider. What an aerial playground.

Foram after her fun swim.

We have been out there for two weeks and both groups were great fun with a truly cosmopolitan collection of pilots, all with the same positive attitude and hunger to learn SIV and XC. Each week had a day of bad weather, but that didn't stop us completing the schedule. We had two pilots, Foram and James, who wanted to throw their reserves, which went very well, so welcome to the exclusive club you two. Foram was particularly brave because she could swim! In addition to the parachute fun, we had perfect stall recoveries from everyone, not to mention some awesome wing overs, in the end. Well done everyone. Course do seem to just get better and better, and that is largely down to the skill level of pilots and their sensible choice of gliders, which are more fun to fly, with a perfect balance of security and performance.

The first A&1 teams

We had over 20 personal bests with XC flights in distance, height gain, and time, with many pilots flying more than 30km, up to 2,500m, and for over 4 hours in the air.

Some great images of Annecy and the course...

This is a funky short film by Stafano Tomassi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkdHpNguZUQ

Here is a nice slide show from Paul Chapman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuwYm0gtbKQ=BuwYm0gtbKQ

Here are some lovely on-board manoeuvres from Rob Ness

Rob's Wingover tuck http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7fjqHyfp30

Rob's Twist exit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOP186ra0UQ

The North South Cup

2011-06-29T05:43:00.000-07:00

This was the collective brainchild of High Miller, Jim Mallinson and myself. We wanted a friendly competition between experienced XC pilots who just want to fly, have a good laugh, while pushing pilots skill and getting records.

May 13 marked the first ever competition between pilots from the North and the South, locked in friendly aerial and ground based battles to find who were the true victors of the skies and kings of the dance floor. The north has the mountains and versatility, where as the south has the weather and flatlands. The southerner’s skill at eaking out the light thermals and tracking with the lift, really showed, as they came good in the first task from Milk hill , a elapsed time race to Crome, 239km away, in a line to pass major airspace. Richard Bungay flew 116km and many passed the 70km mark. It was great to see such high caliber pilots flying so close and so politely together to get away from such a small site.

The next day dawned with strong westerly’s, so we headed up the Mynd and set a relay race speed flying task, one Km up the ridge and back, one on one, North v South! Even though one the southerner, Tom Payne, landed at the bottom and Richard Westgate landed in a tree, they still managed to beat us. How was that possible?

Back to the camp for some butch tug-of-war, and yes, of course the Northerners won that! Even though there was a bit of cheating from Wattsie, as he helped his crumbling Southern squadron. Even the women got stuck in and mustered opposing teams, and yes we won that too. It must be all that scrubbing of the front steps on the terrace houses, up in Acrington Stanley, that built their muscle tone up.

Then came the slack line, of which we, being in tune with our bodies and dexterous muscle control, won, thanks to Phil from the Niviuk boys. The final task was the “dance off” at the party. The southerners could have done with Patrick Swazey, because their team was whoefully short of willing dancers. So it was like taking candy from a baby when Marra strutted his stuff on the floor tonight, aow-yeah.

Although there was hope for the Sundays forecast, with a band of flyable weather that we could just launch in and surfed from the Mynd down to Cirencester, a British declared goal record. However it was not to be, the band dropped the wind from 55km down to 35, so it didn’t really help. So we had a raucous presentation, handed over the silverware to the victorious Southern Sqn, and boobie prizes to the boobies. Then, after the hugs and hand shakes, we all cruised home in time for brew and buns up north, and tea and cakes down south.

The defeated captain

Thanks to everyone for a great weekend and a real team effort from the marshals to the competitors. It was a real pleasure to fly with you all. Because this is a comp to fly to the max, next year we will be choosing from Milk in the south and Keswick in the south, at the last minute, to maximize the flyable conditions.

Indonesian Paragliding team

2011-05-11T13:20:00.000-07:00

Last week we had the pleasure to teach 27 members of the Indonesian paragliding team SIV and XC in Oludeniz. I have to say it was an a great experience and they are a wonderful bunch of positive and happy people and pilots. It was all a bit last minute, but once the ball got rolling we all worked well to make it happen. Sebastian Bourquin, an old friend and SIV expert, flew in from Nepal and Chris, Kath and I flew in from England. Then came the team of 27 pilots! Within 24 hours we were off, flying SIV in two groups, the first with the old timer, teaching SIV and the second, with the young buck, Seb, teaching SIV and Acro. Everything worked really well and all the pilots and team did really well.

Then we set a 28 km race to gaol task and had 6 pilots in goal with many making over 14 km. the last day was a 15 km FAI triangle with all pilots in goal! So well done everyone. It was a pleasure flying with you and you are the best group we have had a taking off and following instructions despite the language barrier. I am sure that with the dedication and support from Bodhi and Durmha One, you will be an unstoppable paragliding team in Asia and soon the world! Thank you and well done to the pilots, organisers and instructors.

Midnight express for the Jockster

2011-04-04T08:14:00.000-07:00

We are out in Oludeniz at the moment and the weather isn't playing ball, nor are the officials of the council. They are doing a great job improving the road to Baba dag and making the take offs safer, with cobbled launch, a cafe, new toilets and medical centre, but sadly they have not got round to lifting the ban on pilots using the 900 meter launch. This was imposed by the former owners of the mountain who were more money orientated, and managed to pass a law banning the use of 900. So until this ban is lifted, the Jandarma have to enforce this ban and they do this very well. Yesterday the cloud was well below the 1700m launch so I decided to risk the ban and took our group to the 900 launch because we are here to fly and there was no real objection to us being there apart from this draconian law. The students were briefed to our rebel mission and off we went, the renegades, ready to suffer in a Turkish jail to have our voices heard.

It wasn't long before the call came in that the Jandarma were hot on our tail, so we stopped to look at the view into Butterfly valley and to save them getting angry for chasing us up into the hills. They soon arrived and firmly, but politely, made me get in the van and took me to jail. doh!

Back in the clink I was in negocaitions and they were very sympathetic to our cause, but their hands were tied. Until the rule was changed they had to enforce the law.

During this time Chris was left to hold the fort and his sadness and sympathy for my incarceration, and the inevitable sexual humiliation I would suffer at the hands of the prison guards, was starting to tell. No longer alowed to teach, he took up a job driving for Halil, who kindly took him under his wing on the promise he didn't fly from 300 or 600m.

Mean while, after a brief stay in the clink, I was released on the promise that I did 4 hours community service selling kebabs, and that I promised not to go up again until it was resolved, otherwise it was all gliders confiscated and midnight express for me!

So without hesitation I embraced my new career and joined forces with Gokhan, and his new "mobile kebab take away service". It wasn't long before I finished my community service and was back in the fold of the rebel fighters.

Statements were made, lessons were learnt on all sides and constructive meetings have been arranged. So I just hope that the powers that be will soon release the bans on the lower launches and allow us all to do what we have come to this lovely place to do, which is to fly. And fly we did when the sun came out! I even taught the commandant how to fly, as a thank you for the early release, and now he's part of the guiding team. Thanks Mark.

Alex does the first ever buggy slope landing!

2011-03-30T10:15:00.000-07:00

The last few days here in Keswick have been wonderful weather and we have managed to get some great flights in. John Jones, Andy Smith and Ian Jenkinson successfully completed all their CP ratings, so well done fellas, you all did some great flights and landings. Im am proud to sign you off.

Alex, our flyability top gun pilot, even graced us with his presence and had some long soaring flights with two perfect top-landings and one, spot on, spot landing. The middle part of the day wasn't quite so graceful as, while attempting to scratch in the light lift band, Alex squeezed in a turn while still flying slowly. The glider, a reliable Mojo, elegantly tried to accommodate his ambitious request, and turned 180 back into the soaring beat, but then majestically dropped slowly into a deep stall, and lowered her eager passenger gently onto the grassy slope, then selflessly put herself into the the gauze bushes, keeping the lines tight so that Alex didn't roll down the hill.

But she needn't have bothered because Alex wasn't wheeling anywhere, on doing his and flyability's first ever buggy slope landing, he broke the 40mm solid nylon

suspension leg and the stump was imbedded in the soft mossy grass. It least the leg, wheels, buggy and Mojo did a perfect job in protecting this plucky flying ace.

Joking apart, I have to say a big well done for Alex's spirit and determination, because once we go him down to the landrover, and back up to launch, we just took the other leg off and he launched again for another flight, landing perfectly without wheels. That's the barn-storming, dunkirk spirit we have come to expect from this unique airman.

Josh becomes a soldier

2011-02-03T12:22:00.000-08:00

Last night Josh got his new cadets uniform and, as you can see, he looks very smart. He keeps asking why I always say "marching round the square". I guess it's just a Monty Python moment overcomes me when I see, or hear my son doing military things. Still he is going to spend the weekend at a firing range so I better shut up. Well done Josh and keep up the great work & enthusiasm.

Soon we are off skiing with Steve & Emma in Annecy and we are planning to catch up with friends and do some superb skiing at Le Clusaz, and possibly Chamonix.

Manilla, Australia, January 2011

2011-01-13T12:42:00.000-08:00

I am now travelling home after a fantastic flying trip. We had 11 out of 12 flyable days and all pilots did personal bests several times over. In fact, on the last day, we were at the 60km mark, with 100km easily within our grasp, when all started to get a bit to easy and lift was everywhere. Seeing the over development to the north, we decided to play safe and return to the south and safety of the road.

The delta's were great and we had fun spiralling and wing-overing down to Chris and Queenie, who were waiting in the green fields below, ready to take us back to the lake for a final swim and picnic with some of Australia's finest local wines.

So we will definitely be returning to manilla in 2012, as it is such good flying from Mt Bora, a perfect and versatile little site. The whole place has very friendly locals and pilots which always helps make the trip that bit more special. Thanks to Godfrey & his team, Vic & Tom and all the staff at the Royal.

On the road home we just had to stop in Tamworth to have our pictures taken with the biggest guitar in the world! The next stop will be Brazil and then it's summer in the Northern hemisphere.

Well yesterday, the 22nd January, was a lovely day with stronger winds from the south and a high base of 8,300 ft. After a lumpy start at launch with a couple of ropey attempts to get off, by me, (photo's to be published later), we launched as a perfect squadron, into the perfect skies and shot up to base. We had travelled 2okm within 30 minutes and they day looked to be a goodie.

After Baraba, the 35km mark, we continued north when, with hindsight, we should have perhaps continued north west over high Horton and beyond. Anyway the scenery was beautiful and very green, the climbs were smooth and lazy, which settled us into cruise mode for the next 30km. We ended up landing around 60 km by the road and were retrieved back home by Queenie & Tina, then headed to the the lake for a swim and relax with a couple of bottles of crisp chardonnay with friends.

On the 20th of January we took off in really light windsand boomed to base at a cooling 7,000ft, then we headed north, down the ridge and over Baraba. The over development that was forecast was starting to the east and far to the west so we put a cap on our altitude and cruised below 5,000ft until we landed at about 40km.

We also had a great evenings soaring on the 19th, when the warm dry wind eased and we launched into the smooth air for a relaxing boat about. I didn't launch, because I didn't want to risk by knee, so I hassled the others on the radio and set off in pursuit of the wild life, which didn't take too long because the local kangaroo's were very chilled and curious.

Well we have arrived in manilla and it is wonderful and so green. With the red soil and greener grass, it looks so much like Brazil. The conditions are lovely and today we plan to do a triangle task, making use of the predicted light northerly winds. Who knows we may even fly down towards Tamworth and drop in on the Country Music festival, yeee harrrr! In the picture you can see the lovely Delta cruising off on our first XC.

Brazil XC trip February 2011

2010-11-26T12:45:00.000-08:00

Chris, Tim and I have just finished running afirst aid course in SE Wales, assisted by Josh, Seb and Dave, our kids. It was great fun although the short days were short, the group really did well and passed their assessments and exams.

Next is the flight planning for Brazil. They are starting to come down and it is time to buy, but it's the age old problem of getting a slightly more expensive direct flight which saves a days travelling, or getting a cheaper one that stops and wastes a day. Hmm.

Anyway, this year proves to be a great XC year as the El Nino is in our favour.

We have a reliable air mass gaining ground on good old Brazil, so the XC's should be long and plentiful. The other plan for 2011 is to follow the best xc weather. I.e, if we get flown out at GV then we will go and travel the other classic sites close by, like Alfredo haves. Mind you, normally pilots prefer to stay in one place to perfect their technique, and this is the best place in the world to perfect you technique and improve your flying in readiness for the coming XC season.

Australia XC skies calling...

2010-11-05T08:54:00.000-07:00

I am just gearing up for buying my bomb dodging, engine exploding, flight to Australia in January 2011. The high cloudbases, long glides and BIG XC's above the relaxing open flatlands below of Manilla, Australia are calling me and my small team of pilots.

We are planning to arrive into Sydney around the 10th where I hope to give a talk to the pilots at a club night in Manley, which should be a fun evening.

After that, we are on the road, possibly stopping at a nice vineyard for lunch, to Manilla, , where we will stay and focus on cracking long XC's and use the reliable conditions to concentrate on personal skills and decision making for all of us. I have my new Delta which a can't wait to fly too. It will be good to return to Manilla because I havn't been there for several years, and that's the place we filmed Speed to fly, and I have fond memories of those times. Also Godfrey has done a great job with Mount Bora and the logistics etc, so it should all be a pleasant trip both in the air and on the long relaxing evenings. At least I will be able to catch up with work on the next film.

A Giant Rabbit bloke in!

2010-07-18T09:35:00.000-07:00

We were just relaxing in the house when we heard a rustling under the table and then suddenly look what popped up....A giant rabbit with floppy ears!!!

Back in UK

2010-07-08T04:11:00.000-07:00

It's great to be back in Keswick, spending time with the boys and getting things ready for the sumer camp, which starts on the 24th July. We have a new location, closer to the river and in the centre of Borrowdale, so we will have more time to sped on actvities and play in the water. We also have sailing boats and new tents. Hmm now I have to trawl on the internet to find some canvas tarpaulin and duckboarding, just in case the weather doesn't play ball.

May and June

2010-07-04T15:02:00.000-07:00

May and June were very busy months, with Oludeniz, then the Chabre open and then Annecy. Chabre was a real hoot, we had a bunch of really good people and pilots, with many familiar faces too. We had a great start with the practice day being perfect weather and then 3 other tasks. Un fortunately the winds increased and the last few days were cancelled, but that didn't dampen the enthusiasm and most people kept busy with canoeing and climbing. Not to mention the talk we gave thanks to Alan Zoller, David Dagalt and Mike Cav' and I whittered on for a while too. The last night party was fabulous and the band got everyone dancing. Mark Remnant dance in his undies and rutted with other alpha males, and all had a ball.

Next stop was Annecy, and after 2 days of rain, we had superb conditions and the group took advantage of it, flying round the lake twice and then off south for 50km. thanks to all of you for making my work such fun, and well done for all keeping dry apart from John Oliver who managed to intentionally throw his brightly coloured reserve. Nice. Next stop the lakes, home and the summer camp!

BRAZIL BRAZIL

2010-03-19T09:16:00.000-07:00

Just got back from Brazil which was fun. The weather wasn't as good as it could be but the group were very positive and we managed to fly everyday, so it wasn't a complete wash out, it just wasn't the epic conditions it normally is. In fact the day we arrived was the first day it rained for months, and the pilots the week earlier were flying 100km flights making use of the dry conditions. It just goes to show that the balance of weather is just so delicate. Last year we had the luck and flew all the big distances when others missed out so I suppose it was our turn for the average weather. Saying that, the skills the pilots learned, staying in the air for 4 hours in very gentle lift is probably more valuable than punting along in easy lift for 50km. All the pilots did incredibly well and I am sure they will be better at thermalling as a result.

The last flight I had was fabulous, as we managed to make the most of the day and get to base with the biggest flock of arubu I have ever seen. The weak lift meant that they all had to cruise around in bigger gaggles, just like us. Once I landed both Chad, a friend from USA, and I hired two bikes from two local boys and we rode like Butch Cassady and the Sun dance kid, giggling all the way to the main road, where we hitched a ride with a lovely man who took us to the door of the hotel. It is such a great country and if this year wasn't at its best then it shows how good it normally is, if you get what I mean. the next stop for me is Turkey to start filming the next BIG movie!!! So watch this space as I will probably be a bit more active on the blog from now...

Che arrives home.

2009-11-07T01:25:00.000-08:00

Last July we drove down to Kirby Lonsdale to collect a new member to our family. Che, as in Che Guevara, or rather che meaning "thingie" in Turkish. His kennel club name is Rufus the Royal and he was born on the 15th May 2009 and is a Golden labrador. We have had such fun bringing him up and cleaning endless poop and sick, he even managed to eat three socks so far and countless pieces of toys emerge from his backside.

He is very bright and absolutely loves the water, he even swims under water to pick-up stones etc. I mean completely under. Well he is now 6 months and still growing, no doubt you will be seeing him in various pictures in the future.

Here is Mr Che dog diving for a stone that josh threw in to the cool lake...

What a lovely Summer!

2009-07-02T02:54:00.001-07:00

In May we went out to Oludeniz, Turkey to fly and have a family holiday which was great. We went flying, swimming, diving, fishing and on a tortoise safari. Then we returned to the lakes to run the Flyabilty course which was perfect weather. we managed to get pilots soaring and thermalling and hopefully there will be another 4 flyability pilots on a hill near you.

Then straight after that was the lakes charity classic which was a bit windy but, thanks to the effort of Gordie and all the CSC members, it was a fun and successful event. I even managed to get to fly with Mark Weir in is helicopter while he did his aerobatic display! I even flew it which was a lot easier than you might think.

Straight after that magical helicopter flight over Buttermere & honister, I hopped into the car and went down to RAF Valley to fly with James Copple from 208 Squadron. These are the boys who train jet pilots in low flying and weapons etc. I gave a talk to them in February about paragliding and Cross country flying in the UK.

We all agreed that I should have a ride with them on a low level flight to see their perspective and just what they can and can't see in relation to other air users. As you can imagine, it was a once in a life time experience, speeding through the lakes at 250 ft, over my house and the boys school, which we set as turn points. Still there was work to be done, so we cruised past a few flying sites in Cumbria and Yorshire to see how quick we closed on them our view of everything from the cockpit, which was eye opening.

They are incredible pilots who have to multi task, fly a jet at low level, navigate, and keep a look out, all at 400 mph. After the low level flight we returned to Valley to do some aerobatics with sustained 5G manouvres, flying upside down, vertical and generally all over the place. We even did engine out landings and several touch and goes. Stunning! thanks James and the RAF. The very important lesson from this great trip was that all pilots should NOTAM sites that they intend to fly, the sooner the better, because the system works and the RAF do try to avoid all area's that have notified, so please get into the habit and help to keep the skies safe for all of us.

great

BRAZIL 2009, Best flying in 10 years!

2009-03-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

What a great trip we had to Gov. Valares in Brazil this February/ March. A total of 6895 km's flown by 23 pilots over 15 non stop flyable days. Personal bests were being beaten every day and people who never thermalled before were flying 60km towards the end of the trip, a truely amazing achievement by all the pilots, well done everyone. Chris, Tim and I had the best time too, we flew between 3 to 6 hours each every day and had such fun flying with the group and each other over the perfect rolling green hills of Brazil. We were exhausted, the best kind of exhausted, flopping onto our beds after relentless flying everyday. Thermalling together at 6,000 feet, after a full days flying, with temperatures of 28 degress at base, we all agreed we have the best jobs in the world! and we have. Thanks and well done to all pilots, you did brilliantly.

Skiing in Tignes, France

2009-02-22T12:59:00.000-08:00

Josh, Seb and I went off to Tignes, France for a spot of skiing to take advantage of the fantastic snow conditions and weather that the French alps has to offer.

We were joined by my sister Mads and her lovely kids, who did ski school while we focused on jumps, wizzing down the slopes and floating on the powder. In fact we had so much skiing that the boys decided to spend a day digging snow holes and generally mucking about as a day off. It was a great holiday and perfect break to get me ready for the 36 degrees of the Brazilian weather in just a few days!!

Back from South Africa

2008-12-18T05:49:00.001-08:00

I have just returned from a great 2 week flying trip in South Africa. We went to Hermanus, on the coast, where the whales and cage diving trips are, for a couple of days which was ok but not as good as the previous trip. So we headed for Riebeck Kasteel in the Swartland a day earlier and flew from Porterville and Koringberg in sweltering heat. In fact one day it hit a sweltering 46 degrees!

All the pilots did really well and flew big XC's each day. The average distance was about 30-60 km each day and heights gains were about 5000 to 7000 feet AGL. Mind you Alastair Wolf managed to fly 110km and in fact, did consistently well everyday. Together with Anto Baird, he also got the height record for the trip, reaching over 8,000 feet. Perhaps the most improved pilot had to be Simon Meikle, who with just 15 hours airtime managed to rack off a series of big XC's starting with 28km and reaching 42, which is a stunning achievement, so well done everyone. We are all looking forward to heading back there in December 2009. Have a great Christmas everyone!

Ice climbing in Chamonix

2008-11-14T08:41:00.000-08:00

I have just returned from four days in Chamonix with the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team, where we were improving our snow and ice rescue techniques. We managed to get the whole team along the Cosmiques arete on the Aguille du Midi, practiced cravas rescues in the Mer du Glasse, and even found some steep gullies full of deep snow and boulder fields to simulate rough lakeland conditions, where we did multi pitch lowers and pick-offs. See it's not all powder snow, alpine sun and blue ice!

Paul even managed to fall in a real cravas after completing the Arete du Laurence. Once his group picked themselves up from laughing, they swung into action and executed a slick cravas rescue. We all had a great time and learnt loads, but more importantly, we feel more confident in moving around and rigging in winter conditions, which is vital to enable us to do a quick and safe winter rescue when the snow eventually comes in the lakes this winter. Also thanks to Glen and Sharon at the yeti lodge for their hospitality.

Weekend in Sweden

2008-11-12T14:04:00.000-08:00

I was invited to give a couple of talks on Cross country flying and SIV to a wondeful group of Swedish pilots last weekend, and seeing as I had never been there, I jumped at the chance. The weather was fantastic, blue skies and light winds, with a frost on the ground. The location was a private boarding school which is where the Swedish king attended. The local town has the oldest high street in Sweden and was the first capital. It was very pretty and a morning coffee at Aunty Browns quaint rickety cafe made you feel like you were stepping back in time.

But it was the people and the pilots attitude that really made it a great weekend. Everyone was hungry to learn or at least they sat quietly while I whittered on as usual. Then the party started and the Swedish really know how to have fun! To start was a nice dinner followed by a few team challenges. I think that was a subtle way of slowing the pilots drinking down as I am sure Nina and the team knew what chaos would have happened if the pilots were able to drink from early in the evening. It was a great night and lovely to catch up with old friends, so thanks to all the pilots and organisers for a special time. Lets hope the weather shines for you all in 2009.

Training with the Army in Germany

2008-10-23T03:49:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from a fantastic weekend flying with a paragliding group from the joint services, high above the Chiti chiti bang bang castle in Fussen, Germany. The autumnal colours were amazing against the electric blue Bavarian skies. The conditions were very calm and theremals were gentle, but we had fun and did a mini XC to boot. So well done lads and Pinkie & Jen. In addition to the flying, lectures & De-briefs I gave, we had lectures from Stephan Kurrle from Independence on parachutes, and an interesting introduction to glider trimming by Carl who wrote the new Nova trimming system.

All in all it was a great weekend with a nice bunch of pilots who were a pleasure to guide. The instructors and whole teaching operation, was the most organised I have ever seen, so well done to Dickie, Carl, Tony, Ali, Lupo, Roy & the team. Lets get an SIV course organised for 2009.

Turkish tour, October

2008-10-01T07:45:00.000-07:00

Well it's that time of year where Chris and I return to the blue skies and sea's of the Lycian coast of Turkey and Oludeniz. The weather has not been as reliable as normal and we have had a few long waits in the cloud and early morning starts before it sops in on the 6,000 ft take off, but all the students have all cpleted their course and have done really well. Stalling, spinning and SATing out of the sky with great control, and keeping dry! Well apart from Peter Cooke and Joe Goodger who intentional threw their reserves. Pete's was a text book deployment, but Joe's got caught up in the A-lines due to an over-zealous forward throw. But even then he regained control and did a perfect sea landing next to the boat.

We have done some great thermalling flights with John Flyn flying 27km on his first XC flight. well done John! and also thanks to Katie King who has had to suffer me in the boat while she wrote the notes. One day we were stuck at sea for 10 hours! That is a lot to ask of anyone. Next stop is to Butterfly valley to relax on Friday. then it's one more week to go...

Off sailing this weekend with the boys

2008-09-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

It's friday and Josh, Seb and I, are off sailing for the weekend. From Whitehaven to Maryport, then Kirkudbright and back to Whitehaven in time for tea and cakes on Sunday! Lets hope the weather plays ball. But it doesn't matter if it rains because we'll still have a hoot. We hope you all have a great weekend too.

Jocky and the boys.

Back from France

2008-07-07T09:25:00.000-07:00

We had a great time in France. One fun event was landing Adam Corke into the rescue boat during the SIV course in Annecy. Here is the video I hope you like the James Bond stunt. Well done Adam!

Then Stuart and John wanted to through their reserves so we obliged. Notice how both reserves come out really quickly but look at the descent rate of Stuarts when the glider is flying towards the lake. It is important to get you wing in and the best way is a big pull on the front risers while it is diving against the first reseve opening. Also notice John has a surprise pilot chasing stardom.

We had a great time at the Chabre open. Over 120 pilots all competing in this fun event which was really well supported by Ozone, who gave a free glider and tonnes of amazing prizes. The weather was not up to its normal standard as there was a bit of over-development each day, but we did manage to qet in 3 good tasks and had a lovely free flying day on the Friday. The Chabre open is such a good event and is a perfect venue, atmoshere, and chemistry to encourage pilots to push themselves in a safe, competitive environment. Each night we did de-briefings in the marque, replaying the pilots flights on the giant screen.

The next stop was Annecy, and after a rainy start, we had some un believabley hot weater. Sweltering! Luckily I had to spend most of the time bobbing around in Steves lovely mastercraft speed boat which we used as the rescue boat. I must admit we got in some epic wake-boarding just to cool down. The suffering I endure for the lovely pilots safety. I will put it on you-tube, but we had some amazing footage of Adam Corke landing his Ultralite in the rescue boat to save his precious wing getting wet. It was very James Bond stunt.

The Cross country flying started off well with several tours of the lake and many personal bests, then when we started planning the Chamonix expedition, things started to look bigger and blacker, so that was shelved and we carried on flying along the Parmalan towards Bonneville. Well done to all the pilots who joined us on the SIV and XC, you all did so well. All of us had a good time and it was a good call to go to base ourselves at the camping site at Nublierre, at the lake shore.

Flying Andrew Marr for BBC

2008-05-07T13:37:00.000-07:00

We have just got back from a great 2 day filming trip with Andrew Marr, for a new BBC series he is presenting. The weather really played ball and we flew tandem up to 4,000ft in amongst the British hang gliding league's competition.

When they flew off to do their 80km task, Andrew and I boated around the skies, chatting and being filmed by super HD camera operated from a a helicopter hovering just 25 metres away. It was a wonderful day for all of us involved. We flew with a camera up in the wing looking down, one on a boom, another from the ground, and one from another tandem flown by Chris. No doubt you will hear and see more about it, either when the series comes out, or when we meet in the pub. You can see our lovely landrover with the helicopter, our new retrieve service. Next we are off to Turkey!

Returned from the DR & Brasil

2008-03-11T04:06:00.000-07:00

After a week of fun comp flying with Julian, his team, and the pilots from the Ozone XC challenge, I flew into Rio to join the Chris, JF, Tim and the Escape XC squadron who were all flying in Gov. Valladares. Although the weather started off perfectly and pilots were flying to Don Cavachi, aprox' 60km plus, things started getting a bit unsettled. We flew most days with some more challenging XC's but GV wasn't producing her usual reliable magic, so we decided to move! We spent the last 4 days of the trip flying in the idilic flying area of Alfredo Chaves, Spirito Santo, just 20km from the beach. That way we got some stunning flights in with 2 hours airtime, completing 15km FIA traingles and out and returns, before landing and heading off to the beach of river for a swim, while it over-developed. Then it was back up for some eveing soaring infron of the white cascading waterfull that tumbled over the brown rock-face ammid the green jungle.

It was a wonderful place to fly and all of us agreed that it really made the trip special. The fun group and tranquil location made it all the more magical. We will be going again and if you want to see more pictures go to http://gallery.mac.com/jfparadis Perhaps next year we will include it as part of the Brazil XC experience!

Next stop Laragne.

Flying South for winter sun!!

2008-02-06T09:48:00.000-08:00

After a wonderful family holiday skiing in Tigne until the 15th Feb, I start the flying year by heading to the Dominican Republic to join Julian and help with the Ozone XC challenge, which is a great event that follows the ethos of enjoyment, challenge and education. Last year we had a great time and flew over some stunning scenery with good reliable conditions.

Then on the 25th February I arrive in Brazil to join Chris, Tim and the team to run our XC courses in Governador Valladares, one of the worlds winter XC meca's. You can see some pictures here of our last few trips. I can't wait to get back up to the warm clood bases and cruise along the effortless streets with the gaggle to the coverted Caratinga! Which is past the 100km mark and is set in the rolling green velvet hills south of GV. I will put the pictures on the blog. Anyway have fun where ever you are and hopefully see you soon somewhere around the world.

Coring by Jocky from Speed to fly DVD

2008-01-08T10:45:00.000-08:00

"As a basic rule of thumb whenever you enter lift, wait 4 seconds and then turn, because that’s the time it takes you to do a full 360 and stay in the lift section, (8-10 seconds 360). Thermalling isn’t just about doing 360’s. You often have to fly straight for a while or do 180-degree turns just to stay in the best section of lift. It’s important to fly away from the areas of less lift as much as its important to fly into the areas of most lift. So when you’re doing a 360 in a thermal, if there’s a section of the 360 that the vario’s beeping drops, then just turn 90 degrees away from that edge and fly straight for a few seconds then turn again, and that way you’ll always tighten up on the best part of the lift and avoid the sink."

Speed to fly & Security in flight are available in a DVD from escapexc.com.

NEW YEAR NEW SITE!

2008-01-02T02:17:00.000-08:00

Happy new year everyone. 2008 looks like it is going to be a good year and to mark the occasion we have updated escapexc.com As you can see, it is much slicker and easier to navigate around, plus it has more information and a super gallery page which we will be adding to after each course. As of 7 January we will also have secure booking forms too. So our website perfectly reflects the slick professionalism of the escape team.

South Africa XC Trip

2007-12-21T07:55:00.000-08:00

I have just returned from South Africa and the flying was stunning! We flew 9 days out of 10 and did an average of 40km each day, with 6 to 7,000 ft cloudbases. Not bad for December. I will post pictures and a full write up soon.

Have a GREAT christmas everyone.

Welcome to my blog.

2007-12-20T05:19:00.000-08:00

I am now modern and have my own blog. I can't believe that it has taken me this long to find a site that enables me to talk about ME.

From now on I am going to bombard you with stories of my travels so please keep coming back. Take care.