Scott, Hans Peter and Riika. The PG Nordic Trophy on the table…

Anton, Violeta, Stein Tore and Anders. Scott ghosting in the background.

Acro status
Only Norway seems to be doing anything in HG Acro, while in PG Norway, Sweden and Finland have activity. Denmark have no pilots that are interested, Latvia and Lithuania have SIV courses that might be developed towards acro in the future.

Training and safety
The Swedish paragliding federation presented their new education system, since their old education system was not working good. They made their own system in the early 90’s. The new system is not based on ParaPro, thus they have reinvented the wheel for the second time.

CIVL matters
Scott and August updated us on what’s going on in CIVL, bids for the Cat 1 comps, new and updated badges for flights. Scott is trying to get the OLC working with FAI. August is running a group in CIVL to make flight verification software for competitions and records and badges available for free through the CIVL. This is very good news, as todays situation with a myriad of different versions and databases is difficult to handle. The WPRS is also under change, August is working on incorporating changes to the formula and validity.

We also discussed the proposals from DHV about measuring sprogs at the comps, and the combining of class 1, 2 and 5 world championships.

Other matters
The different countries have varying accident investigation procedures, Sweden have had to make an official investigation about every accident by law. Other countries seem to make their own investigations. Our common insurance have changed to another company, but all the fees and insurances are the same as before.

The isurance matters is aways discussed at length, Denmark have an extremely high 3. party liability. If you want to fly there you need the same insurance as a 747.

The next meeting will be hosted by Latvia, 25/11 2006.

Current nordic records can be found at http://www.kkpg.no/index.php3?id=77&Region=2
The speed to goal records are there only for historical reasons, we do not recognize new speed to goal records as CIVL stopped this some years ago. Current diciplines to set new records are;

• Straight distance
• Straight distance to a declared goal
• Out and return distance
• Distance around a triangular course
• Speed around triangular courses of 25, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 300 km
• Speed over out and return distances of 100, 200 and 300 km
• Gain of height

I’m currently in Stockholm at the Nordic Hang and Paragliding Commitee (NHPC) meeting, where we discuss Nordic matters. The NHPC decides about matters like Nordic championships, records, and disccuss safety, training, and other matters that are of concern to the Nordic organizations.

From Norway it’s Me, Anders and Stein Tore. Sweden have Riika and Hans Peter (No HG pilots, don’t know why), Finland is Esa and Pasi, Denmark have Scott and Niels, and August from Iceland. Also the Baltic countries are here represented with Violeta from Lithuania and Anton and Sergei from Latvia.

The Nordic Championships for 2006;
Hanggliding XC is awarded to Norway, to be arranged in Vågå, Norway
Paragliding XC is awarded to Norway, to be held in Annecy, France
Paragliding Acro is awarded to Norway, to be held in Åra, Sweden
Paragliding Accuracy is awarded to Lithuania, to be held in Trakai (28 km from Vilnius capital of Lithuania)

New Nordic records
HG – Olav Opsanger (NOR) – Speed over 100 km FAI triangle, 33,2 km/h
HG – X X(FIN) – FAI Triangle Female,
PG – Peder Sperstad (NOR) – Speed over 50 km out and return

The Nordic Trophy is a awarded for the longest flight within the Nordics every year. Out end return distance is multiplied with 2, FAI triangles by 3. Olav Opsanger (NOR) won the HG trophy for his 100.1 km FAI triangle, and Sindre Hauglum (NOR) for his 52,4 km FAI triangle.

All countries reported about safety matters, going through the more serious accidents. Finland reported a trend with accidents occuring in the winter when towing PG on the ice. They have had several stalls that seems related to the cold weather conditions combined with the winch type start.

We had a long discussion about motorized HG and PG. Some organizations have the paramotors within the HG/PG organization, the Danish do not organize motorized within the HG/PG. The Swedish have one standalone organziation for paramotors, as well as some pilots in the PG federation. Seems like if it has wheels it goes under Ultralights in all countries. The Latvians told us stories about Russian Paramotor pilots lengthening the brake lines to steer with the feet so they could hunt from the air… Seems like every country anticipate a big growth in Powered PG, and it needs to be handled within our organizations

Numbers of pilots vary in the different countries, from 50 in Latvia, to Norway and Sweden with around 2500 members each.

Riika updated on enviromental issues in Sweden, where there are some sites under threat. Enviromental issues are getting more attention as we come into conflict with other sports and development of areas where we fly.

Bjørn and I met up at Sundvollen for a short but very welcome flight after a long hiatus. We met Arild and Johnny there. It was almost soarable, but the wind died down again after we had set up. Nice air, and nice weather. Pics by Eamon the Ozzie backpacker.

Set up on the sun on top

LZ in the shade, happy pilot

Today Alf flew the Tug from Kongsvinger to it’s new home at Spydeberg. I was there plugging the last holes in the roof with silicone and screws, should be less leaky now. I had a short flight as Alf and Truls had to leave, and parked the tug. Pretty cold, and I did not bring enough clothes to fly for any long time. I got a nice view of the area and I’m looking forward to having more hours in the air there.