SAFETY NOTICE - READ THIS FIRST
THE CONTENTS OF THESE ARTICLES DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE BHPA OR OTHER AUTHORITIES. PILOTS MUST DETERMINE FOR THEMSELVES WHETHER OR NOT ANY METHOD OR SUGGESTION IN THEM IS SAFE TO EXECUTE.
REFERENCES TO AIRLAW REFER TO UNITED KINGDOM LAW AND MAY NOT APPLY OUTSIDE THE UK. AIRLAW AND AIRSPACE DESIGNATIONS MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND THE INTERPRETATION PRESENTED IN THESE ARTICLES CANNOT BE GUARANTEED. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PILOTS THEMSELVES TO ENSURE THAT THEY COMPLY WITH THE LAW WHEREVER THEY FLY.
COPYRIGHT
These articles are the copyright of Nigel Page. They may be printed for personal use but must not be reproduced in any other way without his permission.
If you wish to reproduce any of this material other than by printing it for personal use then please ask. Its purpose is to help pilots with their flying and to try and reduce accidents so I am unlikely to refuse and will be happy to discuss any collaboration which might further this aim. However, I do like to know where my articles end up and I may also wish to update or correct the material.
EARLIER ARTICLES
N.B. Most earlier articles on paragliding safety and technique which appeared on this site have been removed or updated.
SAFETY ARTICLES
Many of these articles originally appeared in the Derbyshire Soaring Club magazine. At one time I added some into 50K Or Bust! in the hope they should do some good, but eventually decided that they should be moved to this web site for anyone interested to read. I may alter, correct, or add new material to them from time to time. Dates are those of the last significant alterations or corrections. Actual locations referred to are mainly Derbyshire Soaring Club sites.
These articles are my best shot at covering some of the safety issues which seem to be poorly understood by some pilots. Most were written in response to serious accidents or incidents. I am concious that they are only my own view of issues I have been able to identify. They do not constitute a comprehensive safety manual. In particular my experience of alpine conditions is very limited.
I do my best to make the articles as clear and easily understood as I can. I am keen to improve them so if you find errors or have difficulty understanding anything then please contact me. Similarly if there is a subject you think needs covering I am happy to listen to ideas for new articles and will consider working with other pilots to produce them.
Some pilots fiercely condemn any attitude which appears at all negative. However, by their nature, safety articles tend to take this form and I make no apologies in this respect. Some also say such articles are just stating the obvious. This may be so, but pilots continue crashing so perhaps the obvious needs to be stated.
OTHER ARTICLES
These articles were written over a long period of time. I did not keep accurate records of publication dates and some of the quoted dates are estimated. Some articles were written for the Derbyshire and Lancashire Gliding Club based at Camphill and will read appropriately. Sadly, I am not tough enough to fly (or more accurately to lift!) hang-gliders but I hope that HG pilots will find some of this material useful.
If you find errors in these articles, have any useful suggestions or have difficulty understanding anything then please contact me. It is also nice to know if they have been useful.
Have fun safely.
Nigel Page
Copyright © Nigel Page - March 2003 to August 2015