Flying 1900 km unsupported – Icarus Trophy on the Viper

Most of our flights are in the backyard in a known environment. Doesn‘t it get a little boring after a while? And suddenly a bunch of pilots decide to strap the sleeping bag onto the paramotor and leave for the unknown and accepted the challenge of the Icarus Trophy – the toughest paramotor race. Miroslav Svec paramotor pilot from Slovakia and owner of well known paramotor brand Scout took part in the latest Icarus Trophy and finished the adventure on his OZONE Viper 3.

During more than a week Miroslav flew unsupported over 1900 kilometers, flying from glaciers at the border with Canada, high elevated desert, volcanoes, enormous lava fields, the Great Salt Lake, swamps and salt flats, high elevation mountain passes, deep unforgiving canyons, arches, rock reefs, … all the way to the desserts at Las Vegas.
Miroslav reports: “We had to fly in different weather conditions, start in snow, hail and sub-zero temperatures in Montana over to Idaho and tropical temperatures in Arizona and Nevada just a week later. Flying unsupported, you had to take all the gear with you: additional fuel, 4 liters of 2T oil, camping gear, spare clothes, water, some food, cameras, charges, batteries. Only …read more

Source:: Ozone Paramotor

Seiko’s record report – in her words

Our resident ninja team pilot, Seiko Fukuoka, just broke one of her own records in Australia. Seiko flew a new record free distance using up to 3 turn points of 393km, breaking her prior record of 378 km set last year in the same playground.

Yesterday, Seiko sent us a quick report on her latest record flight:

The weather forecast showed an unstable day with strong wind, it seemed like the thermic activity was going to start earlier than never. Cloud base didn’t look so good but it was the best report so far.

We arrived at the launching field at 9 am, the wind was strong and gusty, I have never taken off in that much wind but for some reason I felt confident. I had just a single thought “this could be a record day”

I paid more attention to the cloud developing and a new thought hit me “it may be already too late to fly for a record”

Suddenly all the thoughts and doubts vanished and I ran to get ready. The wind was blowing hard so most of the team came on my help to anchor me. As soon as I started to inflate my glider kaboooooommm! I got …read more

Source:: Ozone Paragliders

Seiko and Charles, down under once again

Our Record hunters, Seiko Fukuoka and Charles Cazaux, are back in Deniliquin, Australia.
Last year they covered some terrain on the Aussie flatlands bringing home a few new records. Even though they ran into average conditions, Seiko set a new straight distance record with a 406 km flight and Charles flew a World record three-point free distance of 476km and set a new Australian free straight distance record of around 450km.
This year, after a wet winter, the Australian playground is still humid and temperatures still low, so they are patiently waiting for D-day, to go further. Yesterday was an average day but they decided to start with a little warm-up and went for a 250 km flight. We wish them both luck and our fingers are crossed for the epic day they have been waiting for…

For more on their record hunting journey:
Seiko on Facebook and Instagram
Charles on Facebook and Instagram

And you can follow their flights right here:
Seiko on Airtribune
Charles on Airtribune

…read more

Source:: Ozone Paragliders

Apco’s EN-A Karisma now ready

Apco’s new EN-A school wing, the Karisma, is now certified in three sizes. Apco say the Karisma is a simple and straightforward wing, designed to make life easy for beginners and their instructors, but with the personality and performance characteristics to keep intermediate pilots happy too. The wing is built with Apco’s sharknose APP (Automatic Pressuring Profile) to retain internal […] …read more

Source:: Cross Country – International Free Flying Magazine

Roq’Acro: Tim Alongi is France’s new acro champion

Tim Alongi became France’s new paragliding acro champion, winning the French Championships during Roq’Acro at Roquebrune which took place from 29 October – 1 November 2016. The end-of-season bash, organised by Roquebrun’Ailes, took place on Cabbe beach under Mediterranean blue skies and sunshine. There was a friendly comp as well as the French championships, and fifty competitors, of which six were women, took part. […] …read more

Source:: Cross Country – International Free Flying Magazine