news

£5,100 awarded to develop youth participation in sport parachuting

Mon, 14 May 2012 01:00:00 +0100

The Royal Aero Club Trust (RAeCT) has awarded over £5,000 in bursaries to help develop the flying ambition of young people in sport parachuting. Awardees include Guy Wells (18, Skydive UK - pictured) who was awarded the Breitling Bursary, launched this year and worth £500. Guy said: “I am delighted to have been chosen to receive this prestigious bursary to develop my skills as a sport parachutist. I can’t wait to get started on working towards achieving my flying goal.”

Awards were also made to Katherine Bailey (20, Langar), Kieran Bridges (20, Skydive North West), Callum Collins (19, Skydive Headcorn), Gregory Eden (21, Sibson), Cat Lees (20, Skydive Hibaldstow), Aled Mason (19, Skydive Swansea), Amy Rowe (18, Langar), Rebecca Stevens (19, Sibson), Oliver Sheppard (20, Sibson), Suzi Scott (20, Sibson) and Lucy Westgarth (20, Langar).

Bursaries, which are part of the Trust’s ‘Flying for Youth’ (FfY) programme, are awarded annually to UK residents aged between 16 and 21 in two categories:

1. Flying Bursaries/Grants for those wishing to advance from one recognised level of air sport to the next higher level and wish to upgrade their existing qualifications;

2. FlightSim Bursaries/Grants for Computer Flight Simulation enthusiasts wishing to gain practical experience of flying or an air sport.

The scheme and the bursaries cover a range of air sports including skydiving.

“2012 has seen the Royal Aero Club Trust award more bursaries than ever before which shows a great commitment to develop from the youth participants in UK air sports,” says David Bills, bursary administrator at the RAeCT. “In this Olympic year it is so encouraging to see the next generation of supporters entering into, and developing as part of, the sport parachuting community. Every year we take great pride in following their progress and achievements closely and we wish them the very best success."

Eligible BPA Members interested in applying for bursaries for 2013 should visit thye Royal Aero Club Trust's website where information will be available from September 2012.

UK Skydiving League & Grand Prix 2012

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:55:30 +0100

The first leg of the UKSL 2012 is at Peterlee on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 May. More information on this meet, including rules and entry forms, here. The Grand Prix in Accuracy is at Headcorn over the same weekend. More on this season's BPA domestic competitions calendar on the UKSL/GP page and the Nationals page.

Enjoy your new membership year!

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:11:58 +0100

Full Members: The BPA membership year runs from 1 April to 31 March. To jump on or after 1 April, you need to have renewed. If you have still to renew, please use the renewal form circulated in your February Mag, pick one up from your Centre, or download it here or from our members page. Then complete and return it by post or fax, with payment authoristion (sorry but we are unable to process e-mail scans). Because we need to have your completed form, it is not possible to renew by telephone.

2012 Royal Aero Club Trust Bursaries

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:06:47 +0000

Aged between 16 years and 21 years?
Got at least a basic sport parachuting qualification?
Want to advance your sport parachuting qualifications but lack the funds?
Would a bursary help you to realise your air sport ambitions?

Closing date for applications: 31 March 2012 see www.royalaeroclubtrust.org

The Royal Aero Club Trust announces its bursary scheme for young people for the 2012 season. The bursaries include The President’s Scholarships (2 bursaries each worth up to £750), the Peter Cruddas Foundation Scholarship worth up to £1,000, the Breitling Bursary also worth up to £750, and the Bramson Bursary which is one of a number of additional bursaries worth up to £500 each to anyone between 16 and 21 years of age wishing to progress their interest in either air sports or aviation.

The Royal Aero Club Trust has been offering bursaries for twelve years and a wide range of grants have been awarded. Activities available in the programme include gliding, ballooning, paragliding, hang gliding, parachuting, flying microlights, motor gliders, light aircraft and helicopters, and building and flying model aircraft. Bursaries are also available for Personal Computer or Flight Simulator pilots wishing to have their first experience of an air sport.

Applicants must be UK citizens, resident in the UK, and training and flying can only be conducted at Clubs, Associations or training establishments in the UK. Applications, which must arrive at the Trust by 31 March 2012, are to be submitted through a Sponsoring Organisation, Club or Association.

Full details, rules and an application form are available on the Royal Aero Club Trust web site, www.royalaeroclubtrust.org

(originally posted as News on BPA website on 23 September 2011)

Members' help sought by BPA Archivists

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:25:00 +0000

One of the BPA Archivists, Andrew Hilton, is compiling an historical list of UK dropzones and parachuting operations from way back when to the present day. He would be delighted if members could kindly review his DZ list (includes replies to 4 3 12) and let him know of any further additions or corrections. Andrew would like to thank members who have contributed information so far. See also: BPA Archive Project page.

BPA AGM Day Video - click on title

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 07:24:37 +0000

BPA AGM 2012 & Award Presentations / Jump4Heroes - Al McCartney / Living the Dream - Bryn Chaffe / BPA FilmFest 2012 Final / Sports-Specific Fitness: Skydiving - with Sarah Cannon

AGM Day at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton - Saturday 28 January 2012 - was enjoyed by up to around 500 members - that's about 10% of full members. Thank you to all members who supported the day, it was great to see you. The AGM adopted updated BPA Articles of Association. At the inaugural Council meeting after the AGM, the Council and Committee Chairs of 2011 were re-elected for 2012.

BPA AGM Day, Saturday 28 January 2012 - Links to video on demand:

BPA Annual General Meeting Sat 28 Jan 2012 & Presentation Ceremony http://ustre.am/H1ye

Jump4Heroes - with Al McCartney Your Link

Living the Dream - so you want to be a professional skydiver? with Bryn Chaffe http://ustre.am/H1yI

FilmFest 2012 Final - with Martin Soulsby http://ustre.am/H1yP

Sports-Specific Fitness: Skydiving - with Sarah Cannon http://vimeo.com/bpa/agm-2012-sports-specific-fitness-skydiving

Election of BPA Council 2012 - Results

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:51:18 +0000

Election of BPA Council 2012 - Results

BPA AGM Day car parking

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:08:43 +0000

The Reebok Stadium will be busy on AGM Day, Saturday 28 January, as Bolton Wanderers - who are based there - are playing at home to Swansea in the FA Cup, with kick off at 1500.

BPA AGM Day exhibition opens at 0930, with the AGM itself starting at 1030.

If you are staying overnight at De Vere Whites BL6 6SF, please use Car Park A.

If you are coming by car as a day visitor, please head for at De Vere Whites BL6 6SF and use Car Park C. Please identify yourself as attending the BPA AGM to the venue's stewards, who will be on-site throughout the day, and they will show you to our specified area of the Car Park C. If travelling by train, Horwich Parkway Station is a short walk from the venue.

Timetable for election of BPA Council 2012

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 10:12:08 +0000

Information on candidates for election to BPA Council 2012

The timetable for the election of BPA Council 2012 is as follows. Ballot packs will be mailed out to arrive early in December. Votes may be cast online, using the security codes on the ballot paper, or by completing and returning the ballot paper in the reply-paid envelope included in the ballot pack. Members are encouraged to vote online, as this avoids the BPA paying the cost of return postage. Voting will close at midnight on Monday 23 January 2012.

The results will be posted on the BPA website in the afternoon of Tuesday 24 January and formally announced at the AGM on Saturday 28 January. Members who have not received their ballot pack by Monday 12 December (UK) or Monday 19 December (BFPO & overseas) should telephone 0845 658 1131 (from UK) or +44 (0) 1538 393 606 (from outside UK) or e-mail enquiries@howsons-es.net with the message heading 'BPA'.

Entry open for BPA FilmFest 2012

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:45:08 +0000

Entries are open for the BPA FilmFest 2012 sponsored by Airkix. Closing date Tuesday 8 November 2011. Get the rules and an entry form here. The BPA FilmFest Final is one of the highlights of AGM Day, Saturday 28 January 2012. More here.

Council 2012

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:37:55 +0100

At the close of nominations at noon on Thursday 20 October 2011, there were sixteen (16) nominations for the fifteen (15) elected seats on Council 2012. An election will therefore be held. The nominees are, in alphabetical order: Paul Applegate, Karen Bain, Adrian Bond, Kieran Brady, Alex Busby Hicks, Marc Fletcher, Richard Head, Ian Marshall, Paul Moore, John Page, Craig Poxon, Steve Saunders, Mark Skarratts, Martin Soulsby, Weed Stoodley and James Swallow. The election will be conducted by independent election administrators.

Arrangements will be announced in due course. The result of the election will be posted on the BPA website on Tuesday 24 January 2012 ahead of the inaugural meeting of Council 2012 immediately after the AGM and presentation ceremony on the morning of Saturday 28 January 2012 at De Vere Whites, Reebok Stadium, Bolton, Greater Manchester BL6 6SF.

Stand for BPA Council 2012

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:44:05 +0100

Calling Full BPA Members! Could your knowledge and skills help our sport? Have you new and innovative thinking to offer? Could you help our sport to seize new opportunities and help to resolve often complex issues? Then stand for Council 2012. Download Form 211 Nomination for election to Council 2012, and start lobbying! Nominations close at noon on Thursday 20 October 2011.

BPA 50 Boogie T-shirt

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:16:08 +0100

If you missed the BPA's 50th Anniversary Boogie and missed out on the event's t-shirt, now's your chance to have one as a memento of this great event. Orders will be taken from 16 Sept for 10 days, closing on 25 Sept. Production will take 2-3 weeks; orders will be despatched as soon as the t-shirts are received from the supplier. Cost - at the same price the BPA paid: £5.25 + VAT = £6.35. Order here. Women's fitted are also available at £6.46 + VAT = £7.75. Order here. Thank you to the BPA for allowing a further run of t-shirts.

Nominations invited for BPA Skydiver of the Year 2011

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:27:06 +0100

Nominations from the membership are invited for the BPA Taz Causer Skydiver of the Year Award 2011. This is for an experienced UK-based skydiver whose achievements during the calendar year are worthy of special recognition. Please e-mail your nominations giving the name of your nominee with reasons (no more than 250 words, please) to skydive@bpa.org.uk by no later than Thursday 24 November 2011. The Council will consider all nominations and decide on the winner at its December meeting. The trophy will be presented at the AGM.

BPA 50 Boogie at Langar 9 - 11 September 2011

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:47:51 +0100

The BPA 50 Boogie at Langar is this weekend! Times and terms of the free prize draws, etc, are here. There will be 5 aircraft with a helicopter on call, free registration, £20 jumps, load organisers for all levels and all disciplines with a special focus on A certificate progression.

The planned aircraft are a Twin Otter, 2 x Grand Caravans, Antonov 28 - Tailgate, Beech 99, Thruxton Jackeroo and Bell Helicopter (on call) - to provide enough places to keep everyone jumping at £20 a ticket from the main aircraft (specialility aircraft will cost more).

Plus:
Free food on Saturday night: hog roast or veggie alternative
Free BPA 50 Boogie t-shirt and goodie bag (for 1st 250 to register at the boogie from Friday 0900, so get there early!)
Free load organising / Coaching- FF, FS, CF, Wingsuit and Accuracy
Focus on post A cert, with briefings - CH1/2, JM etc and discounted coaching jumps
Free prize draw with great prizes and vouchers
Seminars, trade stands and displays in the BPA marquee
Live music and disco on both Friday and Saturday night
Daily draw for free jumps

The BPA 50 Boogie is open to all, but only BPA members can register for the free stuff.

Come along and be part of this fantastic celebration of the BPA's 50th anniversary. For local accommodation options, see Skydive Langar's website.

It's the Nationals!

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 09:53:07 +0100

www.skydivingchampionships.com is the dedicated website for everything from registration to results for the BPA British Open National Skydiving Championships at Skydive Hibaldstow this month. From Sat 20 to Mon 22 August, it’s 8-way Formation Skydiving, Artistics & Speed Skydiving. For the rules. see the Nationals page. There was a great turnout of 55 teams in the 4-way FS Nationals, Britain's biggest skydiving competition, over the weekend 13-14 August.

Service Bulletin: UPT Vector 3 Containers

Fri, 27 May 2011 13:04:44 +0100

Anyone who jumps a United Parachute Technologies (UPT) Vector 3 Container should read the UPT Service Bulletin #20110523 (23 May 2011) and before the next jump (and prior to future jumps) must check the stitching as directed in the bulletin. If the stitching is in need of repair, the rig must not be jumped until the repair has been carried out.

BPA Membership renewal 2011-2

Fri, 27 May 2011 13:03:18 +0100

Visit the members page to download the renewal form for full members to renew BPA membership for the year from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 inclusive.

Results of 2011 BPA Membership Survey

Thu, 26 May 2011 16:20:35 +0100

Here are the results of the BPA membership survey 2011, which sought members' views in a number of areas including competitions funding. Thank you to all members who took part in the survey. The Council and its Committees will use the results to help formulate future BPA policy.

First British women's 8-way head-down record

Sat, 21 May 2011 10:17:08 +0100

Congratulations to jumpers on the first British women's head-down record, set at Hibaldstow on Saturday 21 May 2011: Anna Howerski, Catriona Adams, Kirsten McAndrew, Jane Henderson, Tiziana Rossetti, Yolande Lee, Karen Stryczek, and Karen Bain, plus Olly Burgin on camera.