“I joined them for a simply incredible evening flight when conditions saw us flying at over 3,600m. A dream!”
Jérôme Maupoint grabs the cover shot of Marc Boyer for the latest issue. Inside Cross Country 249 he shares his best moments and secret spots from last year’s merry-go-round.
Here’s a taste of other stories from the free-flying world:
Honorin Hamard became one of only four pilots to have won the PWC season or Superfinal more than once. He shares insights and memories in this Superfinal masterclass.
“I’m afraid hang gliding is nearly over, and gliding is too full of rules. My advice for new pilots is: do paragliding.” We’re on launch with Volker Hess as he looks back on 50 years of flying.
Advanced paragliding and SIV instructor Malin Lobb shares his views on when tucking-in really matters during a collapse to “provoke thoughts” and discussions.
“We could fly every day, which was never possible from the hill.” Bastienne Wentzel explains how to get in the air from a standing start.
Théo De Blic confronts fear, shows us we are not alone and gives us tips on dealing with it to become better, safer pilots.
With Red Bull X-Alps legend Chrigel Maurer grounded by a tick bite, Dr Matt Wilkes explains Lyme disease: what it is, how to avoid it, and how it can be treated.
Nick Neynens studies the unique weather and flying conditions in New Zealand and Patagonia. “Understanding meteorology not only keeps us safer but also leads to better flights.”
Engineer and pilot Rich Dolan describes the jet paramotor as “a thing of beauty”. He dives in to the potential of this machine and asks: “Is this really the new era of paramotoring?”
After setting a new FAI Triangle world record last year, Baptiste Lambert finds time to teach us how to fly fast, far and efficiently. “Flying fast is about keeping up a good average, not flying at top speed.”
“I drop into freefall. At least one of the lines catches on the hanging karabiner, breaking instantly.” Tom Payne plays with gravity and shares what happens when good D-bags go bad.
Lilo Valerie Burk takes us along on her guided flight with instructor Felix Wölk. “I certainly would not have had my accident with the skills I learnt on my coaching week.”
“If it doesn’t come naturally, don’t do it.” In part three of the five-part series, Julien Garcia explains how he coaches pilots individually.
We share what we’ve seen, heard and flown at the Stubai Cup. This key moment in the free-flight calendar brought around 30 manufactures together with pilots in Austria in March.
It a new season, with new developments, and winglets are suddenly everywhere. Bastienne Wentzel gives us insights into what they are, what they do and why they are probably here to stay.
Niviuk designer Guillem Batlle gives us an education and dives deep into the development of a new type of slimline back protection: Orikami.
Marcus King reviews the Gin Bonanza 3 – a new sports-class glider meant to be an accessible step into the world of two-line EN-C wings. “With such a complex looking leading edge I did wonder how the wing would be to launch.”
“It made me realise the tremendous value I have got from paragliding.” Haydon Gray shares what matters to him in his flying life.
Plus: We line up the latest new releases from hoodies to cross country gliders in our Kitlist.
Cross Country Issue 249 (May) is out now.
