[Rick Masters]

Parasmuggling

                        You can tell the dog enjoys his job.

On May 19, a soaring parachutist from Brazil was arrested at Spain's Valencia Airport when customs authorities discovered over 15 lbs of cocaine stuffed in his paraglider.
http://www.levante-emv.com/sucesos/2018/05/21/sorprendido-valencia-7-kilos-cocaina/1720906.html

Hang glider pilots traveling to Europe will now have to submit to cavity searches. *

* I made that last part up...    

[Rick Masters]

Kayaking

Rattlesnake plunges from tree into kayak, then starts attacking the kayaker
http://www.thestate.com/news/nation-world/national/article211609889.html
Kayaker fights for life after rattlesnake falls from tree into boat, biting him
https://www.statesman.com/news/national/kayaker-fights-for-life-after-rattlesnake-falls-from-tree-into-boat-biting-him/iH2LNF7opVEG2BK4IxRPAN/

We have yet to see a hang glider pilot bitten by a rattlesnake while flying.

[Frank Colver]

In my foot launched hot air balloon i liked to do touch and goes in open fields. One time when I did that in a field with tall grass I heard a rattlesnake sound off. It was off to one side of me, fortunately, but it made me decide that touch and goes were not very smart, if I couldn't clearly see the surface of the area all around.

I agree that most likely no HG pilot has ever been bitten while flying but I'll bet there have been a few encounters with snakes while landing.

Frank

[Rick Masters]

Paramotoring

[Rick Masters]

Paragliding        January 26, 2018

Royal Navy jet fighter flies through gaggle of half-a-dozen or so paragliders from Avon.
Will hang glider pilots now suffer stricter regulations?
Video: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/6390341/terrifying-moment-345mph-royal-navy-jet-flies-so-close-to-paragliders-they-could-feel-the-heat-from-the-engine/

[KaiMartin]

Paragliding        January 26, 2018
Royal Navy jet fighter flies through gaggle of half-a-dozen or so paragliders from Avon.
Will hang glider pilots now suffer stricter regulations?

According to the link you provided, the paragliders were all flying legally in an authorised area over Bratton Camp near Westbury, Wiltshire.

[Rick Masters]

...the paragliders were all flying legally in an authorised area...

Yeah. But where I live, airspace conflicts between the military and other sectors of aviation are quickly settled in favor of guess who.

Paragliding        May 16, 2018

Note that the television station reports the incident as a hang gliding (deltaplano) crash.

[Rick Masters]

Paragliding
Do you know the difference between an aircraft and a peice of garbage?

These guys don't. They actually think they're "pilots" flying an "aircraft."
I don't see any aircraft.
I don't see any pilots.

[Rick Masters]

Paragliding        May 29, 2018


VIDEO    http://cdnec-ause.uplynk.com/slices/490/34d28c6069b34f1d96307c80809697d7/490b8af6c2064e95841de9a424467e70/490b8af6c2064e95841de9a424467e70_g.mp4

Chris Beaver, flying alone, tethered his paraglider to his truck near the top of the hill.
"As soon as he was about 25 feet off the ground, he came crashing down," said a passerby who came across the injured man.
Upon impact, Beaver broke both feet, both ankles, an arm and his back.    

"I hope he's okay and that he has a fast recovery," Regina said.
http://keprtv.com/news/local/good-samaritans-save-a-severely-injured-paraglider-at-mcbee-hill

Hopefully, if and when Chris heals up, he can give us more inspiring videos like this one.    

[Frank Colver]

Ah, now we learn that all it takes is professional training and education to safely fly under a wing that isn't rated for zero G.

FC