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Paramotoring at Butterfly Paragliding We are fully qualified BHPA motor heads and we have facilities, equipment, experience and sites; everything you need to get into this part of free flight. Paramotor round the Island As it develops year on year, I expect to recognize different classes of achievement: reflex, non reflex, one stop, clockwise, anticlockwise etc; but at the moment, Spring 2009, the Wight Diamond Challenge is pretty simple rules wise: The Wight Diamond Challenge, Independence Day Rally Predeclaration; flight plan logged with Butterfly Paragliding, 10 litres of fuel, complete circuit, ideally non stop, including turnpoints 1) St Cats Lighthouse, 2)Culver Monument, 3)Osborne House, 4) Tennyson Monument Sector photos or GPS track ok, No airspace infringements, Elapsed time runs from take off to landing. The Wight Diamond Challenge, Independence Day Rally We are planning a Wight Diamond Rally for Independence Day, 4th July weekend, weather permitting. It should be a load of fun. The task is difficult but not extreme, there is a bit of airspace and navigation but it is pretty straightforward. The distance is long but could be within range on one tank full of fuel. Barbecue, camping, music, party and ground support all in place, we even have discounted Red Funnel tickets if you come over by ferry.   WIGHT DIAMOND CHALLENGE press release Wight Diamond Paramotor Record Attempt On Tuesday 31st, Dave Botha (58) CFI of Butterfly Paragliding School in Chale, attempted a new paramotoring record flight round the Island. The Wight Diamond Challenge is to fly right around the Island, via St Catherine’s, Culver, Osborne House and the Needles Park and back to Chale. A paramotor is a foot launched ultralight aircraft, consisting of a paraglider wing, like those which fly the cliffs near Blackgang, with a small motor attached to the pilot's harness. Paramotoring is an increasingly popular airsport as the aircraft is inexpensive, easy to fly, does not need an airfield and can be carried in a family car. A strong headwind at 3000 feet on the day caused some problems with fuel consumption but once he was past the aerodrome traffic zones at Sandown and Bembridge, he was able to descend to easier air and make better progress northwest over Fishbourne. The northeast breeze helped as he slipped along under the class D airway west of Cowes and climbed out toward the Needles. After clearing the third turn-point and heading along the White cliffs for home, the fuel finally ran out. A safe landing was made near the thatched church in Freshwater Bay at dusk. Wight Diamond Challenge, 2800 and two feet above Sandown Pier. More pictures from the record attempt here