1971 Ground Skimmer

BRITISH HANG GLIDING HISTORY THE MODERN FLEXWING

1981 Cross Country Flyer

Nick Regan

Nick 1981

Nick Regan is a name that is constantly being mention, amongst a hand full of early flyers in the UK during 1972. His perception on life and the rules he lived by are also the stuff of legends and therefore it certainly makes him eligible to be one of the very early characters during the birth of the British hang glider.  I’ve spoken to him a few times via phone (2008), sadly he has let the computer age pass him bye, but I guess that’s the old Nick I will always remember and the years have not changed him.  On each occasion I’ve tried to get him to send me an article, but I think it would be much easier to get him to fly a hang glider wearing a crash helmet.

During the summer of 1972 Nick and a friend designed their own hang glider, and built it during October of the same year. At the time Nick was in touch with Joe Faust in the USA, having read one of his early hang gliding magazines “Low and Slow”. However, they based their glider on the “Kilbo plans” drawn up by Dave Kilborne from the USA, which were distributed free in the “Low and Slow” magazine #6 in mid 1971.

In early November 1972 Nick finally flew his own designed flexwing hang glider at Farnham Park. A year later I wrote to Nick for advice and he sent me a great reply that I wish I could find and add to this article, sadly I think its long been mislaid.

He went on to become heavily involved in the formation of The BHGA and for a time was editor for the early ‘Wings’ magazine. Nick was always to be seen at official flying events and was also usually heavily involved in the marshalling and behind the scenes organisation.

During the early 80’s he had a spell editing the BMAA ‘Flight Line’magazine. On many occasions he’s told me that his greatest achievement was the cover photo of the Nov/Dec 1981 ‘Wings’ magazine, I wonder why?

Terry Aspinall

 

From Nick Regan

 

 

Sorry I spoke to soon somebody has just sent me the only known photo of Nick wearing a helmet

Photo by Bettina Gray