In this episode British hang gliding pilot Jeremy Soper shares his journey from overcoming a fear of heights to becoming a record-breaking pilot and innovative robotics entrepreneur. We explore the future of AI in physical labor, using robots to weed instead of using pesticides, the thrill of extreme flying and chasing distance around the world, including a midnight flight where the date changed, a personal call-out to other hang gliding pilots who are losing the records race to paragliders, and an optimistic view of the future of AI.
This content is only available to Members of the Cloudbase Mayhem. If you have subscribed to our newsletter or have supported us in the past through PayPal, Patreon or another way you should have an account all set up with us and you can login below (username is typically your email). If you aren't a member, all we've ever asked for is a buck a show so please if you can join now! Can't afford a buck a show? We want all our content to be available to the flying community regardless of your financial position, so just send us an email and we'll sort you out.
In this episode British hang gliding pilot Jeremy Soper shares his journey from overcoming a fear of heights to becoming a record-breaking pilot and innovative robotics entrepreneur. We explore the future of AI in physical labor, using robots to weed instead of using pesticides, the thrill of extreme flying and chasing distance around the world, including a midnight flight where the date changed, a personal call-out to other hang gliding pilots who are losing the records race to paragliders, and an optimistic view of the future of AI. Jeremy recounts his amazing out and back record this winter in Kenya (377 km), beating Owen Morse’s record set in the Sierras a few years back and the risks and rewards of flying the Kerio ridge and why we should all be flying prone. Enjoy!
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Jeremy Soperman’s background in hang gliding and record attempts The role of AI and robotics in physical labor and farming Future of human employment in an automated world The technical challenges and experiences of long-distance hang gliding in Kenya Innovations in hang glider design and the potential of Project Seven The importance of soft skills and passions in a future with AI The community and culture of extreme sports and aviation
Sound Bites
“The best way to overcome fear is to challenge it head-on.” “We’re seeking new horizons beyond the Owens record.” “Cloud streets and thermals are key to long-distance flying.”
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Jeremy’s background in flying 01:47 Jeremy’s vision for AI and automation in agriculture 04:01 The impact of AI on jobs and human purpose 06:50 Jeremy’s journey from fear of heights to hang gliding champion 12:12 Record-breaking flights in Kenya and the challenges faced 20:11 Technical insights into long-distance hang gliding and conditions 30:07 Future of hang gliding, design innovations, and the Project Seven 45:02 The culture of extreme aviation and community stories 54:57 Closing thoughts on innovation, persistence, and the future
In this episode, adventurer and filmmaker Benjamin Kellett returns to the Mayhem by popular demand to share his rather awesome adventurous paragliding journeys across the Himalaya, Karakorum, and Europe in what has become an annual migration. Ben discusses the challenges of high-altitude flying, gear choices, and the evolving landscape of tandem paragliding regulations and a LOT more. Discover insights into character-building expeditions, the impact of weather phenomena like the "Super" El Nino this year, and future plans for exploration. Ben chases the aesthetic of flying better than just about anyone.
This content is only available to Members of the Cloudbase Mayhem. If you have subscribed to our newsletter or have supported us in the past through PayPal, Patreon or another way you should have an account all set up with us and you can login below (username is typically your email). If you aren't a member, all we've ever asked for is a buck a show so please if you can join now! Can't afford a buck a show? We want all our content to be available to the flying community regardless of your financial position, so just send us an email and we'll sort you out.
In this episode, adventurer and filmmaker Benjamin Kellett returns to the Mayhem by popular demand to share his rather awesome adventurous paragliding journeys across the Himalaya, Karakorum, and Europe in what has become an annual migration. Ben discusses the challenges of high-altitude flying, gear choices, and the evolving landscape of tandem paragliding regulations and a LOT more. Discover insights into character-building expeditions, the impact of weather phenomena like the “Super” El Nino this year, and future plans for exploration. Ben chases the aesthetic of flying better than just about anyone. Prepare to be inspired!
Support the Podcast
A buck an episode, that's all we ask
If you like what you hear, please consider becoming a subscriber to ensure our high-quality content continues. You can also help contribute to a healthier, greener planet through our partnership with Our Forest.
See our donation and subscription options here.
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Listen to us on all the most popular podcast platforms:
Ben Kellett’s migratory schedule and destinations Challenges of high-altitude and bivy flying in Karakorum and Himalaya Gear choices and filming techniques for aerial adventures Impact of weather phenomena like El Nino on flying conditions Regulations and permits for remote and protected areas Future exploration plans and bucket list destinations
Kris Holub is one of the most versatile pilots in the American free-flight community — an accomplished acro competitor, XC pilot, and SIV/acro instructor who has spent the last four years running clinics out of Oludeniz, Turkey. Gavin sat down with Kris in person during a weather day at the US Nationals in Chelan this June to talk about his extraordinary winter season in Bariloche, Argentina, where he and his friend Marcos Rosenkjer explored one of the most underrated and unknown and seriously awesome XC destinations in the world — and capped it off with a 345km convergence flight into the Patagonian desert.
This content is only available to Members of the Cloudbase Mayhem. If you have subscribed to our newsletter or have supported us in the past through PayPal, Patreon or another way you should have an account all set up with us and you can login below (username is typically your email). If you aren't a member, all we've ever asked for is a buck a show so please if you can join now! Can't afford a buck a show? We want all our content to be available to the flying community regardless of your financial position, so just send us an email and we'll sort you out.
Kris Holub is one of the most versatile pilots in the American free-flight community — an accomplished acro competitor, XC pilot, and SIV/acro instructor who has spent the last four years running clinics out of Oludeniz, Turkey. Gavin sat down with Kris in person during a weather day at the US Nationals in Chelan this June to talk about his extraordinary winter season in Bariloche, Argentina, where he and his friend Marcos Rosenkjer explored one of the most underrated and unknown and seriously awesome XC destinations in the world — and capped it off with a 345km convergence flight into the Patagonian desert.
This conversation covers everything from the meteorology of the famous Patagonian dry-line convergence (think Texas dry line, but bigger and more reliable) to Kris’s philosophy on SIV training, his journey from robotics engineer to full-time acro instructor, and a refreshingly honest “stall rant” that challenges some of the community’s most deeply held assumptions about what pilots actually need to learn — and when. Please don’t just listen to this one, check out Kris’ images and videos below and check out Kris’ instagram for some unreal videos from the trip.
This is the first episode where we are launching two versions- a shorter 30 minute version on our normal podcast channel, and the full version on our subscriber channel. We never put anything behind a paywall, if you aren’t a subscriber of the show and can’t afford to support our content, just email me and I’ll set you up with a lifetime subscription, no questions asked. Confused? Find out how to listen to the subscriber channel here. This post has the shorter version below.
Support the Podcast
A buck an episode, that's all we ask
If you like what you hear, please consider becoming a subscriber to ensure our high-quality content continues. You can also help contribute to a healthier, greener planet through our partnership with Our Forest.
See our donation and subscription options here.
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Bariloche, Argentina as a world-class XC destination: the terrain, climate, local flying community, and why it’s not the savage Fitzroy-style Patagonia most people imagine
The Patagonian dry-line convergence: how it sets up, how to read it on SkyEye and Skysight, and why it could support 500km+ flights on the right day
The 345km convergence flight: a 9-hour epic that included a first-ever vol biv, a near-dark desert landing in cactus field, and sleeping two nights under the stars
Why Starlink changed everything for XC flying in the Patagonian steppe
Vol biv logistics in extremely remote terrain with no roads on Google Maps
The lifestyle case for Bariloche vs. the Roldan/Valle Columbia circuit: world-class backpacking, climbing, wing foiling, kite boarding, and skiing on the non-fly days
Kris’s acro origin story: from a 15-hour pilot in Turkey to infinite tumbling in Gerlitzen in under two years
Quitting engineering twice to pursue flying — and why teaching acro scratches a completely different itch than tandem
The 2024 acro competition season: placing 3rd at his first Acro World Qualifier, the ego trap of performing well, and why the XContest black hole and the acro comp black hole feel eerily similar
The SIV philosophy: why Kris builds the spiral progression before collapses, and why “lockout spiral” is a misleading term
The stall rant: why stalls are not the holy grail, when they actually help, and what pilots are missing by fast-forwarding to them
Why wingovers may be the single most transferable SIV drill for everyday XC flying
The “search for spin” as an underrated and surprisingly un-scary maneuver that every pilot should experience
How acro training expands your situational awareness “soda straw” — and why that matters more than any specific maneuver
The new subscriber channel format: what’s changing and what’s staying free forever
Mentioned in This Episode:
Marcos Rosenkjer — Argentine pilot and Bariloche local, mastermind behind the convergence missions
Hernan Pitoco — Cordoba-based pilot who joined the convergence flight crew
Skysight and XCSkies — the forecasting tools that called the convergence accurately
UTI (Convergence layer on Oudie) — the instrument overlay that shows the convergence line in real time
Antoine Girard — the French para-alpinist whose record flights above Broad Peak inspired the Patagonia crew
Santacroce (Santa) — the coach who taught Chris his first stalls
Colin Papa — the coach who taught Chris rhythmic SAT through infinite in Gerlitzen
Mike Jimenez / CoPilot — the acro coach Chris hired for his 2024 comp season
Where to Find Kris:
Kris runs SIV and acro clinics primarily out of Oludeniz, Turkey each spring and fall. Go to beyondsiv.com
In this episode I sit down for a super fun chat with longtime instructor and one of the coolest cats around, Chandler Papas, the owner of Desert Wind Paragliding. Chandler shares his life-long journey into paragliding, the importance of good instruction, risk management, and cultivating gratitude for a safer and more fulfilling flying experience. We had a blast and I didn’t want it to end. Enjoy!
Support the Podcast
A buck an episode, that's all we ask
If you like what you hear, please consider becoming a subscriber to ensure our high-quality content continues. You can also help contribute to a healthier, greener planet through our partnership with Our Forest.
See our donation and subscription options here.
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Journey into paragliding and early influences Importance of qualified instruction and continuous learning Risk management and judgment in flying The role of gratitude and mindset in safety and enjoyment Community, mentorship, and sharing knowledge in the sport
Sound Bites
“I want to live life to the fullest” “Judgment is the key to safe flying” “Celebrate the little stuff, it’s all part of the journey”
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Paragliding Passion 03:00 The Journey Begins: Early Influences and Discoveries 06:01 Training and Mentorship: Learning from the Best 08:52 The Importance of Qualified Instruction 12:01 Navigating the Challenges of Paragliding Training 15:08 Finding the Right Instructor and School 17:59 Commitment to the Sport: Understanding Costs and Risks 22:18 Learning the Art of Surfing Etiquette 24:34 Finding the Right Instructor for You 27:07 Understanding the Risks of Paragliding 30:08 The Importance of Judgment in Paragliding 35:27 Navigating the Challenges of Paragliding Training 42:10 The Role of Gratitude in Paragliding 47:56 Living Life to the Fullest Through Paragliding 50:16 The Power of Gratitude in Aviation 53:07 Mindset and Decision Making in Paragliding 56:27 Embracing the Challenge of Early Thermals 01:01:39 Navigating Fear and Intuition in Flight 01:06:28 Reflections on Growth and Learning in Paragliding
Resources: Cuervo (David Prentice) – Paragliding Instructor – https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-prentice Salt Lake City Paragliding School – https://www.saltlakeparagliding.com U.S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA) – https://www.ushpa.org
Veteran Hang Gliding pilot Erika Klein shares her journey into the sport, the unique aspects of dune flying, and insights on safety, gear, and growing the sport. This episode offers valuable tips for beginners and enthusiasts alike- and if you haven’t hang glided will get you very keen to go prone!
If you like what you hear, please consider becoming a subscriber to ensure our high-quality content continues. You can also help contribute to a healthier, greener planet through our partnership with Our Forest.
See our donation and subscription options here.
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Dune flying techniques and locations Safety misconceptions and gear considerations Growth and accessibility of hang gliding Use of video analysis for training and improvement Progression in the sport and community dynamics
sound bites
“Hang gliders can do more than just go fast” “Hang gliders don’t collapse if maintained properly” “Speed is safety in hang gliding”
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Dune Flying and Hang Gliding 02:46 Erika’s Journey into Hang Gliding 05:49 The Evolution of Hang Gliding and Paragliding 08:59 The Role of Social Media in Hang Gliding 11:37 Innovations in Hang Gliding Equipment 14:34 Future of Hang Gliding: Growth and Challenges 17:35 Misconceptions Between Hang Gliding and Paragliding 20:41 Landing Techniques and Safety in Hang Gliding 23:35 Passion for Flying: What Keeps Pilots Engaged 26:57 The Dynamics of Gender in Hang Gliding 29:19 Experiences as a Female Pilot 31:14 Goals and Improvement in Paragliding 33:16 Safety Concerns in Paragliding 35:49 The Data Dilemma in Aviation Safety 38:35 Comparing Hang Gliding and Paragliding Safety 42:45 The Reality of Risk in Aviation 44:36 Teaching New Pilots About Danger 46:40 Learning to Fly: Hang Gliding vs. Paragliding 48:28 The Importance of Training Hills 49:55 Finding the Right School for Hang Gliding 52:21 Going Beyond Comfort Zones in Flying 54:28 The Role of Simulators in Pilot Training 56:13 Misconceptions in the Air: Hang Gliders vs. Paragliders 01:03:21 The Role of Video in Flight Training 01:09:13 Safety and Equipment: Lessons from Experience
South African pilot and veteran sailor Ben Hodgson has been competing in some of the most well-known and intense hike and fly races around the world for a decade, beginning with the XBerg in 2017 and then advancing to the Bornes to Fly, X-Pyr and many others. Last year he was the main supporter for the Wunderkind rookie Gabe Jansen in the Red Bull X-Alps after they met competing in a hike and fly race in Brazil. Next week Ben will begin a new journey covering the X-Pyr as a live commentator from the ground and the air (much like I do for the Red Bull X-Alps!). In this episode we dive into Ben’s insights into training, strategy, and the passion and motivation that keeps him going. We cover what he’s learned as an athlete as well as a supporter, how the body is often stronger than the mind, how much fun you can have with a supporter (in this case his sister!) who knows absolutely nothing about paragliding, all kinds of tricks of the trade, finding flow and humor in stressful situations and a lot more. We both had a blast with this chat and hope you enjoy!
Support the Podcast
A buck an episode, that's all we ask
If you like what you hear, please consider becoming a subscriber to ensure our high-quality content continues. You can also help contribute to a healthier, greener planet through our partnership with Our Forest.
See our donation and subscription options here.
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Ben’s background in flying and racing The history and end of the Exberg race Differences between Pyrenees and Alps terrain Preparation and scouting for X-Pyr Support team dynamics and logistics Mental resilience and race mindset Lessons learned from race experiences Future plans for X-Alps and beyond
sound bites
“My first race was Exberg in 2017.” “Flying is my big focus, if I had to pick one.” “Your body is stronger than your mind.”
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Hike and Fly Racing 02:45 Experiences in South Africa and Safety Concerns 05:57 The Journey into Paragliding 08:46 Transitioning from Kite Surfing to Paragliding 11:44 The X-Pyr Experience and Preparation 14:44 Challenges and Adventures in the Pyrenees 17:44 Comparing X-Pyr and X-Alps 20:44 Navigating the Pyrenees: Strategy and Support 23:37 Lessons Learned from the Race 26:39 The Role of Support Teams in Adventure Racing 35:13 Conflict Resolution in Adventure Racing 39:02 The Journey to X-Alps 46:04 Gabe’s Unexpected Rise in Racing 52:14 The Importance of Competition Flying 01:01:13 The Joy of Adventure and Community 01:07:53 Planning for Future Races
Imagine soaring through the skies at 6,000+ meters, shattering the proverbial glass ceiling in a country where female pilots are a rare sight. Today, we delve into the remarkable story of Fatemeh Eftekhari, Iran’s first serious female cross-country pilot and a trailblazer for women in aviation and extreme sports. Her journey is not just about flying; it’s about defying societal norms, pushing boundaries, and inspiring a new generation of women to chase their dreams no matter the obstacles. In a time of enormous geopolitical tensions and societal restrictions, Fatemeh’s story offers a breath of fresh air—an inspiring example of resilience, courage, and relentless pursuit of passion. Whether you’re an aspiring pilot, a supporter of women’s rights, or simply love an empowering story, her journey will change the way you see the sky, likely change the way you see Iran, and what someone with guts and grit can achieve in the sky as well as on the ground.
If you like what you hear, please consider becoming a subscriber to ensure our high-quality content continues. You can also help contribute to a healthier, greener planet through our partnership with Our Forest.
See our donation and subscription options here.
Listen to the Podcast
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Fatemeh’s background and how she became the first female cross-country pilot in Iran
Cultural and societal barriers faced by women in Iran pursuing aviation
The development of women’s participation in paragliding and cross-country flying
How she founded the Women’s Flight Society and the impact on Iranian women pilots
Differences between flying in Iran versus Europe, including airspace and safety
The role of Iranian hospitality and resilience amidst ongoing conflicts and war
Misconceptions about Iran and the true diversity of its landscapes and people
The importance of passion and purpose in flying, and her vision for the future
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction and guest’s background in Iranian aviation 02:15 – Societal constraints and her journey into becoming a pilot 04:50 – How she broke societal and gender barriers in Iran 08:10 – The establishment and evolution of women’s participation in paragliding in Iran 12:00 – Challenges of being the only woman competing internationally from Iran 16:00 – Breaking the “imaginary roof” for women and inspiring others 20:00 – The current state of women pilots in Iran and globally 24:30 – Flying in Iran’s airspace and safety considerations amidst restrictions 28:00 – Comparing flying experiences in Iran and Europe 32:00 – Misconceptions about Iran and its natural diversity 36:00 – Living through conflict and the resilience of Iranian society 40:00 – The impact of war on daily life and flying ambitions 44:00 – Middle East geopolitics, perceptions, and Iran’s cultural closeness to the US 48:00 – Advice for young women wanting to fly and pursue aviation dreams 52:00 – Fatemeh’s future goals and passion for flying 54:00 – Closing remarks and inspirational message
