Exercise COCKNEY GLIDE was an Army paragliding expedition to Andalucia, Spain, undertaken in early March 25. The expedition was based in Algodonales, a historic hill town, perched on the edge of the Sierra Grazalema national park. Six hundred metres above the town towers the Sierra Lijar – a superb paragliding mountain that enables flying in a wide range of wind directions.
Paragliding is used by the Army, alongside other similar activities such as mountaineering, to instil the personal qualities required to make the Army effective in war. The experience of running off Sierra Lijar contributes very directly towards individual courage, resilience to stress and judgement. Seven personnel, drawn from across the Army, benefited from the paragliding training delivered during the exercise. Three of the personnel were drawn from the Army Reserve, very kindly supported by the Ulysses Trust.
The expedition was, very sadly, much hampered by poor weather which prevented flying on five of the eight days available. Nevertheless, every possible opportunity was taken to develop skills – in the classroom, undertaking drills with the paraglider in the landing field or flying when conditions were permissible. All of the expedition participants achieved some memorable flights on the three days suitable for flying, including an especially spectacular evening flight in thermic conditions on 7 Mar 25.
Everybody returned home a better informed, more skilful and more confident pilot – ready for further progression through flying in the United Kingdom during the approaching flying season. The objectives of the expedition were achieved, despite the difficult weather conditions.
Capt Tom Muir said, “The experience of flying in windy and thermic conditions has been fantastic. I’ve hugely developed my confidence and improved my ability to operate effectively in the border between ‘Stretch’ and ‘Panic’ zones. I know a little more about myself than I did at the start of the week. Flying with vultures high above the mountain is an experience I’ll not forget.”
