stolen glider

[Steve.T.]

From: Paul Cioffi <paulcioffi@blueyonder.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 13:41:42 -0000
To: <events@bhpa.co.uk>
Subject: Fw: Stolen Paraglider


My name is Paul Cioffi and I am member of the South Devon HG&PG Club. I am kindly asking for everyone to be on the look out for a brandnew Red Niviuk stolen wing. I was on my way back by national express coach from Heathrow to Totnes on the afternoon of Friday 26th Oct when the incident happened. The driver loaded my wing onto the coach at Heathrow and when I got off at Totnes the wing and harness was gone. The driver said that at each stop he puts out all the luggage onto the floor and what's left he puts back in, he thinks it was taken by somebody at Taunton/Somerset stop. The wing was a brandnew medium Niviuk Artik (ser no C350534), a distinguishable bright red in colour with a small white section. The harness was a black and red supair evo xc with reserve fitted on the back (has 2 large distinctive tears on the underside) Also contained my black supair flying suit (tears on leg), a flight deck with flytech vario in it and a white open faced lazer helmet (All were contained in a dark grey Niviuk rucksack). I am presuming the culprit would either want to sell it or fly it himself so if anyone is approached to buy the wing please could you exercise discretion in trying to find out the identity of this person so that they might be prosecuted if caught. Alternatively if it is seen in a local paper or website to please inform me on 07967 295371 or to e-mail me at paulcioffi@blueyonder.co.uk if you think it might be mine. Andy Tallbott of Niviuk UK is personally offering a reward and myself will add to that for info leading to the safe return of it. If the thief is wanting to fly it, it would be very suspicious to see a DHV 2 glider in the hands of a beginner (I am saying it would be a beginner as I do not believe another paragliding pilot would commit such an act against another person.) In view of this, I would ask any flying schools to be aware of this. This has absolutely gutted me and cant begin to explain how hacked off I am feeling. I am writing this in the hope I might get it back but also to highlight the risks of travelling and the importance of taking out insurance. I am going to be badly out of pocket since I was only covered up to £1500 - a harsh lesson to learn and an extremely bitter pill to swallow! Please could you circulate this info to anyone you may think might be able to help. I'm hoping that great spirit of the paragliding community will prevail!

Many thanks,

Paul Cioffi