[Ido]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-15505188
not a lot of details, extremely sorrowing..
16 is awfully young, i cant put a number on the minimum age to start hg but i think it has to be higher than that

[lostgriz]

This is very sad.

[Dan Harding]

There is not much info yet. Judy Leden is part of the Airways Air Sport team I think???

[adi]

shocked... sad day for everyone involved. Heart goes out to her family.

[day dreamer]

My son wants to fly, he is about the same age. That is why I am hesitant. I know he can do it but if something did happen, and he couldn't think quick enough, or lock up, or what but all those things would go through my head for the rest of my life if something did happen. I can't afford that. I am sure these things are going through the minds of those HG avid parents. Condolences.

[NMERider]

Very sad indeed.

No additional details yet on the Derbyshire club forum: http://www.derbyshiresoaringclub.org.uk/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?14439

[Bondy]

Too young, regards to family and friends.

[fakeDecoy]

[Darbbb]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2054990/Pictured-Lois-Preston-16-year-old-dies-hang-gliding-crash-training-flight-Derbyshire.html

Really sad. I have a daughter just about that age. Can't imagine what those parents are going through.

[lostgriz]

[lostgriz]

[mvent2009]

Bad news... really sad

[Paul H]

As sad as that news is, the same could happen to any kid taking part in any of the many hazardous sports and activities that so many are involved in. It's a tough call for any parent.

[klh]

This is a damn shame and a tragic loss. I hope more information about the cause(s) makes it onto the intermet so we can learn from it.

[knumbknuts]

I watched my daughter ride horses today knowing the fatality stats are about the same between the sports (30-40 per 100,000 participants per year). She was in a for-fun contest with other girls, aged 6-12.

I watched after having read this article, thinking... "what do I do about this? Do I let her get into this before she's 18?"

[Cloudhopper]

Many have replied that 16 is too young to participate in HG. While there may be legal issues with teaching those under 18, I don't believe that our young should be prohibited from flying on principle, provided they can understand the seriousness of the activity and the consequences of their decisions and actions.
There are many (perhaps most) that won't be able to do this at 16, but there are certainly some who can. I've been flying HG's since I was 13, and was flying airplanes (not PIC) long before that. It has had a huge positive impact on my life, and it might not have worked out so well had I not had the opportunity to start so young.

Driving an automobile, flying a private airplane or glider, riding horses, bmx bikes, skate boards, surfing, football: These all take judgement and have elements of risk comparable to learning to HG. These pilots (like any beginner) should be carefully supervised by an instructor, and should perhaps be viewed somewhat more cautiously, as it is generally believed that at this age, mortality is not fully grasped.

However there are so many really exceptionally gifted teenage athletes in so many sports that require comparable dedication and possess similar potential for injury or death. To deny these young potential pilots the opportunity to begin flying as soon as they are emotionally mature enough does them and our sport a disservice.

Yes... 16 s far too young to die, and as the father of a teenage daughter, I can hardly imagine what this young woman's parents must be going through. My heart goes out to them, and to all those of the Derbyshire community who share in this tragic loss.

[relate2]

[adi]

just found out who this was. I know her father well from the airpark and the hills.. and lois was always there too. She's been flying PG's since she was 14 , and was a natural. She recently started to learn aerotow HG....

This is such a shame for everyone, tragic. Heart goes out to Mark and his family..

[gasdive]

I actually encouraged my daughter to ride horses from about 8. It's given a purpose to her life that I think has really enriched her. She's been trying to get into Vet school but at 10 they won't take her (yet). She knows where she's going and how to get there.

I was doing deep (below 40m) decompression dives with my 12 year old brother when I was 14.

If she wanted to HG (she doesn't) I'd support her just the way my Mum supported me. Yes she might die. That would make me sad. Sad enough that I probably couldn't go on. But her life is hers to live. At that age she should be deciding things based on what suits her, not how it would effect others if she died. Time enough for that later.

=:)

[bisleybob]

gutted very sad