Jack was 15 when he began formal paragliding training and bought a second-hand glider, having saved up by working in his spare time, getting a bus and lifts so that he could fly every day possible. He got his pilot rating at 15 and was taken onto the Nova Pilot’s team in the week of his 16th birthday.
He emailed hundreds of companies in pursuit of sponsorship. He was living on his own and managing his own risk. Later that year he developed a passion for acro flying. During a twomonth training trip to Organya in Spain filmmaker Ian Burton documented his progress over six days. Their film outlined Jack’s journey, recording on film his passion and dedication. Later he visited clubs up and down the country to talk about it.
In September Jack did his first acro display at the Coupe Icare in France. Two weeks later he had secured a place on the Ozone team and a Supported Athlete contract from Red Bull. He was not yet 18. The pace quickened in 2017 with extensive training, performances and international competitions. In 2018, he managed to combine acro training with his HNC course deadlines and final exam, then six competitions and two shows. He also drove thousands of miles, visited ten countries and gave several TV interviews, still training for ten hours a day when possible, achieving excellent results in the competitions and 98% in his HNC in Electronic Engineering!
Jack Pimblett shares his passion by giving talks, including at a local youth correctional facility and at the Kendal Mountain Festival, and he spreads positive awareness of aviation wherever he goes. He was 20 in October.