SAFA Skysailor Magazine

56 SKY SAILOR March-April-May | AUTUMN 2026 Trees What to do if it looks like a tree collision is unavoidable? Pick a low tree or brush. If that choice isn’t available, pick the sturdiest specimen of tree you can see. What next? Let’s deal with paragliders first. You should aim to land in the crown of the canopy. This may not be possible, and you may be heading for the side of the canopy. In both cases, you need to flare and perform a spot landing. If landing in the crown, you’re trying to plop yourself into it; if into the side, your flare shouldn’t be so hard that your wing flies backwards – your aim is to snag the canopy in the tree. In all cases, grab a branch and hang on. For hang gliders, stay zipped into your harness to reduce the risk of cuts and abrasions. Try to flare flat and plop onto the top of the canopy and grab on. If you are heading for the side, flare and again, grab on to any available branches. Next, get yourself secure. These days, some harnesses come with a securing strap and carabiner for just this purpose. Otherwise, a trip to a reputable outdoor shop will see you able to purchase a climb- ing strop and carabiner suitable for the job. If you don’t have these available, use your reserve to secure yourself by tying your bridle around the tree. Get yourself securely tied in. Do not unclip from your harness and try to climb down! At this stage you are secured and not at risk of falling! You may not be particularly comfortable, but you are safe. Getting out of your harness, unsecured, can be a fatal choice. In 2016, a hang glider pilot made a tree landing at Rainbow Beach and died when Controlled collisions into terrain – Water and Trees