SAFA Skysailor Magazine

58 SKY SAILOR March-April-May | AUTUMN 2026 Using this method, a position can be given for any 3m 2 on the face of the planet in just three words. Go to the website and give it a go. On the ‘About’ tab you’ll find more explanations and links to the app on various stores. Hopefully, this gets us to the point where you’ve got some folks standing under your tree, ready to help you down. Reach into the pocket of your harness and lower down the dental floss or fishing line with a weight on the end, that you have stashed for just this occasion. Which is where I will hand you over to the skilled personnel in your rescue party. Pay close attention to their directions. Water Make no mistake, a controlled collision into water can be fatal! The drowning process can be initiated very easily and concluded very quickly. Choosing to ditch is generally viewed as a last resort. There are three common elements to the advice many clubs and schools provide: 1. Don’t fly over water! 2. If you have to, ensure you have enough height to safely glide to dry land 3. If you ignored 1 and 2, DON’T DITCH in the SURF. Our Training Manager, Phil Joughin has put together an ‘Information and Resourc- es’ document on this topic. You can find it on the SAFA website. Go to Pilot Tools > Resources > Pilot Resources > Water Landings Advisory . The document contains a lot of informa- tion from several sources. There is no hard and fast rule on what to do other than this: Controlled collisions into terrain – Water and Trees