SAFA Skysailor Magazine

13 SUMMER 2025 | December-January-February SKY SAILOR small one at that. We were introducing no significant additional path erosion or track maintenance burden; they presumed that, like climbers, we would temper our risk with our experience and skill. We were to be treated just like any other legitimate park user. We were not special. This position now applies to the 50% of the island that is in the Reserve Estate. If we have legitimate access as a walker, which is probably 80% of the Reserve Estate, and can find a suitable, safe launch and landing, we can go there with a view to flying. It is going to take us a while to come to grips with this new found freedom. I am looking forward to the flights this will enable and, with our growing number of experienced pilots, some epic adventures. Our task now is to remain un-special and not make too many mistakes in this re- markable wilderness that require external assistance to resolve. A note to our visitors Some pilots visiting Tasmania seem to baulk at paying the THPA visiting mem- bership fee, arguing other states don’t charge such a fee. In Tasmania, we have no club level structure and as such all site and owner relationship management is handled at an association level. To fly Mystic you pay a club fee, to fly Stanwell interstate visitors pay a club fee, etc. In Tasmania, we collect the ‘club’ fee at a State association level. Our agreement with the Tasmanian Government allows financial members of the THPA access to the Reserve Estate. It has taken a fair bit of negotiation and resources to achieve our access, we ask that visiting pilots do the right thing, join up and join our community. Lemon Hill, Tas Photo: Iain Clarke, 2022