SAFA Skysailor Magazine

31 July | August 2021 SKY SAILOR are under suspended membership suspensions, pending their continued good behaviour. All pilots should be aware that conducting flight operations in aircraft they are not qualified to fly is a serious breach of our flight privileges. Equally, providing instruction while not qualified as an instructor is a serious breach. Persons found to have conducted such breaches risk serious sanction from the SAFA COO. This course of action also has profound safety concerns – pilots would be flying without receiving proper instruction, with incomplete knowledge and without any indication that what they may be doing while piloting is unsafe. AIRS #1089 – WM passenger fatality A low-hours WM pilot flew their aircraft at Lake Eildon (VIC). They had been flying with a passenger at low-level in an inappropriate manner, performing sharp pull-up to steep climbs with extreme bank angles when the motor cut out. The aircraft impacted the lake and sunk with the passenger trapped in the airframe. The passenger was recovered deceased some time later by police divers. The pilot did not hold a passenger carrying endorsement and had been told by their instructor they were not to carry passengers until that endorsement was attained. All pilots are reminded of Section 4.1.5 of the SAFA Operations Manual – Negligent Operation, and of the need to hold the appropriate endorsement for their aircraft type to undertake passenger carrying operations. Failure to do so may leave pilots open to serious criminal prosecution in the event of an accident, fatal or otherwise. Finally, our last report has a happy ending… AIRS #1277 – Flying at a banned site SAFA received a complaint from a member who had observed two PG pilots flying from Red Bluff on Beach Road in Sandringham (VIC), on multiple occasions. Flying from Red Bluff was at the time, banned by the VHPA. However, it has been found that this ban had probably been applied in error, as Red Bluff was incorrectly included in an application to obtain a permit to fly at Mentone and both were assessed as one. Red Bluff lies in Class G airspace and no permit is required. The VHPA have examined this issue, consulted with the local council and the site is now open, with very strict site usage protocols. The site is administered by the SkyHigh Paragliding Club, and you will need a site induction before flying there. You can contact the SkyHigh Club . SAFA members should consult the Australian National Site Guide (ANSG) for the current status of sites and adhere to any bans or directions. The ANSG can be found here . Although the pilot was found to be flying at a banned site, due to the fact that the ban was made in error, SAFA Operations will take no action against the pilot in this case when definitely identified, other than issuing a Caution letter relating to observing directions in the ANSG. For Submission of Classifieds Forms and Documents SAFA Documents are now available in the Member Zone of the SAFA website . To access them select then select ‘Documents’ in the left-hand menu. These documents are constantly updated, s o download them only when required. DO NOT save them for later use. The office will not accept outdated forms. Documents available to the general public are accessible on the website under: ‘Pilot Tools’  Forms & Docs Visiting Pilot Membership Pilots requiring Visiting Pilot Memberships please go to www.safa.asn.au/visiting-international-pilots SAFA Office Manager Advertising Guidelines All aircraft should be suitable for the intended use; this includes the skill level required for the specific aircraft being reflective of the pilot’s actual rating and experience. All members must adhere to the maintenance require- ments as contained in Section 9 of the Operations Manual and as provided by manufacturers. Secondhand equipment should always be inspected by an independent person, an Instructor wherever possible. Advice should be sought as to the condition, airwor- thiness and suitability of the aircraft. It should include examination of maintenance logs for the aircraft. It is unethical and a legally volatile situation for individu- als to provide aircraft which are unsuitable for the skill level of the pilot, or aircraft that are un-airworthy in any way. Member Classified Rates Member classified advert rates are as follows (booked via SAFA Office, with payment by email , fax: 03 93367177 or post to Unit 21/54 Commercial Place, Keilor East VIC 3033): Members only rates: $25 (for up to six lines & 60 words plus $25 for every 60 words thereafter). Non-members will no longer be able to place classified ad. The deadline is two weeks prior to next publication date. When submitting a classified, remember to include your contact details for prospective buyers. Note: Commercial Calendar events are included under this classified ruling.