SAFA Skysailor Magazine

39 July | August 2024 SKY SAILOR #1817 – PG launch mishap Mt Borah East, NSW PIC was preparing to launch from the east launch on Mt Borah (NSW) and was observing the wind conditions – crossed from the north but straight up the face on thermic cycles. It was a hot day, 37ºC, and PIC was tired and hot from a previous bomb-out retrieve. Reverse launching into a thermal cycle, they corrected a horse-shoe inflation, stabilised the wing and committed to the launch. Noticing that the wing was not lifting as expected, they ran harder, eventually lifting off at the end of the launch surface. They had a steep glide angle and have impacted a boulder below launch with a knee, bounced off, unloading the wing, recovering from a collapse, and flying to a safe landing at Manilla Paragliding farm. There they self-treated their minor injuries. If fatigued or heat-stressed, seek to reduce your temperature and ensure you are properly hydrated and consider carefully the decision to fly. Either of these conditions will lead to sub-optimal decision making. Be prepared to abort the launch prior to becoming airborne if the wing is not performing or the launch is not proceeding perfectly. #1968 – PG water landing, Whale Beach, Sydney NSW PIC was attempting to fly their paraglider from headland to headland on the Northern Beaches of Sydney (NSW), but became target fixated on skipping headlands. They lost situational awareness of the conditions and whether these supported the flight plan. PIC was then left without landing options and had to water land. Pilot was equipped with PFD and executed a water landing, then swam to the Photo: Suzy Gneist