SAFA SkySailor Magazine

36 SKY SAILOR March | April 2024 gathered in a rosette, with lines leading down the hill to PIC. As the pilot took the brakes off the poppers and gathered the risers, preparatory to walling the wing for a reverse launch, a gust came through. The centre cells popped open, and fearing the worst, PIC commenced moving up the hill towards the wing. The gust accelerated, causing the wing to rapidly inflate. PIC was rapidly pulled back up the hill as the wing launched itself, then into the air, reversed, flying over the flat between the two launch surfaces, before being dragged through thistles as the wing descended. It was all over in 10 seconds. No damage or injury. Ensure that wind strength and gust tendency is decreasing to reduce the possibility of launching into conditions that exceed your capabilities. If deciding to launch in gusty conditions, consider requesting another pilot to position themselves in the centre of the wing to prevent or control an unintended inflation. We’ll finish up this month in the ACT. #1731 PG injury report, ACT A low-hours pilot launched their paraglider at Lake George (ACT/NSW). The wind at the time was 7kt from the NE. After launch, the wind strength decreased. PIC identified a space to land, and in the process of landing encountered some lift. PIC identified another landing space, but encountered turbulence and impacted a rock, suffering fractured ribs and stable fractures of vertebrae. Lake George is a very easy and forgiving site on most occasions, but due to the heavy AIRS Safety Wrap-up rains, the Landing Zone (LZ) is under water, and emergency landing options are very limited. In a normal year, Lake George is literally the biggest landing paddock in the world, but with the water and the blackberries, landing at the bottom of the hill can be tricky. If the wind had been consistent and straight, it would be suitable for PG2s to fly, but with variable winds that are changing direction, this site may be too challenging at present. Other pilots flying on the day report that the wind dropped rapidly, swung to the NE, and became slightly thermic, which caused some pilots to top land, and others to land at the bottom. Pilots should be alert to changing conditions, and importantly, have a plan if the wind drops, as it typically does at this site over summer. This awareness, judgement and planning comes with experience at the site. From all accounts, PIC landed to the north of the hill, near the carpark and powerlines. When the wind turns to the NE, the poplars, which are over 20m tall, can cause turbulence and rotor that can be felt more than 100m away. Based on PIC’s description of the situation (“Picked up, then dumped,” etc), this may be consistent with rotor from the poplars. Rotor from trees at Lake George is a hazard. Several members of the ACTHPA have subsequently cleared blackberry bushes from the base of the hill. There is now a clear strip at least 170m by 30m which should give people better landing options in the future. That’s it for this issue. Fly safe.