SAFA Skysailor Magazine

36 SKY SAILOR May | June 2021 AIRS #1391 – PG scrub landing Continuing northwards, we head to Merewether in New- castle (NSW) where a visiting pilot from the ACT launched at Hickson Street Lookout. They did not seek a current site briefing, having received one in the past. The breeze was a light easterly and they headed directly for the cliffs to the east of launch, instead of taking the more indirect route via the east end of the beach. PIC lost lift and height and made a landing in the coastal scrub. No damage or injury. Pilots returning to sites after a period of some absence should seek a current site briefing from the local safety officers. Local conditions and protocols may have changed since their previous visit. AIRS #1403 – PG coastal tree landing On to the Sunshine Coast (SE Qld), first to Teewah Beach. A PG pilot launched in light easterly winds. They had flown twice, but landed due to not being able to maintain height. Both landings were good, with no issues. On the third flight, the pilot launched and headed north along the ridge, but did not manage to maintain height and landed in a pandanus tree 100m from launch. The pilot sustained only minor scrapes, and was otherwise unhurt. Other pilots on launch came to assist and retrieve the wing and gear from tree. Whenever flying in any conditions, but especially light conditions, always fly with an exit strategy, so if you can’t maintain height, you can glide safely to land. AIRS #1426 – PG top landing error Still at Teewah, a PG pilot was practising top landings. They had performed numerous approaches, but overshot the landing area each time, due to being too high. They then approached from SW with the intention of carrying out a 180-degree turn to set up and land. In doing this, the pilot lost too much height in the turn and no longer had enough height to make the top landing. PIC landed in the trees without injury. When practising top landings at Teewah, lose height to the south of launch, then crab in to top land. If too high, turn west behind launch to lose more height; this always gives you an option of landing at the back of launch, or exiting back onto the ridge. Always have an exit strategy. AIRS #1435 – PG in light conditions Tingira Crescent on Sunrise Beach has also seen some un- planned excursions into the vegetation. PIC is paragliding in light easterly conditions of 10kt. Generally, this site requires more wind strength to create ridge lift due to the low ridge height. The PIC had tried to maintain height by flying close to the ridge, but there was not enough wind, and had not left enough height to glide to the beach. This caused the pilot to sink and land in the scrubby trees. There was no damage to the pilot or the equipment. Again, always have an exit strategy – do not assume there will be ridge lift. If losing height head out to land with a safe height and only come closer to the ridge if you have a safe glide to the LZ. AIRS #1437 – PG mini-wing incident Still at Tingira Crescent, the PG pilot was flying a mini-wing in approximately 18kt ESE winds. Whilst searching for ridge lift, PIC was unable to maintain height, and glided out away from the ridge to land on the beach in a clearing. The pilot did not allow sufficient height to glide out over the trees to land on the beach and caught one wing tip on a tree. This spun the pilot 180 degrees, and they landed on their feet. The PIC then communicated to the HG flying that they are okay, collected their equipment and returned to launch. No damage to the pilot or equipment. The pilot was flying a mini-wing without a mini-wing endorsement. All pilots are reminded that they need to hold this endorsement to fly a mini-wing. This particular site is very sensitive with residents complaining if gliders are too close to houses – 25m is the permitted minimum distance from houses. With mini-wings it is very difficult to obtain much height on such a small ridge. Although not a rule, it is recommended not to fly mini-wings at this site. Always allow a safe height to glide to a safe landing. If you are not going to clear the trees to safely land at the LZ, aim for the biggest part of the tree and flare just before impact, then grab the largest part of the tree. If a tree snags the tip of the glider, it will spin you and the glider, and the energy created from the spin, will cause you to hit the ground with greater force and can result in an injury. AIRS #1365 – PG strong wind launch While still at Sunrise Beach, #1365 deserves a mention. The PIC was initially flying a small wing (Little Cloud GT22), they were not able to maintain height without breaching the rule of 30m separation from houses, so chose to land and return to launch with a larger glider, a 25m Niviuk Artik 4. The pilot launched and whilst doing so, the wind gusted, and the pilot was picked up. They could not penetrate forward, so the pilot attempted to locate the speed bar with their foot, missed the speed bar and put their leg through the loop, thus being unable to use the bar. Whilst this was occurring, they had swung left and right, due to over-input from the brakes. This resulted in the pilot being pushed back over launch onto the back railing and a bench, narrowly missing a member of the public. The wing dragged the pilot across the railing, where they contacted a car and a van. The wing then wrapped over the top of the powerline behind launch, bringing the pilot to a stop, it then unwrapped from the powerline and fell to the ground. The pilot was uninjured, no members of the public were injured, no damage to the glider. The parked car sustained some minor damage. The pilot exchanged details with the owner of the car and paid for damages. No power loss was suffered due to glider wrapping on powerlines. Always assess wind strength before launching. If the wind strength is close to the limit of the size and performance of the glider, a gust can be enough to push you over the back of launch, and you would be better not to launch. Before launching, especially in stronger winds, make sure your speed bar is released from the harness, so it is easily accessible, especially if there is an emergency situation straight after launching where speed is critical. In a situation like this one where you find yourself not penetrating after launching, and struggling to find you speed bar, keep inputs to a minimum, go hands up and maintain a safe heading. Over-input of brake will just push you further back over launch, and the oscillation could cause serious injury if you hit the ground. AIRS Safety Wrap-up