SAFA Skysailor Magazine

15 May | June 2022 SKY SAILOR of towing in Birchip suggested we take all of our gear out of the paddock as it can get a bit boggy with much more rain than that. In the next 24 hours Birchip received 79mm! Next, we had our usual chocolate egg throw which is always popular with the younger support crew. It was already quite windy in town at 10:30am, regardless, a task was set and we headed out to the paddock. No gliders were taken off cars as we waited and watched the wind and gust strength increase. Since this is an entry level competition with many flying floater gliders, we decided to cancel the day for safety reasons. Most pilots returned to the BCG for an afternoon of educational lectures on safety culture with Neil Hooke, and cross-country flying techniques with Rohan Holtkamp. Pilots watched and listened in person and live online. Rohan went on to discuss his ideas on glider design, incorporating high performance, easy handling, quick set-up, light weight and short pack length in an affordable category 5 air- craft. Sounds like this might just be what hang gliding needs! The rain started late in the evening on Sunday and continued throughout the night and all day Monday. Most had decided to pack-up and head for home straight after Sunday’s lectures, before the rain soaked all their camping gear. It was unfortunate to only fly two days out of four, but it was still good to get together with old and new friends. Presentations of trophies and awards occurred over an early lunch at the Birchip BCG for the remaining die-hards, with a couple more cheeky goal beers had on the sly! This year’s winners Floater Class 1 Paul Pitman 2 Damien Hamilton 3 Brett Huggan Race Class 1 Dean Bayly 2 Pete Lissenberg 3 Phil Campbell Open Class 1 Rohan Holtkamp 2 Dave Moore 3 James Atkinson The 13th place winner of XCSoar/Kobo flight computer was lucky Andy Philips. The Steve Ruffels perpetual encouragement trophy went to Damien Hamilton. The Winning Team ‘Doobalackys’ – Dave, James, Andy, Richard, Tim. Skypig award won by Keith ‘Wrongway’ Lavers. The next calendar event for avid car-towing pilots is the Big K week. Held every year starting the last weekend in November, 26 November to 2 December. Form a team with your mates and come to Birchip to re-define your flying PBs. Visit hgcomps.com.au for info or call Phillip Campbell on 0438 428 569.