SAFA Skysailor Magazine

32 SKY SAILOR November | December 2021 SEE and AVOID! It is each pilot’s responsibility to practise lookout and take all possible measures to avoid a collision with any other aircraft. In aviation, the Pilot in Command is solely responsible to know these rules. Pilots should be ever watchful for other aircraft and fly defensively, never relying on the other pilot to give way. If you are approaching another aircraft, make a course correction early (even a minor one), so that the other pilot is aware of your intentions. Take Off Rules Essentially, a pilot shall not launch (or inflate their canopy) if there are other gliders directly in front of or crossing the launch area. When taking off from a ridge, the Ops manual states: Aircraft taking off from ridge site launches shall not: • • launch into the path of oncoming aircraft, nor • • raise their wing into that airspace, nor • • launch into ridge-soaring airspace which would then become crowded and force other pilots out of the airspace. After taking off, pilots must fly clear of the launch area, leaving it clear for other pilots wishing to launch. Ridge Soaring When ridge soaring you’ll find a pattern usually develops, particularly in light conditions, with pilots following each other through the pattern to reduce the likelihood of conflict and to share the available lift equally. Where there are gliders of differing speeds and manoeuvrability operating together (such Reviewing the Rules of the Air as paragliders and hang gliders), it can be difficult to establish a safe soaring pattern. The same applies when beginner gliders are operating alongside faster high performance gliders. Novices, Supervised Pilot Certificate holders and other low airtime pilots flying with a red ribbon should not be crowded in the air – give them a wide berth. When ridge soaring, it is beneficial for the slower gliders to make shorter passes, thus allowing a similar time for each of the various gliders to complete a pass, and more readily enable a safe pattern to establish. Thermal Soaring When thermalling, higher gliders must be ever watchful for gliders coming up at a faster rate and be prepared to give way. Where gliders are circling at similar heights in overlapping circles, it is necessary to change the circling pattern so that each glider’s 360 is around the same centre. Take extra caution when operating in the same lift or airspace as a sailplane. Remember that the wing restricts the upward vision of a hang/paraglider pilot, and in many sailplanes the wing restricts the pilot’s downward vision. Pilots must remain extremely vigilant in crowded conditions – head for the landing paddock if you are not comfortable with the crowd. By far the safest course of action if it appears to be crowded in the air is to not take off – wait until the crowd thins. Give Way Rules Give way to other aircraft on your right. Power driven aircraft are required to give way