SAFA Skysailor Magazine

34 SKY SAILOR November | December 2021 to gliders, balloons and aircraft that are seen to be towing other aircraft or objects. Landing When two or more aircraft are approaching to land, the one ahead has the priority . A glider landing or on final approach has right of way over all other gliders on the ground. When two or more gliders are landing, the lowest glider on final approach has the right of way, provided it does not cut in front of or overtakes any other glider on final approach. After landing, you must clear the landing area as soon as possible Microlights The same ‘Rules of the Air’ apply to all aircraft, though obviously microlight pilots do not use the ridge soaring rules. The vast majority of mid-air collisions occur in the vicinity of an airstrip or airport. Therefore microlight pilots must be extremely vigilant whilst either descending to join circuit, or whilst in circuit. When on base leg and when turning onto final, a good check upwind is essential to ensure that no faster aircraft are already on final and approaching at a flatter angle. When flying cross country, motorised aircraft follow specific ‘cruising levels’ which keep aircraft heading in opposite directions at different heights. During training you will learn how to follow these procedures. Flying in proximity to other aircraft The following distances from other aircraft are suggested minimum for separations for SAFA piloted aircraft where there is no prior arrangement to fly closer: • • Soaring hang and paragliders of any type by at least 20m horizontally and 25ft vertically; • • powered hang and paragliders by at least 20m horizontally and 25ft vertically; • • weightshift microlights, and tug aeroplanes towing hang gliders by at least 30m horizontally and 100ft vertically; • • sailplanes, and tug aeroplanes towing sailplanes by at least 60m horizontally and 200ft vertically; and • • other aircraft by at least 600m horizontally and 500ft vertically. SAFA aircraft must not pass over or under, or cross in front of other aircraft, unless these vertical separation can be maintained. Whatever aircraft you fly you must be ever vigilant, the maxim is: Look Out and Live. References: SAFA Operations Manual ‘Rules of the Air’, Craig Worth, SkySailor Special Training issue 2003 Unless the other aircraft is on your right or the ridge is on your right – always see and turn right! Right? Reviewing the Rules of the Air