SAFA Skysailor Magazine

45 November | December 2021 SKY SAILOR Now to this month’s items of interest. Let’s head to the Northern Rivers of NSW, an area we don’t hear from too often. AIRS #1310: Incident involving two paragliders A PG pilot (Pilot 1) launched from Possum’s, winds were ENE. A second PG pilot (Pilot 2) was on launch and whilst setting up, realised they had a line tangle. They unclipped and reset, then set up and launched, but failed to check the air was clear in front of launch and only saw Pilot 1 as their feet were leaving the ground. Pilot 1 at this stage was flying across the face of launch at 15m AGL and seeking altitude. Pilot 2 misjudged the vertical sepa- ration with Pilot 1, and then anticipated Pilot 1 turning left, away from launch (i.e., give way to right), which they did not do. A collision occurred with Pilot 1’s feet be- coming entangled in Pilot 2’s left wing-tip lines. Pilot 1’s legs disentangled, and flew to the LZ, immediately seeking info on Pilot 2 by radio. Pilot 2 also landed safely with damage to three cells of their wing. No injury to either pilot. Both pilots were debriefed, discussing the incident and what could have been done to prevent this. The club issued a safety reminder to all members via the local information group addressing this and other safety issues to be aware of as the season started. Safety officers were informed and encouraged to be vigilant. Remember: Distraction is a killer! All pilots should develop the self-awareness to recognise when they have become distracted during their pre-flight preparations. Pilots must recognise this and reset or pause their preparations. The air in front of the launch must be clear to enable a safe take off. Never assume another pilot will take an anticipated course of action – always expect the worst. Ask yourself, ‘What if?’, and have an appropriate course of action planned for every circumstance. And whilst still in that neck of the woods… AIRS #1325: Lennox Head cliff incident A PG3 pilot was flying their paraglider at Lennox Head (NSW). They had safely completed a sleddie, then headed up to the HG launch (20ft higher up the slope) for their second flight. They launched safely, then headed east onto the main cliff face, a trajectory that took them out of view from the ground. The pilot made a return pass and was on the low side, then turned, went back – at this stage not much higher than launch height. They continued east, around to the main part of the cliff, again out of sight from the ground. Their right wing-tip touched the cliff and the pilot was spun into it. They then fell onto a ledge and contacted other pilots by radio, informing them they were okay and giving their position. Rescue services were called, and the police abseiled the pilot down to the base of the cliff. PIC suffered a fractured wrist. All pilots are reminded to maintain a safe separation distance – horizontal and vertical – from terrain and obstructions, taking into account the wind strength and directions. This accident could have ended up with a far worse outcome, given that a cliff landing was the result. The red shoes – flying at Mt Emu Photo: Kaz Waller