SAFA Skysailor Magazine

38 SKY SAILOR November | December 2024 #1580 – PG collapse in rotor at Red Bluff, Vic PIC arrived at Red Bluff (Vic) to fly their paraglider. They undertook a number of flights in light conditions. The wind filled in and they managed to maintain altitude. A visible wind line was noticed approximately 700m out to sea, and the wind speed had increased to circa 14kt. Half a minute after noticing this, PIC was subjected to violently turbulent air. The wing verged on collapsing and twisting with strong surges and PIC endeavoured to land. In doing so, the wind blasts subjected them to sudden ascents to 15m AGL from as low as 2m AGL. The final blast experienced felt as if the wing had stalled behind, and the pilot tried to maintain a stall all the way to the ground. At about 10m AGL, the right wing reinflated, causing a spin through 180º and an impact with the hill. PIC suffered a dislocated ulna. Spectators on launch described the wind as calm, and within the space of two seconds, like a cyclone. Pilots are advised to prepare for an immediate landing if the conditions out to sea suggest incoming winds. #1582 – PG accident on 19/11/2021 at Tamborine bomb-out, Qld/S PIC was coming in to land their paraglider at the club landing area at Mt Tamborine (Qld/S). On turning onto base prior to final, the glider dove towards the ground. PIC pulled as much brake as they could but with no effect. They slid along the grass towards another pilot’s parked car and came to a stop with their left leg under the car and the glider draped over the car. The car was undamaged, as was the pilot, the wing, however, had two broken lines. Pilots are advised to beware any potential wind shadow on landing. Be prepared to use a very strong flare when required, and adopt the PLF (Parachute Landing Fall) posture. #1598 – HG strong wind launch at Winkipop, Vic PIC was preparing to launch their hang glider at Bells Beach (Vic). The wind was strong, gusting to 21-23kt. Three people were assisting on the wires. PIC called for ‘nose clear’, which then was, then called ‘clear’ and took 1-2 steps forward, before the wing shot up 6m with little rearward movement. The uprights were ripped from grasp, but PIC managed to regain hold of the RH upright. They scrabbled for the basebar with left hand, caught it, then grabbed it with their right hand. The glider had made a very slight turn to the right during the vertical ascent, probably as a result of losing all grip with the left hand. Then there followed a sudden drop of the RH wing, and the glider plummeted earthward, standing on the RH wing. Full left weight-shift and pulling airspeed during the fall was applied, the glider had almost levelled up and dropped 5m when it ‘hit the wind’ with a bang and was again flying in the strong wind. Be aware of increasing and sudden gusts in stronger turbulent winds. Vertical component of wind vector may dislodge the pilot’s grip on the uprights. Conduct a basebar launch instead if proficient. AIRS Safety Wrap-up