SAFA Skysailor Magazine

22 SKY SAILOR September | October 2022 “I remember reading an article by Geoff Coombs about this technical and amazing flight down to Apollo Bay and was fascinated,” he said. “After graduating from a Novice to an inter- mediate rated pilot and buying an intermediate glider (Sting 3), I thought I would give it a go. I first attempted it in 2009 and it took me about nine tries before I was successful,” he explained. Jim fondly remembers the first time he made it, when a local pilot was flying over him and stopped to help, staying with him the entire way, encouraging him and providing him with the local knowledge on the technical aspects of the flight. But there is one challenge that Jim hasn’t yet conquered and that’s attempting a return trip from Apollo Bay making a total flight distance of 152km, which only one other pilot has ever completed. Jim has been 10km short of this goal and is determined to continue the attempt until he is successful. “I just love to fly and be in the air. They say once you kiss the sky you can never stop, and I believe this is true – it is a very addictive sport and I just love every aspect of it,” he admits. Jim is a member of the Western Victorian Hang Gliding Association, Melbourne Hang Gliding Club and the Dynasoarers.  To read more about completing the Coastal Run, check out John Langmeade’s article in the Skysailor March/April 2022 issue. Big Hill, Fairhaven – Bruce in centre and Jim on the right Jim Wynd’s rise to the sky