SAFA Skysailor Magazine

40 SKY SAILOR September | October 2022 #1521 – Widgee Mountain launch PG accident The PIC had set up their wing on launch at Mt Widgee (Qld/S), in conditions deemed appropriate (perfect) for a PG2 pilot at this site. On inflation, the wing pulled to the left and the pilot started to turn the incorrect way. The wing came overhead, but due to the pilot slightly twisted in the opposite direction, the PIC did not have sufficient wing control. They tried to kill the wing by applying brakes, but with the wing overhead and starting to lift the pilot off the ground, PIC was dragged forward down the slope, slightly off the ground, and still facing the wing in the reverse inflation position. The PIC impacted a small tree and the terrain. They crashed into the ground and the wing flew forward over the pilot. The pilot was sore and felt pain from some ribs and lower back. Witnesses helped the pilot to their car and transported them downhill to meet with an ambulance which took them to Gympie Hospital. Whilst in hospital, it was found the pilot sustained broken ribs and a punctured lung. PIC was released from hospital a few days later. Ground handling is a key skill and should be practised! Some launches, like Mt Widgee, are not friendly to poor ground handling, due to the steep launch slope and of launch being within the lift band. Often pilots are lifted off their feet immediately on wing inflation and need to respond quickly to avoid injury. #1536 – Mt Tamborine incident: PG drifted in the wind and hit strong sink A low-hours PG2 pilot was flying under supervision at Mt Tamborine (Qld/S). They had been thermaling for only the second time, for approximately 35 minutes. They drifted downwind in the thermal and away from the LZ. They then lost the thermal and en- countered heavy sink (~5m/s). In combination with the headwind on a low-performance wing, this made reaching the LZ extremely difficult. They elected to make a safe landing in the nearest, safe area. Low-hours pilots should bear in mind the following points: 1. Always keep track of where you are in relation to the LZ. You will be surprised how quickly you can be pushed downwind when in a thermal. 2. Low-performance wings these days really only have one weak area, and that is flying into wind - the glide ratio really plummets. When flying in sink or into wind, apply speedbar to improve penetration and forward movement. However, never use this as a substitute for landing in the LZ before getting into difficulties! Supervising pilots should bear these factors in mind when monitoring supervised pilots’ progress. Fly safe. AIRS Safety Wrap-up