SAFA Skysailor Magazine

35 September | October 2023 SKY SAILOR #1360 – PG in the trees after landing approach, NSW PIC was ridge soaring on their paraglider, 1.5km north of Bald Hill, Stanwell Park (NSW). The air was smooth, and they had lots of altitude, under a grey, low cloudbase. After a while, PIC looked back to launch to see that the 15 or so pilots in the air had landed. PIC decided to head back and land, then encountered a small rain cell. PIC then decided to top land on the east launch rather than risk encountering more rain. The pilot used ‘big ears’ to lose their substantial height. PIC had too much height to land on a first pass, so turned for another pass. They pulled deeper big ears but let go of the brake handles, instead using weight-shift and gentle rear risers steering. They came down more quickly than anticipated, went too deep on the second pass and landed adjacent to a tree behind the east launch with the wing draped over it. No turbulence was experienced during the flight or landing. Pilots should always keep a grip on the brake handles to enable full control of the wing when required. Be prepared to reduce the size of big ears to ‘tune’ the landing approach if conditions suit this technique. #1368 – Beechmont, hard PG landing under postage stamp bowl, Qld/S The low-hours PG2 PIC arrived on launch at Rosin’s Lookout, Beechmont (Qld/S), intending to take a quick flight. After checking in with the SO, they launched well and went searching for lift. This was unsuccessful, so they headed to the Postage Stamp, found no lift, and sank into the bowl in front. By this stage, PIC was still