SAFA Skysailor Magazine

38 SKY SAILOR September | October 2023 AIRS Safety Wrap-up but then collapsed and rolled. X-rays and CT scans revealed an avulsion fracture to the right ankle and soft tissue injury to ankle, right hip, lower back, and left knuckle. The decision to land when faced by constant sink is the correct one. Choice of landing area is critical and should allow for an into wind set-up. If unable and a downwind landing is the only option, a very strong flare should be attempted and preparation for a PLF (Parachute Landing Fall) should be adopted. #1452 – Unintentional deployment of PG reserve in flight, NSW PIC was flying their paraglider at Long Reef SE (NSW) for the first time with a reserve parachute. After launch, the pilot was wriggling back into the harness, and reached down with both hands to pull the harness under their legs. In doing so, the reserve was uninten- tionally deployed. Glider and pilot landed in bushes at the top of the ridge. No injuries or damage occurred. When getting seated, only remove one hand at a time from the controls, taking both controls in one hand, push on the webbing by the carabiner, then swap hands and repeat for the other side. All pilots are reminded to ensure they can reach for and find their reserve handle in-flight. This should be repeated each flight to ensure that muscle memory will reduce the time to find the handle when required. #1467 – HG near miss at Lake George, ACT PIC (HG-Supervised) arrived at Lake George (ACT) with their hang glider. They assembled the glider and carried out a pre-flight check. The pilot then hooked in and carried out a hang check close to the launch area. PIC then moved the glider to launch with their super- vising pilot assisting as wireman. The wind was strong and did not abate, so PIC decided not to launch. At this point, the supervising pilot noticed that the spring-loaded pin, which is located at the front of the catch that holds the nose wires ring (front quick clip block), had not closed but was jammed open. PIC had flown at Stanwell the previous day and sand had gotten on the glider nose whilst the glider was moved off the beach to the grassed area. PIC contacted the manufacturer about this incident, and was told that sand or dirt does cause locking of the pin and spring on the clip block. During a pre-flight check, check that the pins and springs not only close, but that they operate multiple times when depressed. That’s it for this issue. By the time you read this, I will be back at the desk after a couple of weeks leave spent flying. I’d better get packing… Fly safe.