SAFA Skysailor Magazine

43 SPRING 2026 | September-October-November SKY SAILOR If you do choose to fly without supervi- sion, then you are operating outside the rules, and should be prepared for the fact that you may be reported and pass through an enforcement action as outlined in our ‘Enforcement and Disciplinary Pro- cedures (EDP) Manual’. As a consequence, all insurance coverages that SAFA provide are void, leaving you, your family, and assets exposed to any litigation initiated against you. Moreover, the SAFA insurance extended to landowners and affiliated clubs is also voided if you are flying outside the rules, compromising site agreements. When you do arrive at a site for a day of flying, make sure you have agreement from a supervisor to supervise you, that you know who your supervisor is, who the other people are and that they know you. Don’t be shy. It’s always good to remember they started off the same as you once, they’ve been where you are; they’ve been just as nervous, had the same questions and wanted the same support. These days, many clubs have chat groups for ‘eaglets’, ‘fledglings’ or the likes, specifically for PG2 and low airtime pilots. It’s worth asking about this as well. Importantly, the agreement between you and the supervisor must be explicitly given. You cannot stand with another pilot or pilots and expect to be included in whatever agreement is in place. Get a site briefing DO NOT LAUNCH until you are given a site briefing. Your supervising pilot will give you a briefing considering the conditions, tell you what traps to avoid and keep an eye on you. Do not assume that having received a site briefing that this will apply the same for all days or even throughout the one day. Weather conditions change constantly and the briefing you received previously will likely not be valid for your next visit or even next flight. A funda- mental truth of aviation is that every day and every flight is different, and noting these differences is part of the learning process we all experience every time we fly. Always seek a new briefing; this time won’t be the same as last time. Set and follow a flight plan With your supervisor, discuss and set a flight plan you will follow. Set the parameters of where you will fly and areas you will avoid. Your supervisor should be keeping an eye out for you whilst you are in the air and alert you if