SAFA Skysailor Magazine

18 SKY SAILOR December-January-February | SUMMER 2025/2026 In September 1995, four adventurous Newcastle hang gliding pilots ventured 4500km north to Burketown in pursuit of a never before achieved flight.  Organised and promoted by Al Giles, this crew flew the first ever Morning Glory cloud near the Gulf of Carpentaria in a hang glider. The Morning Glory (MG) is a rare phenomenon caused by the collision of sea-breezes from the Coral Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria, creating a series of atmospheric gravity waves and roll clouds – a moving cloud that can be 1000km wide and travel at speeds of 30 to 40kt. There are two ways you can fly the MG, using an engine or by aerotow. Those pioneers aerotowed with Chris Bolton and first to fly was Al, followed by Chris McDonald (CMac), Paul Kennedy (PK) and William Olive (Billo). They pioneered hang gliding flight of the MG and set the scene for many to follow. More recently, I had connected with Billo on some really cool cycling tours, having ridden Perth to Stanwell Park, and Ade- Glorious Silver Lining by Tony ‘Vibes’ Armstrong