SAFA Skysailor Magazine

27 SUMMER 2025/2026 | December-January-February SKY SAILOR more complex. There are people, processes, and entire organisations behind every launch we step off. What we learned is that none of this happens by accident. Sites only come back when clubs are willing to work through the details, talk to the right people, build relationships, and treat every stakeholder (council staff, residents, helicopter opera- tors, Airservices, CASA) with respect. You can’t rush it, and you can’t skip steps. Even when you do everything right, sometimes the process shifts mid-stream and you have to adjust and keep going. For pilots, the take-away is simple: Flying is more than just flying. Every one of us represents the sport. How we behave on launch, how we talk to the public, how we follow rules, how we respond when someone asks what we’re doing, it all adds up. Advocacy isn’t a big speech; it’s the small interactions that leave people with a good impression of who we are and what we do. And since reopening, the local Carties custodians (the pilots who fly the site regu- larly) have done an excellent job of exactly that: Following the procedures, setting a positive tone on launch, and helping rein- force the culture we need to keep the site running smoothly. Their support has made a noticeable difference. Now that Carties is open again, we want pilots to experience it, but with the same respect that got it reopened. Join SCFF as a full member, complete the mandatory briefing, sign in when you fly, follow the procedures, and stick to the limits. They’re there for a reason, and they’re part of what keeps the site safe and sustainable. Carties is a rare and beautiful place to fly, and getting it back was worth every bit of effort. Keeping it open is something we all share, and if we get that right, we can enjoy Carties for years to come. Next up, the club has begun work on Alexandra Headlands to expand the number of sites available on the Sunny Coast. For now, we’re asking all pilots not to fly there until we’ve completed the process. Onwards and upwards! Photo: Tex Bec