SAFA Skysailor Magazine

67 SUMMER 2025/2026 | December-January-February SKY SAILOR If caught in venturi get height and push out front to fly to the side with more landing options. Assess whether you have enough height and forward penetration to make it if crossing. Caution is required as there may be no suitable landing locations – the terrain is creating the Venturi. If no suitable landing area is available and you cannot escape, turn downwind, prepare for turbulence, active fly and prepare to turn back into wind at the last moment to perform a strong wind landing. Kill the wing with rears or A/C combination. Get the wing out of wind – grab a tip and gather, or walk across/downwind if not too strong. The key is ground-handling to build experience and sound judgement. #2115 – Failed PG launch, Tas PIC was on their first visit to Mt Stronach (Tas). PIC had had a successful flight earlier in the day, but lost their phone during that flight. After spending time searching for the phone, PIC attempted a launch for a second flight. Conditions had become lighter, and they subsequently aborted the launch close to a cliff/rock slab edge. They slipped and slid down the rock face, and their fall was arrested by a tree. The wing was retrieved the next day. Minor bruising to pilot. Photo: A. Batson