SAFA Skysailor Magazine

68 SKY SAILOR December-January-February | SUMMER 2025/2026 Take more caution when flying at new sites. This may be applicable for multiple flights. Receive good inductions to new sites from as many people as possible. The more information we have the more we can use this safely. #2122 – PG wing snagged tree after landing, Qld/S PIC was flying their paraglider at Kings Beach (Qld/S), a south facing site. They landed, continued to kite their wing, and experienced some small lift. Inadvertently, PIC backed up to a small pine tree with wing inflated and snagged a small branch, which caused the wing to deflate over the top of the tree. The wing was retrieved with assistance from SEQ Paragliding staff with no damage to the vegetation or wing. When kiting your wing on a launch surface, always be aware that you may encounter lift, even enough to force you to fly. Be prepared to kill the wing at all times. Ground handling to practise wing control is best done on flat ground with no risk of getting lifted off the ground and with no obstacles around you to snag your glider on, or collide with. #2124 – PG 24/08/2025, Kings Beach, Qld/S PIC was flying their paraglider at Kings Beach (Qld/S), a south facing site; con- ditions were good. The pilot had been soaring for an hour over two separate flights. During the second flight PIC intentionally flew near trees, but had not allowed sufficient horizontal or vertical clearance from the trees, and the risers caught a branch. This pulled the glider into the tree, and the pilot was suspended from wing and harness in the tree. PIC unclipped from the harness and climbed down from approximately 20m height. AIRS Safety Wrap-up