SAFA Skysailor Magazine

46 SKY SAILOR June-July-August | WINTER 2026 hang gliding and paragliding continue to exist, because they’re different aircraft, different experiences, and different ways of flying. What led you to get involved with SAFA? Honestly, necessity. The South Australian representative at the time needed to step down, and some in the club encouraged me to take it on. I’m an accountant and I worked in a professional services field, I think they felt I could handle it. When I joined, the thing I was most concerned about was communication. From the outside, it’s easy for members to see a decision and think SAFA hasn’t understood the issue, or hasn’t thought it through properly. But being on the Board has shown me how much work and consideration sits behind those decisions. Members often only see the final outcome, not the discussion, research, regulatory re- quirements, safety considerations, access issues and competing pressures behind it. If that context isn’t communicated well, people fill in the gaps themselves – often with frustration. Since joining the Board, I’ve seen SAFA go through a transition from more of a club environment to a more professional management environment. That’s essential if we want to maintain our social licence to operate. I also understand why this can feel threatening to pilots who have been flying for a long time, especially those who started clubs and have a very personal Women in Flight: Lynelle Williams Photos: Courtesy Lynelle Williams