SAFA Skysailor Magazine

60 SKY SAILOR June-July-August | WINTER 2026 and was taken to hospital for observation and rehydration. The rescue bridle was cut during the rescue and four lines were damaged. The knot was found in a white line in the mid upper A cascade, which did not show against the white undersurface of the wing. Care must be taken to ensure all lines are free before each launch and especially after an aborted prior launch. Always carry a sufficient amount of water to cater for the unexpected. #2189 – Series of PG collapses, Vic A pilot flying their paraglider in a compe- tition at Bright (Vic) lost control of their high-performance glider while flying through lee-side rotor. They attempted to recover their wing, but were unable to do so. They opted to deploy their reserve late and landed in tall trees. The extraction process was lengthened because rescue services couldn’t get a rope up to the pilot. Pilots flying high performance wings in competitions need to remain mindful of the narrower safety margins of this equipment, especially in turbulent conditions. Actively opting to take a flight path through an area of predictable turbulence narrows that margin further. This pilot was lucky they landed in tall timber as they hadn’t regained control of the wing, and the reserve deployment was late. Pilots flying in mountainous and/or treed terrain should always carry either enough dental floss or cord to assist rescuers in getting a line up to them to expedite the extraction process. #2200 – PG, low flying helicopter, Bridgewater Bay Dunes, Vic PIC encountered a commercial helicopter within close proximity whilst flying their paraglider on coastal dunes at Bridgewater Bay (Vic). The pilot elected to land rapidly to avoid possible turbulence. The helicopter passed overhead, and the AIRS Safety Wrap-up