SAFA Skysailor Magazine

7 WINTER 2026 | June-July-August SKY SAILOR gliding Club’s annual fly-in, the view is sec- ondary to the thump of their own hearts. This is the SkyHigh paragliding event for new and low airtime pilots. A baptism of air at one of the world’s most daunting and beautiful flying sites. But for our club’s new pilots, Big Air is a double-edged sword. It is the engine of flight, as well as a chaotic, invisible force that requires nerves of steel to navigate. This event wasn’t just a casual weekend of flying, it was a masterclass in logistics and mentorship. Over 90 pilots converged on the site, a diverse flock that included nine representatives from the ACT and a dedicated trio of pilots who crossed the Bass Strait from Tasmania. The ‘scary thing’ doesn’t just begin on the launch pad. It begins in the back of the retrieval vehicles. As the six retrieval 4WDs run by amazing volunteers (for the duration of each day) grind their way up the steep, winding fire track toward the summit, the air inside the cabs is thick with a specific kind of tension. The jovial banter of the riverside breakfast has evaporated, replaced by a focused, interior silence. Photos: Bruce Agnew