HGFA Skysailor Magazine

2 SKY SAILOR May | June 2019 International Competition Success For PG competition pilot Kari Ellis, success rolls on. At the recently concluded PWC Superfinal event in Brazil, Kari placed third in the Women’s Class; an outstanding effort given the quality of her opposition. Kari is no stranger to achievement as the reigning silver medalist from the most recent PG World Championships. Mention should also be made of the courageous performance of the five- pilot Australian team in Brazil – ninth overall out of 29 nations in a sport that is currently dominated by better resourced northern hemisphere countries. Kari is also accomplished behind the microphone – her latest interview with ABC Radio in her home town of Canberra highlights what a wonderful role model and asset she is for women pilots in particular and for our sport in general. Kari’s interview segment commences at 1:43:33 in the following link [www.abc.net.au/radio/canberra/ programs/mornings/mornings/10961124 ]. Governance Structure Update Last year, I wrote to members indicating that the HGFA Committee is seeking to modernise our governance structure by evolving the HGFA from an Incorporated Association to a Company Limited by Guarantee. Planning is well under way and we have commenced drafting a new Constitution that retains the essence of the current Constitution. You may recall that an important part of the change will be to select a new name. Last year, we surveyed members and over 90% of respondents preferred a name different to the HGFA. The most preferred name from the survey was the ‘Sports Aviation Federation of Australia Limited’. In the coming month we expect to issue a ‘Notice of Special Resolution’ in accordance with our current Constitution. When we issue that notice, we will include a copy of the proposed draft Constitution along with detailed explanatory notes. This process has entailed a significant amount of painstaking work for the committee, but it is worth it to modernise our governance structure and prepare us for the future. Accident & Incident Reporting System Members will soon see improvements to the way in which we manage and disseminate information relating to incident and accident reporting. Newly appointed Safety Management Officer, Iain Clarke, is currently working with State Associations to recruit more AIRS Managers. Primary responsibilities for these voluntary roles include assisting with the reporting of incidents/accidents and/or reviewing the same. Iain is also targeting back office improvements to processing, which will lessen the time taken to report on and finalise incidents and accidents. This in turn will enable the publication on our website of helpful information and statistics which will be of benefit to all members. Safe flying. President’s Update Photo: Mark Rossi by Paul Green