SAFA Skysailor Magazine

5 November | December 2020 SKY SAILOR Two of our office staff, Melinda and Belinda, work out of our premises at Keilor, and through it all have been doing a wonderful job of staying safe and keeping our organisation functioning. Indeed, it’s correct to say that all of our staff have been doing a great job in the face of the pandemic challenge and I’m sure all members would want me to acknowledge this and thank all of them for their efforts. A new flying season The new season has commenced with a flurry of activity, and it’s great to see an upsurge in flying. At the same time there has also been a spike in incidents and accidents. Sadly, there have been two fatalities and a number of pilots have also been seriously injured. In a number of cases indications are that decision-making, either before or during flight, could have been a contributing factor. When flying opportunities have been scarce for whatever reason, it can perhaps become tempting to rationalise away risk in order to get into the air. When this occurs, it’s wise to reflect on the old saying ‘I’d rather be on the ground wishing I was in the air, than in the air wishing I was on the ground’. RIP Pat Crowe An important piece of history left us recently with the passing of Pat Crowe. On 8 September 1963, fearless adventurer Rod Fuller soared 140ft aloft above the Clarence River in Grafton NSW, appended to a wing designed by the mercurial John Dickenson. The wing and its human cargo was towed behind a speedboat driven with consummate skill and feel by Pat Crowe. This was the moment in aviation history that paved the way for humanity to go hang gliding. Hang gliding historian Graeme Henderson wrote of that first flight, “Rod Fuller’s attempt was a success. He flew over a mile piloting the glider by a control bar. The flight was not eventless: the strong wind gradient had to be mastered, the Grafton Bridge got in the way and the boat had to do a U-turn. During this time, Rod Fuller was merely the passenger who was enjoying the flight and following Pat. He had to follow Pat, who had total control at all times. Because of what was learned from the success of this flight, John Dickenson was able to fly later in the day, when he experienced the great little aircraft he had built. Many flights followed. The tow rope was dropped and the glider free flew. Modern hang gliding was born.” On 8 September 2018, the 55th anniversary of the first flight, Pat Crowe was presented with the FAI Diploma for his role in the birth of hang gliding. Rod Fuller had similarly been bestowed with the Diploma award in 2012, but sadly passed away whilst the award was in transit. John Dickenson was awarded the FAI Gold Medal in 2007. More can be read about Pat’s award here and here . Please stay safe, and we all look forward to the day when this pandemic is a memory. Photo: Martin Scheel