SAFA Skysailor Magazine

12 SKY SAILOR January | February 2020 H ang glider pilot, Mark Pike from Melbourne, and paraglider pilot, James Thompson from Sydney, have recently been voted by their peers for the Lifetime Award due to their voluntary service, outstanding contribution and positive attitude to the sport. It is a privilege and an honour, not only to be nomi- nated, but for a pilot to be recognised as deserving of the highest award that can be presented by SAFA. More importantly, the recognition and respect from their fellow pilots provides a source of great pride. A nomination of a Life Membership Award must be made by at least two current respected members. Lifemembers are usually nominated by a Regional As- sociation Committee. The criteria for life membership include length of time in the sports, length of volun- tary service, contribution, demonstrated behaviours and attitude. It helps to have a real passion to see the sports succeed. Mark started hang gliding in 1982 and decided to give back and contribute to improving our sport in 1990. He has since served as the HGFA Treasurer, VHPA Treasurer and Site Development Officer. He is currently the SAFA affiliated Director for Victoria and continues to work to improve the sports for all. Mark has demonstrated high quality service throughout his SAFA participation career that reflects a dedica- tion to the values of the sports and aims of SAFA. “I have had many memorable personal flights and appreciate the camaraderie and uniqueness of the sports,” Mark shares. At present, along with attending many VHPA and SAFA meetings, Mark also volunteers as tug pilot for the Melbourne HGC fly-in events, and also spends many weekends towing flight experience and student pilots. “I have flown throughout most of the country and even overseas at Makapu, Hawaii. I would like to see growth and continued improvement to the safety culture of our sport,” he said, “Improving safety has many needs – pilot attitudes, site man- agement, regulations, reliable equipment, current qualified and certified pilots, information flow, mentoring and advice all play a part.” Recognised for his exceptional and outstanding contribution to the sport, James Thompson has had an outstanding career with the NSW HGPA and Newcastle Paragliding Club, dedicating more than 15 years to the sport of paragliding. He has demon- strated and provided extensive support, guidance and commitment to the aims of SAFA and its values. Until recently, James organised the renowned State of Origin cross-country competition that routinely attracts between 120 and 160 pilots an- nually from around Australia and the globe. He was the sole project manager and leader of the annual event. The State of Origin encourages advanced pilots to plan, launch, thermal, fly and finish with less experienced team members. This exposure fast-tracks a novice pilot’s development through active mentoring and meets the principles of fair play and good sportsmanship. “I started my flying career at Cook Terrace and Long Reef on the Northern Beaches of Sydney in 1996. On the second day of my course, I bought and flew my first glider, a DHV2 (EN-C) Flight Design. I gained my licence in March and, luckily for me, Godfrey Wenness knocked back my entry to his competition at Manilla that week, as I had no thermic experience at that stage. The following year, I entered the Manilla comp after flying the Newcastle coastal sites and visiting Manilla as often as I could to gain thermic experience over winter. The comps were where I taught myself XC.” Since those early days, James has not missed an Australian AAA championship. His proudest achievement to date was to represent Australia at the 2009 FAI Worlds in Valle de Bravo, Mexico. “In 2002, when Paul Cox dropped out from running the State of Origin, I took on the competi- tion and ran it for the next 15 years, building it to one of the largest of its type in the world – one year we had 186 pilots flying the three days of Easter,” said James. “For me, paragliding is about the joy of flight and competition was not about beating someone, but about the camaraderie and the learning experience. I’ve gained so many friends, both here and overseas, from our sport, and the ability to take my paraglider on my travels – to fly so many different places has opened my mind to the flying experience.” Well done to both pilots on their lifetime achievement. Lifetime Members SAFA has awarded its highest honour of recognition to two renowned pilots for their lifetime contribution to sports aviation. Mark Pike James Thompson, flying with friends in the Swiss Alps… …and as a newbie in Newcastle