HGFA Skysailor Magazine

14 SKY SAILOR July | August 2019 E arlybird New Zealand pilots flew 10 days straight. For the others there were eight days of flying (including the practice day). We had a record 13 Sports Class pilots in the field this year. Although they didn’t fly on one day due to windy weather, the Sports Class still got in six days of competition flying. The New Zealand pilots are starting to call their competition in NZ’s West Island Big Air! Of course we have a Kiwi President, who is what we used to call a ‘Fanatic’. There were lots of people saying this ‘Big Air’ was the best ever and that it was definitely the most relaxed comp we have had. The vibe was definitely relaxed, but there was no relaxation on safety or indeed airport procedure. Noel and Blenky not only did a great job on tasks and weather but the morning task briefing comedy was great. Annie and Billo did their usual professional job. We had the same fantastic crewwe have every year: ➲ ➲ Launch Marshalls – Richard Nevins and Mick White ➲ ➲ Launch Assistants – Simon Dickens and Tony Hanlon ➲ ➲ Launch Order and Control – Lizzie and Sue Nevins ➲ ➲ World’s Best Quad Bike Girl – Lisa Bradley A special mention to our other helpers every day in the paddock – Henk, Laurie, Judy to name just a few. Thanks to all our tug pilots: ➲ ➲ Bob Keen (Smokey) – Senior Tug Pilot ➲ ➲ Steve McCarthy – towing and hangar rat security ➲ ➲ John Blain (Blaino) – towing and in charge of launch set up and all things mechanical ➲ ➲ Simon Kecely ➲ ➲ Bill Olive (Billo) ➲ ➲ Bruce Crerar Thanks also to our fantastic task committee of Noel Collins, Steve Blenkinsop and Trevor Purcell with Gabriel Toniolo on as Sports Class Rep. You kept us entertained every morning with the task delivery. Thanks also to the Safety Committee (although two out of the three had to be replaced on a temporary basis) of Nick Purcell, Konrad Heilmann and Tony Cross. Thanks to Rohan and Nils for stepping in. Another Dalby Big Air! What’s left to say? by Bruce Crerar Annie receives a standing ovation from all L-R: Alasdair, Lizzy Nevins and Annie Crerar Dalby Big Air 2019 All photos: Mike Zupanc [peakpictures.net] Rising Star Brent Marley receives the David Seib award