SAFA Skysailor Magazine

22 SKY SAILOR July | August 2020 H obart paragliding pilot and Vice- President of the Tasmanian Hang gliding & Paragliding Association (THPA), Michael Long always dreamt of flying – so one day he decided to make that dream a reality. Initially starting out with seven tandem sky- dives, Michael soon discovered paragliding, and was hooked to the Zen-like nature of flight. “When I am in the air, my mind is tuned to flying and every aspect of it,” he said. “There is a peace from the normal chaos of daily thought processing. Of course, the almost superhu- man feat of feeling your feet depart the ground as you launch into the air comes a very close second too.” Michael has been flying a Niviuk Hook 4 (EN-B) from newbie to around the 170 hour mark. Despite only having started three years ago, Michael has already flown throughout Australia, New Zealand and most regularly, Indonesia. “I have flown some amazing sites in places like South Australia (thanks to Matthew Colwell for countless hours of driving me to sites there), New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, New Zealand, Bali, Sumbawa and Lombok,” he said. “Bali has been an annual trip for me over the first three years of my flying pursuits. I’m often asked why Bali? My answer has always been the same ‘what better place to visit during the heart of our cold and (almost) flightless winter?’ I live just out of Hobart, Tasmania. I am very lucky to have a flying site in view from my house, and a mere seven-minute drive away – by default that is my favourite place to fly: Single Hill. A very close second in Tasmania, and only because it’s not as close to home, would be Eaglehawk Neck (EHN) which is about a 50-minute drive away.” Michael’s love of flying has now spread to his 10-year-old son Alby who also dreams of flying a paraglider one day. Alby has been able to fly tandem in Bali with David Wainwright (under Dad’s watchful eye) and has experienced the thrill and freedom of flight first-hand. In a short three years, Michael said he has already achieved a lot in the sport, but constantly sets new goals as his skills continue to improve. “I have achieved many goals I’ve set for myself and I constantly strive to set new ones. Amongst these goals has been the pursuit of constant improvement and travelling to seek out and enjoy different flying experiences,” he said. “Each site and location teaches me something new, or simply increases the time I have had under wing. A couple of specific achievements over the years spring to mind: 1. A successful emergency landing in Lombok, due to a local wind phenomenon that locals ‘forgot’ to share with me, and 2. Knowing the conditions/coastline well enough on a particular day in Bali, to have been one of only two gliders (the other being Maderson Ford) that successfully scratched low around a section of the cliffs, to go on to make it all the way to Uluwatu.” During Covid-19 restrictions, Michael kept his passion of flying alive by spending his time wisely. “I think, like all pilots, it has been extremely challenging mentally,” he said. “I have thrown myself into teaching (home schooling), managing my investments/businesses and THPA duties to keep busy enough to not stop and think about the impact of Covid-19 too much. In my role as Vice-President of the THPA, I am passionate about improving processes and sites, fundraising, the flying community and, of course, flying! I have continued to work diligently on these aspects of the association during this period.” To Bali and beyond! Taking to the skies only three short years ago, Michael Long has been able to see the world from a new vantage point as well as being able to take his son sky high.