SAFA Skysailor Magazine

33 March | April 2021 SKY SAILOR In AIRS #1245, PIC is an experienced skydiver and was under instruction at the end of their course at Mystic. The previous flight was a one-hour thermic free flight. PIC launched with the brief of flying unassisted to the landing field. PIC flew out from launch, was unable to find lift and ended up low in the bowl near to Emily Spur. The pilot was unable to climb out and impacted a tree, falling to the ground 30m from a roadway, suffering a fractured wrist. PIC has since completely recovered, been back skydiving and will be completing PG training as soon as equipment is purchased. Pilots are reminded to allow enough altitude to make a safe landing. If lift is not evident, head towards the LZ first and take any lift that can be found along the way. We end our Victorian reports at Mt Elliot. AIRS #1293 sees a pilot thermalling in weak conditions on a ridge. The pilot fell out of the downwind edge of the thermal and dropped into leeside rotor. This caused a series of collapses resulting in impact with terrain. The pilot sustained spinal injuries, but without permanent damage. Pilots are urged to take care when thermalling in weak thermals that may have significant wind tilt, especially near ridged terrain. Under these circumstances there is a signifi- cant risk of flying into lee-side rotor if the pilot falls out of the downwind side of a thermal. Across to Tasmania We cross Bass Strait next. In AIRS #1222 PIC was ground handling in an open field in southern Tasmania, with winds ~NW of 6 to 8kt and occasional gusts to 12kt. The pilot was lifted off the ground by what was thought to be a mini dust devil or thermal release. The PIC was lifted approximately 10m off the ground, wing and pilot spun as they lifted. Once the lift stopped, the PIC swung into the ground feet first fracturing their tibia and toe. This serves as a reminder to always ground handle with a mate or have someone with you. The unexpected or unlikely can happen anytime and helmets and gloves should be worn whilst ground handling. Lastly, Western Australia We’ll finish off for this issue with four reports from WA. AIRS #1185 sees a pilot preparing to launch a hang glider at Cottesloe, a site they are very familiar with. The wind was alternating between WSW and SW at 11 to 16kt and conditions were marginal, but they had flown these conditions on hundreds of occasions. PIC followed the usual take-off run through the gate in the fence on top of the dunes, but was forced to veer left to avoid a pile of branches that had been left in the centre of the launch. Moving to the left of launch in a SW placed the left wing into the rotor from a large bush on the top of the dune. As soon as the pilot became airborne, the left wing started to drop. The PIC applied maximum weight-shift to the right and pulled the bar in trying to un-stall the left wing and trade height for speed. The left wing tip contacted the bush, and the pilot was unable to prevent the glider turning 180 degrees to the left, crashing back into the dune. The pilot maintained right weight-shift throughout the turn and attempted to flare just before impact. No damage or injury was sustained. The pilot identified complacency as a major factor in this incident – having flown the site hundreds of times over 20 years and enjoying difficult conditions, which make the flight more interesting. In this case, the pilot neglected to set up the windsock as is usual practice and was unable to assess the wind was more SW. Another contributing factor were the branch prunings left in the middle of launch, combined with a large bush to the left of launch that requires pruning. HGPAWA is reviewing the hazards encountered in this report and assessing the potential for remedial action. In AIRS #1186, PIC was under supervision and was practising beach launches in a paraglider on a 4 to 6m dune ridge at Warnbro. The supervising pilot considered their control good enough to transition to flight. The pilot had launched and was above the top of the dune when the wind increased marginally. PIC was blown over the back of the dune and the wing experienced an asymmetric collapse due to rotor. PIC then impacted the terrain (a road) from 10m agl, suffering a fractured vertebra and hand. New pilots should practise beach launching techniques at locations with gentle slopes and minimal hazards behind the launch areas, such as roads/powerlines/trees/fences/culverts and light poles. All pilots should demonstrate good ground handling and wing collapse techniques before attempting any beach launches. If you lose control in the compression zone and are pulled back on a dune, most new pilots will lose their balance and automatically put their hands down to break the fall. Unfortunately, this also pulls the brakes, creating significant drag and lift – on top of a dune this means you will go up and backwards! In AIRS #1206, a low-hours tandem paraglider pilot was flying at Shelley Beach (Albany), and making a final turn to the left to come into landing. PIC turned a little too sharply for the tandem wing, stalling the left wing at low level and resulting in a hard landing. The passenger suffered a stretched muscle in their left leg. Pilots are reminded to allow an extra margin of error when flying unfamiliar wings, especially when passengers are involved. Control inputs should be carefully considered and measured until familiarity with the wing’s capabilities is gained. Finally, to AIRS #1217. A number of complaints were filed in relation to the flying activities of a pilot visiting the Albany area. The local club, through its SSOs, and instructor coun- selled the pilot on several occasions, yet the pilot’s erratic flying behaviour continued, placing themselves and other pilots at risk. As a consequence, the club banned the pilot from all sites under club management for the remainder of 2020. The pilot concerned is urged to take the advice given by the club officials and the instructor onboard. That’s it for this issue. Stay safe.