HGFA Skysailor Magazine

2 SKY SAILOR May | June 2018 I had occasion to read some notes on the most recent board meeting of the USHPA. The notes were compiled by one of their attending directors and whilst unofficial, they nonetheless capture many of the challenges the sport faces in North America and serve to highlight the matters occupying the minds of those running the sport in that part of the world. Not surprisingly, a number of their issues are similar to, if not the same, as ours. I thought I’d highlight one that has particular relevance to the sport here in Australia as its also an issue that we need to resolve. Declining HG Pilot Numbers HG pilot numbers are in decline in North America, and the USHPA is now showing energy and urgency to understand why and, more importantly, to do something about it. A focus group was convened at their Spring 2018 board meeting to look at what could and should be done to arrest the trend. There is further concern that the demographic associated with the discipline is ageing which in turn will lead to further attrition. Whilst acknowledging the need for more information to better understand the root causes of the decline, they nonetheless identified a number of possible contributing factors. These included the number of schools teaching HG and their accessibility, sites, pilot recruitment and retention, pilot skill progression, marketing and the culture within the discipline. The group observed that efforts to increase demand for the disciplinewere important for schools in the short term. Interestingly, one manufacturer also advised that they’re looking at ways to make it easier for aspiring HG pilots to enter the sport by producing gliders that have ‘better flight characteristics’ as well as the possibility for the glider to ‘collapse smaller’. The ease of transporting, setting and packing up a paraglider provides a clear advantage for anyone just ‘wanting to fly’, therefore any moves by manufacturers to successfully pursue technological evolution of the hang glider might be a game changer for the discipline. As always, however, the solutions won’t be simplistic and will involve a matrix of strategic and tactical initiatives that will in turn need global support and implementation. As the nation that gave birth and legitimacy to the HG discipline, this matter has great significance for us here in Australia. The HGFA is committed to identify and action initiatives to take the HG discipline forward, and I’m keen to see us replicate the focus group strategy of the USHPA, but at a broader and more inclusive level. I would appreciate any comments, observations or views our members have on this matter, so please let your State Association representative, CoM member or Brett Coupland know your thoughts. We’d also like to hear from any members who’d like to participate in any upcoming focus group we may organise. Compiling the input of a wide group of HGFA members will benefit and inform any subsequent discussions we may have with other national associations. It should also be noted that there are parts of Asia where hang gliding is very healthy, so we’ll also endeavour to understand the reasons why and learn from these. In any case, we look forward to hearing from as many of our members as possible on this very important issue. Safe flying. by Paul Green, HGFA President President’s Update Going supine Photos: Nic Welbourn New HGFA Office Address Please also note that our office has now moved and our new address is: 21 / 54 Commercial Place, Keilor East, Vic 3033