HGFA Skysailor Magazine

SKY SAILOR 21 May | June 2019 looking at the pilots at the welcome BBQ that night there was no way they could present in any condition to fly safely the next day. Sponsors We are lucky to have a bunch of great long term sponsors for theWA State Hang Gliding Competition. ➲ The Hang Gliding Association of Western Australia has supported the WA comps for as long as I can remember. Every competition organiser knows the value of a cash sponsor. ➲ Moyes Gliders donated a major prize of free entry to the Forbes Flatlands competition in 2020. ➲ Airborne also donated a major prise which was used for the Sports Class winner. ➲ Westonia Gallery Café kept our cholesterol levels nice and high with their bacon and egg burger vouchers. I have heard that low cholesterol can be a problem. ➲ And our blood alcohol levels were maintained safely in the red zone by the Westonia Tavern. The flying Day One and our task committee send us to Kellerberrin on a nice little 91km flight. Unfortunately, the task was too good for us, but Simon Braithwaite won the day with a flight of 61km and took an early lead which he would hold for the comp. Dr Mick, who happened to be our only ground tow pilot, came second. Day Two and every year we seem to have a task down to the Emu Fence. For those readers in the eastern states there is not much to see at the Emu Fence, even the fence itself no longer exists. The Emu Fence is pretty much the line between the Wheat Belt and the Outback, there is no mobile reception and you have to drive to Southern Cross for a beer. Richo landed in a remote farm and the retrieve car needed to go through 16 ‘cockies’ gates to retrieve him. Gary Wright won the day flying to goal, and then had to wait hours while the retrieve cars sorted out who was going to pick him up before heading out into the mobile black spot. Day 3, and we are off to Bullfinch. Also on that frontier between the Wheat Belt and the Outback, but a bit more civilised with mobile reception and cold beer. Three pilots made goal, with Gary Wright, making a late charge, the fastest. I had one of my nicest flights ever, strong smooth thermals and good glides. I flew most of the way with Rolf and decked it only 5km short of goal. Day 4 and we have an out and return to Mukinbudin. It was tough getting back, but Simon and Michael were up to the task. Results Simon Braithwaite in first place managed to hold off Michael Cassells and Gary Wright. Simon has come close a few times in the WA comps and has finally managed to break through. He is a popular winner. Cody Henderson was the Sport Class winner from Caudiu. Gavin Nichols qualified for the ‘Old Farts’ class for the first time this year and was the Masters winner. ‘U Below Me’ was the teams winner from second place ‘South West Airsports’ team by only 19km. It was a long way back to the 3rd and 4th placed teams, the ‘Perth Dust Devils’ and the ‘Goldfields Dust Devils’. The Goldfields Dust Devils captain tells me they are going through a rebuilding phase. Thank you As the Competition Organiser, my aim is to organise other people to do the actual work. Everybody does their bit, but special mentions should go to Rolf Schatzmann (Competition Director), our tug pilots, Simon Shuttleworth and Murray Wood, and Peter Roberts who stood in as Duty Pilot for three days. Next year Yes we will be back in 2020, 22 to 29 February in Westonia. So put it in your calendars now. Are they discussing tactics or curing hangovers? Photo: Keith Lightbody