HGFA Skysailor Magazine

12 SKY SAILOR November | December 2018 T he guide provides CTAF boundaries (switch on or off), club contacts, site contact details and site information such as launch type, heights, wind directions, hazards during launch/flight/landing, associated weather stations links, videos, maps, pictures, and other information. The level of detail will vary depending on the needs of the site managing club or authority. Importantly, for the purposes of HGFA specified flight checks, qualification or examination requirements, any launch site listed within the guide, and appropriately rated by the site administering club or authority, is considered a Classified or Gazetted site. There is also information regarding site managers, opening new sites, obtaining funding, responsibilities, useful HGFA documents, and a range of links, including Airservices charts, an airspace checker, and the ‘Where To Fly’ forecast app (great if you are PG2/Novice, or unfamilar with site’s wind needs). A permanent volunteer webmaster has been appointed, and additions/changes/corrections can be made via a simple email, however, prior to your first flights ALWAYS check with the managing club to confirm site status. Whether you want to try flatlands, mountains, coast or towing, all are available and every HGFA member has access to all sites with few restrictions. Presently no PPG or FLPHG site contributions have been received. There are no site fees, no mandatory club fees and no region fees for visiting pilots for almost all sites around the nation. Of course there are a few exceptions and for various reasons, a very few, such as Mystic/Bright, Canungra, etc, have some additional access or maintenance costs which your HGFA and SDL annual fees do not cover. Consequently, you will be asked to contribute to the managing club or authority before access is permitted. As long as you are a current HGFA member, or international visiting pilot with HGFA VPM membership, you will be welcome. However, you will only be welcome if you make yourself familiar with the hazards and specific site protocols (some are listed in the guide) AND CONTACT the club managing the site for induction and advice BEFORE your first flight. This is also a requirement in the HGFA Operations Manual, to protect all sites and help you fly safely. Then check out the Australian National Site Guide for details of where to fly and who to contact. The guide is available on the HGFA website under ‘Pilot Tools’ ► ‘Flight Sites’ [www.hgfa.asn.au/] or [siteguide.org.au] , is produced by a team of volunteer pilots, and endorsed by the Committee of Management. by the ANSG team Thinking of Flying Some New Sites this Season?