HGFA Skysailor Magazine

2 SKY SAILOR November | December 2018 International Associations Forum The HGFA recently hosted the first of what are to be ongoing, online hook-ups with the USA, Canada and New Zealand hang gliding and paragliding associations. The initiative was driven by HGFA Treasurer, BrianWebb, and covered a range of agenda items – some strategic and some operational. It’s intended that future meetings of this type will include additional international associations. It’s evident from this first one that there is a general appetite for these meetings to continue and they can be a significant forum to evolve and grow our sport and recreational flying activities around the world. CASA Safety Funding CASA provide funding annually to the HGFA and the other Self Administering Organisations (SAOs) that make up CASA Sport. These include groups such as the Australian Parachute Federation, the Australian Ballooning Federation, the Gliding Federation of Australia among others. The sport groups are further represented by the Air Sport Australia Confederation. The model used to determine how much CASA safety funding goes to each SAO hasn’t been changed for many years, nor have funding levels changed to reflect the increasing regulatory demands placed on each of the SAOs as they strive to meet increasing safety expectations. CASA have indicated that they would like to review the model which, if implemented in its proposed form, will result in a significant increase to HGFA funding. However, CASA are resistant to any change in the overall level of funding allocated to CASA Sport. This means that funding for some other groups would decrease. With regulatory reform on the way as a result of the implementation of Part 149, the cost burden on all groups is only going to increase. Consequently, the sport groups are engaged in an ongoing negotiation which seeks to obtain an increase to the base level of funding as well as enhancements to the formula for calculating the amount apportioned to each of the sport groups. We will let members know the outcome in due course. Australian History of our Sport A project I am personally keen to see the HGFA pursue is that of recording the history of our sport in Australia, and creating an archive of written stories, historical photos and videos available via our website. This could also include links to relevant info as might be found on sites such as YouTube. It was 1963 when the Dickenson wing first flew over the Clarence River in Grafton and much has happened in the years since and it’s important to ensure that the stories from the early days are preserved for the benefit of future generations. Hence, we are again calling for any archival information, written or visual, that can be included in our sports historical repository. Rainbow Beach Women’s Fly-in The first in a series of women’s fly-in events was recently held over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend at Rainbow Beach. Event organiser, Kirsten Seeto, was particularly happy with how it unfolded. All pilots got some good airtime in a wonderful location and events in the air and on the ground were thoroughly enjoyed by all. Kirsten was also grateful for the manner in which local pilots welcomed her group. All in all, a very productive undertaking which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. FAI Diploma Presentation Members of the Dickenson, Fuller and Crowe families as well as friends and flying colleagues were on hand to witness Pat Crowe receive the FAI Diploma in Grafton on 8 September 2018 in recognition of his contribution to the birth of the sport of hang gliding. The ABC and other local media gave wide coverage to the event and the historical wings displayed on the day. Special mention must also be made of the work done by Graeme Henderson for his research, support and organisational endeavour – he has been a passionate supporter of these originals and Pat’s Diploma was the culmination of years of effort to see them all recognised. by Paul Green, HGFA President President’s Update These eager pilots had an awesome weekend at Rainbow Photo: Molly McEwin