SAFA Skysailor Magazine

22 SKY SAILOR November | December 2019 manoeuvres over the middle of the lake, just in case you don’t regain effective control of your wing. From a safety standpoint, landing in water is far preferably to landing on the ground or in trees. Aside the instructor/s, SIV courses are support- ed by several crew – mostly volunteers – usually including a boat master, tow operator/observer and launch marshal. In the case of SkyOut’s crew, each member has done several SIV courses and are highly experienced in tow operations. Their role is to safely launch and tow you to a height sufficient for you to release and do a set of manoeuvres under instruction. Your manoeuvres are videotaped, so nightly debriefs can be very entertaining! You will need a Tow Endorsement, so factor this into your planning, as it might well be many months between courses. The launch site is on the shoreline and selected based on wind direction, boat accessibility and a feasible tow route around the lake. It is not unusual to change launch sites as the day develops. Wind conditions at launch are usually very light in the morning, so you will get to practise your forward launches – yipee! You’ll need a UHF radio with HGFA channels which significantly reduces the risk of outside chatter interfering in communications between you and the instructor. If possible, ensure your radio is water- proof. An inflatable PFD (personal flotation device) is provided and is mandated for every SIV flight. High tows An experienced crew member is towed aloft first to confirm wind strength and direction and to allow the boat crew to settle into the towing routine. Winches can be downright cantankerous when they want to be, particularly if they have not been used for a while, therefore having an expe- rienced tow endorsed pilot test the winch in the first instance is good insurance for you. Observing a more complex, high tow also helps settle those pilots who have little experience in towing. If you have never done a high tow on a lake, then you are in for a treat. Most lakes are too small for a straight-line tow and the tow boat will usually have to navigate around the lake with you on tow. To get you high enough, about 700 to 1200m AGL, you will need to track behind the boat as it navigates the course. You won’t have to stress this since the Boat Master will be in constant radio contact, talking you through the tow. The average tow takes about six minutes. Prior to any SIV related activity, the lead Instruc- tor will brief pilots collectively on all manoeuvres to be performed and emergency contingencies that might arise. The practical activity will not com- mence until such times as you understand how to enter/exit the manoeuvres involved in each flight and how to respond in an emergency. We all experi- ence the dreaded ‘brain drain’ from time to time so it is not unusual for the instructor to rebrief a pilot just before they launch. The course usually consists of five high flights, although in the case of SkyOut Paragliding, they provide a complementary sixth flight if conditions allow, during which you can revise any of the All photos: Phil Kirkman