Airborn #207

Issue 207; August, September, October 2018

Dalby Big Air Flying Hawaii Hanging Tough Vol Biv Chile to Peru

7.50 Including GST

$

9 771170 992006

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING

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any pilots visit flying sites outside their own region. To ensure that you don’t jeopardise arrangements between land owners and local flyers you must ALWAYS check with local pilots BEFORE flying.

That way you won’t upset land owners or pilots, you will be shown all the best sites and will be welcome back. We don’t publish site names and locations

because flying sites have been lost by visiting flyers who have upset land owners. To assist travelling pilots, people wishing to learn to fly or to contact hang gliding and paragliding clubs, here is a list of people who can help you.

Those on the list or wishing to be listed, should contact their Club Secretaries who should keep Airborn and the NZHGPA website updated of changes of contact details.

NORTHLAND H.G.P.C. C/- Guntram Gross 1 Brook Road Whangarei Email: skywalk@igrin.co.nz Pres, Airsp; Shane Gross...............09 436 0268 Sec/Treas; Guntram Gross.............09 436 0268 PGSO; Wolfgang Harder................09 403 7594 HGSO; Stephen Chambers............09 430 3689 Herman Ahrens...............................09 432 9333

MANAWATU H.G.P.C. C/- Andrew Brownlie 11 Hollows Crescent Takaro Palmerston North 4412 Email: flyer.rosscoe@gmail.com Pres, Airsp: Ricky Winduss (Wanganui) .......................... 06 345 7659, or 027 447 4117 Sec/Treas, HGSO: Ross Gray......021 126 0892 PGSO: Andrew Brownlie ...........027 444 8911

AUCKLAND H.G.P.C. PO Box 47813 Ponsonby, Auckland 1144 Email: info@cloudbase.org.nz www.cloudbase.org.nz Pres: Stefan Sebregts .................027 225 2255 Sec: Graham Surrey ..................021 0262 5023 Treas: Malcolm Dawson...............021 052 1568 HGSO: Fraser Bull .......................027 801 4044 PGSO: Reuben Muir.......................09 446 0020 Airsp: Leslie Graham .....................09 579 6485 Stefan Sebregts ...........................021 266 1287 Steve Price ....................................021 781 828 Eva Keim .......................................09 446 0051 Skywings Paragliding ....................09 570 5757 Aqua Air Adventure Hang Gliding.. 027 288 0193 Wings And Waves Paragliding ......09 446 0020

BAY OF PLENTY H.G.P.C. C/-Dominique Le Sellin 41, Ririnui Place, Maungatapu Tauranga 3112 Email: bophangparaclub@gmail.com www.facebook.com/BOPHangGlidingParagliding Pres: Dave Washer.......................0275 992 934 Sec: Dominique Le Sellin...................... 021 617 111 PGSO: Darrell Packe........................027 249 2702 HGSO: James Low.......................021 102 5004 Airsp: Rhys Akers.........................021 177 7563 Sites: Dave Shaw...........................07 575 9560 Kiwi Air.........................................021 1046 208 Mount Paragliding........................027 249 2702

HAWKES BAY H.G.P.C. Inc. 30 Kaweka Place Havelock North 4130 Email: hbhgpc@gmail.com www.soarhawkesbay.co.nz Pres, Rebecca Rae.........................021 605 204 Sec/Treas: Duncan McNab..........027 624 6434 Airsp: Shaun Gilbert.....................022 477 8804 PGSO: Sam Elkink..........................06 824 3123 HGSO: Ross MacKay.....................06 877 2052 Sites Liason; Euan Talbot ..............06 877 8999

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KEY Pres; .............................................. President

Sec; ............................ Secretary/Treasurer PGSO; ............. Paragliding Safety Officer HGSO; .......... Hang Gliding Safety Officer CFI;...........................Chief Flying Instructor Airsp;.................................Airspace Officer

AORANGI H.G.C. C/- Tom Knewstubb PO Box 5976 Dunedin Pres, Airsp; Kevin McManus........021 134 0463 Sec, HGSO; Tom Knewstubb (wk) 027 289 6103 PGSO: Lisa Bradley......................021 156 3256 SOUTHERN H.G.P.C. C/- Mark Hardman PO Box 1122, Queenstown 9348 Email: admin@southernclub.co.nz www.southernclub.co.nz Pres; Tim Brown...........................021 182 4243 Sec: Melanie Heather...................021 204 0163 Treas: Kat Cerna.........................021 0291 0851 PGSO: Blake Round.....................027 367 7679 HGSO: Pete Helliwell .........................................

Sites: Cathal McLoughlin...........021 024 00350 Events: Chris Shaw......................021 051 2905 IT/Web: Daniel Diaz Rizo....................................

Airsp: David Hansen...........................................

Craig Smith...................................027 343 3537 Helen Jeffery................................022 303 2738 Mark Hardman................................021 809 275 Coronet Peak Tandem PG & HG..0800 467 325 Skytrek Hang Gliding & Paragliding.0800 759 873 Extreme Air............................ 0800 PARAGLIDE Infinity Paragliding School..........021 0228 2939 Paraventures Paragliding...............021 809 275

Photo; Dennis Thorpe

TARANAKI FREE FLYERS C/- Dennis Green 38 Kaitake Rd RD4, New Plymouth Pres, Sec, HGSO, Airsp; Dennis Green .......................................................06 752 7618 John H. Morgan..............................06 759 4262

MARLBOROUGH H.G.P.C. C/- Richard Evans PO Box 546 Blenheim Email: evans.r@xtra.co.nz Pres, Airsp: Jason Gluer.............021 0824 7543 Sec/Treas: Richard Evans..............021 648 783 HGSO: John Urlich: .......................03 577 8886 PGSO: Russell Read....................027 448 0888

CANTERBURY H.G.P.C. Inc. C/- Cliff Swailes 22 Hemingway Place, Spencerville, Christchurch 8083 Email: cliffflyer@gmail.com www.chgpc.org.nz Pres: Simon Corbett.................... 021 205 0878 Sec/Treas; Cliff Swailes................021 204 9960 PGSO; Sam Bartholomew .............021 819 755 HGSO; Max Gebhardt................. 022 159 6101 Sites PG; Rob Kennedy................021 220 7993 Sites HG; Reece Fisher..................021 806 390 Airsp; Peter Taylor........................021 066 9886 Website; Stephen O’Shaughnessy.03 326 7373 Canty HG School; Bill Degen.......021 247 2676 Cloudbase Paragliding.................027 532 4874 Nimbus Paragliding......................027 432 4874 ParaPro.........................................0800 548 323

Flying at the 2018 Hang Gliding Nationals near Murchison

WAIKATO H.G.P.C. Inc. C/- Ian Manton PO Box 131, Matamata 3440 Email: ian@imatec.co.nz Pres: Mark McDonald...................020 444 9995 Sec/Treas: ................ Ian Manton 027 546 2832 PGSO: Bruce Vickerman .............027 498 9941 HGSO: Rick Hawkeswood.............07 868 6250 Airsp: Neil Howe.............................07 304 9631

WELLINGTON H.G.P.C. PO Box 9824 Marion Square Wellington 6141 www.whgpc.nz Email: info@whgpc.org.nz Pres: Chris Connolly ....................022 676 5599 Past Pres: Kris Ericksen...............021 116 4558 Sec/Treas: Grant Firth................... 021 422 698 PGSO: Adrian Watts.......................021 981 855 HGSO: Grant Tatham...................027 636 3491 Airsp: Ian Miller ............................022 176 8205 Communications; Vincent Audebert .....................................................022 186 8452 Oceania Paragliding School.........022 676 5599

TASMAN H.G.P.C. C/- Annett Teichner 1137 Motueka Valley Highway, RD1, Motueka 7196 Email: thgpgclub@gmail.com Pres; Josh Benjamin ....................021 136 5405 Sec; Annett Teichner..................021 0231 0755 Treas; Brian Erasmus .....................03 545 1003 PGSO; Greg Benjamin....................03 545 1543 PGSO; Pete Polansky ...................03 528 7374 HGSO; John King..........................03 548 8263 Site Owners; Tim Percival .............03 548 7397 Site Maintenance; Frog Twissell ....03 538 0339 Airsp; Claus Petry.........................021 250 4836 Nelson Paragliding.........................03 544 1182 Adventure Paragliding....................021 762 769 Hang Gliding NZ.............................03 540 2183 Tasman Sky Adventures...............027 229 9693

ISSN 1170-9928

printed on recycled paper

Magazine of the NEW Zealand Hang Gliding & Paragliding Assn. Inc. Published every three months for hang gliding and paragliding enthusiasts in New Zealand and abroad ● Subscription is by membership of NZHGPA (a

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N.Z.H.G.P.A. INC., 46 Quail Rise, Stoke, Nelson 7011, New Zealand www.nzhgpa.org.nz

Administration and Licensing Chief Executive Officer

Evan Lamberton, 35A Manly Esplanade, Browns Bay, North Shore City 0630, 09 478 0063, 021 407833, ceo@nzhgpa.org.nz Administrator

Nicky Hamill, 46 Quail Rise, Stoke, Nelson 7011, 027 202 1806, admin@nzhgpa.org.nz Executive Committee President

Kyla MacDonald, phone 021 056 2320, president@nzhgpa.org.nz Vice President/Secretary

Derek Divers, 106 Lachlan Avenue, RD2, Wanaka 9382, 03 443 7190, 027 493 1112, vice-president@nzhgpa.org.nz Hang Gliding Operations Manager

Mark Alton, 167 Mahoenui Road, Coatesville, Auckland 0793, 022 195 5746, hg.operations@nzhgpa.org.nz Hang Gliding Training Manager

Grant Tatham, 4 Phillip St, Carterton, 5713, 06 379 7322, 027 636 3491, hg.training@nzhgpa.org.nz Paragliding Training Manager

Mark Hardman, 021 809 275, pg.training@nzhgpa.org.nz Paragliding Operations Manager

Blake Round, Queenstown, 027 367 7679, pg.operations@nzhgpa.org.nz Executive Member

Duncan Mcnab, 43 Guthrie Road, Havelock North 4130, 027-6246434, Duncan@magnificent.co.nz Appointed Officers National Airspace Officer

Nick Taber, 27 Strathaven Place, Dodson Valley, Atawhai, Nelson 7010. 03 545 0766, 021 420 742, nicktaber@hotmail.com Website Manager

Adriel Kind, 027 964 5397, adriel.nzhgpa@gmail.com Chief Medical Advisor

Samuel Bartholomew, 3A Dalleys Lane, Lyttleton, Christchurch 8082, bartholomew.sam@gmail.com Internal Auditor

Kris Ericksen, 11 Koromiko Road, Aro Valley, Wellington 6012, 04 938 6539, 021 116 4558, audit@nzhgpa.org.nz Disciplinary Committee Convenor

Kyla MacDonald, phone 021 056 2320, president@nzhgpa.org.nz Bookshop Manager

Evan Lamberton, 35A Manly Esplanade, Browns Bay, North Shore City 0630, 09 478 0063, 021 407833, ceo@nzhgpa.org.nz Hang Gliding Competition Committee

Mark Alton, 167 Mahoenui Road, Coatesville, Auckland 0793, 022 195 5746, markalton@yahoo.com Dennis Thorpe, dennis_thorpe@hotmail.com Max Gebhardt, 03 312 7899, 022 159 6101, aerosm@gmail.com Paragliding Competition Committee

Johnny Hopper (chair), 021 056 2275, nzhgpapcc@googlegroups.com Tim Brown, 03 442 5319, 021 182 4243, nzhgpapcc@googlegroups.com Wayne Rohrs, 021 663 383 nzhgpapcc@googlegroups.com

In This Issue...

Dalby Big Air 2018........................................................................4 300km Paragliding Records........................................................7 Vol Biv Chile to Peru.....................................................................8

conditions ● For display and other advertising rates and conditions please

Cheeseman Hang Gliding Meet................................................14

Wazza Flies Hawaii.....................................................................20

contact the editor

Editing, Graphics; AeroDesign, Bill Degen Printing; The Caxton Press

Please send advertisements, photos and articles to the editor:

Post:

Email:

Airborn Magazine

99A Panorama Road Christchurch 8081 New Zealand

aero@xtra.co.nz

Hanging Tough............................................................................18

Accident Summaries..................................................................24 Events, Site Notices...................................................................25 Cross Country Championships...........................................26, 28 Classified Advertisements.........................................................30 FRONT COVER: Vol Biv flying in South America. Photo; Antoine Girard

Next issue deadline: 30 September 2018 A

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Dalby Big Air 2018

By Geoff Christophers

Through the whiskey glass

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nly one day after getting back from Australia and I’m on the road again for work. I promised Jane I wouldn’t go to any of the titty bars or Thai massage parlours offering happy endings.

So here I am, sitting in my crappy motel in the thriving metropolis of New Plymouth with nothing else to do but drink whiskey and try to give a warped waffle of my trip to the Dalby Big Air 2018 Hang Gliding Towing Competition. Not only was this my first Dalby Big Air, it was also my first ever tow competition.

Dalby is a 3.5-hour drive inland from the Gold Coast. My first impression of Dalby was verging on uninspiring.

We didn’t arrive until around 10:30 at night. Steve D and I were booked into a cabin in Trailer Trashville. The next morning, we drove into town for our first breakfast. This was my first glimpse of the town of Dalby. I really don’t want to sound mean about the place but I highly recommend that you leave your ‘better half’ at home unless you are wanting to speed up the divorce process. I doubt it is on the tourist circuit.

After breakfast we headed out to the Dalby Aerodrome. There is plenty of room at and around the aerodrome

so many pilots took advantage of the free camping facility and set up camp there. The first area we came across had a number of Kiwi pilots setting up camp. We called this area ‘The Swamp’. Within a few days it was a thriving village of Kiwi and Aussie pilots. Just down the road was another camping area we called the ‘Hamptons’ where the glamping pilots, including Aaron, set up their up-market tents or their ‘homes on wheels’.

Down the road a further 200m was the airfield and hangar. Now, this is where things change for anyone interested in aviation. What an awesome place. The Dalby Hang Gliding Club has its own hangar with 5 Dragonflies parked in it when we arrived and the airfield has sealed and grassed runways running diagonally. This has to be hang gliding paradise. That was before I was shown where the hang gliding towing operated from. After seeing the expanse of the airfield, it was a real eye-opener to be escorted to the tow-strip for the first time. It’s hard to explain it but WTF, you have to be kidding me. I am looking at a small triangle of black dirt. No grass at all – just black dirt. I really did think they were pulling my leg, but no, what you see is what you get. It took me quite a while to accept that this piece of dirt is where we were going to be towing for the next week.

It wasn’t until I had my first tow that I started to appreciate the method in their madness. This little

Left; Home sweet home at Trailer Trashville Right; Morning briefing

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Above; Launch Window Photo; Leo Comeskey Below; Welcome to Hang Gliding paradise

triangle of black dirt was as smooth as the proverbial ‘baby’s bum’, which made the dolly launches an absolute dream.

The area around Dalby is super flat, pretty much as far as the eye can see, bordered by ranges on the distant horizon. Steve D described it as God’s pool table. I am assuming

this is one of many pool tables in Australia including - The Flatlands (Forbes) and another comp called Birchip - Flatter than the Flatlands, just to mention a couple. The Big Guy must love his pool. To add a bit of colour to these pool tables he must have made use of his mother’s patchwork quilts, mainly cotton and

soy fields I think. From 8,000ft the place looks quite special. I’m sure for some pilots, the thought of flying over nothing but flats could start to get boring after a while but, I can assure you, it will take the rest of my flying lifetime before I start getting bored with the flying I have just experienced.

It is hard to write about a hang gliding mission without mentioning the weather. Australia doesn’t have weather. Not as I know it anyway.

In NZ you need a weather forecast every 3 hours to update you. I think Dalby would get away with a forecast every 3 months, and even then, it wouldn’t have changed much.

We had a weather briefing every morning but it became a real bore slight change in wind direction and strength but generally hot, sunny with lots of thermals.

Keeping in mind this was the first tow meet for me, I found the towing just great. In fact, I feel a bit ripped off. I only needed one tow per day with no weak-link breaks, no emergency releases or re-flights due to bombing. There were four Dragonflies and a couple of trikes operating as tugs. Each tug pilot flew with their own particular style and there were always comments about one tug pilot or the other. I was lucky enough to have a good run with all of them.

I had a pilot in front of me who refused to be towed by the trike.

The Launch Marshall asked if I was happy to go in front – any chance to get further up the line was good with me, so my reply was “Hell Yes”.

I was a bit worried that the pilot who refused the trike tow may have overheard me call him a ‘baby’. Not good when my New Year’s resolution was to be a better person. Well the

trike tow was as good as any.

I think the release signal on the trike may be different from the hand wave of the Dragonflies, as my trike release was very exciting.

One minute I was nicely behind the trike and then I was directly above it. Any further above and I think the towline would be getting propeller rash – time to release. I think the conditions may have been too strong for the trike pilot to let go one hand from the base-bar to wave me off, so diving towards the ground was just as effective at shaking off the parasite following behind.

These tug pilots were amazing.

They tow you up to around 3,300ft and drop you off right in the middle of a thermal every time, and they tirelessly do this until all the pilots are up and on course. Their flying skills are impressive, not only while under tow but just watching them come in, crabbing cross-wind right beside the line-up of pilots waiting on the dollies for their tow, is something worth watching.

After being dropped off at 3,300ft inside a thermal it was a fairly easy ride up to 6,000 to 7,000ft prior to heading off on course. Sometimes there was up to an hour wait within the start circle (usually 5kms) before the task window opened, so it gave you lots of time to get totally exhausted even before you started.

T h e re a p p e a re d t o b e a n abundance of thermals with long smooth glides between them. The thermals were reasonably strong, with heights increasing up to 10,000ft along course line, but they were surprisingly docile. They were gentle on the outsides, getting stronger as you found the core. Tasks were around 150kms with many of the pilots making goal most days. Not me

Below; Steve ready in the launch line-up

Steve (the tallest man on earth) Dwyer waiting for pick-up Photo: Steve Dwyer I’m afraid. I did make goal a couple of times but it was close to sunset and took twice as long as the top pilots.

As for ‘time in the air’ I think I certainly had value for money. Way better value than the top competition pilots who appeared to be attempting to get back on the ground as fast as they could. I’m glad John Smith wasn’t there as I’m sure he would have been giving me a good talking to – “stop fluffing around”. Even once all the top pilots had long buggered off, you never had time to get lonely. Half the flora from below seemed determined to join you in the thermals. There was many a time I found myself shouting at some passing aerial piece of vegetation regarding obeying the right-of-way rules but it seemed to fall on deaf ears. You can never underestimate how well they can fly though as many a time they out-climbed me as I was

working my way up to cloudbase.

As for the landing, you are in for a treat – these fields around Dalby are measured by the square mile.

They are way too big to be called paddocks, and yes, they are as flat as a pool table. If you can’t get into one of these landing spots it is time to get back to the training hill.

The people over there were great.

I’m not just talking about the pilots, but everyone who made the Big Air possible and the Aussies we met along the way. Some of the Aussie humour is something else. Bruce, our competition organiser, had quips flowing continuously. It was hard to keep up but it didn’t really matter whether you understood everything he said, or not, it was still very funny.

There was mention of pilots thinking they were the ‘new incarnate’ when making goal – something to do with a God complex I think but I’m not positive. There was also a story of Demetrius, the Greek Boat Builder and a certain goat!!!! I think he was referring to all the good that can be undone by one not-so-great thing. Guess you had to be there for that one.

We even ran into a 71-year-old guy at the bottle store who expelled the benefits of drinking stout, with full arm gestures for visual effect, but he admitted it wasn’t helping him as yet – something about squeezing a marshmallow into a letter box, but at that point I got totally lost!!! All in all, there was lots of laughter, great conversation and heaps of fun. Even though we were in the presence of hang gliding greatness, I am not a great one for idolising these pilots.

To me they are just a great bunch of guys who fly way better than I do.

I did end up doing a little bit of prostrating when I found out Big Jon (Jon Durand Snr) confessed that he

Photo; Leo Comeskey

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Above; Evening tows on practice days was responsible for naming the Fiji surf spot ‘Cloudbreak.’ If you are into surfing at all you will understand the significance of this.

As for how these top pilots do so well- it’s all a bit baffling but I know it’s not all about flying fast. Yes, these guys do fly fairly fast but it is all about flying very efficiently. Many of my glide speeds are similar. It’s just they seem to know what thermals to stop at and which ones to ignore. I stop at everything and usually lose sight of the top guys by the time I have completed one circle in weak lift.

They also know when it is time to leave the thermal and start heading on course again. It is great hearing some of the theories and stories about how some of these pilots do so well. I overheard a pilot talking about lift lines, or energy lines running for miles downwind and how some pilots ‘wiggle and woggle’ their way down these lines to help retain height while still heading on course. I just thought they had their VG’s on too tight and they couldn’t control their yawing – so much for what I know.

There was a great turn-out of Kiwi pilots. At last count there was about 15 of us. The Aussies were starting

to feel that they were being over run by these bloody foreigners from over the ditch. There were four of us in our group – Aaron Darby, Tom Kellner, Steve Dwyer and myself.

We all have gliders over in Aussie so that takes away a fair bit of logistics, however there is still a fair bit of planning required. One of the major things to organise is a car, roof-racks and a driver. This time everything just seemed to fall into place. Within a couple of phone calls, I had arranged a driver, vehicle and racks all in one go.

Bruce, the Comp. Organiser, put me onto Karl from Newcastle and Karl was more than happy to be our driver for the duration of the Comp.

Not only that, he suggested we make use of his trusty steed – a Mitsubishi Delica. I’m not finished yet – he was happy to pick us up at the airport on the Gold Coast and drop us back there at the end of the Comp. How good is that?

Karl very quickly became, not only our driver, but our manager. He was uncanny in his ability to find us all after our long flights. He got to me every time before I was packed up and some of these flights were

around 200kms away by road.

There was always a freezing cold beer waiting for us when he arrived, plus beers for half the other pilots who were lucky enough to land somewhere near one of us.

His trusty steed was something else. It was a classic Jap import Delica 4x4 with the 3 rows of seats.

Typical of the Jap imports the shocks were very soft and with years of misuse, they were now totally shot.

Add to this 4 gliders on the roof and 5 heavy guys inside, the shocks were verging on useless. The front wheels worked hard to obey all Karl’s instructions however the rear wheels had different ideas, mainly to do anything possible to avoid following along behind the front wheels.

The ride varied depending on where you sat. The front seat seemed a little spongy but reasonably ok for much of the ride. The middle seats felt like you were riding in a hovercraft, as the rear wheels tried to go their separate ways, but the rear seat was something else again. The best way to explain it is imagining the control turned up to 10 on the ‘Bucking Bull’ machine.

Karl had his trusty steed well under control. One of his tactics was to keep the middle of the vehicle lined up with the centre white-lines on the road. This allowed him plenty of room on each side of the road to correct the speed wobbles that joined us for much of the way. I have always said

Matt Barlow with Geoff Photo; leo Comeskey

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that the ride back is the riskiest part of going cross country.

It is great to see how competitive the top Kiwi pilots are. I don’t need to mention names, in case the God complex raises its ugly head, but they are good. Hopefully many of these guys will team up to go to the Worlds. If any of you weekend flying cowboys have dreams of hang gliding greatness and have thoughts of competing at an international level, now or in the future, my suggestion to you is – give your loved ones lots of hugs and kisses, wave them goodbye and head over to the Aussie comps as often as you can. The quality of flying is so many steps above what we normally experience in New Zealand and the level of competition is at an International level. The learning curve is significant.

To conclude – I have been flying now for over 40 years (I started very young) and the week I have just had at the Dalby Big Air is one of, if not, the best week of flying I have ever had. I clocked up over 20 hours in the 6 days of flying – more than I would do all year in NZ and the flying was just fantastic. It’s not just the flying though – the atmosphere was so relaxed that it also made for a great holiday. I’ll be back.

If any of your personal lives are so sad that you want to view some of our flights on Doarama you can give me a call, text or flick me an email and I will send you a couple of flights. 027 872 3387 geoff@tradeupjobs.co.nz

302km Out & Return Distance Both World and European Record Claim

FAI

has received a new record claim simultaneously breaking both World and European simultaneously by 4 pilots.

An out-and-return distance of 302.11km was covered by the 4 leading pilots of Slovenia: Bojan Gabersek, Primos Susa, Jost Napret and Dusan Oroz.

The current European record of 264.05km set in 2011 belongs to Arduino Persello, Italy. He is also the holder of the World record of 282.4km set in 2012.

We have asked the claimants to introduce themselves and tell us how it was.

Primoz Susa I started to fly in 1996. I am flying for 22 years. I always wanted to fly since kindergarten. During elementary school, I was making free-flying aeroplane models. To make and fly models I was inspired by my uncle Ogrin Franc and my mentor Miloš Erjavec.

Later on, I wanted to fly gliders but coincidence my neighbour Andrej Erznožnik (Erzo) introduced me to paragliding. I think I had the best instructor possible; Stanislav Rus and the best flying teammates like Jurij Vidic, Gregor Andolšek.

All of them and others introduced me to XC and competitions since my first steps. When we were flying in winter

around Istria exploring new take-offs we called it Para Safari. We started our competition between a few friends Slavc, Mojca Rus, Jurij Vidic, Andolšek, Erzo, Tjaša Jug and Ajo Slamic. We called it Winter League. Through the years it became real competition and it evolved into the cool traditional Winter Cup! These were my learning years before official competitions.

Later on I started to fly with Marko Novak, I learned a lot. Although I really worried at the beginning and even forbidding me to buy my ever first paraglider “Bergsteiger” at the age of 16. Enormous thanks goes to always supporting mother Germana Angela Suša.

The chosen route is in our backyard and it’s great for out and return. We know the place well and we wanted to be the first to achieve the magic number 300 for out and return.

What flying conditions make this record different from previous one?

A just better flying technique, better equipment and better knowledge of the area. Here I would like to thank Tomaž Eržen and Roman Lotric for the fantastic new trick they showed us a couple of

years ago; how to cross the place we call “Mousetrap”.

How long did preparation take?

We had this turn-point in our instruments for 6 years. Last year only one good climb short we missed coming home with Jošt Napret. With pretty similar or even better average speed in worse weather conditions, we managed to fly 283km, but we were stopped by the overcast in Tolmin area just before home. It was typical late afternoon overcast from the overdevelopment in Julian Alps, pushed out with the north wind. I experienced “close but no cigar” often in this area.

Who helped you most to get prepared?

I was prepared just waiting for the weather but Jošt Napret spotted the

opportunity. We were all still a bit sceptical if it’s possible to do it so soon in the beginning of the season with the days still being a bit short.

Who worked with you during preparation (any team)?

The best training I find competitions or task flying. Normally we do this together with friends Marko Novak, Tilen Ceglar, Jošt Napret, Bojan Gabršek and Jurij Vidic. Other than that, I like to do hike and fly with Gašper Prevc, Stane (Mega) Bajt, Erzo and all others.

What was the most tricky thing in breaking this record?

The most tricky was the start time of 9am. Will it work and how will we progress at the beginning of the route?

The second most tricky is the end. The beginning ridges are oriented easterly which is bad for the finish. Also at the end, the wind on this part is westerly so not only the ridges are wrong orientation but also the wind is not helping except with the speed. It can be always tricky to finish here.

Tell us how it was to break the record.

What was most difficult?

In general, on this whole route, we normally fly lower than our friends in

Words; FAI, Photos; Primoz Susa

Austria for example, because the route is close to the flats and the influence of stability can be quite strong. For this particular day at one moment we had a feeling of quite strong NWW wind somewhere halfway towards our first turn point. It gave me feeling that it’s too much and that we will not be able to continue fast enough. We discussed it on the radio and decided to continue until the next valley to make our decision there.

Luckily a few valleys further we did not feel it anymore and it seemed like there was actually much less wind and valley breeze then usual. With thermals getting stronger it gave us new motivation to push on and continue until the end no matter what.

For me, the most difficult part was actually right at our turn-point further down Mont Talvena. I was with Jošt Napret flying at the edge of the mountain tops. And did not know what was happening, the wind was kind of N and it seemed like we needed to decide which side to fly. Where I was expecting extremely strong valley breeze there was none but I felt N wind. Jošt caught a thermal that seemed like it was coming from the north but I was just too low and stayed on the S side of it. With no lift and getting lower, I was becoming desperate so I went to the side of the mountain where, by previous experience, I should literally be blown over the mountain by the valley breeze but there was none.

Nervous because the situation was strange and no thermal I keep going to the turn-point low thinking this was the end and still waiting for the valley breeze to appear and push me in the direction of Mount Civetta. I was thinking I will land here. After making the turn-point

going back to the ridge I found a weak thermal and stuck with it hoping to make it back to the top of the mountain. Luckily it worked. A year before in this part, one friend was blown over the same ridge by the valley wind and was on the ground in minutes. Strangely there was no wind here this day.

Primoz Susa has set several world records in Slovenia: • Speed over a triangular course of 100km 25.5km/h; 12 June 2006 • Speed over a triangular course of 50km 24.1km/h; 26 May 2006 • Out and return distance 213.8km; 12 June 2003 • Speed over out and return course of 200km 28.8km/h; 12 Jun 2003 • Out and return distance; 24 May 2003 • Speed over out and return course of 200km 26.6km/h; 24 May 2003 • Out and return distance 189.2km

Dusan Oroz

I have been flying for 15 years from 2003. I started relatively late; ) I always love airplanes and everything related to flying. Paragliding was the easiest way to start flying by myself. I actually started and learn to fly by myself and then later went to paragliding school.

I was inspired by local pilots when I saw them flying and soaring at nearby hills.

Why? Well its always nice to achieve and explore some new boundaries. And since many pilots have been trying to break this magical number 300, therefore this became even more attractive.

Why this place – Sorica? Well, It’s the only place (more or less) here in Slovenia that is possible to achieve that kind of flight length. And even here, we had to

Continued on page 23

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Vol Biv Chile to Peru Antoine Girard and Martin Beaujouan recently went on a bivouac flying trip in South America, their goal was to achieve 2700km including 1700km of exploration of southern Chile to Peru.

They managed to fly 1600km including completely new 700km in the middle of the Andes. The first big bivouac flight through the Andes!

L

eaving southern Chile, north of Patagonia, we want to cross a part of South America by bivouac paragliding.

Further south, the climate seems less conducive to paragliding. Our end goal is in the south of Peru and 2700km further north. We carry our camping stuff; tents, duvets, food and water.

We know that this is a real exploration as only 1000km have already been completed at least once and nobody has yet dared to commit several days in the heart of the Andes. We must go with bags weighing over 35kg to hope for ten days of autonomy.

The first flight is from the impressive volcano Lonquimay. A volcano with

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a perfect shape, consisting of black and striped pumice stones, with snow white snowfields that overhang the plain. The summit crater is filled with snow despite it being the end of summer. The flanks extend for a few kilometers with black stones that contrast with the green colour of the forests that encircle the area. There is no better start!

Why does no one come flying in this little paradise? The reason is simple, we quickly realise; the winds are usually too strong from 10am.

You have to take off and fly early to stay safe. The flight is sublime but short, as soon as we leave the area of ​​volcanoes the thermals are nonexistent, certainly because of the rain forests as far as the eye can see that prevent convection.

We manage somehow in the mountains to climb to another

summit. We try to fly a little later in the day to allow time for convection to settle down but it’s a wasted effort.

There are no thermals.

Forests are everywhere and so dense that it is almost impossible to cross them on foot. We walk three days to seek a new take off before returning to civilization and finally resign ourselves; it is not possible to travel by flying and walking in this region. We only progressed 50km for 12 hour marching efforts under a terrible leaden sun. We decide to take a bus 120km further north hoping for better conditions.

We are now on Nevados del Chillan, an active volcano that spews a beautiful white smoke in a thunderous sound several times per hour in an omnipresent smell of sulphur. We stay two days on the volcano trying to fly. We are in an atmosphere of Mordor of the Lords of the Rings but it is still not here that it will be possible to begin our

journey. We decide to continue again by bus for 200km.

We spend another three days trying to reach a paragliding summit, by trying all the slopes of the mountain.

The forests are so dense that it is not possible to cross them, but we finally find the weakness of the mountain through climbing ravines and cliffs. The flight is pleasant but just as difficult as in the south, there is still little or no heat because of the vegetation. Our exploration is negative for the bivouac flight here.

We decide to go by bus to the first place that we know has flying that is only 80km further north.

It is in Rancagua that we begin our journey. The first 100 kilometers to Santiago are completed, the flight path is simple and we fly along plains, free of trees with generous thermals. We take advantage of Santiago to refuel properly with food. We have 50km of flight already travelled before leaving on a new

section of exploration in the heart of a mountain range.

We leave civilization for a moment in Los Andes, there is nothing but sand and red pebbles as far as the eye can see. It is not without apprehension that we pass this gateway in flight! It is certain that forests will not bother us anymore as we enter mountainous deserts. Our main concern and difficulty remains to find water, the few springs and rivers are often polluted by heavy metals released by the mines. We must carry ten litres of water each.

On the second day in the desert

we are greeted by hungry ants. Not satisfied to have pierced the tents with several hundred small holes to steal the semolina grains that constitute our food rations, they attacked the paraglider lying on the ground. The fabric has become a strainer... Several square meters are affected, and it’s not possible to repair it. The only solution is to reinforce the fabric with selfadhesive ripstop strips on the most affected areas to prevent the paraglider from tearing into pieces.

It is certain that it is now flying a little less well...

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cross the Cordillera to join Argentina to Chile. Each of them serves us as geographical references but also as a new test to cross. The powerful breeze is a real invisible obstacle, sometimes more than 60km/h during the day and landing areas are rare.

The cultivation of vines, fruit or others fill squared spaces bordered by high voltage lines. These areas are too dangerous for small paragliders that are facing Mother Nature.

After 600km of successful exploration in flight, we stumble on the desert of Atacama marked by the disappearance of mountains to fly. We decided to travel a hundred kilometers by bus to the west to reach Caldera at the edge of the ocean.

Lost in the middle of the mountain range it is quite surprising to see that there is always a road leading to a mine to be seen! There is certainly one to two days of 4x4 to reach these areas but it is impressive to find

human traces almost everywhere.

The days follow one another, the Martian landscapes evolve gently in more colourful and red tones while advancing to the north. Our only landmarks are the deep valleys that

The remainder of the bivouac flight is spent at the border of the ocean and the desert, this section has already been travelled at least once in flight. The path is a little less wild, the coast is dotted with villages. The landscapes are just as beautiful as in the mountain range and finally look a little alike.

At the end of each day, the wind from the southwest becomes stronger, we must anticipate the danger with our paragliders without having to land. Just stay up. We swallow the 800km of coastline with our wings in less than ten days.

We must cross a section prohibited to paragliding at Antofagasta, a military zone juxtaposed with an airport compels us to take the bus for 50km. We do not know the presence of the second military zone just south of Iquique, which is authorized for flight that weekend. Unfortunately, we are in the sector on weekdays, and the military surrounds us quickly, with weapons in hand, to take us in for interrogation. Then the police come to pick us up and we finish at the Iquique police station late at night but without any problems. We decided to leave flying south to reach

10 A i r b o r n

this point and fly over the missing section (avoiding to ask of course!).

There is potentially 200km of coast to fly over but the cliffs descend directly into the water, so we need a boat for safety. The state that controls

the area to limit drug trafficking on the coast indirectly asks us for too much money to get permission to rent a boat. We decide to abandon this section and to leave 200km further north in the Cordillera.

The arrival in Peru is a new beginning for exploration. After two days of observation and waiting in the mountains, we understand that it will not be possible to fly by bivouac.

The daily strong winds due to the sea

breeze forbid thermal flights. We are resigned not to travel the last 300 kilometers we had planned.

We take advantage of the few days we have left to climb the Ubinas volcano, which rises to 5672m near Arequipa. The climb is done at night in the snow, we have no other equipment other than our little walking shoes and our big bags of paragliding too heavy with all our travel stuff. Fortunately, the lack of wind at sunrise allows us to go down by flying the volcano.

Before flying back from Santiago, we allow ourselves one last flight to try to reach the Aconcagua (6962m), the highest peak in South America.

I am forced to stop at only 18km from the summit, I do not have permission to cross the border with Argentina. Too bad I would have been trying to fly over the summit when all conditions were met in terms of weather!

Our project covered 2700km, including 1600km on foot and paragliders. 2700km is the distance between Marrakesh and Copenhagen, to compare it on a European scale. And we only covered half of the Andes.

We still had a few days before our plane, and we took the opportunity to find a direct paragliding route between Santiago and Aconcagua.

This is a new project that is coming up, which is to be continued...

Thanks to our partners, G. Dentan

by Sutech Sealing, Adidas Terrex, Ozone, Kortel Design, Supair, Syride, Chamonix Airsports, Edition of the Crest Road, CAN, Office of Sports Valencia.

And to our families and friends for their support!

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Dc ShC nNzZ dD eE aA l eL rEsR S a nAdN s oH oO l sO L S

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ozone new zealand - raglan KITEstore SCHOOLS & DEALERS flagship www.ozonenewzealand.com info@ozonenewzealand.com +64 211 702 472 1: NZ BOARDSTORE +64 22 415 0331 5 RAYMOND ST POINT CHEVALIER AUCKLAND 1022 WWW.NZBOARDSTORE.CO.NZ kite schools & dealers 09 815 0683 2: nz2:boardstore JC KITESURF AND SUP auckland 79 GAUNT ST www.nzboardstore.co.nz WESTHAVEN 09 815 0683 AUCKLAND 1010

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SHOP 4 & 5 “THE SANDS” 623 ROCKS ROAD TAHUNANUI BEACH kite dealers NELSON WWW.KITESURFNELSON.CO.NZ 5: kitezone ltd 0800 KITE NELSON www.kitezone.co.nz (0800 548 363) muriwai +64 211590505 14: KITESPORTS TIM kiteboarding STOCKMAN 9: zimmo’s & SHOP 14, BRIGHTON MALL windsurfing NEW BRIGHTON oakura CHRISTCHURCH 8061 taranaki WWW.KITESPORTS.CO.NZ +64 272867775 +64 3 384 5310 +64 21 542 online 770 14: kiteboarding ltd central otago www.kbos.world +64 21539850

paraglider/speed/motor schools & dealers KITE DEALERS

4: wings & waves auckland 4: KITEZONEwww.wingsandwaves.co.nz LTD 09 446 0020 WWW.KITEZONE.CO.NZ MURIWAI 7: mount paragliding +64 211590505 tauranga www.mountparagliding.co.nz 8: OZONE NEW ZEALAND 27 249 2702 FLAGSHIP +64 STORE RAGLAN 8: kiwi-air OZONENEWZEALAND.COM ohiwa, +64 211 702 472 bay of plenty www.kiwi-air.co.nz 7 929 5807 & 9: ZIMMO’S +64 KITEBOARDING WINDSURFING 15: infinity paragliding OAKURA TARANAKI Queenstown www.infinityparagliding.co.nz +64 272867775 +64 2102282939 15: KITEBOARDING ONLINE LTD 16: OTAGO wanaka paragliding CENTRAL wanaka HTTPS://WWW.KBOS.WORLD www.wanakaparagliding.co.nz +64 21539850 +64 274 697 685 17: ultimate edge PARAGLIDER/SPEED/MOTOR Queenstown SCHOOLS & DEALERS www.ultimate-edge.co.nz +64 272 185 022

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OZO

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18: ULTIMATE EDGE 11 QUEENSTOWN 12 WWW.ULTIMATE-EDGE.CO.NZ +64 272 185 022

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kites/gliders/speed 15 16 17 18

gliders available for demo

all products available in store 9 bow st • raglan

w w w . o z o n e n e w z e a l a n d . c o m

It started with a brush, some wet paint and we took it from there..

THE JOURNEY SHARED

ONE

Inspired by nature, driven by the elements..

‘Hey mum look at me’

Some of the Ozone bros celebrating the opening of the store..

A little burn across the Raglan mouth..

R A G L A N

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O Z O N E

F L A G S H I P

I N F O @ O Z O N E N E W Z E A L A N D . C O M

S T O R E

By Anonymous, November 2017

Triple Cheese Burger B

ehind a locked gate high up in a forest park deep in the Southern Alps of New Zealand’s South Island lies a thermal paradise. A place where foot launched pilots can climb up high above the snow-capped mountains of the Craigieburn Range. You look out over mountains in every direction as far as the eye can see. You feel humbled by nature’s beauty and the endless possibilities for flight.

Mount Cheeseman has earned great respect in our community for over 40 years. You can climb out in big strong smooth thermals to high altitudes with the greatest of ease. But beware!

This mountain will suck you up, shake you about violently and throw you at the ground without your utmost respect! This is the story about a few keen South Island hang glider pilots who were treated to three superb days flying in this thermal paradise during the recent ‘Canterbury Fun Hang Gliding Weekend’. Max agreed to set a task for each day and be score keeper.

“I got the key Max!” Rod exclaimed. ”Good work Rodney!” Replied Max. ”The long range forecast looks amazing for all three days.” ”Looks like we have to call this weekend on!”

The locked gate allows access up the Mt Cheeseman ski field road to a take-off at 5000’.

Above; Quentin climbs high above the Craigieburn Range for the first time on day three. It was going off! Photo: Quentin

The Canterbury Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club recently renegotiated with the Cheeseman Ski Club to have a key for the summer. It is always appreciated when the mountain manager hands over a key for a new flying season. The weather forecast kept looking better and better! We posted in all the relevant South Island Facebook groups and it soon became apparent that quite a few pilots were on their way to Canterbury.

Rod and Marney kindly opened up their house in Kirwee as a place to stay. The garage was turned into a marae and food supplies for guests were shopped in. It was Canterbury show weekend with Friday a local holiday. Somehow the stars were lining up and three days of flying looked very likely!

Thursday 16th Most guests arrived on Thursday night with John and Alex from Nelson followed by Kev, Tom M, Maya, Abe and Sharnie from Dunedin.

John and Ted from Cromwell, Ned and Pete from Queenstown came later. The weather Gods looked like turning it on all three days with XC Skies showing ‘Likely Good XC’ for most of the Alps!

So we made a call that would stay the same three days in a row. We are flying Mt Cheeseman - meet at Kirwee 9am or at the locked gate 11am. Rod will be the key holder for the day and Marney will be last driver off the hill.

Friday 17th Turn point Mt Misery with Goal at Castle Hill.

The day started overcast but people rigged and the sun came out early afternoon. Despite the cloud we found ourselves zooming around in awesome air with smooth thermals to 7000’.

John Smith won the day by being the only pilot to complete the task. Derek, Max, Ollie and Matt

Left; Anonymous heading off for a fly at Mount Cheeseman with Marney.

Photo; Steve

Right; Ted and Sharnie on retrieve Photo; Abe

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Above; XC Skies for Friday 2pm Orange = Likely Good XC flying landed at Bealey. Many pilots lost their virginity flying Cheeseman for the first time. With better conditions forecast for Saturday we headed back to Kirwee for some well-earned cold beers and flying shenanigans late into the night!

Check out: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?voegHMNUn9C4

Above; Warren Simonsen over Arthurs Pass, Looking at the West Coast and Brunner Photo; Warren Saturday 18th Darfield was set as a rather ambitious goal.

The NE hung low over the Torlesse Range all day but the Craigieburn Range was pumping!

Everyone had great air time in awesome lift. A few tried to cross over to the Torlesse but we all landed somewhere in the valley.

Everyone was buzzing at a hang gliding BBQ and party in Kirwee that night. Kids were welcome with kite flying and playing with an old reserve chute being the entertainment of choice. Marney sorted a beautiful BBQ with Venison patties courtesy of Matt. Another fun night was had with tales of awesome flying echoing late into the evening air. With an even better weather forecast for Sunday many local pilots chose to crash the night in Kirwee.

Take off at Mt Cheeseman. Back: Sharnie, Julia, Sue, Sarah. Front: Quentin, Steve’s Dad Toney, Steve, Warren, Adriel, Bill, Abe, Tom, Matt, John, Ollie and Max. Photo; Rod Stuart

Sunday 19th A fast wee task was set to keep everyone on their toes. Fly to Broken River, then to Porters with Goal at Castle Hill.

The whole bloody Craigieburn Range was throwing us all into orbit! Outrageous climbs to 9,300’ with lift everywhere. All of us had an amazing flight. Derek won the day and flew on for an hour or two after reaching goal.

Quentin got above the Craigieburn spine for the first time. A year earlier he had landed on a scree slope 2kms below take-off. His partner Sarah climbed up from the road to help him. He was so impressed with her effort he proposed to her right there on the face of Mt Cheeseman.

She said yes!

There were sail planes cruising through, waving at us from their cockpits. Warren amazed us by flying off through Arthurs Pass, landing just past Lake Brunner at Moana.

thermal paradise! A Triple Cheese Burger! What an amazingly fun weekend.

A big thank you to all our Drivers and Supporters: Marney, Claire, Kay, Toney, Sharnie, Sarah, Julia and Sue. Thank you Max for scoring. Any omissions are unintentional.

Marney and Rod dropped the key off safely in Castle Hill. When they arrived home in Kirwee people were lying flat on their backs on the lawn blissfully exhausted. The last few cold beers were consumed. Everyone had a smile on their face. We had all just flown three days in an alpine

Results

Class 1 Name Glider Day 1 Day2 Day3 John Smith Moyes Rs4 25 6 18 Derick Mckee Moyes Rs4 10 6 25 Max Gebhardt Moyes Rx5 10 6 15 Bill Degen Fun 2/T2C 8 6 8 Matt Barlow Aeros Combat 10 6 6 Steve Bankier Moyes S4 6 12 Abe Kemp Moyes S4 10 Kevin McManus Moyes Rx3.5 4 6 Ollie Lewis Moyes Rs4 10 Warren Simonsen Wills Wing T2C 6 Morgan Knoesen FunFex 2 2 John Horgan Moyes Gecko 4 Chris Lawry Airborne C4 4 Alex Crawford Airborne C4 Rod Stuart Wills Wing T2 Quentin Doig Airborne Sting 3 Donald Payne Airborne Fun 2 John Collins Wills Wing U2C Tom Mulder Wills Wing U2 Maya Luna Airborne Sting Ned Airborne Shark Andrew Sinclair Moyes Rs4 Tish Lawry Airborne Sting Adrial Kind Airborne Sting Class 2 Mark Nicols Atos 25

Overall 49 41 31 22 22 18 10 10 10 6 4 4 4

25

Right upper; Glider line up day one.

Right lower; People on take-off Photos; Rod

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Skyfloaters

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Straub flying Fal Skyfloaters are light and responsive without being unstable, with By Davis Texas ata Zap complete control authority. They launch easily; even in no wind and from land so slowly that flare timing is barely necessary, you can just run 1st = at 2013 e!! or even walk to stop! www.airborne.com.au Craigieburn Leagu The superior control, manoeuvrability and climb ability make it easy Convert your old Fun to a Fun2 with the new Sail to soar above everybody, they have a great glide and a good dive FALCON 4 Retro kit. Everything supplied. See the review at speed to get out of trouble. They are extremely light and can be www.willswing.com www.hgpg.co.nz rigged in 5 minutes or less! They easily last 10 years or more. Fun, Falcon are the most versatile, enjoyable and Perfex skyfloaters use genuine 7075 alloy tube for superior glide and popular hang gliders by far in NZ. performance and strength as well as lightest weight. As well as being The Falcon 4 has improved handling and performance with full mylar the best first glider, their superior performance in sink rate and climb leading edge inserts and optional short pack to approx 2m. The new ability makes them suitable for more advanced flying too. They can enhancements allow pilots to downsize to a lighter, even easier handling circle in half the space a conventional performance glider needs, size than before. 4 sizes including Tandem. so you can get up in tiny thermals or light lift when others are forced to land! Pilots using skyfloaters for cross country regularly score top Falcon, Perfex and Lightfex can shortpack down to approx 6ft (2m). positions in major competitions. Tandem skyfloaters are also available.

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AeroDesign APRON The most comfortable and practical harness for training and dune flying.

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DROGUE CHUTES www.willswing.com/Accessories/drogue.asp Turn your race wing’s glide into a skyfloater’s for small landing areas.

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Hanging Tough

By John Urlich

Persistence pays off in life when things aren’t going according to plan. When one has the mind-set that giving up is not an option, then the human will manages to find a way through the hard times.

Above; Pilot working to get up at the nationals Call it bloody-mindedness or call it hanging tough; it doesn’t matter, what matters is sticking at it. I’d like to relate two occurrences that have made use of this phenomenon during recent flying competitions.

Murchison

T

hings weren’t going too well for me during the 40th Anniversary NZ National Championships 2018 at Murchison. I was so unfamiliar with my instruments that I’d missed early turnpoints in two of the tasks and although flying well was close to trailing the field in points.

Come Task 4, I had at last sorted out my understanding of my instruments and was in a bullish mood. I said, almost boasted, to Max Gebhardt that I was going to make goal today.

I don’t know if he believed me but I certainly believed it.

The task was to take us south of our launch site at Mt Murchison down the Tutaki River Valley to Turnpoint 1 on a hill to the south of Matakitaki Station, then west to the next turnpoint on the hill south of Upper Matakitaki Station. From TP2 it was north up the Matakitaki River to TP3, Spot Height 953 near Murchison and then all the way along the Blue Cliffs Ridge to TP4 and then back to Murchison Airstrip.

I took off smoothly, getting a little above the 4819ft high launch but was soon struggling to stay up on the NW spine which was in the lee of the gentle southerly breeze. In a few short minutes I was plummeting down the spine looking like I would very soon become another one of the 27 pilots who bombed that day. Below me there were pilots on the ground and a couple on landing approach.

A skyfloater however had found a climb a couple

18 A i r b o r n

of hundred feet above a low triangular shaped hillock near the bomb-out field. In desperation I headed for the floater getting there just above it. I hung onto the light thermal which drifted me gently northeast over the bomb-out field and onto the low hills to the northeast of the Rait Road & Highway 6 junction.

The next four hours was flying up and this ridge making many attempts to get back onto Mt Murchison which was into the wind. Every time I got about half way across the valley I would get drilled down and have to scurry back to the safety of the hills on the north side of SH6 to get up again. I tried the crossing from all angles, from as far west as I could get to as far east as the ridge extended.

All the time more and more pilots were bombing out. I was wishing that some of them would cross the valley and give me some company. To make the wait more interesting I even went on a tour up the Owen River Valley to have a closer look at the stunning granite faces of Mt Owen.

I could have gone and landed at the bomb paddock at any time but my words to Max meant that I had to keep trying to get back over Mt Murchison. Finally after four hours I hooked a solid core that took me to nearly 6000ft. It was getting late in the day so it was cross the valley now or not at all. It is a fairly long glide across the valley and my aim was to get to the top above the summit. This did not happen and I ended up a couple of hundred feet below the top looking for a lee side thermal.

A patch of rough air led to a climb to just above the top on the north east side of the mountain. I skirted around the north side and around the NW spine hoping to find lift on the west face. A thermal there took me above the top and I was relieved to be on my way on task at 5pm. No other gliders

Photo; Dennis Thorpe

around now, just my hired Moyes RS4 with the Tutaki Valley ahead.

Soaring south was fairly straight forward but I was getting real low towards the end of the ridge and headed for the Jameson Ridge Spine in the hope of picking up a last ditch thermal. The spine obliged but the lift was light as I contoured it upwards. Eventually the lift coalesced and after a long slow climb to cloudbase at 8300ft at 6pm I was looking down a sparkling set of mountain tarns and across to the Nelson Lakes peaks of Mt Travers, Cupola and Mt Hopeless bathed in the evening light. Lake Rotoroa looked astounding, but enough of that sightseeing, I had a course to complete.

Crossing the valley to turnpoint 1 led to the spine leading up to Baldy. I was above the spine but below the highest point and I had to keep the faith that I would not get flushed off behind spines that faced the quartering headwind. After a few heart-in-the-mouth moments I was on the sunny windward side of Baldy and on the way to TP2. A climb just shy of funky eroded hills near TP2 got me through the area and across the valley onto Spot Height 986.

As I headed north up the Matakitaki, 7pm ticked over. The lift was topping out just above the ridge and it became evident that try as I might I could not progress beyond the unlandable ground on the way to Six Mile.

Landing at 7:25pm I raced to pack up and then started running along the road to somewhere I could get cellphone coverage. After running 30 minutes I saw my car coming down the road.

Thanks guys.

So not goal but a little bit of persistence meant a 7th place for the day which earlier seemed impossible. The 6 hour, 38 minute flight earned a T-shirt as a prize next morning.

Dalby

H

agen and Guy had been singing the praises of Dalby in Queensland for many years.

Derek worked on me at the Omarama Classic 2018 and entered me before I could object.

Matty kindly offered a ride up from Brisbane in their team car so all was arranged.

Dalby is a superb low-key competition organised

by Bruce and Annie Crerar. It is aerotow format.

18 Kiwis were over there either entered in the Open Class, Sports Class or doing the aerotow course that preceded the event.

I’d been flying every task averaging over 3 hours per day and generally placing about 38th on each day. I was loving the smooth thermals, the flying by clouds and the huge landing fields. Typically I would fly about 90 km of the 150 km tasks.

Mostly the field would get quickly ahead of me but I didn’t seem to mind because flying on my own which is what I do in NZ mostly.

Some days start like you have got out of the wrong side of the bed and get worse after that.

This was to be the last competition day. I rigged and then found that the non-stretch rope part of my chest tow bridle must have fallen off in the last flight. I rummaged around my harness bag and found some parachute cord that looked like it would do. I’d also lost my right hand glove.

I was first in the queue to go in the alternate launch and was soon in the air. I was waved off by the tug pilot at the top of the tow and released the tow line. Yow! The springy para-cord had sent the release barrel whacking into my gloveless hand. Usually you get released into a thermal but with the vario not sounding I headed back to the launch area for a reflight only to find that I hadn’t switched on the vario sound!

On the reflight all was going well until I got really high in relation to the tug despite pulling the bar in as far as I could. For the safety of the tug pilot

I opted to release the tow and once again headed back to the launch area. Rounding out a bit high I opted to parachute the glider in, however I came down hard on my upright bending it badly. Being as it wasn’t a lucky day it was the VG side, the upright with all the pulleys in it.

As I walked ignominiously past the pilots waiting to launch, Ollie Chitty the Moyes Rep called out that there were spare uprights in the back of his vehicle. Things were looking up. With the help of my South Australian friend Martin we broke off the metal from the upright to free the pulley system and remove the upright. The new upright was a tight fit so we borrowed some files off Billo and went to work on removing the burrs on the upright. We were one a winning path when we found that the upright corner fitting had been badly cracked as well.

OK, I was not going to have any luck with the Litespeed, so I grabbed my C4 13.5 which had been bought up as a spare and hurriedly rigged that. It looked to be in good shape. I didn’t realise till after the flight that there were two C4 13.5’s with the same outer bag and I had grabbed the wrong one! Anyway it’s pilot was flying in his main glider so it didn’t matter that much. I would have to do some explaining afterwards though!

The whole field had long launched but three free flyers were awaiting a tug pilot to finish his rest break so I joined the back of their queue.

Bruce the tug pilot yelled that I wasn’t there for towing practice and next time I was to get up. Lisa Bradley’s radio crackled that she was at 7,100 feet and heading on course.

Taking off for a third time the tug hit a violent dust-devil at approx. 100 feet. The tug lurched wildy as large bits of rubbish, straw and dust whipped through it. The weak-link broke and I set up for a rough landing. Touching down on the far side of the strip I had a long walk back to

Below; A pilot lifts off the dolly at Dalby

the launch area, thankfully the 4-wheeler driver towed a dolly over and I pushed the glider back on that. Launch attempt four was at 2:30pm and finally I was away.

It was a struggle getting clean lift and I was around 3,500 feet as I drifted over Dalby town.

This time there was no way I was going back to the airfield. After 15 minutes I had a decent climb to around 7,000ft. Trouble was the sky had blued out and this was the last cloud on course-line.

I waited patiently and saw a couple of small cumulus developing about 1km to the right of course line. I went for then and was rewarded with a climb. From then on cumulus would develop ahead of me as if it knew I was coming.

It eventually brought me back onto course-line making it relatively easy to make TP1 which was a 76 km leg.

The trouble with launching at 2:30pm if you are a slow flyer is that it is dark at 6pm in Queensland at that time of year. As evening approached a flight of three Wedgetail eagles in V formation cruised along 200ft below me. Speaking nicely and calmly to them I sneaked away without getting attacked.

Imagine if I had to explain eagle claw damage to the person that I had “borrowed” the glider off.

With the sun nearly below the horizon I took a low save to 6,300ft, pulling out of the lift short of cloudbase to ensure I landed with some light. A long final glide took me to the town of Pittsworth very close to TP2.

I quickly walked to some grass near the fence and had just enough time to find my head-torch and switch it on as it turned dark at 6pm. Thanks to the Spot Tracker my team mates arrived just as the de-rigging was completed.

I was very satisfied to have achieved 91 km on what at times looked like a day that was not going to happen.

Keep hanging tough!

Photo; Geoff Christophers

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Following the never ending thermal...

Wazza in Hawaii (Winter break September 2017)

L

ack of flying over winter was giving me withdrawal symptoms and tempted me to look around for warm places to fly.

Hawaii, was always on the ‘to do’ list, but way at the bottom of the finance bag.

Looking at a world map, the Hawaiian islands are bang in the middle of a lot of water, very far from anything, but looking at the current beach temperatures I just could not resist the temptation.

The consistent flying days were rounding off for the season when I arrived but the warm sandy beaches were like a perfect summer to me.

The steep main ranges are magnificent and run mainly the whole length of the Oahu Island, wet on one side and dry on the other.

The wetter flying side often had a frequent small shower somewhere during the night or day, very typical of a marine climate and great for growing almost anything.

The other side of the range is distinctly a dry terrain with its urban sprawl around Honolulu and Pearl Harbour.

While waiting for the flying weather to come on, (typically north east trade winds) I drove around the island exploring the coastal beaches.

Just like in the movies in traditional American style, Honolulu is a full on over the top, tropical city, with each person having 2 or more dinosaur cars to fill up a 7 lane motorway,

Above; Wazza over the sea at Hawaii

On the take-off platform, braced for launch

Above; Warren Just as his front wires are released Right; Warren soars away

thick with tourists, weddings, infinite beach babes, wild cats, mongoose looking like oversized rats, planes & helicopters buzzing around and locals bivouacking along coastal roads, you don’t even have to wear a helmet for anything.

Did I mention the beach babes... my, it was hard to find a beach beauty, that was ‘not’ in a ‘very’ nice bikini.

The popular beaches are covered with endless waving of selfie sticks from all over the globe, mainly from Asia, getting married or getting sun burnt. Overall the Island is a constant buzz with tourists and military activity coming and going, and the ports appear to be continually busy with imports to keep the lights on and everyone fed.

I met only 4 active local hang glider pilots, which seemed to be the main core, but have lots of experience of flying the ridge throughout the year.

They found it easy to predict ahead when they were going to get a nice flight after work. The pilots were great guys and enjoyed having a visitor join in with the flying.

Road access to take-off was controlled by the pilots, keen to look after their invested effort in the site and developed landing area.

On first arrival to take-off, I was standing about half a meter from the cliff edge, and couldn’t even feel the 15 knot wind that was going dead vertical in front of my nose.

Standing on the edge of the steep cliffs (about 1300”) the warm blowwave effect of your hair streaming straight up was actually quite pleasant.

No doubt about it, from the odd scattered aluminium parts down the cliff, history has proven there’s

Left; Wazza flying ‘hands off’ over bay

20 A i r b o r n

Above; Mike Benson looking over at Warren no second chance of a buggered up launch.

Frigate sea birds were great to watch flying around. They had a distinct sleek body and thin wing, no doubt evolved for flying the seas.

I would often keep an eye on them for hints on what was happening in the air.

Part of the ridge further up is called the ‘Green Wall’ due to its thick green foliage amazingly growing on the steep slopes.

The rugged shapes of the ridges looked prehistoric with thick bush hanging off the cliffs. That’s probably why the Jurassic films used some of the mountain scenes in the neighbouring islands.

Anything above a light breeze requires a nose wire launch person.

At soaring strength the launch technique looks a bit radical, but works very well.

When you’re standing a metre behind the cliff, and still can’t feel the vertical airflow, you know its going to be an exciting lift off.

So the locals showed me the take off technique... you slide the nose of the glider forward along the platform, to the very important launch person who continues to hold the glider down. He’s standing on a lower step with shoulders just above the base bar, waiting for you to give the word.

When he lifts up the wires just a little, you know there’s nothing that’s going to stop you from going into orbit, “You just make sure you’re level.”

I’m awkwardly hunched over the

base bar feeling some of the vertical air teasing the wing tips as the wing rocks slightly... a moment of hesitation... then I give the word…

“Crickey”!!.. take-off happens in an instant like a catapult, then suddenly everything is quiet and smooth as you naturally ease back to trim, feeling the warm air on your face.

Your body is still producing chemicals from the rush, as you take in the splendour of the green ocean world below. Gee.. it’s so good to feel the air moving all around, as you take in the new views. Beautiful colours of sandy shallows and darker blues from the outer edges of the reef.

When we talk about tiger country for landing out inland, well... there’s real ‘tiger sharks’ out there in the drink.

Sometimes low cloud would be

sitting just above the ridge tops but it was still very flyable. The flying was mainly limited to the wind direction being straight enough for a safe take off.

E v e n t h o u g h t h e re ’s g o o d thermalling air all along the ridge, the environment is typically warm and tropical. The occasional wispy was very nice for a cool off, and for

taking rainbow photos with your silhouette in the middle.

Cruising up and down the range is fairly straightforward with plenty of lift. When the marine cloud had a higher base 2-2300ft, it was easier to do further runs north.

Thick bush from the ridges, generally followed right out to the shore line, the beaches are mainly

Right; Circular Rainbow

Right; Approaching paraglider beside tower

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21

Above; Mike Benson flying along the Green Wall

Below; Warren landing next to the Main Road

narrow with palms close to the water with only a few places to put down a glider without getting wet or damaged.

The paras are in good numbers on the local ridge and also tend to tramp up bush slopes, and fly from ridges that lead out to various bays along the coast, typically landing on the open coastal sandy areas of stream outlets.

The ridge is great for speeding along the tops and lower slopes, or for a sea cruise over to a couple of Islands and back. Apart from spotting the odd turtle along coral shallows, dolphins would often be seen putting on a show for the tourists in the marine adventure park below.

The landing strip below take-off borders the busy coast road and the rocky shoreline. Always exciting for the first time, due to little room for error.

The local pilots were great and were very helpful in getting me sorted for flying.

With perfect temperatures day and night, the temptation to explore was strong, but for the locals who have done it all before after buzzing up and down the ridge, there’s nothing like relaxing under the shade of a glider with a cold drink and admiring the ocean views while the sun sets behind the ridge. Very nice indeed.

One year after doing this trip the volcano got really active, Imagine... that would be one mother, of a never ending thermal….

- Warren & Clare Simonsen.

PS; The return flight out was delayed by a week due to upstream plane cancellations. My work colleges didn’t believe me when I told them I couldn’t get a flight back home.

Left; Relaxing after flying

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300km Paragliding World Records fly in to another country. Slovenia alone is very small – too small; ) The previous record was made at that very place – take-off – Sorica by an Italian pilot with 280km.

I can’t say what conditions were at the previous record. At ours, I would say that conditions were good. Beside conditions you have to make the right preparation plan where to fly and how far to fly. And therefore you have to be fast enough, which is even more important.

Well, I have been attempting this flight only twice in my life in the past few years.

Beside my friends who were attempting this for 6 years and approximately 10-15 attempts, to find the right conditions, etc...

We all had this flight back in our minds and were always prepared for it. Most of the time in the past I had no time to go, or I missed the weather, etc.

This time I had no special plans. I was in contact with other friends late in the evening and we were deciding where to go for flying. At around midnight I decided to go to Sorica. I had to wake up at 4:30am, and went on the road. So I had very little sleep.

There was also my girlfriend Veronika who supported me and was my/our ground support in case of bomb out.

The most tricky thing was just to catch the right weather conditions, which sometimes vary a lot from the forecast and as we know, the weather changes a lot in the Alps.

As said, my girlfriend supported me and she took time to go with me. I’m very grateful for that. She waited for 10 hours till my landing; ). There was also our NAC selector Igor Eržen with the Slovenian Aeronautical Organization who supports us in all paragliding activity and helped us with paperwork for this achievement.

The flight was very exceptional. It was my longest flight in length and also in duration. It was also quite exhausting.

I actually did not eat or drink anything for the whole flight, because I was too focused on flying... so it was quite of endurance flight for me.

It was also a bit interesting getting to take-off. You have to walk approximately 45min to 1 hour up a steep hill with all your equipment. And in this case I had quite a lot of things to carry with me. I was quite heavy. But what surprised me, was the big amount of snow still left on the whole way up. I did not expect it to still be there. I had to improvise some things. There was also snow on the best part of take-off, so I actually launched on the snow, making my shoes and socks a bit wet;)

Anyway, I enjoyed flying together with other pilots very much and we were quite close to each other for the whole time. Which means we were quite close in flying level and for which we had to be, to be able to achieve the goal. There were no room for errors and we were very limited with time. I assume if we would be 20min slower, our flight would not be accomplished, since the day and thermal activity was turning down.

Dusan Oroz paragliding achievements: • 5th place at WPRS ranking in January 2018.

• 3rd at Superfinal Mexico in 2012.

• 1st at Slovenian nationals 2016 national champion • 5 th a t FAI Para gliding World Championship 2017 and as national team 2nd place.

• 1st German open 2017 – Tolmin SLO • 1st Slovenian league 2014 • 1st Slovenian league 2015 • 1st Slovenian league 2016 • 1st Slovenian league 2017 • 3rd Alpen Cup 2016

Bojan Gabersek

I have been flying for 19 years. My father started with this sport, so I saw him and became very interested in flying.

We selected the place because of the weather and flying conditions. The weather was perfect, to made a longer record. The previous record place was set in the same place.

I think that it is the best to say, that every flight I made it was somehow preparation, both mentally and physically for this.

The weather was tricky - the wind direction changed right on time. But it was very difficult. I was surprised that flight was so exhausting.

If you ask me what help me to break this record – these are my friends, whom I was flying with, and my discipline. I was to say thank you also to my girlfriend who supported me all the way.

Bojan Gabersek achievements in paragliding: • Ratitovec Open 2017, 2nd place, • Soca Valley 2017 3rd place, • Slovenian paragliding league 2017 3rd place, • top 20 PWC Serbia 2017 and others.

sport is important for life.

The take-off we used for the record is actually our home playground and it is very easy for us to start here. The record attempt we made has a peculiarity Group flying in race classic Race to Goal style which makes the whole flying much faster through all the course. The preparation to break the current record took us almost 6 years and several attempts. Around 20 times for me.

My teammates were the ones who helped me most in preparation.

Especially Primoz Susa and other guys from the Slovenian Paragliding team. The most difficult thing was to find the day which could hold on for a 9-10 hours flying window. Overall it was not so difficult, because it was more a question of good weather than other factors. The way to make it has been more important than the record itself.

There is a bunch of people to whom I need to say thank you. But the far most important supporter for me is my employer Naviter. They support me with knowledge, financially and even with some free time for flying. Training to get the skills with the right equipment is the key to success.

Jost Napret achievements in paragliding • A few flights over 200+ km.

• Especially I´m proud on first Slovenian FAI 200 triangle and first flight from Slovenia to Bosnia.

• Several podium rankings on national competitions and other good results on the top ranked competitions (PWC, FAI 1 comps).

We congratulate the pilots and wait

Contined from page 7 for the official decision. More info later!

Video of the flight https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=Lqab66NS9rA Link to the track: https://www. xcontest.org/world/en/flights/detail: jostn/21.04.2018/06: 59

Neil Howe wins the MacPara spot prize

MacPara NZ sponsored a spot prize for a randomly selected pilot from our end of season XC Championship. For last season the winner was Neil Howe. Neil already had an XC Magazine subscription so Nick, from MacPara, has sent him a copy of “Mastering Paragliding”.

Neil said, “Looks like a lot of interesting tips to read over the winter This was my first entry to the XC contest and my only attempt at a PG XC for the 17/18 year as my foot injury pretty much wiped out the year for flying. So to win a prize was for it was real cool.”

Jost Napret

I have been flying since 2007 (10 years).

I was thinking about flying as long as I remember.

I got inspiration and support my mother, friends and all the people around me.

Even those which are not doing any sport – we can learn from them that

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Executive Repor ts

Selected Accident Summaries from 30 March 2018 to 30 June 2018 T

hese accident summaries are a selection taken from members reports supplied via the NZHGPA reporting system AIRS. More detail on these and other reports can be found at www.nzhgpa.org.nz/safety The information collected by AIRS is used only for safety purposes and is not used to apportion blame or responsibility. Please continue to report accidents and incidents for the benefit of all pilots. An incident is anything where luck is all that saved it from being an accident.

Date

Region

Injury

Flight type

Aircraft

30/3/2018 Marlborough Serious Accident Instruction Paraglider Approach to landing. Student pilot carried out figure eight turns to lose altitude then executed a left turn to final approach as instructed by radio. The pilot impacted ground while turning.

Injuries: Serious. Lower limbs, broken right femur.

14/4/2018 Canterbury Serious Accident Local recreation Speed wing Take off run: Pilot launching in calm conditions. While running full speed stumbled on tussock at the cliff edge and tumbled down a series of drops to the road. Wing never inflated.

Injuries: Serious Head, Lower limbs, chest.

13/4/2018 Canterbury Serious Accident Local recreation Speed wing Landing: On landing at approximately 10kmh, touched down and placed left leg on grass, right leg on rock unsteady and rolled right leg leading to a significant ankle fracture.

Injuries: Serious. Lower limbs.

22/4/2018 Southern Minor Injury accident Local recreation Speed wing Descent manoeuvre: While proximity flying, the glider lines caught in bush resulting in a pendulum and sharp turn into hillside.

Injuries: Moderate; Lower spine. Medical check-up and discharged with pain killers.

14/4/2018 Canterbury Serious Accident Local recreation Speed wing Take off run: Ran and ankle fell in small hole. Tripped and fell down cliff face. Knocked unconscious.

Injuries: Serious: Head, lower spine, chest, abdomen.

Metflight Weather Access for NZHGPA Members

19/4/2018 Waikato Near miss or Minor incident Local recreation Paraglider After landing: After being blown backwards in a gust front the pilot landed but after landing the wing was laid back onto a power pole.

Injuries: Nil. 5/5/2018 Canterbury Serious Accident Instruction Paraglider Take off run: Student pilot reverse launched, turned, corrected the wing at it was to his left slightly, over corrected and was pushed to the right. Stumbled and fell over towards his right which made the wing turn further and dragged him into a rocky area. Stopped about 50ft from launch area.

Injuries: Serious; Upper spine, lower limbs, L7 small fracture, cut on forearm and some abrasions. 3 days in hospital, neck support for 4 weeks.

8/5/2018 Bay of Plenty Minor Injury accident Local recreation Speed wing Approach to landing: Flew through sinking air towards landing zone and glide ratio decreased so didn’t make landing zone. Landed heavily on side of hill.

Injuries: Serious: Lower limbs, broken leg and ankle.

14/6/2018 Auckland Fatality Instruction Hang glider Climbing: Student pilot on training flight using fixed length tow behind vehicle. Glider veered off tow direction and was not corrected or released by pilot. Tow vehicle was stopped and tow release operated but failed to release tow line from vehicle. Glider had continued turning and dived in to ground.

Injuries: Fatal.

This is an ongoing investigation involving the NZHGPA and several government agencies.

NZHGPA Annual General Meeting The AGM is coming up in September and we’d like to remind you to put your ideas and nominations forward please by the due date.

Important dates: 15 July - REMITS AND NOMINATIONS are due in to the Administrator either via paper or email, see our Constitution for details required in your remit. Remits are for changes to the Constitution and/or budget. All other issues are for the Special Executive Meeting.

NOMINATIONS are required for Executive Committee members. Duncan Macnab’s and Blake Round’s positions stand for another year. All other positions have run their 2 years and are up for nomination: Kyla McDonald - current President Derek Divers - current Vice President Mark Hardman, Grant Tatham, Mark Alton - Executive Committee members.

1 August - AGM Agenda and remits will be published to the membership via email.

1 September 2018 - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Venue: Brentwood Hotel (www.brentwoodhotel.co.nz), 16 Kemp St, Kilbirnie, Wellington.

Starting: approx. 9 - 9:30am

Metflight have a comprehensive aviation weather website that many of you have shown an interest in, at http://metflight.metra.co.nz/MetFlight.php We have access to that using the following log in details: Username eg - HP4567 (HP and your PIN, no space in between) Password - HGPGA (everyone uses the same password).

For those of you wanting to attend, there may be accommodations available at the Brentwood still but they do have another conference there at the same time. If you are sure you will be attending I would advise you to book very soon.

So, get your thinking caps on about: - ideas for projects for next year - things that you think should be discussed at the AGM via remit - people that you would like to see on the Executive Committee.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Flying Information for Europe Some time ago the European Hang and Paragliding Gliding Union [EHPU] began an initiative to publicise local flying rules for member countries, These are rules that are not enshrined in the ICAO Rules of the Air, an example being the UK one requiring ridge soaring pilots to overtake other pilots on the side nearest the hill. There is some - but not universal commonality in these local rules among European countries.

If you are planning to fly there, go to www.ehpu.org and click on the flags of the countries you intend to visit. The information may take a bit of finding but for most countries it is there.

Information for pilots visiting the UK can be found through the above route or at www.bhpa. co.uk/pdf/info_for_visiting_pilots.pdf - from BHPA Skywings

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- Nicky Hamill, NZHGPA Administrator

How to Get Vector Magazine

Vector Magazine is the Civil Aviation Authority’s bi-monthly publication of aviation safety related articles and CAA news. Because NZHGPA is a CAA - certificated organisation (Rule 149), its hang glider and paraglider pilot-rated members can apply for a free Vector subscription.

There is a simple form to complete and then send to Vector Subscriptions. The form can be obtained online at: http://www.caa.govt.nz/search/Forms/24149-02.pdf or by writing to: Vector Subscriptions, Civil Aviation Authority, PO Box 31 441, Lower Hutt; or fax: 0-4-569 2024; or email: info@caa.govt.nz. Alternatively, Vector Magazine can be downloaded online from the CAA’s web site: http://www.caa.govt.nz/safety_info/publications.htm

EVENTS Omarama Hang Gliding Classic Cross Country Camp Saturday 2 February to Sunday 10 February 2019

O

n as usual, this summer during the week of Waitangi Day. It should be hot again this summer.

At this time of year Omarama gets the most flying days with least strong winds, turbulence and the most cross country flying opportunities.

It can be hot, maybe windy and sometimes rough (thermals up to 3000 fpm+) but the competition format is stress free. Fly the whole week, just the weekends or only fly the best days.

Flying will be spectacular; expect to get 9 or 10,000ft and an easy 20 to over 100km depending on your skill and luck. You’ll probably beat your Personal Best; height, distance etc, and move up the XC Champs table, or maybe fly to Mt Cook!

The track up Magic Mountain is limited to 4WDs with low ratio gearing for safe descents.

The track was bulldozed again last season so should still be in good order. To help maintain this track we’ll ask everyone for a donation but the competition is free.

THE MISSION; Fly open distance, in any direction from the Omarama area that you choose. Enter any number of flights. Take any days off, only your best 3 flights get scored.

Flights can be entered each evening at the cottage next door to Omarama Hotel or at the camping area entry boards.

Required; Advanced rating with mountain/ XC skills. Pilots with lower skill ratings may fly only if under supervision and if conditions are suitable. Printed site briefings are available.

This is mountain high desert country so essential equipment is; a 2.5m rope for securing gliders during dust devils, radio, cellphone, maps, GPS, water, survival gear

Getting high on the way to Mt Cook (centre distance) Photo: Bill Degen

(days can be over 30°C with frosts at night), basebar wheels, spare uprights, glider fully checked and a repacked chute.

A satellite messenger such as a Spot is recommended for pickups as cell reception is patchy. Buying an extra sim card for the other phone network is a cheap and easy way to maximise coverage.

An Emergency Locator Transmitter may be wise. Airtribune is a free tracker for Android cellphones that can allow your pickup crew to follow you (within cell coverage).

Note; airband radio (118.6 Mhz) is mandatory for flying North of Ohau if you want to head for Mt Cook.

Bring a brave but careful 4WD driver, and a spade is essential for clearing slips off the access road and for some pickups.

Or bring your aerotow or car tow set-up.

All types of accommodation are available; free camping, cabins, caravans, motels and luxury hotels. There’s hot pools in Omarama for after flying too.

For more information, site briefings, maps etc; contact Bill Degen aero@xtra.co.nz or check www.hgpg.co.nz for updates

NZ Competition Organiser’s Responsibilities It is the Comp Organiser’s responsibility to; 1. Obtain a list of current members from the NZHGPA Administrator.

2. Ensure every competition entrant is a current NZHGPA member.

3. Sign up any non-members.

Any competitors found to be non-members will be listed and scored as ‘disqualified’.

Site Notices Mount Maunganui

There is a strict protocol for the visiting pilots to fly the Mount. Pilots must fill a visiting pilot form. Here is the link of the form and all the information about our site Mauao. https://mountparagliding.co.nz/community/flying-at-the-mount - BOP Hang Gliding & Paragliding Club, phone 021 617 111

Site Closures

In Springtime throughout New Zealand, farms are expecting newborn sheep, cattle, horses, deer and other animals.

Your presence on or flying over farmland could frighten or injure pregnant or newborn stock.

Even at places that you usually fly without problems, please check with the farmer if it is OK to fly. This is a difficult time for farmers and they do appreciate your consideration. Not asking has resulted in the loss of many flying sites while asking has earned their friendship.

If in doubt or if any stock are present DO NOT FLY without asking.

Labour Weekend Hang Gliding League John Smith and Max Gebhardt are organising a league to be held over Labour Weekend, 20-23 October, based in Cromwell. They plan to use sites on the Carrick Range near Bannockburn but may use Queenstown or Wanaka sites depending on weather conditions.

In the mornings if the weather is suitable they also plan to run a speed gliding race at Carricktown ridge with the XC race in the afternoon. Permission is being sought to gain permission to use the Carricktown Ridge from the owner for this race.

There will be an entry fee for these events with the proceedings going to the land owners and to the scorer.

These events will only be open to pilots with high performance kingpost gliders and above as the glide to bomb out is not suitable for low performance gliders.

But if you are interested in coming along to the event they are looking for volunteers to help with the speed gliding event to check pilots pass control gates correctly.

Please contact John and Max to register interest in helping out and if you are keen to participate in this event.

Email: johnteddysmith@gmail.com or max.gebhardt@ideal.co.nz

Hang Gliding Worlds Team 2019 The NZ Team selection for 2019 Hang Gliding Worlds in Tolmezzo, Italy will be made after the next HG Nationals by the comp committee.

Please contact Mark Alton or Max Gebhardt if you are interested to be part of the team.

DolomitiSuperFly 2018

L

ast year the first international and made in Italy “Hike and Fly” event was born: the DolomitiSuperFly. It was a successful event, with international pilots and followed from all over the world, thanks to the enthusiasm and the support of the lovers of this sport, which is inspired by the Red Bull X-Alps.

The location of this new adventure is the Dolomites in Italy. In 2009 the UNESCO recognized the Dolomites as Human Heritage for their aesthetic and landscape value. However, the Dolomites are not a simple mountain chain, since they are made and separated by valleys, rivers and other mountains.

“The Dolomites are considered one of the most wonderful mountain landscapes in the world.

Their beauty derives from their breath-taking height. Some of the crests boast more than 1600m and are some of the highest calcareous walls in the worlds.” (UNESCO, World Heritage Committee) The DolomitiSuperFly 2018 has been thought as an important cultural and historical tour. This year is the centenary of the end of the First World War. On one hand the shape of the mountain forced the soldiers to find and create new technical and scientific solutions, which were unknown until 1915, on the other hand the battles themselves changed the form and the landscape of the Dolomites: military paths, cableways, forts, aqueduct but also trenches and holes derived from the explosives. These visible wounds testify the happenings of the last century and attest the Dolomites as a theatre of the war.

Therefore we have decided to trace the route in these places of memory, with a spirit of peace.

The participants must pass the turnpoints on foot, located in some important places for history and flying. The itinerary is 250km long, starts and ends in Levico Terme in Valsugana. Participants must reach the first turnpoint in Canazei, go beyond the Three Peaks of Lavaredo and arrive at Sesto Pusteria to descend towards the Grappa Peak. A technical and difficult itinerary, the participants need to have all the “Hike and Fly” athletes’ characteristics in order to arrive to the finish line. Weather conditions are not always the best, participants must have a correct flight strategy, be able to hike in the mountains and manage their skills. Every participant can compete from 6:00 am to 8:30pm and is free to choose between flying or going on foot on the trail he/she thinks is better.

In winter we have chosen the best 40 teams between all the enrolments. We have selected very experienced pilots from 13 countries all over the world: the USA, Argentina, India, New Zealand, Japan and many European ones. We also boast 4 famous women.

We are proud to have New Zealander pilot Kinga Masztalerz among the participants.

Follow her training plan to get ready for this challenge and support her on social networks!

Further info about the competition are available on our website dolomitisuperfly.com and follow our news on Facebook.

From August 26 you can also follow the Dolomitisuperfly thanks to the Livetracking and cheer your favourite pilot! - The DolomitiSuperFly Team

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N Ne eww ZZeeaallaann dd C rC ro os ss s - -CCoouunntt rr yy

a glli idding ing PP aa rr ag CC hampi h a m p ioonships nships

April 1st - March 31st. Sponsored by Wings & Waves

April 1st 2017 to March 31st 2018. Top scores at 8 July 2018 Total

Pilot, flight date/time

Bruce Vickerman [Bruce.V] 1 18.05.18 15:08 Mathies 30.59 km 45.87 p.

2 02.04.18 13:01 Kaimai 34.18 km 42.73 p.

3 08.05.18 16:58 Mathies 14.94 km 18.68 p.

Pilot, flight date/time

Site

Distance

Points

107.28 p.

Paul Monigatti [paulmonigatti] 1 30.06.18 09:59 Gerhardt ...

6.34 km 7.93 p.

2 07.04.18 17:28 Minor Peak 6.96 km 6.96 p.

3 04.05.18 08:32 Mt Somers 6.69 km 6.69 p.

21.58 p.

Doug Patterson [dougpatterson] 1 14.04.18 12:53 Treble Cone 31.96 km 47.94 p.

2 07.04.18 13:18 Treble Cone 29.50 km 29.50 p.

3 20.06.18 13:05 Treble Cone 9.90 km 9.90 p.

87.34 p.

Samuel Leathwick [Stealthwick] 1 01.04.18 13:18 Kaimai 20.63 km 20.63 p.

20.63 p.

Mark Macdonald [Brick] 1 02.04.18 12:54 Kaimai 44.00 km 55.00 p.

2 01.04.18 13:11 Kaimai 6.28 km 6.28 p.

3 01.04.18 15:08 Kaimai 5.03 km 5.03 p.

66.31 p.

Jeff Ripley [Jeff-Ripley] 1 01.04.18 13:21 Kaimai 50.44 km 63.04 p.

63.04 p.

Rob Gillard [rob_gillard] 1 02.04.18 12:54 Kaimai 45.51 km 56.89 p.

56.89 p.

Ben Levy [BenLevy] 1 01.04.18 13:34 Kaimai 12.57 km 15.71 p.

15.71 p.

Aaron Ford [AaronF] 1 14.04.18 13:30 Pakituhi 25.80 km 38.70 p.

2 22.04.18 11:49 Mt Maude 13.87 km 13.87 p.

52.57 p.

Björn Striebing [bjoern.striebing] 1 01.04.18 13:37 Kaimai 10.66 km 13.33 p.

13.33 p.

52.23 p.

Richard Sidey [rsidey] 1 14.04.18 10:55 # 6.14 km 7.68 p.

2 30.04.18 16:36 Pakituhi 2.38 km 4.76 p.

12.44 p.

Dave Washer [bopflyer67] 1 02.04.18 13:16 Kaimai 34.51 km 43.14 p.

2 01.04.18 14:10 Kaimai 9.09 km 9.09 p.

45.26 p.

Dominique Le Sellin [Frogiwi]♀ 1 01.04.18 14:12 Kaimai 6.74 km 8.43 p.

2 22.04.18 13:41 Karioitahi 3.83 km 3.83 p.

12.26 p.

Leighton Joll [Leighton] 1 02.04.18 11:54 Kaimai 36.21 km 45.26 p.

Peter Jones [jonesie] 1 02.04.18 13:18 Kaimai 31.47 km 39.34 p.

39.34 p.

Adam Forbes [AdamForbes] 1 25.04.18 12:38 Te Mata Peak 5.04 km 6.30 p.

6.30 p.

Ken Beach [ken.beach] 1 25.04.18 12:46 Te Mata Peak 19.35 km 38.70 p.

38.70 p.

Stepan Kubecek [KubecekStepan] 1 26.05.18 15:07 Paekakariki 3.94 km 5.91 p.

5.91 p.

Tim Notman [TNotman] 1 22.04.18 15:12 Mt Brown Hut 15.98 km 15.98 p.

2 07.04.18 17:18 Minor Peak 10.54 km 10.55 p.

3 07.04.18 09:45 Roys Peak 6.13 km 7.66 p.

34.19 p.

Rob Hughes-Games [robhughes-games] 1 16.06.18 14:05 Mt Taylor 5.46 km 5.47 p.

5.47 p.

Andrew Cavaney [AndrewCavaney] 1 13.04.18 14:39 Roy’s Peak 5.41 km 5.41 p.

5.41 p.

Anand Srinivasan [Anand] 1 01.04.18 14:04 Kaimai 22.57 km 28.21 p.

28.21 p.

Nick Webster [nickwhl] 1 05.07.18 14:21 Burma Rd 4.00 km 4.00 p.

4.00 p.

Daniel Francis [DFrancis] 1 01.04.18 14:53 Colins Hi...

12.68 km 25.36 p.

25.36 p.

Kris Ericksen [SKFNZ] 1 30.06.18 16:08 Tora Red ...

1.91 km 1.91 p.

1.91 p.

Site

Distance

Points

Total

Bianca Freytag [biancaf] ♀ 19.36 p.

1 01.04.18 13:38 Kaimai 15.49 km 19.36 p.

Bex Rae [bex1907] ♀ 17.95 p.

1 25.04.18 12:41 Te Mata Peak 14.37 km 17.95 p.

Frazer Monteith [Icemaneli186] 16.92 p.

1 22.04.18 14:53 Mt Brown 12.31 km 12.31 p.

2 23.06.18 10:01 Mt Plenty 4.62 km 4.61 p.

The online web site for scoring and uploading your track logs is now XContest at: www.xcontest.org/newzealand/

THE COUNTRY CODE We are all dependent on good relations with the farmers who own the land we fly from. Here are some guidelines to ensure that you and other pilots will be able to continue to enjoy flying there.

LEAVE GATES as you find them, gates may be closed to keep stock in or open to allow stock to feed. Ensure that all pilots and drivers understand.

ALWAYS CHECK with local pilots before flying at new sites.

USE STILES and gates where ever possible, if you must cross a fence, cross at a post or strainer post.

ALWAYS ask permission to fly unless you are absolutely certain that the owner allows use of the site without asking.

AVOID hay standing or cut unless permission has been given to cross it.

CHECK AGAIN at Springtime as most farms have pregnant and newborn stock that can easily be frightened and injured.

AVOID landing in paddocks containing crops or stock. Carefully move off crops to avoid damage.

DO NOT show displeasure or abuse an owner if permission is refused. This could hamper getting permission in the future.

DO NOT LIGHT FIRES at any time.

ALWAYS GET PERMISSION to take a vehicle onto a property. Ensure that vehicles without gliders are not taken onto the property. Put all gliders on one car rather than have a convoy crossing the property.

If stock is near, drive slowly.

DO NOT TAKE DOGS onto any farm or property.

DO NOT disturb plants or machinery, move around it.

LEAVE NO RUBBISH.

Photo: Ross Gray

26 A i r b o r n

DO NOT SMOKE during fire risk times.

Pitot Tube Option for Paragliders

EVENTS

Photo: Manuele Dondi

G

reat news for paraglider pilots who, until now, could not enjoy the advantages of using a pitot tube airspeed system when flying!

Thanks to the modern and special pressure sensors used by Digifly in the AIR BT PITOT instruments, it is finally possible for paraglider pilots to take advantage of the possibilities provided by using a pitot tube.

The widespread idea that it was not possible, in the past, to use a pitot tube system on a paraglider, comes from the fact that the previous generation sensors did not have the necessary sensitivity at low speeds, therefore it was not possible to use this system on a relatively slow wing like a paraglider.

The new sensors used by Digifly are, on the contrary, extremely sensitive and accurate even at very low speeds (they pick up readings at 5kmh and are accurate to the tenth of a km/h). For this reason, as well as a set of specific “autotuning” algorithms developed by Digifly, the pitot tube does not require any specific or out of the ordinary positioning on the wing, regarding the airflow, hence our pitot tube system is also perfect to use on a paragliding harness.

Having a pitot tube system provides notorious advantages compared to any instrument that does not offer this feature; the one we consider most important is the possibility of working with the Speed-to-Fly, which, for a relatively less efficient wing as a paraglider is of extreme importance! In fact, it allows you to know at any given moment, the exact optimal speed to fly in diverse aerological situations, to fly safely and with the best possible performance!

The following is a complete list of all the features you have when flying with the Digifly AIR BT PITOT: Airspeed (IAS/TAS), Speed to Fly, Speed Difference; This feature shows you the headwind component at any time, without needing to make a 360° turn. It is remarkably useful during landing approach, especially when you are flying low and cannot really afford to throw in an extra 360° to understand what the wind direction is. All you need to do is take a look at your “Speed Difference” reading on your display to immediately know whether you are flying with head or tailwind, therefore, allowing you to correctly set up your landing direction. Pitot Tube Assisted Wind Meter; The pitot tube allows for your wind speed and direction information to be faster and more precise. Vario Function with Total Energy Compensation (TEC); Being able to have the Total Energy Compensation feature, enables you to clearly distinguish whether you are climbing because you are in a real thermal or if you are climbing due to a change in your speed. This means that hearing a thermal beep just when you change your speed is gone; there is no more “false” thermal information. Stall Alarm, McCready and Equivalent McCready Functions, Netto Vario, Polar.

You will find further details in our Digifly AIR BT PITOT Owner’s Manual that you can find and download from our website www.digifly.com

FAI WebShop The FAI have an online shop for all those who want to purchase FAI branded merchandise.

It offers a range of FAI items such as clothing, books, multimedia articles as well as accessories (pin’s, badges, stickers) for delivery straight to your door.

The shop, available in English and French, allows payments to be made in Swiss francs using a secure payment service for credit cards. Go to https://fai.many-ways.ch

Do you have what it takes to compete in Red Bull X-Alps 2019?

There’s only one way to find out.

The world’s toughest adventure race kicks off its ninth edition in just over a year - and the tension is already beginning to mount. With each race comes new routes, new limits and most importantly, new athletes. Have you got the skill and resilience to hike and paraglide over 1,000km across the Alps battling the world’s elite? Well, the application phase for Red Bull X-Alps 2019 is now officially open until August 31, 2018. This could be your time to shine!

“The athlete selection process has always been very strict,” says An athlete flying over the Swiss Alps (c) zooom/Felix Woelk race director Christoph Weber. “The search for the best athletes for Red Bull X-Alps has proven difficult in the past. We have to take into account many factors such as their experience, previous competitive results and their abilities as pilots and mountaineers.

Also important is that they have the physical and mental strength required to participate.”

It’s often said that anything can happen and the last edition was a prime example. In 2017, race rookie Benoit Outters battled his way to an incredible 2nd place finish, close on the heels of reigning 5-time champion Chrigel Maurer. It just goes to show that with strength, skill, and focus on both body and mind, the rankings can change as dramatically and as quickly as the weather.

If you’ve got what it takes to play your part in this incredible story, you can apply to compete in the 2019 edition of Red Bull X-Alps.

The application phase runs from now until August 31, 2018 and is open to men and women alike. Simply head to the website and fill Red Bull X-Alps 2017 preparations in Lermoos, Austria (c) out the form. The official selection of athletes will be announced zooom/Harald Tauderer on October 16, 2018. To find out which route to battle through, we will all have to wait until March 13, 2019. Brace yourself; it’s going to be the adventure of a lifetime, starting June 16, 2019!

We’ll see you out there!

About the RED BULL X-ALPS The Red Bull X-Alps 2019 will start June 16 and will be the ninth edition of the world’s toughest adventure race. Approximately 30 world-class athletes will go head to head in a gruelling journey across the Alps, covering over 1000km of Alpine terrain by foot and paraglider.

Along the way, they’ll stop at a currently undisclosed number of turnpoints in a handful of different countries. With each race comes an entirely new route, bringing even more action than the last.

Before the main event, a one day prologue race will see athletes jostle for position before a tense and excited audience. The top three finishers will earn themselves an additional Night Pass; allowing them to continue onwards through the mandatory rest period.

2017 was full of surprises with incredible performances from rookies and pros alike. With every single day came rocky ascents, dizzying flights and crucial, strategic decisions to be made. If the last edition was anything to go by, Red Bull X-Alps 2019 is set to be the most dramatic face-off of both new and seasoned talent that the world has ever seen. Who will stand strong in the face of adversity and conquer all to become the champion of Red Bull X-Alps 2019? We’ll soon find out!

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HH AA NN GG gglli idding i ng CC hampi h a m p ioonships nships

January 1st to December 31st

T

he placings are much the same for this issue as the Winter months slow down thermal flying but that’s about to change.

Don’t let winter conditions stop you, if you can handle a little cold, there’s still good ridge flying to be had and some areas produce wave better in winter that can make for a good XC flight.

XC site records show there’s been records set in August and October so it doesn’t have to be the height of summer to get a good flight.

In some areas, convergences can keep usable lift alive for much longer and residual moisture can give great clouds to signpost the way.

Spring often turns on some spectacular days as sun heating is slower and though lapse rates are high, sea breezes don’t come in as fast to kill thermal activity.

In some areas, convergences can keep usable lift alive for much longer and residual moisture can give great clouds to signpost the way.

Flights done in winter/spring will get you a head start on the rest.

Airtribune Live tracking For those who want quicker retrieves, get the Airtribune App for your Android smartphone. Airtribune will track your flight and let your retrieve driver look you up on their smartphone to see exactly where you are. It is limited to cell coverage but apparently satellite trackers like Spot work with it too. It’s easy on the phone battery but it still pays to have a backup battery as well.

Note that Airtribune doesn’t calculate FAI Open Distance from the 2 furtherest points of your flight.

You still need a tracklog for that as explained in the entry section.

The Apple IOS version is hasn’t been updated for a few years and currently only works at Airtribune contests. Airtribune was recently sold to a new owner so hopefully an update will come.

ONLINE RESULTS Latest results are posted as they come in at www. hgpg.co.nz and on the NZHGPA website at www. nzhgpa.org.nz/competitions/hg-competitions/hanggliding-cross-country-championships (but check if it’s been recently updated).

Online scoring? Not yet, but if you have a 3D GPS you can enter any of the online contests as well. If you do this, just let me know by emailing me a link to your online entry and I’ll copy the data to the NZ HG XC Champs. It should have all we need to enter your flight.

TO ENTER...

It’s free and simple; fly anywhere in New Zealand before midnight on 31st December, email or post in your flight details (and tracklog if you have one) before 30 days has passed and you’re entered. Enter as many flights as you like. Your shorter flights are automatically replaced by your longer ones. Only your longest four flights are scored.

For each flight entry, please supply; • Your name, email address and contact phone number.

• Flight date, take-off/release place, landing place, and flight distance in kilometres and 10ths.

• Tracklog file from a GPS that can be read by GPSDump, such as an IGC file. Best is a kml file optimised by GPSDump.

• If you don’t have a GPS tracklog, then also supply;

28 A i r b o r n

The 2018 Cross-Country Championships Table so far...

Name Flight 1 Flight 2 Flight 3 Flight 4 Total kms John Smith 163.3 120.5 114.5 62.5 460.7 Bill Degen 86.9 86.0 57.5 50.8 281.2 Derek McKee

112.4

66.9

59.3

238.6

Leslie Graham 52.1 46.3 32.2 30.8 161.3 Pete Halliwell 52.2 42.1 23.6 14.3 132.3 Adriel Kind 57.5 16.9 4.2 78.6 Geoff Christophers 39.7 35.5 75.3 John Collins 27.7 22.7 17.5 67.8 Guy Williams

61.7

61.7

Oliver Derry

51.0

51.0

Rod Stuart 20.2 12.6 7.9 4.2 44.9 John Burton

43.3

43.3

Kevin McManus 20.2 20.2 40.4 John Urlich 12.4 12.1 10.4 3.0 37.9 Marty Smith 23.2 12.6 35.8 Morgan Knoessen

23.2

23.2

Tom Mulder

12.3

19.2

Start and landing witness/s name & contact details.

A GPS instrument has many advantages for XC flying, but for pilots who don’t have GPS, you can still enter the NZ HG XC Champs without one, you’ll just need to provide take-off and landing witnesses.

GPSDump is free, comes in Windows, Mac and other versions and it reads GPS tracklogs from just about any instrument. It works out the best start and finish points for you automatically. It also works out if the flight fits any other FAI criteria such as out and return, triangle etc. It enables you to export it for viewing in Google Earth in 3D. Download GPSDump at; www.gethome.no/stein.sorensen Rules You must be a paid up NZHGPA member during all flights or you don’t score. Entries must be postmarked or emailed within 30 days of the flight or don’t score.

This helps ensure accuracy and prevents pilots holding back flights until the end, so we all to know how everyone’s doing.

Please DON’T phone, txt, or tell me in the pub, all entries must be in writing (email preferred) with all flight details (and GPS tracklog if using remote launch and/or landings), or do not score. Don’t assume that because someone else was there or you were in a competition that your flight has been entered. It is each pilots’ responsibility to declare and enter full details of their own flight entries.

Measure your flights in kilometres and 10ths of km, straight line from take-off to landing. Or for often a few more kms, optimised flight distances with a Remote Start and/or Remote Finish are welcome, if you send in a valid GPS tracklog.

Aerotow launched xc flights are permitted, but your release altitude must be less than 5% of the flight distance (current FAI ruling) or does not score. This prevents super high tows followed by a downwind glide from scoring against pilots thermalling for xc. The flight scores from tow release position (not tow take-off) and verification can be witnessed by the tug pilot, or confirmed with known landmark photo or GPS tracklog.

Out & return, triangle or multiple distances are not

6.9 ** Class 2 (rigid wing), * Skyfloater

eligible at this stage, however if a enough pilots enter them, I’ll table them as well.

Note: If you don’t follow the rules by providing all relevant flight details, (including valid tracklog for remote start or finish flights) within 30 days of the flight, you DO NOT SCORE. GLIDER CLASSES Same as FAI rules. Flex wings including kingpostless gliders are Class 1. Rigid wings such as the Atos are Class 5 and Swifts are Class 2 or Class 5 without the pilot fairing.

There is a special class for pilots flying skyfloater gliders such as such as the Fun, Falcon, Malibu etc.

30% double surface gliders such as Buzz, Gyro, Mars, Target, Ventura, Malibu etc can be flown in this class too. As long as it has exposed crossbars.

Don’t forget to point it out on your entry if you have an exposed crossbar glider or rigid wing. You can enter in as many classes as you like. Skyfloater flights can be entered in a separate class and/or included in your Class 1 score, whichever you prefer.

Classes can be scored separately if multiple entries are received. Meanwhile they will appear in the table above.

Let me know if your flight is a site record too.

SCORING The pilot with the best total of four flights is the NZ Hang Gliding Cross Country Champion for that year and gets first choice of prizes followed by pilots with second and third best totals. The pilot with the longest single flight gets fourth choice, then prizes go from fourth best total onwards.

Flights for each years XC Champs must be flown between 1 January and 31st December and entered within 30 days. This ends one contest while pilots have good weather and starts the next the contest while everyone’s still keen.

SEND YOUR ENTRY TO; aero@xtra.co.nz (Please write “XC Entry” in the header and please keep your entry separate from other emails) or post entries to; NZ Hang Gliding XC Champs, Bill Degen, 99A Panorama Road, Christchurch 8081

N Z H G P A B OO K ROO M The art of Paragliding

by Dennis Pagen. Instruction manual for beginner to intermediates. Large format 374 pages $80 Hang Gliding Training Manual by Dennis Pagen.

Ultimate guide to Beginner to Advanced hang gliding flying skills $80 Performance Flying by Dennis Pagen. Hang gliding for intermediate to advanced flying skills, includes competition, cross country, towing $80 Understanding the Sky by Dennis Pagen. Sport aviation weather and micrometeorology for hang glider, paraglider and microlight pilots. $60 PARAGLIDING, BEGINNER TO CROSS COUNTRY by Sollom Cook. From basic techniques to competition flying $60 A PILOTS TRAINING MANUAL (PG) Includes zone free, 80 minute DVD with 9 chapters including; forward inflation, reverse inflation, manoeuvres, soaring, flying thermals to landing methods.

Only $65!

NZ Hang Gliding Training Handbook Essential Beginner/ Novice instruction information for NZ hang gliding students learning to fly. $15 NZHGPA Hang Gliding Tow Manual All aspects of towing with clear photographs and step by step instruction $15 NZHGPA Aerotow Manual In depth detail of aerotow procedure as authorised by MAANZ and NZHGPA $15 NZHGPA Paragliding Tow Manual This manual outlines requirements and procedures for towing $15

NZHGPA Logbook With rating record $15

NZHGPA MOVIE LIBRARY FLYING OVER EVEREST, DVD, Angelo D’Arrigo and the story of his flight over Mt Everest.

PLAY GRAVITY, DVD, Extreme paragliding, snowboarding, BASE jumping, freeriding and speedflying in the most awesome settings.

EAST WIND, DVD, German pilots fly hybrid recliner bike/ paramotors 1632 kms across eastern Europe; Hanover to the Black Sea. DYNAMIC DECISIONS, DVD, Shows how different DHV paragliders react when flying the most dangerous manoeuvres.

THE RACE, DVD, A race between climber and pilot in the Italian Dolomites. Winner of 4 world film contests.

Paragliding Learn to Fly, DVD Tutorial for PG Performance Flying, DVD by Jocky Sanderson Never Ending Thermal Pura Vida Flying Security in Flight & The Speed to Fly Birdmen of Kilimanjaro The Red Bull X Alps Managing Risk in Aviation CAA Red Bull X-Alps 2005 Check the NZHGPA web site for the latest special offers In order to cover the high cost of importing HG and PG DVDs, cost of hire and postage is $10 for 10 day loans Postage and GST is included in price.

Please send your order with payment to;

Evan Lamberton, 35A Manly Esplanade, Browns Bay, North Shore City 0630 Ph 09 478 0063, 021 407833 ceo@nzhgpa.org.nz

Hang gliding, paragliding schools and instructors that you can contact for qualified flight instruction in New Zealand NORTHLAND HANG GLIDING Skywalk Guntram Gross, Herman Ahrens Phone: 09 436 0268 or 09 432 9333, 021 072 0357 Email: skywalk@igrin.co.nz AUCKLAND HANG GLIDING Aqua Air Adventure Paddy Monro Phone: 09 528 7594, 027 288 0193 Email: aquaair@ihug.co.nz www.gethigh.co.nz PARAGLIDING SkyWings Paragliding Alan Hills Phone: 09 570 5757, 027 498 2345 Email: alan@skywings.co.nz www.skywings.co.nz Wings & Waves Paragliding and Kitesurfing Reuben Muir and Eva Keim Phone: 09 446 0020, 027 472 7013 Email: info@wingsandwaves.co.nz www.wingsandwaves.co.nz WAIKATO PARAGLIDING Wings & Waves Paragliding and Kitesurfing Reuben Muir and Eva Keim Phone: 09 446 0020, 027 472 7013 Email: info@wingsandwaves.co.nz www.wingsandwaves.co.nz OMAHU, THAMES/PAEROA PARAGLIDING Bruce Vickerman Phone: 07 862 4919, 027 498 9941 Email: bruce.v@clear.net.nz HAWKES BAY PARAGLIDING Airplay Paragliding School Barry Sayer, Phone: 027 451 2886 Email: barry@airplay.co.nz www.airplay.co.nz BAY OF PLENTY PARAGLIDING Kiwi-Air Mike & Aniko Phone: 07 929 5807, 021 104 6208 http://kiwi-air.co.nz Mount Paragliding Darrell Packe Phone: 027 249 2702 Email:darrellpacke@gmail.com MANAWATU HANG GLIDING SkyVenture (Manawatu HG & PG Inc. Club School) CFI: Ross Gray Phone: 06 357 8996, 021 126 0892 Email: rosscoe@e3.net.nz WELLINGTON/WAIRARAPA HANG GLIDING Wellington Hang Gliding & Paragliding Club Grant Tatham Phone: 06 379 7322, 027 636 3491 Email: tathams@xtra.co.nz Oceania Paragliding School Chris Connolly, Phone: 022 676 5599 Email; school@oceaniaparagliding. co.nz www.oceaniaparagliding.co.nz

MARLBOROUGH PARAGLIDING High Adventure New Zealand Russell Read Phone: 027 448 0888 Email: russread@ihug.co.nz NELSON/TASMAN HANG GLIDING Nelson Hang Gliding Adventures Glenn Meadows Phone: 03 548 9151, 027 275 1022 Email: gmeadows@clear.net.nz www.flynelson.co.nz Tasman Sky Adventures Trevor Leighton Phone: 027 229 9693 Email: info@skyadventures.co.nz www.skyadventures.co.nz PARAGLIDING Nelson Paragliding Stew and Zanna Karstens Phone: 03 544 1182, 027 446 3930 Email: paragliding@xtra.co.nz www.nelsonparagliding.co.nz CHRISTCHURCH HANG GLIDING Canterbury Hang Gliding School Bill Degen Phone: 03 326 6411, 021 247 2676 Email: aero@xtra.co.nz www.hgpg.co.nz PARAGLIDING Cloudbase Paragliding Grey Hamilton Phone: 027 532 4874 Email: cbparagliding@gmail.com www.cloudbaseparagliding.co.nz ParaPro (Paragliding & Powered Paragliding) Dave Dennis Phone: 03 328 8255, 0508 548 323 Email: info@parapro.co.nz www.parapro.co.nz

WANAKA PARAGLIDING Paraventures Paragliding School Mark Hardman Phone: 0800 FLYSOLO (0800 359 765), 021 809 275 Email: info@paraventures.co.nz QUEENSTOWN PARAGLIDING Infinity Paragliding School Alan Swann & Blake Round Phone: 021 0228 2939 or 027 367 7679 Email: info@infinityparagliding.co.nz www.infinityparagliding.co.nz Extreme Air Hang Gliding & Paragliding School & Tandems Lisa Bradley Phone: 021 156 3256 or +61 45 728 7200 Email: lisa@extremeair.co.nz www.extremeair.co.nz DUNEDIN PARAGLIDING Dunedin Paragliding & Hang Gliding School Lisa Bradley Phone: 021 156 3256 Email: lisa@extremeair.co.nz www.extremeair.co.nz

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Photos: Neil Brown, Ross Gray

NZHGPA

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Learn to Fly

■ Paid up NZHGPA members may run one advertisement per classification for free in each issue ■ Please send your written advertisement to the editor, quoting your NZHGPA PIN number ■ Commercial operators, dealers, and non-members must enclose payment of $0.50c per word with their advertisement ■ All advertisements are deleted for next issue unless repeat request received ■ Buyers are advised that all used hang gliders and paragliders should have a NEW fitness check (WOF) when sold ■ It is dangerous to fly a glider or with equipment that is above your rated ability ■ PARAGLIDERS APCO Lambada, medium (90-110 kgs total loading) 28.1 m2. Red. 80 cells. DHV-2.

CEN/AFNOR Performance Class. APCO’s top-of-the-line, cross-country wing in 2006. manufactured Sept. 2005. Airtime:123 logged hours. originally guaranteed for 250 hours or three years. The cloth is 46gm/m2, zero-porosity ripstop with a silicon coating for extra life. The wing has split A-risers for “easy ears,” is in excellent condition, and has been well cared for. Considering the condition of the wing now, I would consider 300, or more, eventual hours of usable airtime very likely. The wing has been carefully stored, flat and loose, in dry conditions, when not in use. Contact 021 153 3163 or email; helen.lagan@gmail.com

NELSON Home of Mac Para AU NZ – Mac Para combines cutting-edge design with quality manufacturing, to produce top performance paragliders and paramotors with uncompromised safety. Putting a smile on pilots faces since 1991.

Check us out www.macpara.com & FB @macparanz. Order in time for those spring thermals: Nick Taber 021 420 742, nick@macpara.co.nz. Proud supporters of NZ XContest.

MAC Para Eden 6 EN B in Ice Cool Blue for sale. Excellent condition: Under 50 hours, Size 28, weight range 90kg to 112kg. Welcome to test fly in Nelson (Home of Mac Para AU NZ) or can post. Contact Nick at Mac Para AU NZ 021 420 742 or email nick@macpara.co.nz FB @macparanz.

and prop brake, $3000 ono. Phone 027 292 3928 or email trevvvster@gmail.com RESERVE PARACHUTES RANGE of reserve parachutes for hang gliding and paragliding. Bridles, Front containers, Maillons, Swivels, Hook knives etc, in stock at HG & PG Supplies, Phone 021 247 2676 or email aero@xtra.co.nz

BEAMER 3 steerable reserve, 1 year old, like new [unused]. Max load 130kg, 3.8m/sec descent rate @ 100kg, $500, phone (+64) 027 273 8375 pohutukawa. coast@gmail.com INSTRUMENTS NAVITER, Flytec, Digifly, Aircotec flight instruments, audio only mini units and simple vario/altis to full GPS flight computers and even compact flight computers. Large range and new models in stock now. Phone or txt 021 247 2676, email aero@xtra.co.nz ACCESSORIES Helmets, No Limit, Insider, Loop, Breeze (adjustable) and new better fitting PlusMax. Range of colours & sizes, No Limit has visor option, PlusMax has chinguard option, phone 021 247 2676 email aero@xtra.co.nz

PHI Gliders - www.phi-air.com - the revolution continues. Hannes Papesh and Mike Kung create the latest revelations in gliders - Symphonia - high B performance certified EN A. Also, the EN A Sonata and now the Tenor, class B glider with better than its class performance and handling. Exclusively from SkyWings email alan@skywings.co.nz

EMPLOYMENT CORONET Peak Tandems Ltd, Queenstown, are looking for tandem hang gliding and paragliding pilots. Call 021 220 5932 SKYTREK Tandems Ltd, Queenstown, are seeking tandem hang gliding and paragliding pilots to join our growing tourism business. Please call Ian on 027 4301 741 or email ian@skytrek.co.nz

OZONE Paragliders www.flyozone.com - Awesome new models - 25 years bringing you the best wings - email alan@skywings.co.nz

INSTRUCTION HANG Gliding/Skyfloating. Experienced instruction in Christchurch using the latest skyfloater hang gliders and equipment, Phone Bill 021 247 2676, 03 326 6411 a.h., email aero@xtra.co.nz and www.hgpg.co.nz

SPEEDFLYING specialists - and dozens of great XC wings - happy to trade - all kinds of harnesses in stock as well - www.skywings.co.nz or alan@skywings.co.nz MOTOR Paragliding BLACKBIRD Paramotor. NZ designed and made. High performance comfort.

Intro pricing $9350 email: paradynamics@xtra.co.nz www.paradynamics.co.nz Phone 03 325 4540.

PARAMOTORING - exclusive Miniplane and PAP motors - SkyWings for courses and equipment - www.skywings.co.nz or alan@skywings.co.nz

HANG GLIDERS FUN 220 Tandem 12 hours, As new, Excellent condition $2,700.00 Contact Dave Shaw; Mobile 027 575 7776 T2C 144; Fully optioned factory glider with transparent purple window lower surface, UVODLO (Technora) mainsail, speed battens, raked tips, carbon keel stinger with haul back fairing, black uprights, carbon basebar. Low hours. Fully checked. Low airtime. Just arrived in NZ and ready to go for Spring/Summer flying. Contact Bill on 021 247 2676, 03 3266411 or aero@xtra.co.nz for info and photos. Review at www.hgpg.co.nz AEROS Combat L12 09 with tail, (can be flown with or without) 30 or so hours in very good condition, all white undersurface with see through top surface, 2 speedbars, 1 round with wheels and 1 alloy aerofoil, 2 spare uprights, goes like a cut cat!. $4000.00 phone 021 220 8302

AIRBORNE C4 13.5 For sale $1500 ono plus 1 spare downtube. 150 hours. Good condition. New W.O.F, Txt 0204 126 1590 or e-mail alexcrawford291@gmail.com SPORT 2, 175 2011, Grey leading edges with dark blue & grey lower, 15 hours still looks like new, Current WOF, Contact Andrew 0274 340 002 or andrewcares@xtra.co.nz

DESIRE 141, Very good condition for age, spare upright. Suit lighter pilot. Nice handling, quick to rig up, none of those nasty curved tips to hassle with! Will consider trades on single surface gliders. $990.00 ono. Contact Peter on 027 752 9650

U2 160. Dacron sail, Mylar/Hydranet LE/TE, speed battens and raked tips. 2012 great condition, has flown approx 300 hours. email - skyriderag@gmail.com, phone 027 670 8301 SKYFLOATERS; New and used; Fun, Falcon, fully strip checked, test flown and trimmed, trade-ins considered, contact Bill at 03 326-6411 or aero@xtra.co.nz

MOTOR HANG Gliding MOSQUITO harness, good cond, pod type, pull start. folding carbon fibre prop,

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Keep in touch with the NZ hang gliding and paragliding scene, the latest developments, events, new and used equipment...

M a g a z i n e All hang glider and paraglider pilots in NZ are required by law to be members, and receive Airborn magazine as part of their membership but non flyers and overseas pilots are welcome to subscribe.

For Airborn SUBSCRIPTIONS please contact; NZHGPA Administrator, 46 Quail Rise, Stoke, Nelson 7011, New Zealand

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Feb/Mar/Apr May/Jun/Jul Aug/Sep/Oct Nov/Dec/Jan 205 206 207 201 202 203 204 197 198 199 200 193 194 195 196 189 190 191 192 185 186 187 188 - - 183 184 179 180 181 182 175 176 177 178 171 172 173 174

Feb/Mar Apr/May Jun/Jul Aug/Sep Oct/Nov Dec/Jan 2008 issue numbers 165 166 167 168 169 170 2007 issue numbers 159 - 161 162 163 164 2006 issue numbers 153 - 155 156 - 158 2005 issue numbers 147 148 149 150 151 152 2004 issue numbers 141 142 143 144 145 2003 issue numbers 135 - 137 138 139 140 2002 issue numbers 129 130 131 132 133 134 2001 issue numbers 123 124 125 126 127 128 2000 issue numbers 117 118 119 120 121 122 1999 issue numbers - - 113 - - 1998 issue numbers 105 106 107 108 109 110 1997 issue numbers 99 100 101 - 103 104 1996 issue numbers 93 94 95 96 97 98 1995 issue numbers - - - - - 1994 issue numbers 81 82 83 84 85 86 1993 issue numbers - 76 - 78 79 80 1992 issue numbers 69 70 71 72 73 74 A5 Issues below $1.- each (Prior to issue 69 all are the smaller A5 format) 1991 issue numbers 63 64 65 66 67 68 1990 issue numbers - 58 59 60 61 62 1989 issue numbers 51 52 53 - 55 56 1988 issue numbers 45 46 - - 49 50

For Back Issues; send your order with payment to; Airborn Back Issues, 99A Panorama Road, Christchurch 8081, NZ

- Sorry issues marked with this symbol are no longer available

NOVA Paragliders - www.nova.eu - exclusively by SkyWings - www.skywings. co.nz - email alan@skywings.co.nz

FLIGHT PIX

Powerful clouds at the 2018 Hang Gliding nationals at Murchison.

Photo; Dennis Thorpe

Everything you need • Ready to fly – no setup • Extremely responsive & accurate Vario assisted by inertial sensors • Sunlight readable LCD with Touch panel optimised for gloves • Long lasting battery with quick charger • Vector maps for the whole world pre-installed (towns, roads, rivers, lakes etc.)

• Airspace files for most of the world pre-installed and updated • Software fully supports Competition and XC Pilots • Barometric and GPS altimeters • Easy and free software updates • In-flight FAI Triangle Assistant • Customizable data fields • Multiple wing profiles • Thermal Assistant • Wind Assistant • IGC tracklogs • Lightweight • Perfect size • Available in Full or upgradeable Basic versions • And more…

www.naviter.com/oudie-4 http://www.naviter.com/oudie-4/ aero@xtra.co.nz aero@xtra.co.nz

03 326 6411 021 247 2676

PHI www.skywings.co.nz

www.nova.eu

Nova’s full range exlusively from SkyWings

ION 5 - EN B

https://phi-air.com

PHI - New Brand - The revolution continues.

The Dream Team, World Top designer Hannes Papesh and test pilot Mike Kung are shattering everything already with the new Symphonia - the best glider for most pilots.

Research it for yourself - this wing delivers on its promises

PHI SYMPHONIA - EN A New Class Of Glider Super high A. EN A safety with mid to high B performance, and best handling.

PARAMOTORING SPECIALISTS 27 years motoring & teaching. Our level of experience means everything when you learn to motor Miniplane - under 20kgs www.papteam.com NZ’s most popular motor www.miniplane.net

MINI WINGS

HARNESSES

Twice the fun, twice the flying, half the price!

Perfect your groundhandling skills. Huge fun for soaring and strong day thermalling. We are the specialists with 25 years on the smallest wings

We stock all Ozone Miniwings

- Ultralite 4 - Zero - Litespeed - Firefly 3 - Rapido - Fazer 3 Importer of Sup’Air, Nova and Ozone harnesses like the Ozone Ozium - 2.5kgs

PAP Exlusively from SkyWings

Ph: 09 570 5757 Cell: 0274 98 2345 email: alan@skywings.co.nz

www.skywings.co.nz

Visit our webpage for our weekly specials and list of gliders and harnesses in stock.

Don’t see what you want? We’re ordering all the time.