NZHGPA Airborn #196

Issue 196; November, December 2015, January 2016

Paragliding the European Alps Western Australian Hang Gliding World Paragliding Distance Record Why Fly Acro Flying Manilla

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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 careless visiting flyers. 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: rosscoe@inspire.net.nz 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 90 154 Auckland Email: grahamsurrey@gmail.com www.cloudbase.org.nz Pres: Graham Surrey .................021 0262 5023 Sec: Alex Daley............................021 121 0795 Treas, Airsp: Leslie Graham............09 579 6485 HGSO: Michell Jagersma...............06 622 3210 PGSO: Reuben Muir.......................09 446 0020 Cameron Kennedy..........................09 813 3610 Eva Walton-Keim............................09 446 0051 Tony Cowley ..................................09 426 1264 Website; Wayne Rohrs...................09 630 2939 Active Sky HG, Sebastian Katz....021 170 3646 Skywings Paragliding ....................09 570 5757 Aqua Air Adventure Hang Gliding.027 288 0193 Wings & Waves Paragliding ...........09 446 0020

BAY OF PLENTY H.G.P.C. C/-Dominique Le Sellin 41, Ririnui Place, Maungatapu Tauranga 3112 Email: frogiwi@xtra.co.nz www.facebook.com/BOPHangGlidingParagliding Pres: Dave Washer.07 544 2951/ 0275 992 934 Sec: Dominique Le Sellin.07 544 2951 / 021 617 111 PGSO: Wayne Roberts.07 574 4223 / 021 668 852 HGSO: James Low.......................021 102 5004 Airsp: Rhys Akers.........................021 177 7563 Sites: Dave Shaw...........................07 575 9560 Levitate Paragliding........................07 542 0098 Mount Paragliding..07 574 4223, 027 643 6529

HAWKES BAY H.G.P.C. Inc. 30 Kaweka Place Havelock North 4130 Email: hbhgpc@gmail.com www.soarhawkesbay.co.nz Pres, Treas: Rebecca Rae..............021 605 204 Sec, Airsp: Bernie Gunn.................06 874 3837 PGSO: Sam Elkink..........................06 824 3123 HGSO: Ross MacKay.....................06 877 2052 PG Sites; Euan Talbot .....................06 8778999

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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 2127G Cardrona Valley Rd, RD2, Wanaka Email: admin@southernclub.co.nz www.southernclub.co.nz Pres, Mark Hardman......................021 809 275 Airsp: Keri Mapperson....................021 530 950 Sec: Jim Rooney....................... 020 4010 1926 PGSO: Blake Round.....................027 367 7679 HGSO: Ian Clark.............................03 442 3992 Treasurer: Craig Smith..................0273 433 537 Coronet Peak Tandem PG & HG..0800 467 325 Elevation Paragliding....................0800 359 444 Extreme Air............................ 0800 PARAGLIDE Flight Park......................................03 442 1586 Infinity Paragliding School..........021 0228 2939 Lucky Montanas PG (Wanaka).......03 443 1680 Paraventures.............................0800 FLYSOLO Skytrek Hang Gliding & Paragliding.0800 759 873

Photo; Pedro Pimentel

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/- Julie Bousquet 122 Wellington Street, Picton Email: j_bousquet@yahoo.com Pres, Airsp: Vern Sanders...............03 570 5322 Sec: Julie Bousquet.....................027 340 0718 Treas: Derek Wong Nam.................03 577 8857 HGSO: John Urlich: .......................03 577 8886 PGSO: Russell Read....................027 448 0888

CANTERBURY H.G.P.C. Inc. C/- Jennifer Corbett 17 Admirals Way, New Brighton Christchurch 8061 www.chgpc.org.nz Email: jenster66@hotmail.com Pres: Danial Campbell....................03 980 6335 Sec/Treas; Jennifer Corbett............03 382 4404 PGSO; Robert Kennedy.................03 329 3339 HGSO; Eddie Pearson..................021 280 0599 Sites PG; Patrick McGregor...........03 328 8333 Sites HG; Derek McKee...............021 251 2300 Airsp; Peter Taylor..........................03 338 6287 Website; Stephen O’Shaughnessy.03 326 7373 Samuel Bartholomew.....................021 819 755 Canty HG School; Bill Degen.......021 247 2676 Nimbus Paragliding......................027 432 4874 ParaPro.........................................0800 548 323 Sam Bartholomew enjoying some acro at Wanaka

WAIKATO H.G.P.C. Inc. C/- Ewen Tonar 23A Brookview Court Hamilton Email: etonar@infogen.net.nz Pres, Airsp: Neil Howe....................07 304 9631 Sec/Treas: Ewen Tonar...................07 855 3969 HGSO: Paul Brydon.......................07 825 9161 PGSO: Bruce Vickerman ...............07 868 4991

WELLINGTON H.G.P.C. PO Box 9824 Marion Square Wellington 6141 www.whgpc.homestead.com Email: info@whgpc.org.nz Pres: Kris Ericksen.......................021 116 4558 Sec: Grant Firth............................. 021 422 698 PGSO: Ian Bowie .........................027 535 4567 HGSO: Grant Tatham...................027 636 3491 Airsp: Ian Miller ............................022 176 8205 Newsletter Editor: Kris Ericksen.....04 938 6539 Oceania Paragliding School.........022 676 5599

TASMAN H.G.P.C. C/- Olly Barrett 1/160 Collingwood Street Nelson 7010 Email: thgpgclub@gmail.com Pres; Peter Allison .........................03 546 5242 Sec; Olly Barrett ..........................027 382 8648 Treas; Brian Erasmus .....................03 545 1003 PGSO;Greg Benjamin.....................03 545 1543 HGSO; Mark Patton.......................03 548 7944 Site Owners; Tim Percival .............03 548 7397 Site Maintenance; Frog Twissell ....03 538 0339 Airsp; Ian Woods..........................027 245 1851 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

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N.Z.H.G.P.A. INC., 23 Covent Drive, Stoke, Nelson 7011, New Zealand www.nzhgpa.org.nz PRESIDENT

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Nicky Hamill, 23 Covent Drive, Stoke, Nelson 7011, 03 547 4845, admin@nzhgpa.org.nz HANG GLIDING OPERATIONS MANAGER

Glenn Meadows, 8 Brook Tce, Nelson. 03 548 9151, 027 275 1022, gmeadows@clear.net.nz HANG GLIDING TRAINING MANAGER

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Alan Swann, Rapid 115, Arthurs Point Road, Queenstown 9371. 021 0228 2939. info@infinityparagliding.co.nz AIRSPACE OFFICER

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

Paul Brydon, 1431 Main Te Pahu Rd, RD5, Hamilton. 07 825 9161, 021 253 5264, paulbrydon@gmail.com DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE CONVENOR

Dean Straker, 35 Seymour Avenue, The Brook, Nelson 7010, 03 545 7511, 021 545 7511, dean@verticallimits.co.nz INTERNAL AUDITOR

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IN THIS ISSUE...

European Alps Holiday.................................................................4

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Foreign Correspondent in Western Australia............................8

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Hang Gliding Instructors Seminar............................................14

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World Paragliding XC Record....................................................15 Guide to Manilla..........................................................................20

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Safety Checks.............................................................................22 Events .........................................................................................24 Cross Country Champs Scoreboards.................................26, 28 Classified Advertisements.........................................................30 Flight Pix......................................................................................31 FRONT COVER: Wolfgang Siess flying a new ‘window’ Sport 2 at Torrey Pines Photo; Wolfgang Siess

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Xtreme European Alps Ho E ver wondered how holidays happen?

We know they are important, mainly for our mental well being, they are so important that we have laws in New Zealand to ensure we take them and if employed by someone else they even pay us to take them, how good is that!

I reckon there’s a few things you need for a holiday; time, funds and inspiration or an idea of where and what you want to do with that ‘relaxation’ time.

So it was with Pauline and I this NZ winter, we finally made the time, had the funds and the inspiration and idea of travelling to Europe to paraglide. This idea was sewn over a few years with stories told, reading articles and of course, YouTube.

There are a small handful of pilots that I know in New Zealand who have taken their opportunity to fly in Europe and my ears always pricked up when I heard the subject spoken.

I returned to these sources (Evan Lamberton, Jeff Ripley and John

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Above; Who’s having fun? Chamonix, France Below; Robbo and Pauline at Chamonix, France with Mont Blanc in the distance Walton, thanks guys) and asked more in-depth questions about flying sites in Europe and the ‘unknowns’ like site etiquette and safety, hoping to ease my anxiety about what I was heading into. It was worth the effort and with a book under my arm when I left Evans’ place called “Best Flying Sites of The Alps” by Oliver Guenay (it’s on the web) a plan started to come together.

As paraglider or hang glider pilots we are lucky to have chosen a sport

and gained the skills which allow us to see the world in a very special way, from the sky, people spend heaps with tandem flights etc to share our world for a very short part of theirs.

I’m lucky to have a paraglider pilot as a partner, Pauline has flown in the past but with a busy professional life as a C130 Hercules Loadmaster in the RNZAF she has had to work many weekends in her career, consequently her paragliding skills and confidence dropped off, so over time she has moved away from

flying paragliders but still holds onto her wing hoping to return one day.

Pauline fully understood my desire to fly in Europe and this made taking ‘both’ solo, Ozone Delta 2, and my trusty old but reliable Nova X-Large Tandem a no brainer allowing her to experience the European Alps in that special way.

So with time off work, flights and rental car booked, funds available we left this years NZ winter to arrive in Paris and hot conditions. We picked up our new rental Citroen C3 which was big enough for our two sets of

liday!!!

By Robbo Robinson

Above; Italian Dolomites, heading North down the range gear and a small overnight bag each.

John Walton advised us to start off at Lake Annecy in the south east of France. This is the beginning of the alpine regions we were going to visit.

I must admit our timing was a little bit out; in August, school holidays are still in full swing and rounding the shores of Lake Annecy reminded me of the roadside spectators at the Tour de France cycling classic.

We were warned about the holiday period but didn’t expect the huge number of people. They say the population of Germany is 85 million, half of these take holidays at the same time, and that’s only part of the European population.

We took up a routine when arriving at destinations of interest of going to the local tourist information bureau asking about paragliding sites and finding accommodation; this worked well for the whole trip. We planned for the NZ equivalent of ‘bed and breakfast’ type accommodation but soon realized it was taking a bit of time to locate and find places which had rooms available so after a few days we purchased a small tent, sleeping bags and an inflatable mattress as a ‘back-up’. These were inexpensive and worth-while as we used them on a few occasions at camping grounds which are everywhere.

Returning to the landing field we met up with what was our first introduction to a very big industry.

Lake Annecy has a large student and tandem based pilot community (over 100 commercial tandem pilots) and the skies were full of paragliders and hang gliders. A new experience for us was having cafes and specific

paragliding shops at the landing paddock and it wasn’t long before I struck up a conversation about site etiquette with a shop assistant and found out where to pick up a shuttle to the top of the hill. So with this information Pauline and I decided on a tandem as our first flight in Europe.

Having reached the take off, the more I viewed the more I realized that we in New Zealand are fortunate in many ways not to be overly populated with pilots, everything was orderly and controlled by a safety officer but as we sat and watched how things happened in this part of the world with heaps of the public steered into viewing areas for their own safety, orderly polite (kind of) take-offs, it was an eye opener and it seemed to work.

For some reason just after I completed my pre-flight line checks at the rear of the take-off, a gap at the artificial turf appeared and with only three other pilots ready to go (instead of 20) we took our place and took off.

With 33 degrees C heat our flight in shorts and tee shirt was a breath of fresh air considering how wrapped up in warm clothing I had been flying in New Zealand only a week earlier. It was a stable day and not much height was gained but it was pleasant and the lake view impressive, I was able to keep out of way of other pilots and we enjoyed our flight. Unfortunately the next day we woke to overcast scattered rain and this was to remain for at least four days so after doing some touristy stuff we headed to St Gervios deeper into the French Alps.

This site was a good progression into my confidence gaining

experience as we headed into the larger mountain ranges. I was able to complete two really nice flights over what was going to be familiar views of alpine rock, forestry and grass fields, mixed in with this scenery was scattered ‘Alpine’ homes and villages.

Pauline and I didn’t have an itinerary, we remained flexible of where we might be the next day, we

gondola so I treaded carefully and asked the appropriate questions about where this Kiwi pilot could fly and land. Just as well, as to my disappointment the Northern face with the glaciers was off limits to paragliders during certain holiday periods due to high usage by scenic and rescue helicopter operators, this remained closed until the beginning of September.

Above; Every take-off in NZ should have one of these had a compass direction but nothing in concrete, this allowed us to ask questions of the local pilots of where to go next which in the end was a great decision.

Onto Chamonix, only 25kms down the road. This was my idea of what European alpine flying was all about, very big steep snow covered mountains, huge glaciers above the highway on the northern face, it had it all. Tandems are big business here, they have their own landing paddock at the base of the

This was my first use of a gondola to a take-off site since I had flown from Queenstown many moons ago and what a treat; talk about easy. They go so high in altitude that my poor sea level lungs struggled to walk the 200 meters from the Gondola to the one of two take-offs.

Pauline and I decided that as a precaution I would fly solo at any future sites first to ensure I knew the dangers of the area before flying with her. This was the first take-off I had ever flown where you had to be

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Right; Dolomites, Northern Italy 9400ft.

careful not to gain too much height after your feet left the ground as you could find yourself entangled in the second higher gondola cable above you.

For someone whose local mountain is Moirs you have to seek advice at these high altitude sites and listen to the local pilots. Tandem operators (once they heard you were from New Zealand and not UK) were very helpful and their words made me choose not to fly during certain times of the day. High valley winds and watching the cloud development was the main concern for me but in saying that, flying in the mountains can be achieved by pilots of any experience level, it’s the time of the day which dictates when you fly.

The photos here reflect more than what I can write about the flying experience in Chamonix, with both solo and tandem flights achieved it was spectacular.

As a tourist excursion we took the gondola to the highest point on the Northern side of the Chamonix

Valley to Mont Blanc and I must put this in writing.

I take my hat off to Nick Neynens, I don’t know if you viewed his YouTube clip when he flew over Mont Blanc but after seeing for myself from the safety of a viewing platform what he achieved, that guy is one special pilot, the snow covered peaks, the lack of oxygen etc, man that guy has guts and we as a paragliding

community should be really proud of his achievements during the Red Bull X-Alps; amazing!

At this point we found out our Auckland president Graham Surrey was in Verbier in Switzerland flying, so we headed over his way, unfortunately his time there was affected by bad weather so he had hired a car with a couple of other pilots and headed to Lake Annecy

and was gone by the time we arrived (ships in the night).

This is a really pretty area with its main township half way up the mountain which resembles Queenstown without a lake. Luckily I took the opportunity to fly that afternoon as soon as we arrived, the flight left a smile on my face, and it was one of many great flying experiences. With an unstable day and 8500ft cloudbase, I flew for 2 hours down the rocky ranges. But once again next day it rained so we moved East into Italy and headed for the beautiful lake-side retreat of Laveno.

A large bush covered mountain right on the edge of the lake awaited and after locating the landing area and the shuttle to the top, Pauline and I had a few flights with smooth air and amazing views. This was a very different laid back Italian experience which after the high altitude and sometimes bumpy flying of Chamonix was well received. The friendly local pilots insisted our next destination site had to be the Italian Dolomites. This was on our agenda anyway so we packed up and after a 6 hour drive ricocheting off Milan City northward we saw a view which made our jaws drop!

The Dolomites are indescribable, photos don’t do them justice, I had viewed them on YouTube but the sight of these massive sharp jagged pieces of rock reaching for the skies did, I admit, put the willies up me.

There’s a series of small villages along the valley floor and we decided to camp near the gondola, we spent that evening watching paragliders getting the last of the days warmth

Left top; Verbier, Switzerland Left; Windsock vertical, me looking nervous!!! Lake Laveno, Italy.

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Right; Italian Dolomites, enjoying the view

flying until 8:30pm landing in the shadows of the now set sun.

The next few days would have to be the most memorable of the whole trip for us both, (in fact my flying career) I must admit I suffered a bit from anxiety watching these little paraglider dots way above the 9600ft peaks and realizing I had the opportunity to join them if I was brave enough! As the photos reflect I used the skills and experience learnt in NZ and it turned out I was brave enough to join these pilots and viewing the peaks from above was my dream flights come true. It was a bucket list flight experience and with many peaks further down the range with their own dangerous looking cathedrals of rock I explored with eyes wide open and fully alert as these peaks do desire respect. I had to keep alert for other pilots which may have been ‘hiding’ around the rocky spines.

This approach was drilled into me by the ‘locals’ as the Dolomites is so highly populated with pilots in the holiday period that its not unusual to have an in-flight collision once a week there, usually in front of takeoff with disastrous results. With sometimes 500 pilots vying for the same airspace I can see how this could happen. I chose to use the lesser used northern take-off site which is much like taking off from Treble Cone with its steep slippery grass but I was free from the crowds with only about 80 pilots flying per day. I walked away from that place on Cloud Nine and promised to return.

Little did I know that this would be my last opportunity to actually fly!

With only 7 days remaining of our 27 we headed north to Innsbruck.

We arrived in hot 34 degrees C to a site south west of the main city, I approached the local tandem operator and he informed me of the news a western cold front with

high winds was on its way and would affect the flying for a while. I headed up on one of the two gondolas to try my luck, joining some other local pilots, but on arrival the wind was from the side and a tandem pilot had just walked off the take-off with his passenger shaking his head and said it was not safe. It was only a slight breeze but after 10 minutes it was up to 60+kms and it was a good decision not to fly (listen to the locals). I returned to the gondola and went to the ticket office to pay my return trip down but I was flagged through with no cost, this is to encourage pilots not to make wrong unsafe decisions to fly just because of the 9 euro cost; great idea! We tried to fly early the next morning but even on a cloudless day at 8am the wind from the westerly incoming front was too strong.

By the time we reached the German Bavarian site of Tegelberg near Fussen it was drizzly rain and low cloud. This site is famous for its unique Castle which on a good day you can fly over. We introduced ourselves to the local club school and were informed it would be a few days before conditions improved.

Point to mention, this was the first

site were I needed to show my international flying license and proof of insurance before they would issue you a certificate to fly there.

I reflected on our previous 25 days, I wasn’t too disappointed about not being able to fly because of the weather, we all understand weather is the main reason why we can or cannot fly. It’s about luck and odds, the more days you are in Europe the more chances you have to fly, easy really!

Pauline and I experienced the best summer Europe has had in several years and for that we were lucky, we travelled 3700kms in a large loop from Paris, West to East then North through the Alps, returning to Paris with some good flying time under my belt both solo and tandem.

There is no way you can experience all the flying available, there is just so many sites; 500 in Italy alone. If (no, when) I was to do it again but had less time I think I would most definitely base myself at the Italian Dolomites, beautiful in its nature, extreme in its flying and many challenges to be experienced. If the weather turns sour in the south you only have a two hour drive to Innsbruck, which even though I didn’t get to fly there

was amazing with its large alpine valley system and glacier at the end.

I put a few words and photos on the Auckland’s Club ‘Cloudbase’ Google + web site and someone commented, “Living the dream”.

After reflection I think he hit it on the nail.

I started writing this article not to be informative of the sites and flying as this is available on the web and by talking to others, certainly not to brag either but I have finally realized that all I needed was time, funds and inspiration to achieve this life changing holiday. I can’t find the time or funds for you but I hope I have helped with the last part!

Last words: Make the time, find the funds, live the experience!

Helpful tips: - Ask your accommodation provider for discount vouchers for cable cars.

- Check out Citroen Euro Car for rental, new car unlimited mileage full insurance with no excess, catch, minimal rental time 21 days, pick up in France.

- Switzerland does not use Euros.

- Cars don’t stop for you on pedestrian crossings even if you put you foot out on the road.

- Carry biscuits or sweets in your gear to take-off, they make a great ice breaker and conversation starter no matter what language.

- Your cars’ GPS is your best friend and a must have.

- Mercedes Benz have a pressure bow wave when they overtake you on the Autobahn even though you’re doing 130kms/hr.

- I think there is a military style curfew for residents between 12:00 and 14:00, couldn’t find anyone anywhere on the streets.

Left; An evening flight (Dolomites)

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The Wazza Report...

W

e had been driving round the Northern parts of Oz from Burketown up to Darwin.

The eagerness to fly in the remote parts of Oz was melting thin after driving over many rough tracks to get access to launchable looking cliffs.

Even the gum trees grew in perfectly spaced positions to be annoying for landing and often there was just no suitable road tracks going in the direction you wanted.

Oz looked a manageable size on the map, but after weeks of driving in the hot sun and seeing the same red dirt pass by for hours, the fun of driving to remote locations just seemed too far to keep you inspired along the way.

The pilots I met who flew to Burketown in their motor gliders had the best ships to explore the continent. The ease to fly far distances to great locations over sea or land is certainly the way to go, with the bonus of picking up some excellent thermals between destinations.

There were plenty of backpackers and 4WD travellers who enjoyed seeking remote landscape, but when the car outside temp hit 45 degrees C and I couldn’t hold the hot steering wheel (way hotter than Forbes in summer), the novelty started to wear a bit thin. I did find places to fly from but sometimes the heat was just too exhausting to rig... it was time to move south.

Geraldton We eventually hit the wheat

The West Side

Above; Warren soaring in front of the turbines at Sandpatch belt area, where the reality of deforestation was strangely appreciated when it came to launch access and roadside landings. I suppose I took it for granted over my years of flying, that I could see long distances while driving among green farmland.

The local pilots of Geraldton were a great bunch of guys and had sites close to town that took coastal winds, great for flying towards town

Above; Inland Towing over salt pans near Albany Left; Shelly Beach ramp & camp

or thermalling over the back to the inland sites. The chance to do some flying was welcomed as I was getting grumpy from the lack of airtime.

Looking out from one of the inland sites, it was interesting to see remote mechanised farming becoming potentially beneficial for flying as many fence-lines were being removed from larger fields for GPS guided harvesters.

It was really good to fly some nice XC flights from Geraldton and on one occasion after a windy landing, my enthusiasm was blown away after discovering the farm house that I landed next to was deserted. The dry arid isolation of being in the

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of Oz Warren & Clare Simonsen travelling around Australia following the never ending thermal

Above; Shelly Beach; taking in the view Right; Shelly Beach coast line aerotow

middle of nowhere with the sound of flapping corrugated roof iron strangely recalled scenes out of Mad Max. I took shelter to de-rig in a tractor shed while tumble weeds and dust continued to blow everywhere.

Clare picked me up and soon after we started to head further south following the coastline.

Perth I caught up with a great pilot (Sid) that I met at Burketown who also flew hang gliders, sailplanes, trikes, and even built his own biplane which was highly manoeuvrable in the air.

We had a great time flying in the biplane and sailplane. I got towed up by his Dragonfly from a farm west of Perth, which was also a popular area for sail planes near Cunderdin. I did some nice out & return flying over the flatlands to their hill site at York.

Unlike NZ, once you leave a mountain or small range of hills your point of origin over flatlands becomes similar to everything else.

Ground navigation took a bit to get used to as most of the landscape had similar coloured terrain, and any farm and road description could be the same as another. The GPS definitely has been one of the best things for flying.

Albany (Shelley Beach site) About 30 minutes out of the town of Albany and looked after by the National Parks.

A favourite spot for pilots to meet and party on the beach with as much flying in between as you want. A popular coastal site that attracts hang glider and paraglider pilots from all over to have fun and flying on the beach. Shelley Beach has a

great history of beach parties and flying above your camp.

At about 250ft high it’s ideal for any pilot to get some airtime in without the hassle of getting back to launch.

It has a nice wooden ramp and a few different beaches to fly to, or just land on the beach right in front of your tent. So the norm is… wake up, and choose to swim, fly, snorkel, fish and repeat in any order, a great place for a camp and fly weekend. It’s extremely scenic with lots of coastal places to explore and nearby bush camp sites.

We spent the whole Xmas holiday time here and it got busy with many tourists exploring the beaches and 4WD tracks. From the Ramp you can see the sister site ‘Sand Patch’ across the bay with wind generators indicating whether it’s on or not, before committing to a 45 minute drive around the bay.

Sand Patch (Albany local site) Not a sand ridge as such but the rounded waist high thick scrub along the whole ridge made it perfect for anything that could fly and top land.

A great coastal ridge with space and distance to make any flight well worthwhile with easy top landing for both hang gliders and paragliders.

The narrow beach was not used for landing due to tidal and foot access only, besides the real fun was flying out & returns with an easy top landing beside the car park.

The huge blades of the wind generators sounded like fast whistling sailplanes racing by and looked rather concerning at first but when you get into the air, the turbines were just in an area that you wouldn’t naturally go near (unless top landing). Besides the turbines seemed to be mounted in an area of horizontal airflow well behind the general soaring area.

Above; Shelly Beach; land next to camp Below; Getting the airtime at Shelly Beach

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Right; Sandpatch; Flying out to Cape Howe Below right; Rigged & ready at Sandpatch The ridge run gave you 19 km of cruise or race flying with a few sea thermals thrown in at the high points, with great views over the back looking across the bay to Albany. It was fun flying to the top end of the Cape where we watched the tourists below climbing over the coastal cliffs and rocks before racing back to take-off. Sea thermals along the way marked with occasional puffs of cloud, then a blast in front of the wind beaters for a few km before heading back to top land for a social chat with the pilots.

As well as Albany being close by, not many sites of this size had all these flying features. You can also see Sand Patch across the bay from the ‘Shelley’s site and the wind turbines were great for showing speed & wind direction from many locations around the area to monitor the day for flying.

Cosy Corner (Albany, aerotow field) Had a great opportunity to get aerotowed by Simon, a good hang glider pilot and great supporter, for the locals.

I joined a local tow meet at ‘Cosy Corner’, near Shelley’s beach, and got towed up by Simon for a picturesque fly over the coast before making a small XC inland.

The whole area had nice scenic views over the coastal beaches and farm pastures. We also did some inland towing for the weekend, just north of the Stirling Ranges.

Simon (host with the most) showed up with his impressive rig containing all the toys.

The go-anywhere rig with caravan on the deck, glider on top and trike trailer behind, including quad bike.

A sight to definitely make any pilot

envious for travelling anywhere for any length of time with all the flying gear and comforts of home.

Esperance (coastal town) Located at bottom part of Western Oz. A beautiful location to fly with some decent space to have some fun. The 3km ridge mainly is covered in knee high scrub and you can

almost take off anywhere beside the sealed road.

At about 200ft above the beach it was easy to get excess of 600ft on an average day. The main road followed the ridge closely, which made pacing cars with your shadow up to the lookout rather fun.

Top landing is possible in many

places or go for a crowd pleasing landing on the beautiful white quartz beach at the end of the ridge. Then of course, have a swim (no problem getting a driver for this site!)

The retired local hang glider pilot who showed me the site, explained the pilots that used to fly here were no longer around or are flying

Left; Pacing cars at Esperance

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Above; Shelly Beach; A renegade elf arrives Left; Nice swimming beaches at Esperance

Left; Simons Truck ‘the host with the most’ the distance is limited due to town airspace not being far away.

This is where I got my first ‘Drone Scare’. When I first arrived at Tunk, while rigging my glider I saw a group of guys really getting serious about their armchair flying with sophisticated gear being set up like ‘mission control’ in the back of their cars.

I thought it was pretty cool to control a peeping tom flying model sailplanes. It seems despite its’ beauty and clear water beaches, without the activity of going inland for XC flying, and comps, I guess the pilots eventually got bored.

For me this was one of the nicest beaches to fly and a pleasant spot to relax before touring across the Nullabor.

Adelaide (Tunk, local site) A very pleasant coastal site for flying sea-side grass hills and cliffs, easy to fly a few kilometers either

kilometers out to sea with video etc, until one came close to me at level flight along the ridge.

Obviously the operator kilometers away had no idea I was gliding naturally down on an intercept towards the model. Some of these models are chunky, and it reminded me of seeing the result of a side wire snapping in flight after being hit by a model sailplane and the pilot did not survive.

I met another remote operator on another flying site, and the real time video was impressive, however, in the back of my mind I could hear a faint disturbing voice, chanting in a mechanical monotone voice “We are the drones, avoidance is futile”.

After exploring the southern part of Oz, we had driven through the autumn season and arrived at Corryong. Always a favourite site to fly. After we experienced the first morning with ice on the inside of the tent, it was time to head up towards Newcastle to get the glider and ourselves into warmer air.

side of take-off. It has a big landing area for pilot first flights and often used for club camp meets.

There’s lots of rounded hills to top land on, along the coastline. Popular for both paras and hangies.

The sea thermals are surprisingly regular and gain even more momentum when they start rising over the soaring hills picking up the resident heat in the bush gullies. This made it even more fun when you can go XC over the back, although

Above; Tunk_Paul Kelley above launch Left; Space for all pilots at Tunk Below; Tunk Launch

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Why Fly, Why Fly Acro H ave you ever read Jonathan Livingstone Seagull? As a good friend of mine put it, he is the original acro pilot. To be honest he was the original adventurer in search of life and what it means to be and find out what is possible.

By Sam Bartholomew with thanks to Dan Wilson Photos by Pedro Pimentel

You may say: why fly acro? Or in my case, try to learn acro. I would say to you: Why learn to paraglide? Why go XC, why vol biv?

I have read that you become an acro pilot the day you start to try wingovers. So that’s probably most of you reading this article.

We are all flying at the end of the day. Let’s remember we experience the world from a perspective most never get the chance to. The moment you feel weightless and your feet leave the ground below you is exhilarating every time, it’s a feeling of entering a secret world we share with only a few.

When we land there is that moment of connection, or in reality re-connection with the world we belong to, the one we all share and exist in.

To fly is far, far removed from what we are biologically capable of. It frees us from our physical limits and allows us to explore the world and ourselves without our usual limitations. We can get to look deeper inside ourselves this way and understand more about who we are. For me it’s not a competition or a way to prove oneself (for many it might be!?).

Acro is just another way to learn more, to explore deeper into oneself and find out who we really are. It is like resetting the bar, starting it all over and feel the joy of being a beginner once again.

To be learning and finding yourself in new situations, placed in the hands of your ego, fears and desires which all need to be recognized, respected and then let go of. To then be free of these

Above; Sequence shot SAT Below; Launching in snow at Roys Peak

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and rely on yourself, your skill and to be honest with where you are... to be in the moment.

I have recently become a Dad, a challenging question is why continue paragliding and try my hand at acro when I have a family, one which relies on me. I once asked this to a friend of mine who speed flys and is also a father. His answer was simple, to the point and from the heart: “I want my son to know the real me, speed flying is part of who I am”.

For me acro resonates with the core of who I am and for my son to grow up knowing this will hopefully help him understand who his Dad is.

I would also go as far to say that flying acro teaches me more about myself, and this process makes me a better person and a better father. If I was flying to show off, to prove something to myself or to others, for self-reward or for instant gratification with a buzz, this road would likely end in disaster and I agree there is no room for this in being a father, husband, or a good friend.

To all pilots I ask this of you; respect your fellow pilots, we all share a place, an experience that is riddled with risk and jeopardy but allows us to see the world and ourselves in a light many cannot.

Do not judge those that are exploring this through a different route than you have chosen. If they have a canopy above their heads, whether it is small, large, turning flat circles and climbing or inverted and falling, we all started for the same reason, we all wanted to fly, and in doing so we all wanted adventure. The true adventurer seeks what is within and appreciates that it is the same for all of us no matter what we seek adventure in!

And hell at the end of the day, if you don’t dig any of that, it’s just good fun. Don’t hate on the man having a good time.

Above; Full stall Below; Loop Left; Sam landed at Treble Cone

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Auckland Hang Gliding Instructor Seminar

Carl Wallbank takes UK hang gliding distance record

By Glenn Meadows

25/26 July 2015

I

n response to new requirements for Novice pilot supervision we had an overwhelming turnout at this years Hang Gliding Instructor Seminar.

The re interpretation of our OPM by CAA appears to have created some confusion. CAA has begun distinguishing between “Supervision” and “Instruction” when it comes to training.

The CAA has decided that flights where a pilot is repeating already held skills and are essentially for the purpose of gaining airtime would require supervision while any time a pilot is attempting a new skill such as thermal flying or coastal soaring they would be required to be under guidance of an instructor.

This is partly why we managed to get 15 hang glider pilots together to participate in the Auckland instructor seminar. Members travelled from Waikato, Palmerston North and as far away as Wellington to complete the 2 day course.

The good turnout may have also been a positive spin off from having tandem operators working outside of NZHGPA in their 115 (Commercial) Operations. It does appear that this has regenerated enthusiasm for local and club style training programs where the senior club members can take a mentoring role in their area.

This is what many of us had hoped might happen because it could help

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Instructors on site with Paddy’s Alpha glider our sport at the grass roots level.

More experienced pilots stepping up to be instructors will ensure that valuable knowledge is passed on and should help new pilots fly more safely.

Day One (Saturday) was held at Pt England reserve on a (very summery) mid winter day. Paddy Monro (Aqua Air Adventures) kindly lent us his Wills Wing Alpha training glider which many of us had not seen before.

We focused on hook in procedure and basic ground training and Grant Tatham demonstrated tethering style for everyone to try.

Paddy showed us who was boss with a final demonstration of glider ground handling which impressed us all.

Day Two (Sunday) was at Mark Alton’s home in Albany. A chance to review the Instructor Manual with everybody getting involved presenting the information.

We also looked into information released by CAA about new SMS rules. This has spooked many of our members and will obviously

need a lot of work. Finally a couple of home movies by Glenn Meadows from Nelson cheered everybody up.

Footnote; The NZHGPA HG Exec. are contemplating the creation of a new endorsement, “supervision authority”, for Advanced pilots that would be functionally similar to the existing WOF endorsement and which would access (online test with Instructor endorsement) an Advanced pilots ability to supervise Novices and Intermediates.

Successful applicants would be authorised by the NZHGPA to “supervise” Novices and Intermediates for a defined period.

The authorised period would be at least a year, probably longer, with the Exec still to enter into detailed discussion. Presently, this is still simply a proposal.

Comments and/or suggestions regarding the issue of Novice & Intermediate supervision are welcomed by the Exec. Simply email to HG Exec’s at admin@nzhgpa.org. nz.

- Ross Gray

US Hang Gliding and Paragliding 2016 Wall Calendars Brighten your walls in 2016 with this amazing collection of twelve fullcolour free-flight photos taken by pilots from around the world. 13” x 10”, 12 pp. US$20 each at the USHPA store (www. ushpastore.com).

Carl Wallbank has flown a straight-line open distance record of 338km, from Wales to Saxthorpe in north Norfolk, England.

His flight took 7.5 hours flying his Moyes RX3.5 hang glider. He beat his previous record set in 2012 of 276km from Llangollen in Wales to Weymouth.

Wallbank, 43, from Wirral in Liverpool, set off from Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales. He had hoped to make it through to Cromer but the weather was against him with the sun blocked by clouds making for difficult conditions.

During the flight he was travelling at an average height of 2,800ft - 4,000ft although at some points in north Norfolk he made it to 5,600ft.

Carl is a UK Moyes importer and also works as a oil rig surveyor, said he had been keeping a close eye on the weather over the two or three days before and saw that the conditions would be just right: light winds with good lift.

He said: “You have got to be in the right frame of mind, and have the winds in the right direction, it is very difficult and rare for everything to come together. It can be only up to four times a year at best that everything combines and you can do this.”

He was supported along the way by his driver Michelle Taylor, using GPS to navigate extensive UK airspace (see map below).

He also looks to have created a new British record for longest declared goal distance, when he reached March, near Ely, a distance of 255km.

The previous record was 218km set by Gordon Rigg and Ollie Chitty who flew from Bradwell in Derbryshire to Lavenham in Suffolk just three weeks earlier on June 7.

The records are now being verified by the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association.

Phil Chettleburgh from the BHPA said although there were still some verification to be done they could see no problems with the new records.

Carl has travelled all over the world taking part in hang gliding events and is a member of the British Hang Gliding Team and recently flew with them in Mexico for the Hang Gliding World Championships where they came eighth overall.

He said: “I have been hang gliding for a long time, since I was 21 years old. I have gone to lots of lovely places I would never usually have seen. I still smile like a little six-year-old kid, even when I do a small flight. When you are good at a sport then like any sports person, you drop everything for it” - Eastern Daily Press

Team Takes PG Distance Record F rank Brown, Donizete Lemos and Marcelo Prieto set a new paragliding world record on Friday 9 October 2015 with a 513km flight across the north east of Brazil.

“It was top-end in the gusts when we launched,” Frank said from the team’s XC base in Araruna in Brazil on the Sunday after the flight, “and then it was very weak for the first hour or so, very light, zeroes, 0.5m/s, just drifting with the wind.”

Rafael Saladini also launched as Launching from Tacima at 6.20am part of the team but bombed out they spent the next 11 hours in the air, early after only 15km. “It felt like flying together for most of the way.

I’d drunk three litres of acid when I Launching with them, Glauco Pinto landed,” Rafael said, “but I am very also set a new South American hang happy for my team mates and super gliding record with a 580km flight on happy the world record has come the same day. back to Brazil.”

Frank said they had been flying at full racing speed for most of the 11 hours: “Like in a World Cup, for the whole day. You have to so you can use all the day. That was the plan, to take off very early and use every hour of the day until the sun set.”

Frank Brown was flying a Gin Boomerang 10, while Donizete and Marcelo were flying Ozone Enzo 2s.

The north east is famous for allowing Above; Marcelo Prieto, Donizete Lemos very early take and Frank Brown before their record off, with thermic

flight

Right; Close to 500km on the record day Photo: Marcelo Prieto/Facebook

conditions starting very early. It is not unusual for pilots to be in the air by 7:30am.

Tacima is a relatively new destination for XC pilots: the betterknown Quixada is 400km north west of Tacima and is where most recordhunters have gone in the past.

The huge XC distance potential of Tacima has only been revealed in the past few years. Hang glider pilots have flown over 500km from the site, including setting the South

Atlantic Ocean

American HG record of 578km on 15 October 2013.

Key to setting the new paragliding world record was “flying as a group” Frank said. “We took off together, flew together a lot of the time, and landed together in the same field.”

The pilots’ tracklogs will now have to be validated by the FAI. The current paragliding world record was set by Nevil Hulett on 14 December 2008. He flew 502.9km from Copperton after tow launching.

Look out for a full interview with the Brazil world record team in issue 166 of Cross Country magazine, out in early November.

- See more at: www.xcmag. com/2015/10/brazilians-setnew-513km-paragliding-worldrecord/#sthash.Qr4BHJ61.dpuf The FAI claims are lodged and awaiting ratification; Class 3 (PG) Straight distance - General 514.00 km 2015-10-09 Donizete Baldessar Lemos (BRA) p reliminary record claim received 17706 Class 3 (PG) Straight distance - General 514.00 km 2015-10-09 Marcelo Prieto (BRA) preliminary record claim received 17705 Class 3 (PG) Straight distance - General 514.00 km 2015-10-08 F r a n k T h o m a Brown (BRA) preliminary record claim received 17704

The paragliders’ record flight tracks are mainly yellow, beginning at far right and finishing at left. The blue track is by hang glider pilot Glauco Pinto Map from xcbrasil.org

Class 1 (HG) Straight distance - General 578,3 km 2015-10-09 G l a u c o P i n t o (BRA) preliminary record claim received 17703

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Most items are in stock for overnight courier delivery. Call or email for more information. Dealer, School and group order enquiries welcome

Over 25 years of free flying experience and quality service More information and Specials at;

www.hgpg.co.nz

phone 021 247-2676 (021 AIRBORN), a.h. 03 326-6411 email aero@xtra.co.nz

post 99A Panorama Road, Christchurch 8081

Manilla and Big M

By Tim Percival

a n i l l a , northern New South Wa l e s , A u s t r a l i a .

You’re interested i n c ro s s - c o u n t r y paragliding but have never flown at Manilla? Late January and February 2016 is shaping up to be an excellent opportunity to do many hours of superb flatland cross-country flying, with the company and support of some experienced NZ and Australian pilots.

That’s because two significant paragliding events are being held back-to-back over the period January 30 to February 14, being Manilla’s annual XC Camp, followed by the ‘Kiwi Open’ paragliding competition, which is Round One of the 2016 NZ Paragliding Nationals.

This exciting news has prompted me to share some of my Manilla views and experiences, to encourage you

Above; Paragliders above Mt Borah West launch. 2012 Manilla XC Camp. Photo: Susan Corry if you’ve not flown there before, to make plans now for a Jan/Feb holiday in Manilla.

I love free-flying the NZ mountains and actively promote cross-country flying in NZ, but the thought of a NZ Nationals Round in Manilla already has my heart beating faster. Why? Because past Manilla paragliding competitions, wholly or partly-

organised by Manilla local Godfrey Wenness, have been based around flying big distances downwind. This equates to maximum enjoyment for the less-competitive flyer, one who simply enjoys getting high and watching the land track by underneath, kilometre after kilometre.

With NZ pilots in the area for the NZ Nationals round, the 2016 Manilla XC Camp will be an excellent opportunity to experience Manilla with your best flying buddies and the new ones you meet once you get over there. And if I wasn’t being superstitious, then I would say that the Kiwi Open will be a very good week of cross-country flying too, given that dry conditions are predicted for this summer.

The thing with flying during the competition weeks is that your personal best chances are boosted by so many other pilots being in the

Above; Landing out among wallabies Photo Tim Percival Left; The “Borah Basher” on another run up the mountain Photo; Diana Wallis

Below; Mt Borah West launch

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Photo Tim Percival

Cross-Country Distances

Above; Over the township of Bingara, 90km out north from Borah. 2014 Manilla XC Camp Photo Tim Percival air showing you where the thermals are. You don’t need to scratch your head wondering where exactly to glide to next, you just make speed to the paraglider circling and going up a little ahead of you. You can easily fly during the Kiwi Open as a free-flyer if that better suits you, taking off in the ample time when

Below; Task briefing, 2003 Manilla Paragliding Open Photo; Diana Wallis

NEW ZEALANDERS OVERSEAS RECORDS Open Distance* Female OD Tandem OD Declared Goal* Out & Back FAI Triangle

Angus Tapper Britta Steude Carl Rust Ross Johnstone Paul Sheehan Evan Lamberton

231 km 146 km 136 km 161 km 112 km 104 km

Manilla Manilla Manilla Manilla Piedrahita Manilla

1999 2002 2002 2002 1997 2013

(*The Open Distance and Declared Goal records have since been bettered by 59 km and 40 km respectively by Matt Senior flying from Chelan, Washington, USA). conditions are ‘on’, but before tasks are set, letting the competition pilots help you when they catch up to you.

Encouragement Part 1 – Numbers First up, here is what the paragliding distance records for New Zealanders

flying overseas looked like as recently as March 2014: Yep, Mt Borah, Manilla featured in five out of six of those records!

And the declared goal record (Ross Johnstone, 161km) and female

record (Britta Steude, 146km) were set flying competition tasks at the 2002 Manilla Open competition!

Kiwis Grant Middendorf and Craig Collings equalled Ross’s declared goal record shortly afterwards during the same task.

Now when I add the cross-country flights achieved by the other New Zealanders flying that year’s Manilla Open, the picture gets even rosier.

I understand these were all, bar

Below; Gliders unpacked and ready prior to a task call, Mt Borah West Launch Photo; Diana Wallis

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MANILLA OPEN 2002 FLIGHTS Ross Johnstone Grant Middendorf Craig Collings Steve O’Shaughnessy Mike McManaway Tim Percival Britta Steude Jeff Ripley Jill Borst Graeme Cran Steve Platt

P.B. Declared Goal P.B. Declared Goal P.B. Declared Goal P.B. Open Distance P.B. Open Distance P.B. Open Distance P.B. Open Distance P.B. Open Distance P.B. Open Distance P.B. Open Distance

161km 161km 161km 154km 150km 150km 146km 146km 126km 115km 62km

Fiona Dalzell

P.B. Open Distance

55km

Mike’s, personal bests at the time: Yep, lots of big numbers, indeed.

Keep in mind that the glide of today’s EN-B gliders equal or surpass the glide of the performance class gliders of 2002! (The reason I am not quoting results from recent tasked Manilla paragliding competitions is that the last one was the Kiwi Open of 2006, with Godfrey Wenness preferring, since the 2007 World Champs, just to hold free-format “XC Camp” flying meets).

Encouragement Part 2 – Experiences - Relaxed flatland-style flying. I find Manilla flying to be like a soothing holiday compared to flying the South Island’s mountains. Over the flat farmland you will find thermals that are wide, and so smooth...

And most often you can just drift gently with them because ahead of you will be more flat or rolling hill grassed farmland with no shortage of landing options. Aaaaaah... de-stressing flying, relaxing flying, such a contrast to the mountains, and very nice, just for a change, indeed. Welcome to Manilla!

- Flying with wedge-tailed eagles.

Don’t think that it’s always them showing you the lift! One Manilla competition day I was in the middle of a very low save, drifting along the side of a copse of trees, when I glimpsed a flash out of the corner of one eye. One wedge-tailed eagle,

Right Gaggle above Mt Borah Photo; Diana Wallis

then another, flew up from a large tree and joined me. Together we worked the light lift, helping each other out, concentrating, but no worries, until finally we were taken skyward by a decent thermal release.

- Noticeable improvements in one’s flying ability. After a couple of summers flying cross-country in the South Island, I credit a paragliding holiday to Manilla as something that really gave my flying a boost. After four weeks of daily, consistent, thermal flying from Mt Borah in Feb/Mar 1999, I was very pleasantly surprised when next summer, back home, it was so much easier to stay up flying the local sites and mountains.

My Tips for First-Time Visitors - Practise thermalling before you leave NZ. I think practice is the single most important thing for learning how to thermal well.

Once you start circling in thermals, basically it just takes hours of practice to get good at it (unless you’re lucky enough to be a real natural). A bit like juggling, I think. After a long time practising, something clicks. To make the most of your Manilla holiday, be well-practiced before you go, get

in as much practice as you can.

Go anywhere away from the coast where you can find a thermal.

Mediocre, local hill thermals will be fine, they will make you work harder. It will also get your ground handling and launching up to scratch.

- Familiarise. If you are entering the Kiwi Open competition itself, and haven’t flown Manilla before, go at least one week early, preferably two, to get familiar with the quirks

of the Mt. Borah launch site. The adage, “if you can fly 30km you can fly 100km” is so true in Manilla. If you can familiarise yourself with the immediate territory and environs of Mt. Borah, then you will be ready to leave them behind. Flying the XC Camp week would be excellent practice for the Kiwi Open.

- Get airborne. Earlier in the day, if the sun is shining but no one else is flying yet, then give it a go and launch yourself. There’s a great bomb-out retrieve system on Mt Borah, during the comps and all year round, so it doesn’t matter if you end up in the bombout paddock early on. When Mt Borah’s thermals start to kick off in earnest, then being in the air is the best place to be to join one of those thermals and be taken up far above launch. Don’t curse if you initially do end up in the bomb-out paddock because even in a short flight you will be practising stuff you didn’t even know you were practising.

Think instead, “What good practice I am getting!” The quicker you get a couple of ‘practice’ flights under your belt, the quicker you will be forgetting all about them as you leave Manilla far, far behind... After

Left; Mt Borah West launch. 2012 Manilla XC Camp Photo Tim Percival

20 A i r b o r n

midday, when other pilots are flying and getting climbs in thermals, then a really good trick at Mt Borah is to wait on take-off, all ready to go, until you see someone else find a thermal forward of the hill, and then you take off and go straight out to join them.

- Keep clear of Australian gum trees: There are some forested areas to be found and from personal experience, gum trees tend to be unforgiving should you snag one or have to crash land into one because you can’t get to a clear landing. I think that for a Manilla flying holiday, it’s best to be conservative when thinking about flying over a well-forested area so that you never risk a tree incident.

With a safe landing, you’ll get to fly the next day; with an unsafe landing you could be ending your flying holiday prematurely if you or your glider get broken. Another Australian hazard to be aware of are ‘random’, low-slung, hard-to-see single power lines.

Outline of Costs to Expect To make your trip more economical, try to go for two weeks minimum, but three to four weeks would be better, and evens out the risks should one of your weeks suffer unfavourable weather (which would be very bad luck, but could happen). You can easily expect three good weeks out of four in Manilla.

Right; Paragliders waiting to gain height in front of Mt Borah East launch Photo; Diana Wallis

These are my estimates of costs for an 18 night stay, in NZ$: Airfares incl. taxes (Chch-Sydney return): $600-800; Travel Insurance $100; Train (Sydney-Manilla return): $160; HGFA Visitor Membership: $105; Manilla Club membership: $22; XC Camp entry fee: (free); Kiwi Open entry fee: $165; Mt Borah Cabins or Royal Hotel (one star) Accommodation: $400-$560; Food and miscellaneous expenses: $300; Australian Sim Card + $30 credit: $33. And also a good idea would be Ambulance Insurance: $55 (Murphy’s Law says if you purchase it you won’t need it, which would be $55 well spent). Retrieve expenses: Hitch-hiking in the Manilla area is relatively easy, but if you don’t want to be hitching-hiking back from your flights, nor ever having to walk to the nearest travelled road, then you can get included in a retrieve team. What it can cost is quite variable, but I am budgeting NZ$65/day for a 4 person team travelling 400km/day.

Grand Total: NZ $1,950 to $2,300 not including any retrieve vehicle expenses. A few bikkies, but in Manilla I think you will get good flying hours and kilometres per dollar.

Fly high.

For those who want to fly beyond The Flytec Connect 1 is the first ever smartvario – just like a smartphone, it comes with a touch screen and, most importantly, wireless connectivity. We keep adding great features, such as airspace warnings, thermalling assistance, maps and more. Just connect the Connect 1 to the internet whenever you have a Wi-Fi network in range to get our regular updates. More http://www.flytec.ch/en/devices/paraglider-hang-glider/connect-1/overview.html information on connect.flytec.ch

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Safety Checks Moyes Malibu bottom upright fitting wire wear issue 17th August, 2015, Applies to: Any Moyes glider using round uprights.

Inspection: Whenever an upright is broken or bent it may cause damage to the top and bottom upright fittings, these parts should be inspected closely and replaced at any sign of wear or damage.

Service Requirement: Replace bottom upright fitting after 300 hours or if wire slot widens to greater than 4.8mm.

It has been bought to our attention of a potential problem of the bottom upright fitting on gliders with round uprights. The wear has occurred on the slot where the ball swage fits into.

Above photo shows a fitting from a glider with 600+ hours airtime where the slot has been worn and widened.

Above photo shows a broken fitting on a training glider.

It is now mandatory to replace the fitting when the opening exceeds 4.8mm or after 300 hours airtime. - Moyes Delta Gliders

Icaro Laminar crossbar bolts

This safety notice applies to all topless hang gliders manufactured by Icaro 2000, from January 2012 to August 2015, from registration numbers 9062 up until 9557, regardless of the type of crossbar fitted.

It could also apply to hang gliders which, in the same period of time, have been subject to service or repair operations in which one or both of the ‘crossbar centre bolts’ was replaced.

The problem regards the central crossbar bolts, 90mm in length, whose function is to hold the crossbar bushes on the H-shaped central block.

After a report regarding a problem that occurred in a Laminar, it has been found that some of the above-mentioned bolts may have not been made according to the design drawings that we supplied to the manufacturer. Unfortunately the problem is due to the fact that the supplier modified the construction of the bolts independently and without our knowledge, without incorporating the necessary quality control checks and without informing Icaro 2000.

It is essential to replace these bolts before your next flight.

Icaro 2000 is intensely sorry for this problem and will do its utmost to supply all pilots

NZ PARAGLIDING LADDER

22 A i r b o r n

concerned with the new bolts.

Icaro 2000 and its dealers are available for performing the checks and if necessary the replacement of non-conformant bolts, or to supply their customers with the new bolts.

For those who are unable to reach one of our dealers to perform the checks, you just have to supply the registration number of your hang glider, and we will send you the new bolts, which are easy to install in place of the original bolts.

On our website there will soon a list of the hang gliders affected by the problem and a video showing the instructions on how to change the bolts.

For any further information you need, please contact Christian Ciech at Icaro 2000.

Tel: +39-0332-648335 e-mail: christian@icaro2000.com Sangiano 12 September 2015 Instructions at http://www.icaro2000.com/ Products/Hanggliders/Laminar/Vite%20 centro%20xbar-En.pdf

Flying Without Washout Tips

– and other alternate configurations From time to time we become aware that some pilots are flying our gliders in nonstandard configurations, such was with the washout tips removed, or the bridles disconnected. Sometimes, it is instructors that have their students do this, because they feel it makes certain things easier for the student.

This is not safe, and should not be done.

The washout tips and bridles are important not just for longitudinal stability (pitch stability at low angles of attack) but also have a significant influence on the launch characteristics and lateral stability and control dynamics that could be factors for safety even at low altitudes.

We recognise that removing bridles and washout tips can make some aspects of ground handling, launching and flying easier for some pilots under some circumstances.

However, like everything else we put on the glider, they are there for good reasons, and should be considered an integral part of the aircraft, and should be used at all times.

The airworthiness of all of our gliders is established by extensive flight and vehicle testing, however all of this testing is done only with the glider configured completely in the way in which it was designed. Therefore, any glider not so configured has not been tested in any way, and can only be considered an experimental aircraft of completely indeterminate airworthiness.

While flying a glider in the configuration in which it has been designed and tested may present some additional challenges to student pilots, these are challenges they will need to overcome if they are to become pilots, and students should not be taught, or given the impression, that some integral parts of the aircraft are in some sense optional.

- Wills Wing dealer news

Hinged batten clips

Airborne Windsports have issued a service instruction on their hinged batten fittings (also in use on other manufacturers gliders).

The bulletin describes the problem (previously published in Airborn magazine), how to check, make temporary and replacement repairs as well as correct setting Read the full service instruction at www. airborne.com.au/images/aw_directives/ SB-019.pdf

O R C A & S V I S URSE O C

SS E E S S R R U U O O C C TT LLLL R R A A O O , , PP S D S D N N N N A A A A R R M T T E R D R E E T R T P A P L O O U C I P L E O P H E O D T DUE W INCLU NO

Location Lake Wanaka NZ

Lake Wanaka NZ

SIV Dates Dates November 20th-24th

November 20th-24th January January 22nd-26th 22nd-26th February February 19th-23rd 19th-23rd March March 18th-22nd 18th-22nd

Contact: Contact: Craig Craig Taylor Taylor Email: info@freeflyparagliding.com Email: info@freeflyparagliding.com Web: Web: www.freeflyparagliding.com www.freeflyparagliding.com Mobile: Mobile: +64(0)21 +64(0)21 942 942 533 533

EVENTS Omarama HG Classic Cross Country Camp

Molesworth Fly/Hike/Camp

Saturday 30 January to Sunday 7 February 2016

11,500ft over the Mackenzie Photo: Bill Degen

O

n as always during the week of Waitangi Day. Finishing 5 days before the 2016 Nationals.

Last years event saw the site record broken with a 143km flight. It’s forecast to be hotter this summer so let’s see if the record can be broken again.

At this time of year, Omarama gets the most flying days; the least turbulence and strong winds so the most cross country flying opportunities. It can be hot, maybe windy and maybe rough (thermals up to 3000 fpm+) but the competition will be stress free.

Fly the whole week, just the weekends or just fly the best days. It will, as always, be spectacular, expect to get 9 or 10,000ft and 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 road up Magic Mountain is less stressful at present but still limited to 4WDs with low ratio and hill descent ability. To help maintain the road we’ll ask everyone for a small donation. There’s other sites nearby too which are less demanding on vehicles.

THE MISSION; fly open distance, in any direction from the Omarama area. 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 Omarama Hotel, the cottage next door 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.

Aeronautical Charts Visual Navigation Charts (VNCs) can be purchased from Aeronautical Information Management (a division of Airways NZ) on 0800 500 045, or their web site, www.aipshop.co.nz. VNCs come in two scales 1:250,000 and 1:500,000, and cost $16.35 for a pair of charts printed on a double-sided sheet. The coverage of the 1:250,000 charts makes them handy for planning cross-country flights.

24 A i r b o r n

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

A satellite messenger is recommended for pickups as cell reception varies.An Emergency Locator Transmitter may be useful too. Note that airband radio (118.6 Mhz) is mandatory for flying North of Ohau if you head for Mt Cook.

Bring a brave but careful 4WD driver, and a spade is essential for clearing gravel slips off the road. If you don’t like driving up mountains, 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, contact Bill Degen aero@xtra.co.nz or for further information, site briefing, maps etc; www.hgpg.co.nz

HG Nationals Organiser 2017 We are looking for someone who is interested to run the 2017 HG Nationals in the North Island.

For the last two years it has been in the South Island. Time to bring it back North and hopefully some South Island pilots with it.

Please contact the HG Comp committee to voice your interest. - HG Comp Committee

Forbes HG Big Spring Sports Class Champs 2015 Come out and hook into some spring-time thermals at the site of the 1998 & 2013 Hang Gliding World Champs!

This will be a FAI Sanctioned Sports Class hang gliding competition, with two classes, Sports and Floater Class.

All pilots of all experience are welcome.

Prize money! $1000 for 1st , 2nd and 3rd!

Practice Day: Saturday 31st October, 2015 Competition: Sunday 1st November to Saturday 7th November, 2015 Registration and more info at www. forbesflatlands.com

Above; Encouraging sky, south Molesworth country! Looking SW down the Acheron River from above Pt1490, Rachel Range (20km north of the Acheron campsite) Photo Tim Percival Below; The campsite n informal fly/hike/camp is planned location

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for the Molesworth area (upper South Island) for 5 - 13 December 2015.

Based at the Archeron Campsite the idea is to hike up various hills, then fly off, and then return to the campsite each night. For those that are keen maybe a bit of Vol Biv can be done.

The idea is to explore the flying potential of this wonderful remote treeless landscape. For those who overfly this area on their way to Hanmer this will be an opportunity to explore the area in more detail and discover how to potentially extend your flights. Paramotors are also welcome.

This is an informal gathering - everyone will be responsible for their own food, tents and transport. However, we will ideally eat breakfasts and dinners together - bring some food that can be shared!

There are 20 camp sites at Archeron ($6 per person per night) - but no power. We may hire a generator for charging batteries/GPS/ radios. Cost of this will be advised closer to the time - otherwise bring inverters. More details about the campsite: http://tinyurl.com/ molesworthcamping The event would be from the Friday evening

through to the following Sunday. Come for the first weekend only, during the week, second weekend - or the whole time!

On our Facebook page (www.facebook. com/groups/MolesworthFlyHike/), search for MolesworthFlyHike - with a registration of interest form.

Names of participants and vehicle registration numbers will be required early November, as a DOC permit is required. All attendees MUST have radios.

More details: Kris Ericksen M 02 11 16 45 58 skf@paradise.net.nz

Forbes Flatlands Hang Gliding Championships 2016 When: Thursday 31st December 2015 - Saturday the 9th January 2016 Where: Forbes Airport 8 days of flying plus 1 practice day Four classes: Open, Women’s, (Forbes) A-Grade* and Sport** *Pilots that have never placed in the top 100 on the FAI WPRS ranking. *The Women and A-Grade will fly, and be scored in the Open Class as-well. **Sport class will have their own task set each day.

Trophies: for all 4 classes plus the Forbes Council encouragement award What you need: Hang glider (well maintained!), Harness (well maintained), GPS or GPS/vario, Tow release and bridle, Recently repacked parachute, Helmet, Current HGFA membership, VHF Rating and equipment (more info), Aerotow Rating, Cost: (get in early and pay less). $300 if paid before 7th November, $350 if paid before 7th December, $400 if paid after 7th December, $450 if paid on 31st December, + $400 tow fee (inc. site fee) Includes: Unlimited tows, awesome flying and fun and the welcome and presentation meal.

Aerotow: Organised by Bill Moyes himself.

Retrieve: You need to arrange your own retrieval team, we can help with match making just contact us.

Headquarters: Forbes Sports & Recreation Club.

Address: Lachlan St, Forbes NSW 2871.

Schedule: Registration at HQ from 10.00am - 12.00pm & 4.00pm - 6.00pm - Thursday 31st December 2015 Welcome Briefing at HQ at 8.30pm Wednesday 31st December (Yes it’s New Year’s Eve)!

Practice Day: Friday 1st January, 2016 1st Competition Day: Saturday 2nd January 2016 Last Competition Day: Saturday 9th January 2016 Presentation: Saturday 9th January 2016

Hang Gliding Competition Dates 2015/16 NORTH ISLAND Northland League 7 & 8 Nov, Reserve dates, 14 & 15, 21 & 22, 28 & 29 Nov 2015 Contact Tom at tkmechanical@vodafone. co.nz Kaimais League 5th & 6th Dec, Reserve days 12th & 13th Dec 2015 Contact Geoff at Geoff@tradeupjobs.co.nz Wellington League 23-25 Jan 2016 Contact Grant at Tathams@xtra.co.nz Auckland League 27 & 28 Feb Reserve dates 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20 March 2016 Contact Mark at markalton@yahoo.com or Les at graham-mackie@vodafone.co.nz SOUTH ISLAND Cheeseman League 24th Oct to 26th Oct Max Gebhardt 027 836 4288 The Nelson Golden Triangle Nationals 13/2/2016 - 21/2/2016 Sites; Sherry River, Inwoods Lookout, Tapawera, and Mt Murchison Organisers; Glenn Meadows 027 275 1022 Max Gebhardt 027 836 4288 Omarama XC Classic Camp 2016 January 30st - February 7th 2016 which gives a few days rest for those going to the Nationals.

Contact Bill Degen for info; aero@xtra.co.nz

Auckland Regional Paragliding Competition November 28th/29th 2015 Reserve dates following weekend: 5th/6th December 2015 FAI Cat-2 sanctioned! So get your world ranking points here.

Sites could be Dills Hill, Moirs Hill, or as far as Paeroas.

Saturday night barbecue with domestic fowl spotting excursions.

No entry fee - all qualified NZHGPA paraglider pilots welcome.

WOF, Back protection, UHF Radio, altimeter and reserve parachute mandatory.

All gliders must be certified EN-A, EN-B, EN-C, EN-D or CCC Contact Johnny on johnnyhopper@gmail. com or on 021 056 2275 Comp First timers very welcome, but please make contact in advance.

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

NZHGPA Paragliding Open Nelson 2016 Saturday 27 February to 5 March 2016 The Paragliding Open is in Nelson this Summer. To make it easy for you to get keen we thought we’d remind you of why we love these gatherings. After all not many people fit on the podium. Here’s some reasons to get yourself to Nelson: - Get up every day with the intention to fly - Great for your airtime - Fly new sites and broaden your site experiences - Learn and practice how to use your instruments properly (GPS) - Meet the flying ‘legends’ and learn from other pilots around the country - Fly your personal best and be in to win the new PB Trophy by Mike Ward - Relax and have a holiday!

Register today at www.pgopen.org.nz New at PG Open 2016 - driver pack We know it can take some effort to get your partners and mates to come along and drive for you over the Nationals. We want to make them feel looked after so this year we are introducing a driver pack (similar to the pilot packs). All drivers will go into a draw to win a tandem flight with Nelson Paragliding.

Get your driver to say yes, then register their details before 30 December if they want a t-shirt. You will need to pay for their final dinner / prize giving.

We are delighted with our sponsors so far.

Please support their businesses and products/ services when and where it is possible.

A big THANK YOU to our sponsors so far…

Transport - Getting to and travelling in Nelson was never easier with these special offers Interislander - prices from $45 per adult each way and for a car/van $124 each crossing, use the promo code: FA5655. www. interislander.co.nz The Rental car Group - to get around if we have any non-flyable days. 10% discount applies Nelson Building Society (NBS) community van - pilot transport (we pay for all the fuel and cleaning). www.nbs.co.nz Accommodation Tahuna Beach Holiday Park - offering cabins, bring your caravan or your tent. You can’t beat this location right on the Tahunanui Beach. Book for the week and you will get one night free. http://tahunabeachholidaypark.co.nz/ special-offers/ Welcome Night - Friday 26 February 2015, from 4pm Chia - natural and nutrient rich drink http:// chia.co.nz Pilot & Driver Packs… some goodies from sponsors to look forward to; Oasis Beauty - Oasis Sun sunblock SPF30 50ml www.oasisbeauty.co.nz Proper Crisps - Family sized 150gm bag www.propercrisps.co.nz Estel - Premium Sports Alkaline Water www.estel.nz Register early and be in to WIN Oasis Sun All pilots registered by the 30th of each month i.e. 30 September, 30 October, 30 November, 30 December will go into the draw to win an Oasis Sun (SPF30) 500ml sun protection. This is great high altitude sun protection that you will definitely want stashed in your vehicle.

Everyone already entered automatically goes in the monthly draws. Good luck and we look forward to seeing you in Nelson for the best PG Open yet.

Update; Thanks to all the pilots who have

registered so far and congratulations to our first winner of Oasis Sun 500ml of sun protection - Leighton Joll from Auckland. We will have this in the post to you shortly.

- Jude Tarr

Nelson Unveils Personal Best (PB) Trophy The Tasman Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club, the organisers of the Paragliding Open in Nelson, 27 February to 5 March 2016, are introducing for the first time a Personal Best Trophy.

We are introducing the trophy to encourage all pilots to have fun, fly far and achieve a personal best (PB).

The trophy will be presented at the prize giving dinner at the Honest Lawyer on Saturday 5 March 2016. See 4.8.11 PB Trophy rules at the end of this article.

The PB Trophy has been hand crafted and lovingly made by Nelson’s local legend and artist Mike Ward (www.lustregallery.co.nz) Sculptured in Kinlieth bronze, old copper, brass and mounted on a mahogany stand gives a real honest feel of strong earthy materials that has captured the essence of such a special achievement award.

Extract from NZHGPA Competition Rules V17 (pending at time of printing) 4.8.11 PB Trophy The Personal Best Trophy is particularly aimed at beginner and intermediate level pilots to encourage fun, skill improvement and increased participation in New Zealand Paraglider Flight Competitions.

The PB Trophy is open to NZ pilots that participate in the current annual New Zealand Paragliding Open and fly a Personal Best Open distance.

‘Open distance’ in NZ is as specified in section 6.6.1 of the rules. Open Distance is the measurement used for Personal Best, regardless of the task type flown in the competition.

A pilot must fly a minimum of 20 kilometres (Open Distance) in the current Competition in New Zealand in order to qualify for the PB

The Personal Best Trophy with Mike’s certificate of authenticity

Trophy. Their best competition open distance flight will be measured and compared, in percentage terms, to their previous registered career personal best distance (as stipulated at Competition registration, though this figure may subsequently be verified).

In the event that the 20 kilometre Open Distance requirement is not triggered during the competition then the trophy will not be awarded for that given year.

The pilot with the highest open distance increase, over and above their previous registered Personal Best, in percentage terms, as per the PB Rules, will be awarded the PB Trophy. The PB Trophy will be awarded at the completion of the Competition and will display the winners name and distance flown.

6.6.1 Categories – Open Distance The start, end and turn points do not have to be specified before the start of the flight. The start and end points of a flight submission do not have to be the flight’s take-off and landing points, e.g. a flight’s first turn point may be used as the start point, and similarly, the flight’s last turn point may be used as the end point.

Definition of an Open Distance (OD): Straight line distance from start point to finish point.

In other words, the distance between the two furthest apart points on the track log, see diagram below;

Have fun, fly far and achieve a personal best (PB). We look forward to seeing you in Nelson - THGPC

Mike adding the finishing touches in his studio in Hardy Street, Nelson Photo courtesy John Henderson

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N NE EWW ZZEEAALLAA NN DD C RC RO OS SS S- -CCOOUUNNTT RR YY

PP AA RR AAGGLLI IDDI NI NG G CC HH AA MMPPI IOONNSSH HI PI PS S

April 1st 2015 to March 31st 2016

PARAGLIDING XC CHAMPIONSHIP RULES 2015

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

2015/2016 XC Scores on Leonardo as at 29/10/2015

Best 3 flights

Pos Pilot 1 Bryan Moore 2 Mark Hardman 3 Pete Groves 4 Rhys Akers 5 Rory Devine 6 Jean Brossard 7 Shaun Gilbert 8 Reuben John Muir 9 Evan Lamberton 10 Leighton Joll 11 Dylan Vickerman 12 Eva Keim 13 Elliot Revell-Nash 14 Jeff Ripley 15 Derek Divers 16 Emlyn Revell-Nash 17 Mick Kennish 18 Matt Stanford 19 Gareth Gore 20 Joe Ward 21 Luke Goleman 22 Mike Ferguson 23 Roy Tingay 24 Michal Karnik 25 Scott Arrell 26 Melanie Heather 27 Rob Gillard 28 Andrew Cavaney 29 Simon Corbett 30 Greg Benjamin 31 Helen Jeffery 32 Aaron Ford 33 Bruce Vickerman 34 Glenn Doggit 35 Alexander Ianovski 36 Dave Livesey 37 Lloyd Greenfield 38 Matt Harrison 39 Alexey Kryssov 40 Russell Manning 41 Cam Kennedy 42 Joel Hanlon 43 Mark Curtis 44 Rob Boyle 45 Peter Taylor 46 Fred Timmermans 47 Peter Jones 48 Dominique Washer-Le Sellin 49 Johnny Hopper 50 Olly Barrett 51 Cliff Swailes 52 Paul McGinley 53 Stefan Sebregts 54 Chris Connolly

Total 308.85 219.81 168.75 144.97 136.17 133.41 126.88 111.29 105.53 103.58 97.03 95.12 91.68 89.12 83 80.96 76.97 59.84 58.01 56.57 55.37 54.06 52.66 52.17 47.43 46.66 45.95 45.47 41.73 41.38 40.22 39.59 36.34 35.7 34.49 27.53 26.99 26.16 24.81 22.51 20.49 20.44 20.25 18.75 15.76 14.95 14.94 11.28 10.21 9.22 8.48 6.95 5.76 4.41

flight 1 122.41 84.77 90.12 68.27 81.59 58 67.22 62.61 105.53 52.48 97.03 95.12 78.85 57.84 36.33 80.96 76.97 59.84 26.06 56.57 38.49 19.55 26.44 19.19 47.43 24.83 45.95 27.1 21.89 41.38 40.22 21.12 14.93 13.51 23.88 15.09 26.99 26.16 13.47 13.06 20.49 20.44 20.25 18.75 15.76 5.89 14.94 4.73 10.21 5.38 8.48 6.95 5.76 4.41

flight 2 97.23 70.59 58.81 50.64 28.41 37.92 31.18 48.68 - 28.71 - - 12.83 22.33 33.34 - - - 16.11 - 16.87 18.88 20.54 18.4 - 21.83 - 9.62 13.41 - - 18.46 11.93 12.49 10.62 12.44 - - 11.34 9.44 - - - - - 5.07 - 3.63 - 3.84 - - - -

flight 3 89.21 64.45 19.81 26.06 26.17 37.49 28.47 22.39 8.94 13.33 15.84 15.64 5.68 14.58 8.75 6.42 9.48 9.69 3.99 2.92 -

Regional Flight Focus The Past: The ten longest open distance flights of Hawkes Bay. Site

Pilot

Dist.(km)

10/01/1999

Te Mata Peak

Shaun Gilbert

125.0

3/01/1999

Te Mata Peak

Barry Sayer

115.8

23/01/1996

Te Mata Peak

Shaun Gilbert

112.0

25/01/2015

Te Mata Peak

Shaun Gilbert

100.4

3/01/1999

Te Mata Peak

Grant Middendorf

95.1

20/03/2015

Turiri

Shaun Gilbert

94.0

21/02/2015

Te Mata Peak

Shaun Gilbert

93.7

2/01/1999

Te Mata Peak

Shaun Gilbert

87.7

22/02/2005

Te Mata Peak

Barry Sayer

85.0

27/02/2010

Te Mata Peak

Shaun Gilbert

84.9

26 A i r b o r n

upload a suitable format file to the nominated website.

6.3.2 Flights scoring 75 points and over, or flights claiming a “Record”.

All flights scoring 75 points and over, and those claiming a “Record”, shall be verified with a 3D GPS track log. i.e. includes valid height data in the log.

Refer to Section 2.6 for GPS track log validation criteria.

A “record” claim is for either a site record or a national record. If this flight is under 75 points and GPS verification is unavailable it may still be submitted to the XC Champs but it will not be awarded “record” status.

6.3.3 Flights scoring under 75 points.

Flights under 75 points may submit a 2D tracklog 6.4 Scoring Unless determined otherwise by the XC Comp organiser and published on the NZHGPA competitions page before the start of the next season the points allocated to each flight shall be as defined in the rules of the nominated website.

6.5 Challenging a flight.

Any flight may be challenged by the XC champs organiser or by any pilot competing in the XC champs. If a flight is challenged, initially the XC champs organiser or a PCC appointed scrutineer shall obtain and scrutinise the flight documentation.

If the challenging pilot or the challenged pilot is not satisfied with this outcome, a jury will be appointed by the PCC. The jury’s decision will be final.

6.5.4 Validation of Flight The flight is valid providing that: - the flight was flown in New Zealand, - at least 2/3 of the distance was flown inland (thermal flying rather than coastal soaring), - the pilot has at least PG2 rating or foreign equivalent, - the flight complies with NZ Civil Aviation Authority regulations for paraglider flight.

- The appropriate level of evidence is provide to the XC champs organiser (see 6.3) - The flight has not been challenged under 6.5 By entering a flight into the Cross Country Championships, the pilot confirms that these conditions have been met.

Foreign pilots may enter the competition providing that they have taken out temporary NZHGPA membership.

Note that the title of NZ XC Champion will go to the best placed NZ resident pilot.

6.6 Cross Country Records New Zealand XC records may be claimed by submitting the 3D GPS track log or IGC file to the XC competition organiser. These files will be examined and scored separately from the annual online XC competition.

6.6.1 Categories For all task types; start, end and turn points do not have to be specified before the start of the flight. The start and end points of a flight submission do not have to be the flight’s take-off and landing points, e.g. a flight’s first continued next page

For the detailed fPG XC Champs light information, see the 2015 PG XC Champs Table at Leonardo (Leonardo season name: “2015”) www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/league/world/ season2015/brand: all,cat: 1,class: all,xctype: all,club: 0.9 (Note that for the NZ PG XC Champs, the Leonardo table is an approximate table only: international pilots are incorrectly excluded from the NZ ‘club’ competition).

Photo: Ross Gray

Date

SECTION 6.CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP Each flying year a National paragliding cross country championship may be run.

An organiser of this championship (XC Champs organiser) may be appointed by the PCC in April of each year. This appointment shall automatically continue in the following years, until he/she is notified otherwise by the PCC, or he/she informs the PCC of their intention to stand down. If no XC Champs organiser is appointed the competition shall be administered by a member of the PCC. The flying year shall run from 1 April to 31 March the following calendar year.

6.1 Cross Country Championship Format A pilot’s Cross Country Championship score shall be the total of the score from their three highest scoring flights in one flying year.

Flights shall be scored in one of the following categories with points allocated as defined on the xc competition web site: www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo 1. Free Flight. (distance X 1.5) 2. Free triangle. (distance X 1.75) 3. FAI Triangle. (distance X 2.0) The definitions of these types of flight shall be the same as the definitions specified for records in section 6.6 6.1.1 XC Rover An XC Rover table may be part of the XC Championships at the discretion of the XC Comp organiser.

Flights for the XC Rover table must originate from sites more than 50km apart. Only one flight is scored per site to count towards a pilot’s total score.

A pilot’s XC Rover score shall be the total of up to 5 flights in one flying year.

A pilot must have a minimum of 3 XC Rover flights before scoring on this table.

6.1.2 Sub Classes At the discretion of the XC Champs organiser, sub classes may be collated and shown as part of the XC Championships. These may include: - Open - Male - Female - Tandem Class - North Island - South Island - Rookie - Open distance 6.3 Flight Submission and Minimum Documentation Flight submissions are to be uploaded to the XC website (www.paraglidingforum.com/ leonardo) within 30 days of the flight, except that all March flights must be submitted by April 5.

Refer to the website for details. The competition website will be notified at the start of each competition season.

6.3.1 Basic Details for All Flights.

All submissions are to include: - the name of the pilot, - flight date, - take off site, - GPS track log.

To submit a GPS tracklog, the pilot shall

PARAGLIDING XC CHAMPIONSHIP RULES continued turn point may be used as the start point, and similarly, the flight’s last turn point may be used as the end point.

XC records will be kept in 7 categories; 1. Cross Country Distance (XC): The total distance over three turn points. So: - Start to turn point 1 - Turn point 1 to turn point 2 - Turn point 2 to turn point 3 - Turn point 3 to Finish 2. Open Distance (OD): Straight line distance from start point to finish point. In other words, the distance between the two furthest apart points on the tracklog.

3. Out and Back (OB): Straight line distance from start point to any turn point, then back to the start point.

4. FAI Triangle (TR): The definition of an FAI

triangle shall match the FAI definition at the time of the flight.

5. Declared Goal: Open distance from start point to a goal declared in writing to a witness before launch.

6. Female: Open distance flown by a female pilot.

7. Tandem: Open distance flown on a certified tandem glider with a passenger.

6.6.2 Mis-close of OB & TR flights An OB or TR flight may have a “mis-close” of up to 2% of the flight distance (or 400m for flights <20km). If the pilot returns to within that “mis-close” distance from their start point at the end of their flight then they shall be deemed to have achieved the OB or TR flight.

Diagrammatic examples of Open and Distance and XC Distance flight measurements:

Paragliding World Record; Thomas Walder 325km Triangle In what could be considered one of the greatest flights of our generation, Thomas Walder has flown a 325km triangle from his hometown of Mayrhofen, Austria, with his Ozone Enzo.

Tom spent over 11 hours in the air, and flew through some of the most remote and serious terrain in the Alps.

Tom’s flying career has somehow largely managed to avoid the international spotlight, but he has been one of the world’s top pilots for over a decade. A professional tandem pilot by trade, Tom flies on his working days and also his days off, and has completed some highly impressive XC flights around his home region of Zillertal, Austria.

- Ozone!

6.6.3 Site Records Separate records for each recognised inland site may be claimed in each of the above categories.

6.6.4 In order to break an existing distance record, for the purpose of these regulations, the new distance must be at least 1% longer than the previous record if the flight is under 100km, or at least 1km longer than the previous record if the flight is over 100km

Site Notices Barnicoat Site Requirements

Please be aware that a new agreement with Air Traffic Control in Nelson has resulted in a new MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).

Any and all pilots wanting to fly in the Barnicoat site must comply with the requirements.

These include: · Be inducted to the site using the new format checklist issued September 2015 · Carry and use a UHF radio on Ch 34 set to CCTS 123. · Be prepared to land immediately if notified

by ATC on Ch 34.

The Induction mentioned above supersedes and replaces any previous Induction you may have done before.

Please contact the Tasman Club or any local pilot who will help to explain and assist in the process.

As the Barnicoat site is within MTZ we cannot express the importance of complying with this MOU. For the benefits of all pilots now and in the future please ensure that any pilot travelling with you knows of this procedure for this site.

- Ian Wood, Nelson Paragliding Club

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.

Learn to Fly 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 Web: www.gethigh.co.nz PARAGLIDING SkyWings Paragliding Alan Hills Phone: 09 570 5757, 027 498 2345 Email: alan@skywings.co.nz Web: 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 Web: 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 Web: 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 Web: www.airplay.co.nz BAY OF PLENTY PARAGLIDING Levitate Paragliding Ltd Shane and Summer Tims Phone: 07 542 0098, 027 649 2222 Email: levitateparagliding@hotmail.com Web: www.levitate.co.nz Kiwi-Air Mike & Aniko Phone: 07 929 5807, 021 104 6208 Web: http://kiwi-air.co.nz Mount Paragliding Wayne Roberts Phone: 07 574 4223, 027 643 6529 Email: thermalmonkee@hotmail.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 & PG 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 Web; oceaniaparagliding.co.nz

PARAGLIDING Adventure Paragliding & Kiteboarding Kevin Rooke, Phone: 03 540 2183, 021 762 769 Email: info@skyout.co.nz Web: www.skyout.co.nz Nelson Paragliding Stew and Zanna Karstens Phone: 03 544 1182, 027 446 3930 Email: paragliding@xtra.co.nz Web: www.nelsonparagliding.co.nz MARLBOROUGH PARAGLIDING High Adventure New Zealand Russell Read, Phone: 027 448 0888 Email: russread@ihug.co.nz CHRISTCHURCH HANG GLIDING Canterbury Hang Gliding School Bill Degen Phone: 03 326 6411, 021 247 2676 Email: aero@xtra.co.nz Web: www.hgpg.co.nz

PARAGLIDING ParaPro (Paragliding & Powered Paragliding) Dave Dennis Phone: 03 328 8255, 0508 548 323 Email: info@parapro.co.nz Web: www.parapro.co.nz WANAKA PARAGLIDING Lucky Montana’s Flying Circus Advanced over water manoeuvres (SIV) instruction Rob Darby Phone: 03 443 1680, 027 220 1185 Email: lucky_montana@hotmail.com QUEENSTOWN PARAGLIDING Elevation Paragliding School Shai Lanuel Phone: 0800 359 444, 027 224 2121 Email: elevationpg@xtra.co.nz Web: www.elevation.co.nz Infinity Paragliding School Alan Swann & Blake Round Phone: 021 0228 2939 or 027 367 7679 Email: info@infinityparagliding.co.nz Web: www.infinityparagliding.co.nz Neverland Paragliding Dominic Eller, Phone: 021 314 730 Email: neverlandpg@hotmail.com Paraventures Paragliding School Mark Hardman Phone: 0800 FLYSOLO (0800 359 765), 021 809 275 Email: info@paraventures.co.nz Extreme Air Tandem Hang Gliding & Paragliding Lisa Bradley Phone: 021 156 3256 Email: lisa@extremeair.co.nz Web: www.extremeair.co.nz Queenstown Paragliding School Lisa Bradley Phone: 021 156 3256 Email: info@extremeair.co.nz Web: www.extremeair.co.nz Queenstown Hang Gliding School Lisa Bradley Phone: 021 156 3256 Email: info@extremeair.co.nz Web: www.extremeair.co.nz DUNEDIN PARAGLIDING Dunedin Paragliding & Hang Gliding School Lisa Bradley Phone: 021 156 3256 Email: lisa@extremeair.co.nz Web: www.extremeair.co.nz

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Photos: Neil Brown, Ross Gray

NELSON/TASMAN HANG GLIDING Hang Gliding NZ Ltd Kevin Rooke, Phone: 03 540 2183, 0800 212 359, 021 762 769 Email: rooke@slingshot.co.nz Web: www.hanggliding.co.nz Nelson Hang Gliding Adventures Glenn Meadows Phone: 03 548 9151, 027 275 1022 Email: gmeadows@clear.net.nz Web: www.flynelson.co.nz

Tasman Sky Adventures Trevor Leighton, Phone: 027 229 9693 Email: info@skyadventures.co.nz Web: www.skyadventures.co.nz

N NE EWW ZZEEAA LL AA NN DD C RC RO OS SS S- -CCOOUUNNTT RR YY

HH AA NN GG GGLLI IDDI INNGG CC HH AA MMPPI IOONNSSH HI PI PS S

January 1st to December 31st

T

he 2015 Hang Gliding XC Champs is now warming up with the best weather from now to the comp finish at the end of December 2015. Anyone could wind up in first place and everyone who improves their cross country ability is much better off.

The way to get those big cross country flights is to keep trying so you are flying fit when that good day comes up. You just need to be flying at the right place when conditions turn on. Often it’s the ordinary looking days that unexpectedly turn out best, and it’s those who are out flying on the day that get to take advantage of it.

There’s always time to improve your cross country skills and while doing that you could get that big flight that will top your personal best distance. You’ll be surprised at how well you can do if you are out flying on a day that turns it on.

ONLINE RESULTS Latest results are posted as they come in first at www.hgpg.co.nz and at www.nzhgpa.org.nz/ competitions/hg-competitions/hang-gliding-crosscountry-championships (but check it’s up to date).

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 that’s all we need to enter your flight.

TO ENTER...

It’s free and simple; fly anywhere in NZ 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.

• That’s all, unless you don’t have a GPS tracklog, then please also supply; 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 give take-off and landing witnesses.

GPSDump works on Windows or Mac and reads GPS tracklogs from just about any instrument, then 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. You can even export it for viewing in Google Earth in 3D. You can download GPSDump for free at; www.gethome.no/stein.sorensen RULES You must be a paid up NZHGPA member during all flights or you do not score. Entries must be postmarked or emailed within 30 days of the flight or do not score. This helps ensure accuracy, prevents

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2015 Cross-Country Championships Table so far...

Name Flight 1 Flight 2 Flight 3 Flight 4 Total kms 1 Bill Degen 142.9 102.2 69.9 58.0 373.0 2 Geoff Christophers 108.7 100.9 75.4

285.0

3

255.9

John Smith

166.5

56.4

33.0

4 Cris Lawry 81.4 63.5 58.6 35.3 238.8 5 Neil Howe 89.1 60.0 54.8 203.8 6 Rick Hawkeswood 74.2 51.2 125.4 7 Leslie Graham 36.8 36.0 27.3 23.4 123.4 Sponsors 105.8 8 Mark Nichols ** 48.3 31.6 25.9

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING SUPPLIES

9 Gary Turner 56.1 28.6 84.6 10 Bill Fisher 32.7 24.9 57.6 11

Mark Alton

40.0

40.0

12 Ian Miller 19.3 12.2 31.5 13

Steve Bankier

25.0

pilots holding back flights until the end, and we all want 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. Optimised flight distances with a Remote Start and/or Remote Finish are welcome, provided you send in a valid, GPS track log to prove it. Out & return, triangle or multiple distances are not eligible at this stage.

Aerotow launched flights are permitted, but your release altitude must be less than 5% of the flight distance (current FAI ruling) or does not score. Tow release position (not take-off) verification should be witnessed by the tug pilot, or confirmed with known landmark photo or GPS tracklog.

Please Note: If you don’t follow these rules and provide all relevant flight details, (including valid tracklog for remote start or finish flights) 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’s a special prize for pilots flying skyfloater gliders such as such as the Fun, Falcon, Malibu etc. 30% double surface training 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.

SCORING The pilot with the best total of four flights

2.4

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

28.6

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 the current years XC Champs must be flown before 31st December and entered within 30 days. This ends the contest at a good part of the season while it’s still hot for flying. Flights from January onwards will be entered in the XC Champs for the new year.

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

Airborn needs your articles and photos. We’d like to read about your flights, frights, sites, experiences and techniques. Anything that’s of interest to pilots and educating or enthusing to pilots is especially welcome.

Airborn can’t afford to pay you but does post contributors a complimentary copy which you should receive a day or so before everyone else.

Just email your text to; aero@xtra.co.nz or put it on CD, DVD, Zip, Flash drive or even floppy disk. Most text programs such as Microsoft Word (Windows or Mac) are fine. Please do not put photos in MS Word files as this reduces the resolution, supply photo files separately. If it’s not digital, clean laser or typed copy helps or if you hand write, please write neatly on one side of the paper only.

SEND PHOTOS, of the people, place or gliders involved and one of yourself to make the article more interesting. We now have plenty of COLOUR and with digital photo editing, it’s amazing what we can do to enhance ordinary snapshots. Black and white or colour prints are fine. Digital images should be high resolution. I can help with emailing large files. Contact me if you want help.

Photos for the cover should be eye-catching, colourful, sharp, and high resolution.

You can also send transparencies or prints for scanning. Anything marked with a return address will be returned with your complimentary copy.

Help promote or make our sport safer, and Airborn will present your contribution in the best way possible.

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 fly.

ALWAYS CHECK with local pilots before flying at new sites.

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

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

DO NOT show displeasure or abuse an owner if permission is refused.

This could hamper getting permission in the future.

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.

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.

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

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

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

DO NOT LIGHT FIRES at any time.

DO NOT SMOKE during fire risk times.

DO NOT TAKE DOGS onto any farm or property.

DO NOT disturb plants or machinery, move around it.

LEAVE NO RUBBISH.

N Z H G P A BOOKROOM 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;

BOOKROOM

NZHGPA

WANT A BETTER MAG?

Ewen Tonar 23A Brookview Court Chartwell Hamilton Phone 07 855 3969 etonar@infogen.net.nz

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■ 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 are required to 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 ACCESSORIES OZONE Paragliders - fly-ozone.com - exclusively by SkyWings - Awesome new HELMETS, No Limit, Insider, Loop, Breeze (adjustable) and PlusMax. Range of models - Swift 4, Rush 4, Roadster 2, Viper 3, the amazing Zero miniwing - and colours & sizes, No Limit visor option, PlusMax chinguard option, phone 021 the new Rapido www.skywings.co.nz - 25 years bringing you the best wings 247 2676 email aero@xtra.co.nz email alan@skywings.co.nz INSTRUCTION NOVA Paragliders - nova-wings.com - exclusively by SkyWings - www.skywings.

HANG Gliding/Skyfloating. Experienced instruction in Christchurch using the co.nz - email alan@skywings.co.nz latest skyfloater hang gliders and equipment, Phone Bill 021 247 2676, 03 326 SPEEDFLYING specialists - and dozens of great XC wings - happy to trade - all kinds 6411 a.h., email aero@xtra.co.nz and www.hgpg.co.nz of harnesses in stock as well - www.skywings.co.nz or phone Alan 09 570 5757 EMPLOYMENT ADVANCE Paragliders by Infinity Paragliding. Check out the new Advance Iota - high performance EN-B, the Epsilon 7 - mid range EN-B and the Lightweight CORONET Peak Tandems Ltd, Queenstown, are looking for tandem hang gliding PI mountain glider @ 2.45kg! Also an exceptional range of harnesses - the new and paragliding pilots. Call 021 220 5932 Lightness 2 lightweight POD harness, the Axess 3 Air and Progress 2 reversBUSINESS ible. Go to www.infinityparagliding.co.nz or www.advance.ch for all the specs NELSON Paragliding, established 1993, After 20 years of operation I am looking or call 021 0228 2939 for a business partner to share in the running of the school and 115 commercial MOTOR PARAGLIDING Tandem flights. Nelson Paragliding has excellent equipment and sites where PARAMOTORING – Miniplane and PAP motors - contact SkyWings for courses high standards are achieved. Although seasonally busy would suit someone with and equipment - www.skywings.co.nz or phone Alan 09 570 5757 secondary income. So if you’re a motivated pilot with good people / business HANG GLIDERS skills and like hanging out on hills please enquire as full training will be given.

Contact Stew Karstens 03 544 1182 paragliding@xtra.co.nz WILLS Wing T2 144, Hydranet (spectra cloth) sail, well maintained and tuned wing that had numerous comp and XC wins including 2nd at 2015 Nationals LOST & FOUND and the Magic Mountain XC distance record. Has all the performance extras NIVIUK Icepeak 6; green leading edge with Blue and white tips. Has distinctive but tuned to handle and lands extremely well. Full strip check. Contact Bill 03 competition numbers 222 on the lower surface along with ABAC (factory race 326 6411 or aero@xtra.co.nz team name)... this is a top comp wing and very obviously a comp 2 liner wing.

MOYES LiteSport 4. Full mylar sail. Topsail; white. Underside; lavender, light Very few people should be flying this wing unless they are very experienced. green. Current W.O.F. Brand new glider bag & zip, grass green, $170 worth.

Stolen in a GIN black with flouro green stripes 90 l bag... Reward for return and Spare set of S glass tip wands. $3000.00. Dennis, 021 430 436, 06 752 7618 notifying police!! My cell 027 667 7123... Many thanks and hopefully I’ll get SKYFLOATER Falcon 195 with 16 hours on the clock from new. Comes with it back somehow... it wasn’t insured :( - Grey Hamilton training wheels and speedbar. Recent full strip check and warrant. Red and white, AIRCOTEC XC-Trainer Easy vario/GPS, S/N 1473. Went missing from the $3500 Contact Julian on 021 708 549 Blenheim area approx two years ago. Phone 03 577 8886 or email john.urlich@ DISCUS ‘C’ 13.7 (147.5), very low hours, (3 seasons old?) Excellent condition, nzdf.mil.nz ‘C’ model specs include Wills Wing litestream uprights, aerofoil basebar with streamline fittings & slipstream KP. Spare upright. Recent strip check. Has dacron sail for longer life and better handling. Great combination of performance and Keep in touch with the handling, read the reviews on the net. $5500 ono. Open to trades. Contact Peter NZ hang gliding and on 027 752 9650 or peterj.deboer@clear.net.nz paragliding scene, the latest developments, events, new and SPORT 2, 175, Blue and red lower, near new, just 10 hours, very tidy condition, M a g a z i n e used equipment...

No prangs, 1 geriatric owner, contact 03 326 6411 or aero@xtra.co.nz for info.

SKYFLOATERS; New & used; Fun, Falcon, fully strip checked, test flown and trimmed, contact 03 326-6411 or aero@xtra.co.nz for info.

All NZ hang glider and paraglider pilots are required by law to be STING 2 XC 175, As new under 50 hours and well looked after. Selling on behalf. members, and receive Airborn magazine as part of their membership Suit experienced Novice or above with hook in weight of 80-135kgs or to use but non flyers and overseas pilots are welcome to subscribe. with a motor harness. This is the later version with lever-tip battens and lighter For AIRBORN SUBSCRIPTIONS please contact; pitch pressure. It has PX mylar leading edges and flouro yellow/dark blue lower.

NZHGPA Administrator, 23 Covent Drive, Stoke, Nelson 7011, New Zealand Photos available. Reasonable offers wanted. Full strip check & WoF. Contact Bill at aero@xtra.co.nz or 021 247 2676.

B a c k I s s u e s C2 Lite 14. Recent work, New wires & strip check (receipts available). Approx A4 size issues $4.- each

Feb/Mar/Apr May/Jun/Jul Aug/Sep/Oct Nov/Dec/Jan 120 hours. $2200 Phone Adrian 027 247 2436 or 03 326 5689 adrian.brown@ 2015 issue numbers 193 194 195 196 lincoln.ac.nz 2014 issue numbers 189 190 191 192 2013 issue numbers 185 186 187 188 ELITE 151, Sail a bit scratched on leading edges but Ok, 7075 leading edges, 2012 issue numbers - - 183 184 spare upright. Make an offer. Buck 027 655 1968 jacquipay@slingshot.co.nz 2011 issue numbers 179 180 181 182 HANG GLIDER HARNESSES WOODY Valley harness, size 4XL (but not as big as what you think), suit pilots 5’7” to 5’11” tall, near new c/w parachute and swivel. $650 Phone 03 577 8886 or email john.urlich@nzdf.mil.nz.

MOTOR HANG GLIDING EXPLORER motor harness with carbon fibre folding prop and reserve. Offers considered, Tony 021 265 8224, email tony@sthlaw.co.nz MOSQUITO NRG motorharness, very tidy with very low airtime, all the usual features plus folding carbon prop, Stainless auto carabiner, parachute if required.

Phone 021 247 2676, email aero@xtra.co.nz AIRTIME motor harness, late model, 8 hours airtime, Folding prop, Tiny tac, Tuning lights, 2 owners, contact 03 326-6411 or aero@xtra.co.nz for info.

INSTRUMENTS DIGIFLY, Flytec/Brauniger, Oudie and Aircotec flight instruments, basic varios to full GPS flight computers. Large range in stock. Phone or txt 021 247 2676, email aero@xtra.co.nz RESERVE PARACHUTES RANGE of Charly and Free Flight 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

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2010 issue numbers 175 176 177 178 2009 issue numbers 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

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FLIGHT PIX

Mark Patton over SH8 looking towards Omarama

Southern club member Clark Murphy at Vanua Levu Island in Fiji. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mostly light coastal soaring and thermal activity quickly over developing by 2-3 pm most days

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www.flyozone.com www.nova-wings.com

www.skywings.co.nz

EN B .5 glide better than the class leading Mentor 3, so glide ratio around 10.5 - Better handling and improved safety - almost no one needs more - this glides very close to Mantra 6 but with vastly more safety and ease- EN B This is the new performance reference for high B gliders

EN C

INDEPENDENT REVIEW GERMAN THERMIC MAGAZINE JULY 2013 “In Summary: The Delta 2 is a force to be reckoned with! It launches superbly, and turns when you move your finger in the direction you want the wing to go.

This glider is sensationally solid, glides very well, is easy to accelerate,and it delivers pure pleasure and happiness to the pilot.

Although the Shark Nose profile and dynamic nature might make it look and feel at first glance a bit agressive, in the end this is not true. In any case, anyone who flies regularly will not experience any bad surprises.

Except that the permanent smile induced by the D2 can only be removed by surgery.This is truly a wing designed how wings should be.

Amen”

Nova Ion 3 - EN B Once again, Nova bring the most performance you can get to a School safe glider. And also the most dynamic handling you can have in a first glider.

low EN B

20 years motoring & teaching Our level of experience means everything when you learn to motor www.papteam.com www.miniplane.net

Harnesses Exclusive importers of Sup’Air and Ozone harnesses like the Ozone Ozium - 2.5kgs

www.flyozone.com Miniplane - under 20kgs NZ’s most popular motor

Mini Wings

Twice the fun, twice the flying, half the price! Perfect your ground handling skills.

Huge fun for soaring and strong day thermalling. We are the specialists with 20 years on the smallest wings.

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New

BRAND NEW

High wind soarer/ mini wing

As much performance and handling as you can get in a first glider.

The perfect beginner intermediate glider.

PARAMOTORING SPECIALISTS

- Shark Nose Technology - Glides .1 better than Mantra 4 - (10.3) - Replacable Rods - C Riser control system - Improved agility and compactness - New advanced arc and profile - Clear EN C leader

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

www.skywings.co.nz

New

Fazer 2