WHGPC newsletter: May 2004

Wellington Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club WHGPC page Hang-Dog Home

Newsletter: May 2004 (Note: all external links open in a new window)

Minutes: April 2004

Next Meeting: Tuesday 1 June @ Valley Club, Lower Hutt, from 7:30pm

Grant Tatham will be leading a discussion on thermalling at local sites. Discussion will include launch, flying with others, thermalling techniques, etc. It will be aimed at the lesser experienced pilot, but the more experienced pilots along to "share their wisdom" the better! I suspect we'll all learn something.

ARTICLES

Flying within Airport Control Zones

Article by Colin Iles

Choosing a paraglider harness

Article by John Walton

Draft letter to Greater Wellington on landing area

for Mangaroa Valley (Earlier submission to UHCC)

NEWS

Pukerua/Paekakariki scarp development proposal

Club submission to Porirua City Council

Classic Landscapes web site - lobby group

New paraglider pilots in Wellington

"Hi there, I recently did my training in Christchurch and have just come back to Wellington to live. Please give me a call if you are going out flying and don't mind me tagging along! My home telephone is 04 971 6214 and my mobile is 021 297 2214. Look out for me around Berhampore Park practising ground handling! Nikki Harvey"

Teresa Kovacs has recently arrived from Vancouver, British Columbia. Teresa is also keen to do some ground handling and flying. Teresa's phone number is 499 7437. The Vancouver Club's site is: islandsoaring.com. Photo above is of Teresa flying at one of the club sites.

Novice HG pilots

Grant writes: "At the moment there are a number of novice HG pilots out there that may or may not be aware of each others presence. The following guys are (in my humble opinion) quite able to fly the average coast site, though one or two are a little rusty. If you're looking for a flying companion, try contacting the following. Be aware it is still preferable (essential?) to have a more experienced pilot on site, especially if flying a site higher rated than yourself. Which is pretty much all the time.

Christian Ammon 04 586 1660, 021 259 6860, (new numbers.) hasnt flown for some time, keen to get back out there, now has own transport.

Shane Morton 027 440 8780, back from Australia

Heath Eccles 04 386 1570 04 386 1570 Keen but using club gear for time being. Intends to purchase in near future.

Marc Burgiss 025 500 352 Cellphone only communication. Has own transport, gear etc.

Kane Stevenson 04 569 1812 021 035 7214

Those others in the club that are going out - take the time to ring these guys. That includes any PG pilots that are going out, experienced or not. And that works both ways. At the end of the day, we all fly in the same conditions from the same places.

Paragliding training sessions and WOFs

Colin writes: "A couple of PG evening training sessions are suggested for the period in between our next two normal club meetings, one to focus on the requirements for PG2 - looking at the updated exam and VFR papers and a revision for all members (I recently looked at the papers and if I had to sit them now with no revision I would not pass, and I suspect that would apply to many of our more experienced pilots); and one for a general discussion on safety matters and techniques for young and old! Probably a video or two as well.

Also planned for next month over a weekend: warrants of fitnesses on paragliders and equipment. Remember that even new gliders must have a current NZ WOF to be flown legally. WOFs expire after one year."

WEB SITES - GENERAL

Wind farm proposal for Mt Climie

Flight Club - free flight simulator game (lots of fun!) Fly on those days when it is too windy outside....

Terrain Safety tips

Why free flying sucks!

FAI Hang Gliding & Paragliding site

CIVL Sporting code - the new version

Travel insurance with no hazardous sports exclusions

Cloudstreet - May newsletter of the British Columbia HG&P Association

Extreme sports week in Norway

DHV Airworthiness specifications for hang gliders and paragliders

Magic sunset photo....