Control Zones
by Colin Iles
For the very obvious reason that we are not the only people that use air space there are strict regulations governing where we can legally fly and at what heights. Every time we fly it is in air space that has some limitations. For example, in the Wairarapa we are not permitted to fly above 9,600 feet! Again obviously, that has so far, regrettably, not been an issue – AFAIAA anyway!
In contrast, our closest official site to the Wellington Airport Control Zone is Te Whiti Park with a maximum height of 2,500 feet. Indeed, if you fly south from here you would very quickly be flying illegally. The consequences of so doing are very serious and it is unlikely that you will land before the police arrive.
However, it is possible to fly legally within the Wgtn Airport Control Zone. All it requires is permission from the Control Tower. For example, flights have been made from Mount Victoria, and I personally have received permission to fly the Eastern Hills south of Eastbourne no less than three times this year. In the first case local council clearance must be obtained as well as clearance from the Tower as otherwise you would be flying illegally over built up areas, and in all cases the permission of land owners is mandatory.
To obtain permission to fly you phone into the Tower on 387 1980. Whoever replies you simply tell them your name (and paraglider/hang-glider pilot) and that you are a member of the WHGPG Club and are request clearance to fly at "site name". You will need to clearly indicate exactly where you will fly – from, to and from to, and heights, and times. It should go something like this:
"Good afternoon. I´m Colin Iles, a paraglider pilot from the Wellington Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club and I would like clearance for three paragliders to fly in the area from Eastbourne village, to 4 km south, from the shoreline and back one kilometre. We would like clearance to 600 feet. We wish to launch at 3.30 pm and will finish by 5 pm, or will let you know if we land earlier."
Sometimes the approval is given immediately, and sometimes you might be asked if this permission has been given before, to which you would reply very affirmatively. There is always the possibility you will be turned down of course, as we once were when opening the old GFA at Mount Climie. However, the more often we do open an area, the more willing they seem to be to allow flights. In the case of Climie it became permanent and we were given extra air space as well. In another instance near Rotorua, pilots regularly flew the Paeroa range but never bothered to open the GFA there. When it came up for review, CAA assumed it was no longer being used and wiped the GFA. It was a hard task to get it re-established.
It should also be a courtesy to ring back to the Tower immediately all flying ceases to thank them and tell them you have finished.
I goes without saying that normal etiquette in obtaining permission from landowners each time is essential. For me as an Eastbourne resident it it fantastic to have two good sites within a stones throw. I for one want to make sure they stay available. I love to fly with other pilots at these sites. If you are nearby and the conditions look favourable and you have your gear with you, do give me a call. Required conditions for Te Whiti Park (Wainui Hill) is a breeze NW to SW, and the Southern Eastbourne site: NW to W, with wind speed on the ground from very light to a maximum of about 15 kph.
Colin Iles
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