Club Safety Notices
Safety Notices are sent out to all members by email. Make sure your Club emails are not going to your Spam folder.
Your safety is in your hands
Regardless of pilot level and whether you have a bad launch/landing it shouldn’t be that hard for pilots to:
- Pick a landing spot clear of the public and obstacles;
- Not launch when there are people in front/behind them and;
- Be aware of conditions to prevent getting blown backwards.
Basic Flying Skills - Day 1
The top of the Downs brings pilots and public closer together "We must be extra vigilant during Launches and Landings"
Please treat the Downs area with extreme caution! If in doubt…land at the bottom…the exercise will do you good…and it’s better than hurting someone, wrecking your kit or losing the site!
Procedures for Helicopters on site
Safety advice from the Police Air Support Unit
All members please take note!
Police / Air Ambulance Helicopters may from time to time have cause to fly near our sites, either following a Police enforcement task or in the Air Ambulance's case, a rescue of an injured pilot or member of the public on the hill.
As a general Club rule it is always advisable to land immediately if you spot a helicopter arriving on site or hovering in the vicinity, they may be waiting for you to clear the airspace before approaching the site to land. Always bundle up your wing tightly and unclip from your harness, in case the downwash from the rotor-blades catches you or your wing.
- The Police Helicopter / Air Ambulance pilots will be aware of the Airspace in the area it is operating. The will not be aware of the CRSA.
- The pilot would be operating a “see and avoid” for paragliders, hang-gliders, sailplanes and tow planes and would expect others to do the same.
- If needed, the Police / Air Ambulance Helicopter would broadcast over “Glider Common” Frequencies (129.9 /129.95 / 130.1 / 130.125 and 130.4 MHz). LGC might be equipped, but we would not be I expect.
- If safe to do so, please land immediately, which would be appreciated by the Police / Air Ambulance Helicopters.
Treat ALL top landings with caution. If the PG launch area is congested… DO NOT LAND THERE! The areas to the north and south of the launch area are the designated landing areas. There is no need to land in the take off area. Any top-landing, in strong conditions, is potentially dangerous…. this situation is now made worse by the metal fence, machinery and proximity to members of the public. If that area is busy with members of the public…. wait a minute and let the area clear before you make your landing. If in doubt…land at the bottom…the exercise will do you good… and it’s better than getting hurt, wrecking your kit or losing the site!
If you are making an approach and there is someone in your way - a) IT’S YOUR FAULT… pay more attention on your final beats before committing to the landing and, b) Let them know you are near… you may think they have seen you, this is not always the case.
- ALWAYS check you are clear of air/ground obstructions before you launch (in front and behind).
- People with children/dogs, on a bike, riding a horse, are all potential problems. Their mind is elsewhere, they’re not looking at you, steer well clear of them.
- Always try to be considerate and polite to members of the public. They have as much right to be on the Downs as we do. It will only take one injury or complaint for the NT to think seriously about refusing us access to their land.
- In high winds always think twice about launching… landing in the Golf course is not a valid flight plan, basically… if you’ve landed there… you’ve got it wrong!
Know the limits of your wing and your piloting skills.
If you are not penetrating - push out from the ridge line. Do not try to top land in the compression zone…land at the bottom - It’s safer and easier.