Members should take note of the change to Alert level 3 for the Auckland Region at mid day today Wed 12th Aug. This means recreational flying is banned until the alert level is lifted. Please follow the guidance from the MOT https://www.transport.govt.nz/about/covid-19/transport-and-travel-by-alert-level/#recreational
Auckland Regional Paragliding competitions.
Auckland Regional Paragliding Competitions 2020
One of the bonuses of Covid19 and the restrictions on travel has been for pilots to step forward to conduct Regional paragliding competitions so as to continue to ensure that New Zealand pilots are kept current with competition flying and continue to be well represented on the World Rankings.
Johnny Hopper is conducting a League of two Auckland competitions in November and December, 2020.
Auckland Regional #1: 14th - 15th November, 2020 ( Reserve date the following weekend)
Registration opens soon.
FAI Cat2
Airtribune: Airtribune / Auckland Regional #1
AucklandRegional #2: 12th - 13th December, 2020 ( Reserve date the following weekend)
Registration opens soon.
FAI Cat2
Airtribune: Auckland Regional #2
Johnny runs a great comp with lots of fun. Lets hope the weather is kind for some great flying.
Information on Airtribune.
Test your knowledge on VFR
Many clubs are encouraging their members to update and check their knowledge of VFR rules by having a go at the online test. We think that's a great idea. Try it yourself. It's free.
- Access the online exam here and use the current password "vfr2020". The password may change at some stage but if it does we'll let you know.
- If you don't pass on the first go don't be disappointed, you can have another go after 24 hours. In the mean time maybe read the new VFR guide here. The guide is also available on the NZHGPA website (in the OPM and Forms area).
Covid level 3 and VFR test online
Covid level 3 ban on recreational flying.
The Government ban on recreational flying continues under level 3. You can read the CAA information here https://www.aviation.govt.nz/
Do not fly.
Ground handling.
Due to the various risks involved including "accidental" take off or flight Ground handling must not be done on or near any flying site under Covid level 3 restrictions.
Choose a large, flat, obstacle free place, in your local area, away from flying sites and make sure you have landowner’s permission. Better still wait until we come out of level 3 and then do some ground handling before you go flying.
VFR online test.
The updated VFR Exam Study Guide and the online exam is ready.
- The guide can be accessed here. The guide will be also be available on the NZHGPA website (in the OPM and Forms area).
- The online exam can be accessed here. The current password is "vfr2020". The password is likely to change from time to time.
New students (and pilots converting overseas ratings) will now have to sit the online exam. The old paper exam will be accepted for pilots who are already NZHGPA members (as of today). This includes students who are already part way through their course. Anybody using the old paper exam must have their rating application submitted by the 31st October 2020. Only the online exam will be accepted from the 1st November.
Speed Flying and new OPM
Introduction
The latest version (v1.62) of our OPM includes new rules and ratings for speed wing pilots and for speed wing coaches. The applicable rules are in sections 6.7.18 and 6.7.19 of OPM, which is now online http://www.nzhgpa.org.nz/
If you fly a glider which fits the definition below you will need a speed wing licence from 31 Jan 2021
Definition of a Speed Wing; means a paraglider which is:
1. Designated by the manufacturer as a speed wing or speed flying wing or,
3. any other paraglider type wing of less than 18 m2 flat area flown at a wing loading of 7kg/m2 or more.
For Pilots
You can continue to fly speed wings until 31 Jan 2021 provided you hold at least PG2 plus one of the following:
- have completed an additional 40 flights, OR
- hold a skydiving C licence.
The requirement to log 40 flights on a paraglider after qualifying as PG2 and before beginning speed flying has not changed from the previous rules. Please take your time to learn to fly well on a traditional paraglider before you take on a speed wing.
How do I get the new rating?
- Have a read through the speed wing manual to brush up - you might learn something you didn’t know. Then sit the speed wing theory test. Links are provided below.
- Contact one of the speed wing coaches once you have passed the theory test to arrange for an assessment of your experience and flying skills. A list of speed wing coaches will be supplied soon.
Coaches will need to to verify that you have recently demonstrated the skills listed in OPMF81 either by directly observing your flying or by viewing video of you flying sometime in the last 12 months. (Please note your own helmet cam doesn’t show you flying, we need an outside observer.) In either case you must demonstrate at least one controlled forward foot launch in wind less than 10 kph and the other skills listed in part (B). You should also state the model and size of the wing you used and your flying weight so we can make sure it fits the definition of a speed wing.
If you have any questions about the SWP rating please address them to speedflying@nzhgpa.org.nz
For Coaches
The first coaches will have proven recent high levels of competence in speed wing flying, a great attitude and the ability to pass that on to others.
Project leader, Blake Round, will be appointed as the first speed wing coach. He, along with training manager Mark Hardman, will then authorise the first few speed wing pilot ratings and coaches based on written applications using OPMF81 or OPMF82. We won’t be rushing the process and we expect to collect a number of applications before any approvals are done.
If you are interested in being a coach please start by studying the guide and siting the theory test. When you have passed the test you can fill out OPMF82 and email it to training@nzhgpa.org.nz. There is no need to resend your current first aid certificate if it is already held by the NZHGPA. A current first aid certificate does not need to be submitted with your initial application, however final approval won’t be given until the certificate is provided. Please note that you need to show you have recent experience (i.e. last 12 months). The initial coach ratings issued will be valid for 2 years and will then be reviewed in the light of lessons we learn along the way.
Links:
Speed Wing Exam password tm123
Enquiries about Speed Wing Pilot rating speedflying@nzhgpa.org.nz
Enquiries about Speed Wing coach rating training@nzhgpa.org.nz
Administrator change of address
Please update your records, the NZHGPA administration office has moved!
The new address for all correspondence is:
The new address for all correspondence is:
NZHGPA,
PO Box 131,
The email and phone are unchanged admin@nzhgpa.org.nz and +64272021806Matamata 3440
A new NZ Paragliding triangle record at 197km.
The 23rd December 2019 turned out to be an epic day for flying in Otago. Lots of pilots set out for cross-country flights but one, in particular, was of note.
Louis Tapper got airborne from Treble Cone about 1130am and flew a triangular route first south to Cardrona, west to the head of the Routeburn then northeast to Makarora and back to Treble Cone. The flight lasted over the 8 hours and resulted in the smashing of the NZ paragliding triangle record by flying 197km.
Louis had been planning such a flight for some time with a view to beating 200km and so was well prepared. The final turnpoint for that 200km proved elusive as the day began to slow and he'd been caught out with a long walk-out some months before.
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