Remembering Alan Hills

It is with heavy hearts that we bring sad news to our free flying community that legendry Instructor Alan Hills died peacefully last night after suffering a brain haemorrhage, he was 64. There's a message for all of us there- make every day count. But most of us know that; we are pilots. We can take comfort that Al lived his life to the full, touching many lives in the New Zealand paragliding community. Time now for us to think of Belinda his wife, and support each other. It is testimony to Al that there is such a wide community of amazing people around him. We are so lucky to be part of that network, which stretches worldwide. If we reflect on the NZHGPA today, you realise that our dedication to the joy of free flight comes with a unique blend of friendships, individual talents, experience and personalities. If there is any one individual who could be said to be responsible for helping to build the culture of who we are today, it would be this gentleman. For three and a half decades Alan has been introducing people to the world of flight, and most would say they were stamped with a little of his enthusiasm and ethos as they joined our special community. The empty space he leaves behind will not be fully realised for quite some time. Fly high Alan. We will remember you (Family friend Russ Read)

Blake Round has been awarded the Jill Borst Memorial trophy, for his significant contribution to the New Zealand paragliding community. The list of work is extensive from Club Safety Officer, NZHGPA Exec member, Training Manager, and raising the bar for TOW, Acro and Speed Flying disciplines in NZ. Normally awarded at the NZ Nationals, it was instead presented via zoom at the NZHGPA Exec meeting to a big round of applause. On behalf of the flying community, thank you Blake for your tireless energy and devotion to the sport of free flight – Congratulations. Jill Borst Memorial Trophy and past recipients from 2005 at; https://jbmt.homestead.com/ 👏👏👏👏

Trophy Winners NZ PG 2022

New Zealand PG Awards 2022 

In accordance with a recent memo that, owing to the absence of a PG Open this year due to extenuating circumstances, it was decided that the NZ PG awards for 2022 would be decided according to the NZPRS rankings as at 1st March, 2022.

This year then the awards and trophies are:

    National Champion     Louis Tapper

   Womens Champion    Nina Harrap 

( 'Though Jessica Green is the top ranked female, she is not eligible for the 'award' ‘cos she’s not a kiwi. We certainly acknowledge her performance)

     Serial Class  Aaron Chesterman
  Sports Class Mal Haskins
  Fun Class    Nina Harrap ( Jessica not eligible)

       Jill Borst Blake Round 

   Leo Geary        Jesse Dhue 

Congratulations to all those pilots

  

New FAI / CiVL pilot ranking and Registration Portal

 

NZ PG open Corryong 2022 Cancelled

 NZ PG Open 2022

CANCELLED.

Due to NZ Covid restrictions and rising Omicrin cases worldwide, the NZ PG Open 2022 being held in Corryong , Australia in February has been cancelled as the NZ PG Open for 2022. The competition organiser, Dave Gibbs, is continuing to host a Cat 2 event in it's place. Modified details can be found on Airtribune under  "Not the NZ PG Open 2022"

NZHGPA Christmas and New Year Opening Hours

IMPORTANT NOTICE: NZ PG Open 2022

 IMPORTANT NOTICE

UPDATE

2022 NZ PG Open, Corryong , Australia

For all the PG pilots that were, or are, intending to go to the NZ PG Open 2022 in Australia.

Many of you were at the 2021 NZ Open in Nelson and were at the presentation evening when there was a large show of hands in favour of a NZ PG Open competition in 2022 in Australia. Bids were put out for NZ Clubs to host a PG Open in NZ, as per usual each year, but no offers were forth-coming except that Dave Gibbs in Australia offered to organize the 2022 NZ PG Open in Corryong. And so, an Aussie NZ Open was announced (especially as this had been done successfully previously in Manilla in 2016).

At the time ( May 2021) Covid was very much in flux and it was quite possible that events would transpire that would make an Australian event most feasible. Not to be. We have all been caught out by events beyond our control. Even up until early Dec this year, before the ‘traffic light’ system was introduced, there was a high probability that travel to and from Australia and Covid restrictions there, and here, would permit such an event but now, with the TLS and with Omicron looming to freak out governments further and create more travel restrictions it’s looking pretty unlikely that kiwis will realistically be able to travel to Australia (and return!).

I wrote to Dave Gibbs (the NZ PG Open comp director) recently and discussed the NZ PG Open in Australia and today (13th Dec) I spoke with Dave and we have come up with a plan.

The event is still a Cat2 FAI event and is likely to attract a good number of Aussie, and other international pilots (especially if he tweeks the format to be a ‘novice comp’ or a EN C wing Class comp only). It is worth keeping as a valid FAI Cat2 competition. Dave does not want to cancel the event as it has attracted many novice and other overseas pilots and there is a ‘cancellation policy’ that would mean he would have to refund 100% inspite of significant costs already spent. 

So, it looks like the event will still go ahead for all, if you’d like to attend, but it is possible it will not be a NZ PG Open. If you attend it will still be great flying and accrue WPRS and NZPRS points.

A final decision will be made on / or about the 1st January. Monitor the NZHGPA website. We’ll keep you posted.

If the NZ PG Open doesn’t go ahead, we will write to CiVL and our NAC to advise them that the NZ PG Open in Australia is cancelled as the NZ PG Open for 2022 and Dave will change the comps name to…”Not - the NZ PGOpen” ( or something)( ‘cos he’s already got the T-shirts made!). I’m sure the FAI and our NAC will be OK with that considering the circumstances.

We will ask that NZ Clubs consider stepping forward to create a ‘back-up’ PG Open which, except for formal (AIP) airspace notifications (NOTAMS will still be able to advise) there would still be plenty of time to organize a very much simplified PG Open event before the end of Feb /early March.

Clubs, please consider this option, and be prepared to step up. Remember, pilots simply want to fly and have a good get-together (not-with-standing Covid restrictions).

If there is no NZ PG Open, in 2022 (and NZ would not be the first country to have their premier events cancelled due to Covid restrictions) then the National champions, due to extenuating circumstances, will be decided by the NZPRS as at the 1st March 2022 and pilots so notified and somehow Trophies delivered. The least that Clubs can do is to step forward and host Regional events. Let’s get as many comps as we can, Cat2 or not, that will be recognized by the NZPRS, so as to create a fair cross-section of experience for possible National pilot awards.

Finally, Clubs: be thinking now about whether you’ll consider hosting a PG Open in 2023. A long way off but it would take the pressure off last minute preparations. Perhaps, in future, the PCC will insist that the next years NZ PG Open be announced at the presentation evening of the previous closing PG Open. 

Wanted

We are a bit short on the ground this season for Regional Paragliding comps or social fly ins/events. They are allot easier to run over a weekend than you might think, it has all been done before with turn points, mapping, scoring system ect all ready to go. There's no black art involved and we are here to help, plus your flying community will love you for it - Legend . Lets fly and contact the PCC Tim Brown, Nina Harrap, Dave Washer at NZHGPAPCC@Googlegroups.com or tel: Tim 0211824243 or for Social fun fly ins or events; Nick Taber ceo@nzhgpa.org.nz tel: 021420742 Checkout Whats On - All your Comps and advance Paragliding courses at a glance on the NZHGPA Website; http://www.nzhgpa.org.nz/ Six HG Comps (Wow), 1 Hike and Fly, Acro Fest and 2 Paragliding Competitions for 2021/22 book now.

New!!! - 90 day COVID extension for Instructor, Pilot Currency and Equipment WOF from date of expiry.

Thinking of our Auckland friends doing it tough on day 33 of Lockdown. Don’t worry if your instructor, pilot currency or equipment WOF expires during Lockdown, the NZHGPA has just been approved a 90 day extension, so Instructors can still operate and pilots can still fly as you enter Covid Level 2. Pilots are recommended to renew instructor, examiner and pilot currency requirements, and equipment Warrant of Fitness as soon as possible to ensure continued flight safety. The extension is for a maximum of 90 days from date of expiry. Refer to; OPM V2.2 Page 8-4 section 8.4

NZ PG Open 2022 -Corryong, Australia

             

NZ PG Open 2022 - Corryong, Australia

Registration for the NZ PG Open, to be held at Corryong, Victoria, Australia in late February, 2022 is now open on Airtribune.

After a strong indication of support for such a competition at the last Nelson Open, Dave Gibbs, in Australia, has offered to organise a NZ PG Open in Australia.

This will be a Cat2 event.

Organisers are well aware that Covid restrictions may limit or preclude travel.

Let's see what happens.

Register Now

Updated Paragliding Competition Rules V23 for review.

Paragliding Competition Rules V23

 The PCC is tasked with reviewing and updating the Competition Rules from time to time.

In accordance with the existing Rules a new version 23 has now been written and is posted for review by the Members for a two week period (todays date:1st July 2021) prior to a final review and becoming 'official'.

The new version can be viewed or downloaded from the NZHGPA website: 'Competitions and Records' / 'Paragliding Competition Downloads'

This year there are very few changes and they came about as a result of issues becoming evident at the PG Open.

The main changes are to S2.7 ( Validation) now simplified; S3.8 (Emergencies) changed to flow better and to delete a phrase that was no longer valid; Some small changes in S4.6.1 re 'Awards' if a PG Open has less than 2000points and a change in S6.5 that allows for broken track-logs when applying for 'Records' which brings us into alignment with the FAI.

Please take time to review them and, if there are any concerns notify the PCC.

Covid19 level 3 in Auckland region

 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/assets/about-us/alert-level-3-table.pdf .

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/members/opmforms  

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,

2. any wing listed in the NZHGPA speed wing data list (here) as a speed 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?

1. 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.
2. 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 Manual TM02

Speed Wing Exam password tm123

OPMF81 Speed Wing Pilot application

OPMF82 Speed Wing Coach application

Speed Wing Data list

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:

NZHGPA,

PO Box 131,

Matamata 3440

 The email and phone are unchanged admin@nzhgpa.org.nz and +64272021806

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.

Congratulations Louis. An inspiration and a flight well done.

Member Discounted Ferry Rates

Bluebridge Ferries have partnered with us to support members crossing Cook Strait.

NZHGPA members can now get great discounted rates on ferry crossings. These are only available to full members and you MUST show proof of membership when you check in or the normal rates will apply. The full details and bookings can be found here https://www.bluebridge.co.nz/nzhgpa