Hang gliding, paragliding, and microlighting pilots will be converging again on Tumut, NSW for the Annual National Fly-In.

When: Easter, Friday 02 April 2010 to Monday 05 April 2010

Where: Tumut, NSW Australia

• Great free-flying with friends

Besides flying, there's always a chance for a kayak derby in the river if there's too much wind or rain

• Free Thermaling Workshop and XC Assistance Clinic

I'll be there helping out overtime for pilots (hang gliding & paragliding) looking to improve their in-land soaring skills.  If conditions permit, I hope to even offer some air-to-air assistance on the radio.  I'll be bringing my hang glider and maybe my paraglider, too.  Overall, the loose agenda is going to be getting some FUN and safe.

-Conrad Loten, from Newcastle, has signed UP to help with the event.  Conrad recently placed a tight second place at the NSW Hang Gliding State Titles in Manilla.  He's an amazing man, and we're very fortunate to have him on board assisting the hang gliding and paragliding pilots looking to learn more about flying in thermals and XC.AIRTIME.  Be sure to contact me if you are interested in attending this aspect of the event.  Also, more info 'bout this at the bottom.

• Free Camping at the Tumut Aerodrome.
  

Just find an empty spot...the camping area is on the outskirts of the parking lot.  It's primitive and basic but there are showers and toilets are on site.  Also, there's a pilot's kitchen and lounge, making everything a bit easier.  Rumor has it that accommodation/camping in Tumut is already booked out.

• Free BBQ's

It should taste good if we fly all day...

• Spot Landing

Nothing formally organized yet, but what's a Fly-In without a spot to target at some point during the day?

Hope to see you there, whatever you fly!  -Curt

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More info provided by the NSW Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association AND the ACT Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club:

Open and free to all HGFA members and family.

The well known and well attended Easter Weekend is on once again in 2010 for all HGFA members and their friends. Come along to the beautiful town of Tumut situated at the Northern end of the Snowy Mountains with its vast wilderness area’s and National Parks.

The Tumut town has a number of caravan parks alongside the Tumut River, a great choice of B & B’s and Motels or even farm stays for those who wish to make the Easter break even more memorable. To find out more about accommodation see the Tumut Tourist Bureau,  Adelong Street, Tumut, their web site or give them a call on  02 6947 7025. http://www.totaltravel.com.au/travel/nsw/snowymountainsarea/tumut/direct...

FREE camping will also be allowed at the Aerodrome over the Easter break which has full male and female showers and toilets, plus we have booked the six bed cabin on site for anyone who would like to hire this at a nominal fee, be quick to get this one!.
Plus:
We will be holding a FREE BBQ on the Friday Night at the Aeroclub and drinks will be available to purchase from the bar at very reasonable cost with all profits going to the costs to hire the facilities.

All HGFA members (not family and friends) will be charged a use of facilities cost of $5.00 per person for the whole four days, this will be collected from you at the fly in. There is a possibility that we may get further funding sponsorship to meet this cost also.

Where is it held in Tumut ?

At that Tumut Aerodrome on the Brungle road just 4km north of the town centre where there is a fully serviced and bitumen surfaced runway where we have arranged for the Easter fly in to be centered and run from. We will meet at the Aeroclub rooms at 10 am every day, which has a fully functioning bar, TV and DVD player, cold rooms, kitchen, air conditioning, BBQ, hanger and Full Amenities and you will be given a briefing on the weather, flying locations and activities for the day.
Depending on the weather we will then move to the various locations suitable for flying around Tumut or for those that want to sight see, shop or visit the National Parks. The town Centre is only a short distance away along with the Tourist Bureau.  

For those who have the qualifications, aerotowing will be conducted at the airport every day and for others that would like a TIF (Trial Introductory Flight) or Tandem Hang Glider flight to see what this flying is all about, these will also be conducted daily (weather dependent) with suitably qualified and insured operators (fees will apply).

A summary of, but not limited to, the flying activities are:

•    Daily weather briefings
•    Daily de-briefings, Q & A sessions.
•    Paragliding
•    Hang Gliding
•    Nanolight
•    Ultralights
•    Free BBQs
•    Shower and Bathroom facilities
•    Aerodrome FREE camping

Safety Officers present: Peter Dall (SSO), Michael Porter.
Safety officers will be appointed as duty pilots on the airfield and on multiple hill launches for briefing and control of operations.
FREE Flying

Pilots will have the following launches available for free flying at:

•    Tumut Airport – Aerotow
•    Honeysuckle Range – Hang gliding and paragliding
•    Argalong - Hang gliding and paragliding
•    Big Mt Talbingo  (advance Hang gliding and Paragliding Only)
•    Bald Hill - Hang gliding and paragliding

Assistance will be provided on site to inexperienced inland pilots, this assistance will be provided by instructors and Safety Officers present at the location and is subject to availability.

Professional Instruction for both HG & PG

We are very pleased to also have Curt Warren, a world-class hang glider pilot and experienced paraglider pilot.
Curt, who owns and operates Warren Windsports (www.warrenwindsports.com.au) training facilities at Stanwell Park NSW, will be running a XC/Thermalling Clinic all four days of Easter.

This FREE Instructional workshop will cover:

Cross country (XC) advice and tasks
Thermalling theory workshops
In-flight radio coaching (limited space available)
Task setting
Task strategies
Flight Analysis and De-Briefing
Launch Assistance
Vario/GPS Help and
General technique advise.

Each of those taking Curts instruction will need to hold and produce a current HGFA lic, own radio, vario/GPS, recently repacked parachute, helmet, glider and harness as well a good sense of humor.   Contact Curt if you need any gear or your chute packed.

For those of you wishing to take part in this FREE instructional course either each of the flyable days or any day or days of the Easter break, you will need to email your details to me at Michael [dot] porterap [dot] jll [dot] com by COB 31 March 2010.

All enquiries in relation to the Easter Fly In at Tumut should be directed in the first instant to MICHAEL PORTER at either Michael [dot] porterap [dot] jll [dot] com or Mobile 0415 920444.