I've just returned from co-hosting the Easter Tumut Fly-in Workshop. It was a "feel-good" event with a packed campground, and local flying sites buZZing with hang gliding (and some paragliding) activity.

Above:  Novice pilot, Drewe Waller, launches from Honeysuckle on Day 1 in his Moyes Sonic 165.

The strong turnout came from a good weather forecast and the fact that I, along with Conrad Loten, had planned to pour out as much assistance as we could squeeze-in over the holiday period.  The hang gliding and paragliding help was provided for pilots looking for guidance with local site technicalities and thermaling aspects.

As a group, we took the time to inspect and review each landing paddock, along with another pre-flight briefing on launch.  Those that brought their UHF radios benefited with some in-air coaching. Also, each morning at 8:30 am, I conducted an Advanced Training Clinic on both thermaling and competition flying.

DAY ONE: HONEYSUCKLE, Light NW winds   Access: two wheel drive

Stopping by the LZ "bombout" paddock, we stressed the importance of using an upward slope when landing.  -For instance, a crosswind landing isn't a big deal, but but be sure to avoid a downhill landing.

Alex "Is this Launch?" Leon revved everybody up by taking-off first, flying straight out front, and hooking into a thermal.  He faded away as he cored UP while drifting to the south on his XC flight..."coincidentally" landing near Kathryn along the way back to the airstrip.

Besides novice and intermediate pilots, we had the big-gun comp-pilots in their Lycra clothing on launch.  -give me a few months, and I'll be right there with them at Canungra in October.

Above:  Colour on the paddock's crest: Thirty pole-bags transform into hang gliders.  "Big Fred" and his North Wing Freedom 190 in the foreground.

Above:   Canberra pilot, Andrew "Powered by Maccas" Luton, charges off in his Airborne Sting 154.

Above: Witch Doctor, Conrad Loten, talks of thermal black-magic in the form of sunlight, shadows, and ridge-lines.

Above: Novice Pilot, Alex Leon, first in flight with his Moyes Malibu 188.   "Looks good, you go first".

DAY TWO: BALD HILL, TUMUT, Light NE winds, 4x4 access

The NE winds left us with Bald Hill, which is a great site, but technical in NE conditions.  We explained how-to launch into the bumpy gully, and then skirt out into the lift-band area that also had the best landing options.  I was impressed with both those pilots that flew and also with a few pilots that that chose not to fly.  The ability to respect one's limit is the true sign of a pilot.  Conrad took off first as the wind technician, but didn't convince anybody right away.  I heard something like..."Well, he always makes it look easy".  Eventually, we had gaggles of gliders scratching^? their way above the rolling terrain, and later happy pilots strewn across the countryside.

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Above: Michael Porter and some cautious pilots at the NE Launch of Tumut's Bald Hill.

Above: Stanwell local, Jonathan Kinred, showing solid form in his Airborne Sting II 168

DAY THREE:  MT. ELLIOT, CORRYONG.  Light west winds.   Access: two wheel drive, or 4x4

Based on the flimsy weather (more NE winds) forecast we decided make the 2.5 hour journey to Corryong.  It's an afternoon site that provides consistent flying opportunities due it's position in the valley.  The west facing slope bakes in the sun and regularly sends the wind blowing IN-and-UP.  Turning right after launch offered a north-facing sunny spine, but a quick-turn to the left put you above a ridge that had a collection of spines feeding lift into it, and was working best. The trip paid off as we had a couple of low-time (and no-time) inland pilots skying out above launch. 

After dinner, Jonathan's parked Nissan Patrol truck jumped the grenade for some of the group, and stopped a drunk driver in his tracks.  Luckily, no one was hurt.  -Cars are dangerous, eh.

Above:  Myself, soaring the Warren Windsports Moyes Malibu above the Corryong Hang Gliding and paragliding take-off spot, in glass-off conditions.

DAY FOUR: MT. ARGALONG, Light west winds.  Access: 4x4

Light and tight, bubbly thermals with short cylces were popping off the north side of the launch, which kept the pilots working together to stay up.  Still, my student fledglings were there to make me proud as they specked-out over launch.  A swim in the river completed the day. 

I imagine almost everyone had that satisfying flown-out feeling as they drove home.  The rest of us couldn't be bothered packing up and stayed one more night.

Above: Jeff Kember of Canada takes off in the Airborne Sting III 154

I'd like to thank Michael Porter for his selfless efforts in organizing this free-flying event for everyone to enjoy.  I know he also worked hard rallying support from around the region.  Besides Michael's contributions, the Easter-gig wouldn't have got off the ground without the needed support from the NSWHPA,  the ACTHPA, and the KAPC (Kosciusko Alpine paragliding club).  -THANK YOU!

Conrad and I had a great time coaching some very grateful hang gliding and paragliding friends of ours.  We appreciate pilots that share our own quest for continual personal development.  If that's you, too, be sure check out our Events page.

NEXT:  UPCOMING and on the near horizon, are ground-towing clinics for hang gliding and paragliding. We'll be using two winch systems that I've imported from the USA:

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  • a "scooter style" pay-in winch for early low-tows
  •  and a hydraulic constant tension pay-out winch for the high tows and big XC flights