Safety Matters May 2008
Accepted wisdom is that a water landing is typically fatal, though this has been disproved on several occasions by our members, it is only a matter of time before someone DOES DROWN unless we all change our ways. The added buoyancy of the back protector in the harness usually holds the pilot face down in the water. Also the 400 metres or so of super-strong string is very effective at binding the pilot's arms and legs to stop them swimming.
Whenever you are flying anywhere that there is a significant risk of landing in water you are well advised to wear a life jacket. Given the weather of this could be construed as every site we have, but really we mean the maritime sites. Locally this is Newhaven and Beachy, plus a few unlisted sites. Wearing a life jacket does not make a water landing acceptable, but it does improve your chances of survival. The best thing you can do is to never land in the water in the first place! To achieve this is quite simple:
• Don't try to soar the harbour arm.
• Don't fly out of reach of a safe landing.
• Don't fly beyond the point when the wind is off to the south east.
• Don't fly beyond the point when the tide is in, or coming in.
• Don't fly when it is so crowded that there is not enough room to stay up.
Another hazard of cliffs and arêtes is of course the rotor. A new pilot was very lucky to escape with his life, let alone his legs unbroken recently when he strayed too far back and became pinned above the bungalows at Newhaven. A simple rule is that if you cannot see all the way down the face of the cliff to the beach, then you are too far back.
If you find yourself pinned in a hazardous position, then your best method for penetrating forwards is to:
• Point directly into wind; do not make any turns, swoops or other manoeuvres.
• Make sure that you have absolutely NO BRAKE applied – release any wraps.
• Consider using the accelerator while you are above any turbulent air. Big ears used in conjunction with the bar will allow you to fly fast in mild turbulence. Big ears alone will slow you down and seal your fate. Accelerator alone used low down in turbulence will also seal your fate.
• Get into the PLF position; the extra offset drag created will make the glider fly a little faster and if you do get a beasting, you may land on your feet and be able to PLF.
May, or even June will be with us by the time you read this. Allegedly we will be experiencing a warm but rather wet summer. If this is the case then we need to be aware of the formation of orographic cloud; wisps of cloud start to form very close to the hillside, followed by a very rapid blooming of cloud which can easily envelop the unwary flyer. If you spot telltale wisps then land immediately!
Given the very poor start to the year the biggest hazard is inevitably going to be rusty flying skills – I have flown on every possible day and I feel rusty, heaven help those who have not flown yet this year! Please give each other more consideration that usual and don't assume that there is enough airspace left for you to fly.
Trees – the tree landing season will be upon us so remember, don't risk falling out, make sure you are well and truly roosted.
You won't live long enough to make all the mistakes, so learn from others.
Fly safe and keep having fun!
Steve Purdie