So you have just got your License to Fly – What now?

In the first year after training there is a large dropout rate from this amazing sport: about 30 percent.  SPGHC is keen to help new pilots avoid the "Dropout Blues".   

 Here are some suggestions for getting started.

1. Flying Buddies - Get to know the people you can fly with - join the SPGHC and attend meetings. The monthly meetings include talks on a variety of flying topics. They are also where you will get to meet flying buddies. You can also join the WhatsApp group and club Facebook page.  Ask one of the Committee to join you up to the WhatsApp group.  Once on the group introduce yourself and reach out for senior pilots who can supervise you during the early PG2 stages.
2. Ground Handle - If you can’t fly, maybe you can ground handle. Two places to practise are: Long Reef Griffiths Park (-33.7399711, 151.3041813) and Cook’s Terrace (when it is quiet or too light to fly) (-33.6867928, 151.3090868), but any open space where you can pull the wing up is good.  You can never do enough ground handling and this will show when you get on the hill ready to fly. 
3. Set yourself some goals – be realistic, balance your goals against the time you have available to fly and your likelihood of accumulating flying experience and then plan on getting to the "hill" as often as you can.  Keep in mind that the weather will be a variable even if you have all the time in the world to focus on the sport.  One way of setting a goal is understand what is ahead of you to progress in the sport.  The SAFA Operations Manual details the requirements or progressing from PG2/HG Supervised to PG3/PG4/HG Intermediate.  This includes the number of hours/flights/days, different flying site experience and thermic flying experience.    These can look like fairly major steps, so be prepared to set yourself some intermediate goals based on a realistic assessment of the time available. See attached documents.
4. Know how to read the weather forecast – Increase your chances of flying by knowing when to go to the hill.  If you live some distance from your nearest flying site then this is important.  Correlate forecasts with available observations and actual conditions at the flying site – this will more than likely require you to go to the flying site rather than sit at home.  You won’t always get to fly but at least you’ll know better next time.  Gathering this experience takes time but will prove invaluable.  The SPHGC website has a page devoted to forecasting and observation tools.  There is also a weather station located at Long Reef point .  If you need help with this get on the WhatsApp group and ask questions or talk with other pilots on the hill.  The only silly question is the one you don't ask!
5. Get to know the people who you will most likely fly with, find some flying buddies, join the SPHGC club and attend meetings, set up communication channels like the SPHGC WhatsApp group, SPHGC social media etc, participate in club events.  Become part of your local flying community and it will become more fun and you will be motivated to get to the hill more often.
6. Get to know each flying site – Wherever you go to fly, read the available site guides, seek advice from pilots who fly the site regularly and ask for a site briefing before you consider launching.  As a PG2 pilot you must only fly from PG2 rated sites, ensure you are flying your red ribbon each time you fly and you need to ask a senior pilot for supervision before flying.  SPHGC has two PG2 sites, North East Long Reef and Cooks Terrace.  There is a third PG2/3 site at South East Long Reef but this requires supervision by a Safety Officer. Please obey the rules at any site as use of the site is subject to permission from a landowner who can withdraw these privileges if rules are broken.  Click the link to review the SPHGC Site Guides .
7. Review your equipment from time to time – Many pilots fly the wing they first purchased out of school for lots of hours before considering upgrading especially if you check it before and after each flight and fix problems immediately.  When you first graduate the important thing is accumulating airtime and experience with the safest and most forgiving wing above you as possible.  There is no fast rule on when to upgrade and in fact there is no need to upgrade at all particularly if your available time is limited. As you accumulate hours in the air and gain experience then consider upgrading your equipment.  Doing so will provide you with a new experience because your new equipment will allow you better performance, more comfort, better information and this will further motivate you to continue in the sport.  Please note however, upgrading your equipment should not be done without the advice from an Instructor or a senior pilot who you trust.  Moving to higher performance equipment without the required skill/experience level is never recommended and can be dangerous. 
8. Keep learning - The good thing about being a financial member of SPHGC is that you can participate in workshops, talks and events designed to help you improve your flying.  Always be on the lookout for ways you can learn more about flying safer and better.  Keep in touch with the School where you learnt to fly and the skill development courses they offer.  Most of all take it easy it’s a long game, have fun and fly safe.