At this Club Meeting various speakers will share their experiences at Bright, Corryong, XC Camp and other competitions over the season.  We will also be organising teams for the upcoming State of Origin Competition at Manilla over Easter 2020.  Last year an SPHGC team won the teams event so we are hoping to defend the title.

Come along and join your fellow pilots at the first Club Meeting for 2020.

In conjunction with SkyOut Paragliding (CFI Roger Stanford) the club is pleased to offer its financial members the opportunity to complete their PG Ground Tow endorsement.  This is a must have endorsement allowing you, another launch method for XC flying, take part in tow comps, participate in SIV/pilotage courses and generally improve your PG skills.

The Tow course will start at 0730 on Saturday morning with a safety brief, theory lessons and exam, equipment check (fitting tow bridles etc), aiming to commence towing by 0900.   All pilots are required to have airworthy equipment (wing, harness, helmet etc), a tow bridle and a fitted reserve parachute.  

Modern tow bridles are suitable for any wing and harness, and can be bought from most instructors or quite cheaply on ebay. Make sure the bridle you buy has a speed system connection. This ensures a safer tow as the speed system helps with the pitch of your paraglider during towing. Roger sells/stocks the "Tow me up" ...

XCoastal Unveiled – Advanced PG Coastal Clinic 1 (Weekend Option)

Commences -  to be advised, original dates changes due to RFS commitments

This course is the result of Project Sydney where CFI Greg Hurst devoted three years to expanding Sydney’s coastal sites and extending routes from Palm Beach to Manly; trans Pittwater from Bangally to West Head and Lovett Bay; North Head to The Spit. The result is XCoastal and as a small gaggle have already discovered it is exhilarating.

This is an advanced coastal flying program aimed at PG5 pilots, or minimum PG4 pilots with significant coastal experience. It will introduce pilots to the outstanding views of Sydney’s northern beaches and unlock the potential of it’s classic coastal routes. It is a technical course that focuses on the micro rather than the macro. You will experience and begin learning the skills of XCoastal including:

> planning, preparing and equipping for XCoastal flights

> techniques and t...

Corryong Magic – 24 to 26 Jan 2020

XC Touring & Safety Clinic

Presented by Sydney Paragliding in association with SPHGC, this program is aimed at pilots seeking skill development and progression. Featuring a three day intensive master class, workshop and flying experience. Located at Corryong, approximately six hours from Sydney and centred in the best XC touring area of Australia. We will fly over a network of hills and peaks ideal for easy thermaling, with fabulous views of the Murray River valleys and a multitude of safe landing areas. Pilots will be introduced to a magical flying landscape with expert guidance, coaching and instruction from seven times Australian PG champion Gareth Carter,  Australian rep and safety aficionado Rohan Taylor and Chief Flight Instructor Greg Hurst.

The program will feature plenty of flying (weather permitting). A typical day starts with up to two warm-up flights between 9.30 and 11.30. Pilots can either follow a skill development...

This course is designed for SPHGC members who have indicated their desire to become a Club Safety Officer or for those members who want to be better prepared for the Duty Pilot role.  This training is designed to complement the recent field training session run by Greg Hurst on Site Safety Briefings.  For those who completed that training, this First Aid course, completes the requisite training to become a Safety Officer.  The course is fully subsidised by the NSWHPA for those pilots who go onto to become club Safty Officers and is partially subsided for those who just wish to achieve this important First Aid qualification.

The Course will cover the following First Aid Modules;

·         HLTAID001 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation

·         HLTAID003 Provide first aid

Late Notification - Sign up now for Three days of Expert Tuition!!

Corryong Magic - 6 to 8 Dec (extended options through to 17 Dec)

Presented by Sydney Paragliding in association with SPHGC, this program is aimed at pilots seeking skill development and progression. Featuring a three day intensive master class, workshops and flying experience with an extension program for those that want to continue flying and learning.  Located at Corryong, approximately six hours from Sydney and centred in the best XC touring area of Australia. We will fly over a network of hills and peaks ideal for easy thermalling, with fabulous views of the Murray River valleys and a multitude of safe landing areas. Pilots will be introduced to a magical flying landscape with expert guidance, coaching and instruction from seven times Australian PG champion Gareth Carter,  Australian rep and safety aficionado Rohan Taylor and Chief Flight Instructor Greg Hurst.

The program will feature pl...

This is our final club meeting for 2019 and we won't have another until February 2020.  Given the proximity to Christmas we thought we would also celebrate with the club shouting the first drink at the bar for all financial members who attend.

Tim Marshall will be presenting the ins and outs (or should that be the ups and downs) of his recent Mt Elliot to Mt Kosciusko flight.  An iconic achievement!!  Come and hear how he planned for what is a difficult route and his decision making along the way.  I am sure we will all learn a lot from hearing Tim's thought process before launch and during flight.

If that isn't enough entertainment, we will also watch a video by Dr Matt Wilkes about parachute deployment.

Come along an join your flying mates for a final 2019 fling.  Harbord Bowlo 7pm 3 December.

Following a successful workshop last year, Zane Priebbenow will again lead a Reserve Re-pack Workshop on Saturday 30 November at the training rooms of Fuji Xerox Australia at 8 Khartoum Rd, Macquarie Park.  Last year's workshop was very popular and highly regarded as a learning experience.  The workshop will be limited to 6 financial club members and will focus on Round and Square reserves only.

Participants will be taken through the decision making process of throwing your reserve then be instructed by Zane in throwing and then re-packing your reserve.  The idea is to give each participant the skills to be able to carry out this essential maintenance activity on their own.  You will be buddied with another participant, will be taken through the steps and then assist your buddy in the re-packing process.

To book a spot in this workshop, purchase a ticket.  The ticket price is $32 with the club receiving a $30 subsidy from the NSWHPA to offset costs.

We will be using the tra...

At our November Club Meeting on Thursday 7 November 2019 starting at 6:45pm, hear Gareth Carter regale us with stories from the 2019 FAI Paragliding World Championships.  Gareth along with other members of the Australian team went to Krushevo, Macedonia seeking PG glory.  I am sure Gareth will have plenty of images and back room dirt on the event.  Gareth will also give us a presentation on progression along the wing spectrum - If you are considering your next wing this talk will be informative.

We will be starting the night with our AGM which will not take long - so either way come along at 6:45pm on Thursday 7 November at the Harbord Bowling Club and support your club.

For out October Club Meeting we are having a casual dinner at the Little Bok Choy restaurant in Pittwater RSL.  Bring you partner, family or come on your own but do come and have a social evening with your fellow club members. We will be meeting at 7pm . If you need any assistance on entry to the club a number of members are also Pittwater RSL members and they will be able to sign you in.

The restaurant has been tentatively booked for 20 but we do need to finalise numbers so please purchase a ticket to the event (free of charge) so I can let the restaurant know how many to expect.  

Hope to see you next Tuesday 1 October at 7pm.

Following last year's very successful Club Hike & Fly day to Lake St Clair, we are repeating the dose of thrills this year.  We have scheduled Saturday 28 September (or as a back up Saturday 12 October) for this annual hike & fly day.  Last year 35 pilots launched and spent some great winter conditions boating around for 2 hours before strong winds forced us down.  It was a great day and celebrations continued at the Singleton hotel before heading home.

Roger Stanford is again volunteering his time to lead the expedition and he will be supported by a number of mentors with experience at the site.  We are of course hoping that some of the pilots from Newcastle and the Central coast will join us also.

This is a great opportunity to get some exercise, enjoy a new site and the cameraderie of your fellow pilots. There is no charge for this event - just a willingness to walk up a moderate hill.

To help us plan, book your free ticket   Put it in your calendar and arrive at the LZ ...

If you are a current SPHGC Safety Officer, or aspiring to be a Safety Officer, or you are occasionally called upon to be a Duty Pilot and want to do a better job, then this innovative training is a mandatory requirement. This is an initiative of the SPHGC Safety Committee and the training will be led by Greg Hurst, Safety Committee Member and CFI at Sydney Paragliding.

The club is keen to have more Safety Officers and better trained Duty Pilots, particularly those who have demonstrated regard for safety and a willingness to help newer pilots become better pilots and who are regulars at the Northern Beaches flying sites.  It is a requirement under the SAFA Operations Manual, for a Safety Officer to receive training on a regular basis. This course will focus on the practical aspects of the role, in particular site briefings and specifically the supervision of PG2/PG3 pilots at Cooks Terrace and Long Reef.  Other courses are being planned to meet the other training requirements for ...

The Club has asked Roger Stanford from Skyout Paragliding to conduct two Reserve Re-pack Workshops on Saturday 21st September in Warriewood.  Roger held these same workshops last year and they were very popular and highly regarded as a learning experience.  Each workshop will be limited to 6 financial club members and will focus on Round and Square reserves only.

Participants will be taken through the decision making process of throwing your reserve then be instructed by Roger in throwing and then re-packing your reserve.  The idea is to give each participant the skills to be able to carry out this essential maintenance activity on their own.  You will be buddied with another participant, will be taken through the steps and then assist your buddy in the re-packing process.

To book a spot in this workshop, purchase a ticket.  The ticket price is $32 with the club receiving a $30 subsidy from the NSWHPA to offset costs.

The Club has asked Roger Stanford from Skyout Paragliding to conduct two Reserve Re-pack Workshops on Saturday 21st September in Warriewood.  Roger held these same workshops last year and they were very popular and highly regarded as a learning experience.  Each workshop will be limited to 6 financial club members and will focus on Round and Square reserves only.

Participants will be taken through the decision making process of throwing your reserve then be instructed by Roger in throwing and then re-packing your reserve.  The idea is to give each participant the skills to be able to carry out this essential maintenance activity on their own.  You will be buddied with another participant, will be taken through the steps and then assist your buddy in the re-packing process.

To book a spot in this workshop, purchase a ticket.  The ticket price is $32 with the club receiving a $30 subsidy from the NSWHPA to offset costs.

If you are aspiring to attaining your PG4 Certification then this Workshop and Exam on the PG4 Theory is the ideal way to help you get there.    There is no time limit between the Theory and Practical aspects of the PG4 Certification.  In fact, during this course you will learn aspects of flying which will make you a better and safer pilot and prepare you for your practical exam when you are ready to take it.  Those who have sat the HGFA PG4 theory exam will attest to the fact that it is not easy.  Just about every question has two possible answers that, on initial assessment, seem correct. Greg Hurst CFI from Sydney Paragliding has developed detailed coursework which covers the syllabus and prepares you for this exam.  The Club is lucky to have arranged with Greg to conduct this PG4 theory workshop and exam for financial members.  

The course is open to SPHGC Financial members only.  If you want to gain your PG4 certification then this is the ideal opportunity to be guided ...