RidgeDancer November 1995
Reproduced from the monthly newsletter.
Contents:
Avoiding Nar-nar, Part III
New Ratings System Passed
Thanks Jack!
Safety is a Learning Process!
Monthly Meeting Minutes
Avoiding Nar-nar, Part III
Ann Sasaki, Safety DirectorThis has been an exceptional year for flying, although weather patterns were somewhat out of the norm and our foggy summer coastal flying didnít happen until October. In any case, many people have reported great mountain trips, fun beach thermalling and all sorts of personal achievements in flying.
On the other hand, this year has seen an exceptional number of incidents and near incidents in our region. There are a variety of ways we can improve our safety record through information and analysis, including such items as:
1 Talk to other pilots about the weather conditions and the nature of the particular site. This applies to new and visiting pilots, as well as the locals who need to make the effort to find out if other pilots are familiar with the site.
2. Donít try to push the limits of your skills. Be realistic about what you can do and what you have yet learned to do. Practice new skills at a reasonable pace under reasonable conditions.
3. Put enough time and effort into flying to do it safely. If you only fly once a month, expect to spend some time becoming current with your wing and your flying skills, as well as the site.
4. Watch for changing weather conditions such as fog, high winds, increased turbulence, etc. that indicate conditions are deteriorating.
5. Monitor traffic, including not going up into the fog where you canít see other pilots and they cannot see you.
...And the list goes on, as you have read in articles previously published.
One additional piece of the safety puzzle is reporting accidents. We all can benefit from understanding the factors related to an accident and how it might be avoided in the future. We are NOT interested in pinpointing pilots who have biffed so we can rag on them! We WOULD like to know how to not repeat history. Please fill out an accident report if you are involved in an accident. USHGA has a form that lists all the information to include. Please send a copy of your report to USHGA and one to the BAPA Safety Director at the BAPA P.O. Box.
Hereís to more soaring and coring and flying safely!
New Ratings System Passed!
The EditorsUSHGA has approved the 5-tiered rating system, which aligns the Para ratings with the current Hang ratings. This should provide more flexibility in rating BAPA sites, as well as fostering greater understanding between the two flying communities.
Thanks Jack Hodges!
Anne Huffington, Secretary[This letter was sent to Jack Hodges with a check from the club]
Dear Jack,
The Bay Area Paragliding Association would like to express gratitude for your work to change the paragliding rating system. Please accept this check in the amount of $200. We hope that it will help defray some of your out of pocket expenses.Again, thank you!
BAPA
Safety is a Learning Process!
Ann Sasaki, Safety DirectorDonít forget: an important element of accident prevention is accident reporting. The community can benefit from knowing the conditions under which an accident occurred and how it could be avoided in the future. Please fill out an accident report if you are involved in an accident. If you need a copy of the accident report form, contact me or the USHGA office. Then send copies of your filled-out form to both USHGA and the BAPA Safety Director!
Meeting Minutes - Nov. 1, 1995
Anne HuffingtonLarry Friend called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.
New Members
No one new and 19 old timers.Notable Flights (better known as Class III Gloating)
Chris Northcutt had another (ho hum) day flying in shear conditions at the coast. Seems like the norm lately and was more worry than fun.
Mike Yost got to 11,500 feet in the Owens Valley and said that he didnít know the Owens in October could be so good - says it almost beat Canada!
Larry Friend is back in the air and says that every flight is notable!
Ron Thompsonís classy photo at "the dumps" appeared in Aloft this edition and made us all proud. The photo was taken by Ann Sasaki. Great job!
Jeff Greenbaum reported that a student got more than two hours and 1,500 feet over launch at Potato Hill on his very first thermal flight. Unfortunately I failed to get the studentís name.Old Biz
Al Baldini made a motion to accept the minutes from the October 4, 1995 meeting.
***Motion passed.Officer Reports
Presidentís Report
Anybody using the BAPA phone? Letís use it because the Ft. Funston windtalker is still broken.Treasurer Report
Out-going Treasurer Bob Gilmour circulated a year end report showing solvency.Site Director Report
None of the Site Administrators were present, but club members discussed the new rating system which takes effect January 1, 1996 and may change the rules at the sites. Also, our permit for the Stables site comes up for renewal soon. Bring all pertinent issues to the Site Director.New Business Ann Sasaki received mailing labels of Paragliding Pilots in Region II. Many of these pilots donít know about BAPA. A motion was made that BAPA contribute up to $100 for a mailing using the labels.
*** Motion passed. (Instructors should also encourage students to join.)A motion was made that BAPA will contribute $200 to member Jack Hodges to help defray his out-of-pocket expenses and show our gratitude for his hard work on the paragliding rating system changes which were approved and take effect January 1, 1996.
*** Motion passed.Members were encouraged to read Bob Ostís article in the RidgeDancer concerning the death of a paraglider pilot in Alaska, and to note that all contributions to the family of the pilot will be gratefully accepted. See the article for details.
In light of the rating changes coming in January a motion was made to establish a Site Review Committee to review the rules and regulations at each site. The committee will be comprised of the Site Director, the Safety Director, the Site Administrators, and any other interested members.
*** Motion passed.A motion was made that BAPA will contribute $40 to send a flyer or postcard to invite club members to a Christmas Party.
*** Motion passed.Meeting adjourned at 8:30pm.