Newcastle Hang Gliding Club

March '24 NHGC Meeting Minutes 27/3/24 *Apologies* JOD Craig H Matt O John H *Business Arising* Paul Barry's incident at Manilla. Re-discussed, Bill O raised the point that the pilot in command was flying in sufficiently different conditions relatively unprepared: (Recent knee operation, low recent airtime etc.) *Recent Flying* *Safety Issues* One PG incident - Dudley bubble incident 3/3/24 Broken hip. Stalled during slow turn through the bubble. Hit the deck hard. *Bombala St Meeting w/ National Parks 27/3/24* Nat Parks is aware of the clearing to the left of launch. Litigation could be brought down as a result. Nat Parks would like to assist in vegetation management through proper channels. Nat Parks was concerned that they heard of the recent incident (3/3/24) through the media, rather than through direct communication. On the topic of vegetation clearing, Gary has suggested that some time be spent before competitions clearing and maintaining launches. Rod S has donated significant money (c. $2000) to the club for maintenance and expenses for next year's competitions. Discussion was raised about formalising the local launches, but was found to not be a good idea, mostly due to legal tie-ups that neither Council nor the club want to enter into. Potential for an informational sign about the Dudley bubble - given that there is a lot of local knowledge involved, and the potential for injury is quite high for a pilot caught unawares. Ian L has created informational videos about the Dudley bubble - freely available on his youtube channel, FlyFree31. Generally speaking, NE days following SE days will be okay for Dudley. Days following W conditions are likely to see a bubble form. Inversions on the horizon (a brown smudge) is a good sign of an inversion, as is the lack of wind noise in the windward trees when approaching launch. *Denman - 23-24/3/24* Good flying days, but overcast on Sat. Towing and trike flights. *Rylstone Fly-in* Allan is organising a fly-in at Rylstone airport 18-19/5/24 for towing and micro/nano-light flying. There are airspace restrictions around Rylstone. *Site Maintenance Budget - needs to be considered and passed onto NSWHPA* $200 / site, 6 sites, $1200. *Weather Stations* To be discussed next meeting - deadline end of June for passing on to NSWHPA. Allan M has nominated to run the Barraba Big Tow in Nov this year. Ian L has a weather station for Dixon Park. It is under repair, but will soon be repaired and could be installed. NHGC will pay for the weather station upon delivery. *Treasurer's Report* Westpac $13000 $1600 $2600 $17562 Profit of $966 from Manilla. +$1000 from Rod S transferred before the meeting 27/3/24 will appear at a later meeting. *Meeting with NSW National Parks* - Tony and Ian will create signs to be printed and placed at Bombala and Hickson Sts. - The Dudley bubble incident was discussed and the topic of an additional weather station was broached. Approval was received for an installation. - National parks was reportedly easy to deal with. Emphasised importance for permission from the land owners (National Parks) before asking approval. - A suggestion was made to increase signage that is present at Hickson St. Allowances were also made to place additional equipment i.e. witches hat. - Billo suggests only complying with requirements as needed. Kenny suggests fixing the windsock at Hickson St. It is currently a bit ratty.