Attendees: 17  (Adriaan, Ben, Jamie, Matty Olive,  Billo, Troy, Lindy, Brad (Paddo, PG), Tony, Karl Kindle, Gary, Ian, Kara, Craig, Harry, Alan Mcmillan, Ken Harris.

Apologies: JOD, John Dingle, Micky, Jubbs.

1.    Xmas party – Success!  Welcome at Softys 2020 if space still available.
2.    Corryong Cup.  Good Atmosphere despite few people and fires.  Unanimous vote for Hubert taking over.
3.    Comps update from Karl Kindle – Manilla 25 pilots.  West Bombout emergency landing only.  Farmer will be patrolling the area.  If confronted by him please call Karl Kindle and let Karl talk to him.  Corryong had 3 flyable days before the fires took over.  Corryong ran at a loss.
4.    Safety Issues
4.1    H bottom landing at Bombala and sustained broken arm.  H hadn’t flow for a while, light conditions, flew too far out to stay in the lift.  Stuffed up her approach and didn’t come in with speed and had a hard landing.  Reportedly classic Dudley bubble weather symptoms.
4.2    Paul Rankin bottom landing at Strezzi.  Flew out of the lift band too much.  Bad approach with way too much speed and did not flare.  Hard landing resulted in neck fractures.  Paul will be leaving the sport.
5.    Site Report
5.1    Merewether Path – Kate said path will not go to the top.  Path will stop below the rock face so it has a level of difficulty.  NHGC to help with signage to help educate the public.  Reports that picnickers have been getting upset with being asked to move for flying operations.
5.2    Carmels landing paddock is due for annual slashing.  Email invoice to HPA John Harriot.
6.    AIRS – anybody interested in AIRS training please contact Alan McMillan. 

Meeting closed 20:15

Minutes NHGC Club Meeting February

Attending

Adriaan, Karl, John D, John Boy, Ian, Tony, Ward, Ken, Glenn, Paddo, Royce, Rory

Last minute true & correct

Moved Ian. 2nd Ken.

Comps Update

NSW State Titles complete. Made a small profit. A new bombout was used at Mt Borah West without issue. The new paraglider bombout is too small and not suitable. Karl following up with Godrey to seek landowner agreement with new bombout owner.

Change of location for CWC tow comp to Barraba aerodrome proposed. Motion passed supporting this change with all in favour. Organisation for the comp is already underway.

Karl has given a handover to Hughbert Alexander to carry on organisation of the Corryong Cup for 2021 onward.

Site Report

Royce gave a report on discussion with National Parks regarding the Watagans sites. They have agreed to approve the new NE and W launches at Murrells in exchange for giving up the Heaton Park and NE Heaton Sites. A motion was carried in favour of pursuing approval for the 2 new sites, with the possibility of exchanging 2 currents sites. Ward strongly opposed the motion. Suggestions were raised of exchanging Taylors Launch instead of NE Heaton. Royce is to follow up with National Parks regarding this.

A motion was carried to create a signage committee with John Boy, Adriaan and Tony volunteering.

Adriaan is to follow up on exemption to fly within 25 metres of public at Merwether Launch. Current exemptions exist at some Northern Beaches sites.

Treasurers Report

Current cash balance 21 374
Karl has organised refund for Corryong Cup

Meeting closed 8:45

Due to covid 19 no meeting was held

Newcastle Hang Gliding Club “Zoom” Meeting Minutes 29/4/2020 

Present:  Adriaan, Jamie, Ben, Royce, John Boy, Ian Ladyman, Brad Patfield, JOD, Adam, Frans, Paul Bowers, Allan McMillan, Donny Gardner.
Apologies: Rory Duncan
Last Minutes – accepted Brad, 2nd’d Ian.
Business Arising from last meeting Minutes
Signage for Hickson St Launch was described and displayed by Adriaan.
Note – You do not have to flip down the active sign if you’re the only pilot there.
Adriaan asked National Parks many times for their artwork for the signs and they still have not come up with anything so he went and designed something (as was shown) that would be appropriate.  General consensus the signage was liked by everyone at the meeting – good job Adriaan!
In the past month or so there has been some debate about whether or not we should be flying during the lockdown.  John Boy spoke with Linda Ruse at Newcastle Police station to check.  Their view was as long as we were maintaining social distancing, not in groups of more than 2, and not hanging around socializing then hang gliding was considered an acceptable form of exercise.
The question was raised if we should be flying, in the event of an accident we end up an extra burden on the hospital system.  This is a judgement call.  We are asking pilots that choose to fly to be extra careful and fly extra safe to help reduce the risk.
Some concern was also raised about driving to a flying site considered as unnecessary travel.  This may have been the case earlier in the shutdown but recently restrictions have been relaxed, so much as to say that riding your motorbike is now also considered exercise, that we no longer have to worry about this.
We have to put in an application to vary the 25m rule at Hickson St launch.  This is not uncommon.  James Thompson is putting the finishing touches on the forms before we need to sign and submit to SAFA.
Royce has been progressing with Heaton Forrest launches.  The paperwork has all been approved and Karl can get the final quotes for an arborist to finish the tree clearing.  We were going to give up NE Heaton but Rory mentioned he still likes to use that cliff launch when conditions are right.  Royce re-negotiated and we get to keep NE Heaton!  We will only be giving up one launch, it’s near the public lookout and in virgin forest.  Its one that is not used and technically does not exist.  We will be gaining two new launches.  Good work Royce!
Royce has suggested we include other clubs when applying for funding to the NSWHPA to finish Heaton.  Other clubs such as Central Coast and as far as Sydney will be using the Heaton sites so it is only appropriate that they express their interest to give the funding application more weight.  Newcastle Hang Gliding will still be the caretakers of Heaton.

General Business
Adriaan has been working hard to get the club websites up and running again.  The Comp site was recently hacked and attacked by a virus.  Adriaan has removed the virus and closed the backdoor it used.  The NHGC needs major work. Brad has offered to help, Also Ian with adding weather information.
A refresher on bottom landing at Hunter launch.  We are still permitted to land there provided we adhere to the landowner’s request to not park at the landing paddock and park at the nearest road intersection.
The fence across Hickson St launch is only temporary while they put in a limestone path.  Its there to help guide people to safe passage.
National Parks is still to get back to us about top landing at Hickson St launch.  We do not wish to have a rating restriction here as it is our primary training site.  Any rating restriction should only be based on flying conditions which is common sense all pilots should be adhering to anyway.  Royce has suggested we look at the rules in place at Stanwell Park as a guide.

New Business
Adriaan wants to continue using Zoom at club meetings even once our meetings return to the bowling club.  Club meeting attendance has increased over the past year and the addition of Zoom might help that attendance increase further.  This is likely to involve one or more laptops plus some small usb speakers – an easy portable setup.
Karl Kindle has been continuing his good work with the comps.  He is working on a new towing competition at Barraba and next year’s Manilla comp.   At Manilla the new west paragliding bottom landing area is too small for hang gliders.  A new bottom landing paddock was used for the last Manilla comp.  Karl and Godfrey are going to work together to put in place some more formal agreement with the landowner before next Manilla comp.  The new paragliding bottom landing area is too small for hang gliders.
National Parks contacted Adriaan to let us know that Dudley Beach carpark and the road to the Glenrock Scout camp is open again.
Treasurer’s Report
$21,360 in our account.  There have been no transactions in the past month.
Allan’s Re-imbersement for Carmel’s airstrip work has been done.

Meeting closed.

Newcastle Hang Gliding Club “Zoom” Meeting Minutes 27/05/2020 
Present:  Adriaan, Jamie, Ben, Royce, John Boy, Ian Ladyman, Frans, Paul Bowers, Allan McMillan, Brad Patfield, Steve Grattan, Craig Hand, Kyle, Dawson (from France!), 
Last Minutes – accepted Craig, 2nd’d Royce
Business Arising from last meeting Minutes
Hickson Street close proximity exemption is not applicable, 25 meter exemption for other sites was applicable to roads adjoining these sites. Brett Coupland considered this a subject worthy of further discussion. However no immediate action will be needed
NPWS – path at Hickson st nearly finished.  New stonewall at the front only minor drama if you do a really really shit launch.
Website photos are up and running, huge number going way back!
Club elections next month, Preliminary Nominations are
President – Adrian Mulder,
Secretary – Jamie Oorschot,
Treasurer – Craig Hand,
Vise President – Rory
Watagans – Royce and Karl have been up there to look at the sites.  SE Heaton looks great for paragliders now.  Advice from John Harriot, with regards to funding to finish, is likely to be successful if we do it in conjunction with NPC, Central Coast, Stanwell Club, and Northern Beaches club.  Application would remain in NHC name because of Forestry agreement but usage would be shared with all clubs.
Comps – Karl going ahead with exemptions.  Safe to assume Covid restrictions will be eased in time and pilots will be keen to fly.
Safety – Low hours paraglider pilot (experienced skydiver) crashed out front of Hickson st launch 27/5.2020.  Video showed excessive application of brakes causing canopy to stall.  Pilot was taken to hospital with back injuries.  No other incidents reported.
New Business - None
Treasurer’s Report – We forgot to ask, Sorry Ben!
Meeting closed.

Newcastle Hang Gliding Club “Zoom” Meeting Minutes 29/07/2020
Present:  Adriaan, Jamie, Prudence, Kyle, Conrad, Frans, Ian Ladyman, Gary Herman, JOD, Alan Giles, Gary ,  Craig Hand, Mark Kenney, Brad Patfield, JT, Don Gardner, John Harriot, Ben.
Apologies - Billo
Last Minutes – moved Craig Hand 1st, 2nd Prudence, 3rd Alan.
Business Arising from last meeting Minutes
Watagans Launches
Landing at the bottom of NE Heaton only in an absolute emergency otherwise land at Carmels.  Adrian, Karl and Royce are in the process of approaching landowners at the base of NE Heaton to secure an emergency bomb-out paddock.
The working bee at NE Heaton was absolutely amazing 40+ people turned up to help with the finishing touches.  Big thanks to all that turned up.  Special thanks to Morgan for the use of his work truck to transport the astro-turf.
Ongoing work is a weather station at Heaton Telco tower.  If not successful a suggestion was two weather stations, one located at Heaton and one at Hunter.
New signage for the Watagans launches is also still to be organized.
Conrad added that now the Hunter launch is fixed and will be much busier, Christmas presents to the landowners needs to be sorted, so we can give to them in November.  To be included in the next meeting agenda.
Hickson St launch
Hickson Street Signage: Adriaan has communicated with Kate who informed him that the lady responsible for doing the signage is now available and should be producing the final design. She stated that guidelines for signage are very strict and that we should expect the final result to be different from what we imagined
A new weather station was erected at Hickson St launch by Ian Ladyman. (https://tempestwx.com/station/4555/graph/48782/wind/1)  Ian said to look at the max wind rather than the average.  Rain drops affect the wind readings so ignore the readings when it is raining.
New Business
Karl Kindle nominated for life membership for his long-standing service to the club in various roles including president – Zoom poll 100% yes result.  Well deserved.  Thank you very much Karl!
AGM Board Election
Zoom poll results
President – Adriaan Mulder – 100% Yes
Secretary –Jamie Oorschot – 100% Yes
Vice President – Rory Duncan – 100% Yes
Treasurer – Craig Hand – 100% Yes
Competition Director – Karl Kindle – 100% Yes
Congratulations!
Big thanks to Ben for his 3 year stint as treasurer.  In that time he has gone from bachelor to family man!
Also a big thanks to Frans for his help getting the club website online pay system up and running.
Flying
Despite it being winter there has been a fair bit of flying activity,
-    Sunday after Watagans busy bee a bunch of Paragliders and Hang Gliders flew Glennies (a note from Ian Ladyman – you don’t need to sign a waiver to fly Glennies)
-    A HG towing day at Denman.  John Harriot and friends boating around at 5-6k cloud base for a half our or so.  One HG pilot was learning to tow.
-    Jamie and John Boy did nil wind launches off the new NE Heaton launch in their HG floaters.  Straight glide to Carmel’s landing with 250-350ft to spare.
-    PG pilots off new NE Heaton in Int wing (100kg).  Made Carmels with 100ft to spare!
Financial Report produced by Ben:

Newcastle Hang Gliding Club Financial Report FY 2019-20
Income & Expenses
Income Expenses Profit/Loss
Club $10,303.79 $7,688.11 $2,615.68
CWC 19 $11,225 $10,847 $378.20
CC 20 5486.71 4,976 $511.06
NSWST 20 $5,431.20 $5,029.90 $401.30
Total $32,447.10 $28,540.86 $3,906.24
Assets
Cash (End of FY2019-20) 24136
Profit / Loss $3,906.24
Cash (End of FY2019-20)
Predicted $28,042.24
Actual 28253.37
Notes
1. Cost of sanctions for CWC ($337) and NSWST ($292.50) not included in expenses here
as paid for by NSWHPA
2. Profit for the financial year included income from grants for the current Watagans
Project, with payments for this incomplete at end of financial year. If all income & expenses
associated with this project were excluded the club would have a loss of $2231 for the
financial year.

Meeting closed.

Newcastle Hang Gliding Club “Zoom” Meeting Minutes 26/08/2020

Present:  Ken Harris, Jamie Oorschot, Craig Hand, Ian Ladyman, Brad Patfield, Gary Herman, Fans, Allan McMillan, Paul Bowers, Rory Duncan
Apologies – Adriaan Mulder
Last Minutes – moved Ian Ladyman, Brad Patfield
Last Minutes Corrections – With regards to waiver for Glennies, Ian was actually asking if a waiver was required and not stating one was not required as documented.  My (Jamie) apologies for the confusion.  If anybody knows the answer please contact Adriaan, Jamie or Ian.
Club Website Update – Adriaan has been working hard retrieving all the historical data from the old club website and created the new club website.  It has been a monumental task to say the least!  Please have a look at the new website.  You will see it has a new format.  The Paypal payment facility is also working.  If you notice any quirks or old information (ie Sais we are still hosting Corryong for instance) please let Adriaan know.  Thankyou Adriaan - awesome job!
Hickson St launch – The windsock fell off and was replaced with a new one by Pato.  The pole can be lifted out of the ground and carefully laid down to do the replacement.
Because it is taking National Parks a long time to sort out signage it was suggested we make a temporary sign until then.  Ian has donated the sign and Jamie is happy to get the signwriting done.
The new path cutting through the landing area can be hazardous to pilots sliding in on top landing.  It was suggested to raise the soil either side to reduce this hazard.
New Business - none
Flying
Aerotowing at Denman this weekend for experienced pilots.  Want an endorsement?  Contact Rory Duncan and that can be arranged.  John Harriot (0412442705) is organizing the weekend.  If you wish to attend please let him know.
Newcastle has had some light SSE breezes this week of which quite a few pilots took advantage of.
What We Forgot to Mention – John Spenser organized a working bee at Hickson st. Launch to trim the bushes directly out the front.  A good turnout of people with handsaws got the job done in about 1.5hrs.  If you have a look now you will notice the bushes are low and taper out smoothly from launch.  Afterwards Dixon Park low launch shrubs were cut low and a couple of days later the high grass on the steep slope at Strezi was also cut.  Thanks to those who participated.
Financials – essentially the same as last meeting.
Meeting closed.

Newcastle Hang Gliding Club ‘Zoom’ Meeting Minutes  30/09/2020
Present: Adriaan Mulder, Craig Hand, Patrick Sheehan, Frans, Ian Ladyman, Gary & Wendy Herman, Gary, Selmsey, Ken Harris.
Apologies – Brad Patfield, John Harriot.
Last Minutes – 1st Ian, 2nd Craig,
 Business from last meeting
Temporary Sign for Hickson st launch shown and explained.  Thanks to Adriaan and Rachel for doing wording & digital artwork.
Adriaan presented demo of club website.  Send Adriaan your flying pictures and he will add to the photo scroll.  Any website suggestions please email Adriaan.  There are plenty of options to post things and add content.
General business – none,
New business – none,
Comps update – Karl is keen to go ahead with Barriba Big Tow comp.  Due to border closure Karl is not sure if it will be a fun comp only or a sanctioned comp.
Safety issues – Frans top landed at Dixon Park and then did a Turtle ending up across the road.
Sites
Heaton might be on this weekend!
Hickson st Launch – weddings are booked in for 3hrs.  If they end up outside their booking slot please notify Adriaan so he can pass on the details to Kate at National Parks.
Financial Report
Today we changed the bank signatories for the club accounts and closed two obsolete accounts.
Accounts up $15 on last month due to our newest member - Patrick Sheehan.
Club accounts are $22, 632 (number might be wrong, please check with Craig).

Steve Gratten email was hacked.  If you get an email from him please be careful, the photos are actually links to dodgy websites.  Adriaan will get in contact with Steve.

Meeting closed 7:50pm

Newcastle Hang Gliding Club Meeting 28/10/2020 (at Bar Beach Bowlo and Zoom).

Meeting commenced 730pm

Attendees: Adriaan Mulder, Jamie Oorschot, Gary ???, Harry Daniels, Donny Gardner, John Dingle, Ian Ladyman, Foxy, Cara, Al Giles, Ken Harris, Billo Olive, Matt Olive, Kyle Boyd, Tony Barton, Patrick Sheenan, Andreas.

Attendees by Zoom: John Harriot, Allan McMillan,

Apologies: JOD, Craig Hand, Karl Kindle, Rory Duncan, Fraser Vickers

Last Minutes Moved: 1st Ian, 2nd Matt.

A big welcome to new member Patrick Sheenan.  Patrick is a novice HG pilot learned 6 months ago with Tony.  He is also 737 pilot with the RAAF.

Welcome also Andreas.  Andreas is a PG pilot from Columbia.  He learned in 2006.

Flying:

Adriaan and Donny had great fly in the Trike at Denman.  Adriaan impressed how well Microsoft flight simulator depicts the area.
Billo flew with Atmo.
Billo suggested we do some aerotowing from the Gloucester airstrip this summer.

Business from last minutes:

  The temporary sign for Hickson st launch was put on display.  No objections.  One suggestion was to replace “Fly Zone Today” with simply “Fly Zone”.  We will implement this the next opportunity.

Incident reports: none.

General Business: 

Denman towing weekend was postponed due to poor weather.  Pete’s airstrip was flooded so no flying operations could take place.  We will keep you posted when we are advised of a new date.
Site ratings are difficult to find on the internet/NHGC website.  Adriaan going to look into adding a site guide to the website covering our local sites.
We are waiting for Karl/Forestry to finalize Watagans so we can update the signs for them.
Adriaan will no longer email/sms the minutes.  He is only putting them on the club website where you find them after you log in!

New Business: None.

Comps:  15 booked for Barraba.  We expect more if the borders open.  Paypal is working if you would like to pay using it.

Financial Report:

Outgoing

-$239.17

Refund to Adriaan for payments to crazy domains and zoom

Main Account

$22,394.17

Working Account

$139.60

Paypal

$286.80

Nett position

$22,581.40

Meeting ended ±20:10pm

NHGC Meeting 25/11/2020

Commenced 7:30pm at Bar Beach Bowlo

Attendees: Adriaan, Craig, Karl, JOD, Harry, Jamie, Ian, Ken, Troy, Billo, Selmsy, Andreas and guests Atmo and Petra.

Zoom attendees: Frans, ?, ? Sorry forgot to add people.  Forgot who attended by zoom

Apologies: Matt Olive, Al Giles, Cameron Evans, Patrick Sheehan, Ward Gunn, Pado.

Last minutes – moved Ian, 2nd’d Craig

Business from last meeting,

Watagans Landing directly in front of new NE launch, on hold.  Owners – husband for it, wife isn’t.

Watagan signs on hold until landing options information finalised.  Need HG pilot to land in new NW launch bombout to show all ok – talk to Karl if you wanna be that pilot.

Hickson st launch – will remove ‘today’ off temporary sign once existing sign needs replacing.  Temp sign can be found on a chain in the bushes right of the fork in fancy limestone step.

Xmas gifts – 4 off $100 vouchers to existing 3 bottom landing owners around Watagans and Marheins at Denman.

New Business

Jamie entered a competition by Diyode Magazine for a free MKR1500 arduino controller plus Telstra sim card.  Intended project: - Weather station for the club!

Barraba Big Tow

Karl has organised the first aerotow comp at Barraba and it was very successful.  Only 13 pilots attended, no doubt low numbers because of the pandemic and border closures.  Those who did attend had a magnificent 8/8 days flying.  Most tasks were triangles ending back at the airstrip.  Tasks between 100-150km.  The town was extremely friendly, generous and are enthusiastic to have us back next year, hopefully with a lot more pilots!  Karl is going to do a story for the SkySailer.  Without giving to much away some details include;

There were zero aerotowing incidents!  Karl’s mini competition amongst the pilots to see who can take the dolly furthest at launch is a stroke of genius!

Alan McMillan got signed of as a trike tug pilot.  He hung around for a few days and performed an extra 14 tows.  He is keen to come back next year.  Congrats Alan, we can never have to many tug pilots!

Rory Duncan did 34 joy flights,

The local aeroclub membership went from 2 to 24!

The aerodrome is perfect for aerotowing.  It has perfectly smooth grass and a large area allowing towing in any direction.  There is also lots of out landing options.

This year the comp ran at a ~$700 loss.  This is pretty good considering it cost ~$9000 to run and there were only 13 pilots.  This loss is covered by NSWHPA so it won’t affect the club coffers,

The competition dates for next year are 13-20th November,

Some people Karl would like to thank are Billo, Lorry, Mick White, David, Annie and Bill McKid from the aero club.

We would like to thank Karl for all the hard work and great success.

Manilla 2021 AA comp – Karl is still pushing ahead to make this comp happen.

Club Xmas Party

Same format as last year, Friday 18th Nov at 20 Maitland Rd Islington (Softys).  Club providing BBQ (Vego’s included), Salad, Soft drinks, a few slabs of beer and wine.  Budget same as last year, ~$450.  Hopefully Rory and Foxy will entertain us again with some flying videos on the outdoor cinema screen!

Adrian will also send an invite the Newcastle Paragliding Club.

Safety / Incidents

A visiting Canberra couple incorrectly rigged up their tandem paraglider at Strez Lecki.  The harnesses were connected backwards!  They managed to fly the glider, while facing backwards, down to Newcastle beach.  They have been reported to SAFA where there tandem rating has been cancelled.  They will need to re-sit to get their tandem rating back.
Mark, one of Tony’s students, broke his arm at Redhead dunes attempting his first straight glides.
Cara had a light wind aborted launch at Hickson st and ended up in the bushes a few meters out front.  Fortunately there was no damage to pilot and glider.

Treasurer’s Report

Westpac Solutions 1 account

End of last month +$372.77

Zoom meetings deduction -$233.17

One new member +$15

____________________________________________

End of month +$154.60

Westpac Community Solution Cash Reserve Account

No transactions, same as last month +$22,443.09

End Meeting 8:21pm