WSHGC Site Etiquette

Hang gliding, especially cross-country flying can be logistically tricky, so careful planning and consideration should always be given to your day's flying before you leave home. Most hang gliding operations take place from private properties through (sometimes lengthy) negotiations with the landowner. In Western Australia in particular, hang gliding sites are few and far between so we must take extra care when at any site. Below are a few general guidelines that if followed should keep you in good stead with the landowners, and your fellow pilots.

Keeping your site

• Never bring your dog
• Smoking is absolutely prohibited on all private property we fly from. Wyalkatchem experienced devastating fires in 1998 and the farmers do not wish to repeat the experience.
• Always leave gates as you found them
• When in a convoy, the person who opened the gate closes the gate
• Always try to drive on pre-prepared strips and tracks
• Use common sense. Be respectful of the generosity of the farmer allowing us to use his/her property

Keeping your mates

• Get to the paddock early, be ready to lend a hand to lay out ropes, prepare tow car, select strips etc
• Check the drivers list and find out whose turn it is to drive that day
• Always pre-arrange a pick-up driver. Never assume someone else more organised will come and get you. If you fly off and expect a pick up without pre-arranging one, you will almost always be left waiting several hours.
• Pay the tow driver for your days towing before getting in line
• Discuss retrieval costs with the pick-up driver before leaving the paddock. This will help prevent arguments and embarrassment
• If you are the tow driver for the day, you must:

1. 1. Fill car tow car with fuel, lay out ropes,
2. 2. Fill in the tow sheet,
3. 3. Collect money from every pilot before towing him or her (see driver responsibilities).

• If there is a strip change, help out! Move yourself as quickly as possible then see what and who else needs to be moved.
• If you need to hire or borrow any equipment whatsoever, arrange this before leaving home.