DHPC

13th July 2009 Sailplane approach awareness

Due to a recent landing of a DHPC Hang Glider at the LGC. The C.F.I. of the LGC has brought to our attention, that in doing so, caused a Sailplane to alter their landing approach, which ended in a hard landing. Fortunately no injury or damage was sustained. But an 'Incident' could have been caused and has advised the club of the following:

Sailplanes fly a lot faster than we do. They begin their approach from what would look (to us) like a long way out. They need to maintain energy all the way to touch down and are therefore committed to landing in a certain point of their landing field when they begin their approach. Making, what would look to us like, a small adjustment on approach can result in a loss of energy and a harder landing potentially damaging aircraft and/or pilot. A small amount of damage can cost thousands of pounds.

DHPC Pilots need to be aware of how far out a sailplane begins its approach and are advised to take some time out to observe sailplanes performing approach and landing. Pilots should gain a better appreciation of the distance and speed of these aircraft and how far out they begin their approach. One should also consider that we cannot see aircraft that are above us (due to being obscured by our wing) and that a sailplane cannot see below. Consideration and right of way must be clearly given to sailplanes that are on approach no matter how far out that may be. They are fast and will reach you quickly.

Pilots are also reminded that landing in the LGC field is strictly limited to emergencys only.

Club Coaches are requested to include sailplane approaches in site briefings.

DHV Safety Notice - UP harness

The following safety notice has been released from the DHV (it relates to a very serious flaw in the design of some UP PG Harnesses... if you, or anyone you know, fly an UP harness.. TAKE NOTE !!)
The following safety relevant technical notes concerning hanggliding or paragliding equipment have been published on dhv.de: Airworthiness advisory Paraglider harness UP Pamir DHV GS-03-0258-02, UP Teton DHV GS-03-0291-04
Routine checks on harness models Pamir and Teton have revealed defects on some of the deployment handles for reserve parachutes. On the defect handles the release pin was not correctly sewn to the handle (see picture). Should the release pin become detached from the handle, a successful reserve deployment may be hindered or impossible. In agreement with the manufacturer UP International GmbH the DHV has issued the following airworthiness safety advisory:

1. On all paraglider harness models Pamir and Teton, the emergency parachute deployment handle must be checked before further use.

2. Defect handles must be professionally repaired. Repairs will be performed by UP International GmbH, D-82431 Kochel of from a UP designated workshop.

Pict. 1: Handle with insufficient sewing. Must be rectified before the next flight!

Pict. 2: Handle with good, adequate sewing.

These airworthiness requirements are valid from publication of the NfGH Notices for hang- and paraglider pilots. The safety requirements must be fullfilled before the equipment is re-used.

28 March 2006 Important change to Hang glider top landing approach.

The new Visitors centre building will be significantly affecting the airflow in the area of the south hang glider landing field. Pilots are warned to ignore previous advice on southerly approaches and avoid flying through rotor behind the building. This will entail a much sharper final turn into the field and more height should be allowed to complete this safely.

Advice in the site guide with respect to hang glider approaches in a north-westerly will be revised and published in due course.

9 March 2005 Rotor at Main Launch Site of Dunstable

Some members have recently reported rotor at the main launch point at Dunstable (i.e. near the car park). This was noticed when the wind was to the North of West and is due to the recent scrub clearance which has created some localised sharp edges just in front of launch.

All pilots are advised to take extra caution when launching. Please contact Kenny if you have any questions.

9 March 2005 Paraglider emergency parachute

RS 2 DHV GS-02-0032-91

9 March 2005

Parafly Automatic from AustriAlpin