Safety and Consideration

[Gary Wirdnam]

I've had a look at Stenhouse's video and one thing struck me - not a good spot to land. It strikes me that the best spot would have been right next to the cars. BUT there were cars in the way! (and usually hang gliders too). I think a significant factor in his accident was a strong instinct to land away from the obstacles on the top of the hill i.e. vehicles.... he also misjudged it a little and this pushed him further back again, leading to a landing in an unsuitable spot.
PLEASE can we have a little more consideration on the hill and THINK about where to put vehicles, where to park hang gliders etc. PG pilots tend to think differently about landings and particularly landing approaches. Hangies need space, much more than PG's need it seems, so leave the space for everyone to enjoy their flying. Hangies - you should know better!
Sorry to whinge but I think it needs pointing out.
This is a topic that could/should be brought up at the monthly meeting IMHO.

[John Wallis]

With respect Gary we've been parking the cars there for many years especially when the wind is south to south west which gives a short carry to take off and leaves the rest of the hill top to land on, In this direction the top of High Cap is a pretty big area to land on. Other hang glider pilots were taking off and landing all day without problem.

If the wind is from the WSW I would totally agree with you.

Maybe we should drop off our kit and take the cars back to Gary's Gully and park them in that area which would leave the whole area clear for landing especially for the ridged winged guys.

You've got to remember most of the HG pilots left in this club served their time in the Cheviots where we learned to put the glider down in very tight landing areas. As much as I love Gary he's just a pretender....Isn't he

JW

[ron freeman]

Gary, Crossfell in a southerly - the toplanding area is huge and the parking area is fine and has been for years.

As the video shows Gary got the approach wrong (way to far back) I'm sure he will not do it again though.

Generally when the wind is more westerly pilots park futher south as to help with toplanding.

[Gary Wirdnam]

I wasn't "there on the day" as they say so I can only comment on a You Tube video of the event. JW has a good point: move the cars, after unloading, down to towards 'Gary's Gully' and just make sure they're out of the way. As for apprenticeships, plainly GS has more to do, but we shouldn't be putting obstacles in his, or anyone elses way - he'll make enough of his own challenges!

[gary stenhouse]

you know theworst thing about this approach as i thought it was the right line but a bit low, though i landed my dicus much lower the year before. also before i took of i seen pete rutherford land whay looked to be in the same area as he must of been low as he landed out of site.

after been up there last sturday though i give the area a good survey and where the cars were parked would have been perfect as it has a upslope running from a westerly to southerly.

so infuture for me this will be my landing spot.

cheers gary

[ron freeman]

If we start to park our cars near the gully (quarry) in a southerly it will make the situation worse - 'more obstacals to hit if someone undershoots'

This will leave the top plateau area for toplanding better but it will also leave less room for someone who lands short !

I think the best bet would be to park our cars in one straight line as close to the gully as possible (top plateau original place) this way it will leave options for over & under shooting pilots