Safety Notices

Safety Notices

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Apex Safety Notice: 20240820

Seasonal Change and Its Impact on Paragliding/Paramotoring: August Hazards

August is a challenging month for paramotoring, particularly in regions like Gauteng, where weather conditions can make flying more dangerous. Many paragliding schools in Gauteng almost shut down during these months due to the risks posed by strong winds and other hazards.

Reasons August Can Be Hazardous:
Temperature Fluctuations: August remains a cold month, especially in the early mornings, where temperatures in Gauteng can drop to around 5°C. However, just a few hours later, temperatures can soar to 25°C. These drastic temperature changes create thermals and dangerous dust devils.

Strong Winds: August is known as one of the windiest months, largely due to seasonal shifts and the resulting temperature fluctuations. XC flying must be carefully planned, and pilots should be vigilant about sudden weather changes.

Dust Devils: Dust devils can form suddenly and unpredictably, especially on hot days with strong solar heating. Their rapid appearance can catch a paraglider pilot off guard and pose significant risks.

Strong Updrafts: The intense updrafts within dust devils can quickly lift a paraglider to dangerous altitudes, leading to a loss of control. Even while kiting on flat ground, pilots can be lifted several feet into the air.

• Summary of Safety Tips:
• Avoid mid-day flying or kiting (ground training).
• Regularly check and observe your surroundings for any signs of dust devils.
• Always wear a helmet when clipped in, whether you’re flying or kiting.
• Stay safe and vigilant during this challenging month!

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31 Jan 2024, RT – provided by SM, Donavan Foley
Radio-work is one of the things that Student Pilots (even Private Pilots) struggle with the most! ✈️
These tips will help you ace that next radio call! (click on text)

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15 Jan 2024, Density Alt – presented by RS
Density Alt – What is the Danger! (You Tube)
Paramotor Density Altitude by Yankee Paramotors

One of the main factors that significantly influences the flight characteristics of the paraglider is air density. When flying at higher altitudes the aerodynamic characteristics of the wing change. So flying in the mountains is different from flying on the plains. Paragliders fly in the lower atmosphere or troposphere. As you gain altitude in the troposphere, air pressure, temperature and density decrease. The lower the air density, the lower the resistance and therefore the greater the speed the paraglider can fly and the greater the distance it can cover above the ground.

Hot Summer days effect Density alt.

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16 Jan 2024, General Notice by SAHPA
Avoiding Rescue and Fire Fighting Helicopter Operations CT
Good morning all. We received a complaint from the heli pilots working on the fires in the Cape Winelands regarding paragliding activities taking place in their sphere of operations. On Wednesday they suspended operations for a period due to a PG pilot flying too close. Speaking to one of the pilots this morning, he explained that cost of aircraft/helicopters circling while waiting for PG pilots to move away is exorbitant. (Louis Stanford)

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12 Dec 2023, General Notice – SAHPA
To All Flying at the Map in the next 4 weeks,
We have had to sign an agreement with the municipality with regards landing on the beach.
There is now a designated landing area on the beach in front of the 23 Sands Road pathway (picture attached).
We have had signs made which will be put out each day to mark the area by the life guards.
Please use this landing area for all landings, solo and tandems.
I am on a group with the lifeguards and the Fire and Rescue Chief for the municipality and must inform them each day when we will be flying at the Map. Therefore, if you go to the Map on what may not be an obvious Map day can you please inform me beforehand.
This is a sensitive arrangement so can we all please work together to keep the municipality happy so that we do not loose the option to land on the beach.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Jan Minnaar @Cloudbase Paragliding

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