North East Victoria Hang Gliding Club

25/12/2024

Hi All

Tomorrow (Boxing Day) will have rapidly building hot northerlies and will probably blow out rather quickly. Although there is a state wide total fire ban and Elevation Parks have closed their operations due to fire danger, for now we are still able to operate. However we need to remain mindful of the conditions.
1. No naked flames anywhere (includes smoking in your car)
2. ⁠No two stroke engines or chainsaws
3. ⁠Look out for each other (don’t leave people unaccounted for in this heat)

If you meet up with any Elevation Parks staff, please be polite, respectful and considerate. They will be having a hard day.

In any case, watch the weather conditions.

Stay safe and have a good Boxing Day.

Cheers!

Karl Texler
Senior Safety Officer
North East Victoria Hang Gliding Club
0428 385 144

26/03/2024

Hi All

This has just come in from Parks Victoria. Please keep an eye out for inbound and outbound aircraft.

Cheers!

Karl Texler
Senior Safety Officer
0428 385 155

Parks Victoria will be conducting aerial shooting programs targeting deer and other pest species (feral pigs, goats and foxes) for the ongoing protection of biodiversity in Eastern Victoria.

This communication relates to temporary closures within the Alpine National Park while operations occur during the period 29 April – 3 May 2024.

Operations will be conducted in the following areas: Bogong High Plains, Mount Bogong, Feathertop, Dinner Plain and Dargo High Plains



Information regarding aerial shooting operations and subsequent park closures that may impact visitors is available on the Parks Victoria website under the Change of conditions listing. A guide to accessing the Change of Conditions is attached.

For more information about the program please visit our information page using this link.

https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/coc-listing
Regards,

Parks Victoria

Follow our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit, including the individual park page for where you want to visit before leaving home.

13/11/2023

Hi All

In case you don't already know, a celebration of the life of Horst Wimmer will be held at Dolly and Villi's place starting 1.00pm on Thursday 16 November at 52 Wobonga Lane, Eurobin (see google map link).

Horst was a long time paraglider pilot and served on the NEVHGC committee (including a stint as president). Even after he retired from paragliding, he and his late wife Norma were still very much part of our community.

Vale Horst!

Building

23/07/2023

Hi All

In spite of a very prominent sign, some bike riders are still insisting on crossing launch to get to the (closed) tracks on the other side of Mystic Launch. One even flipped the bird at a pilot when requested not to.

Having talked with Craig from Blue Dirt, feel free to take a photograph of any recalcitrant riders and pass them onto me or Roger Turner, so that we can pass this onto Craig. Craig has assured me that if the rider can be identified, they will have their use of the park revoked.

21/05/2023

Autumn light and colour show at Mystic LZ…

01/04/2023

Hi All

This just a reminder that pilots flying at Mystic are only allowed to launch from the designated launch area. HVP has made it clear that the cleared areas on either side of Emily Spur are not to be launched from. If you top land in that area, either walk down or walk up to the designated launch (if it’s launchable there).

Thanks for helping us to stay on good terms with HVP.

Cheers!

Karl Texler
Senior Safety Officer

27/12/2022

Hi All

Pilots landing at the Mystic landing paddocks are requested to move themselves and their equipment off to the side immediately after landing. This is to keep the landing areas free for inbound aircraft.

Also, especially during busy periods, using a standard aircraft approach (downwind approach, base leg then turning onto final) is the preferable landing pattern for both landing paddocks.

Cheers!

Karl Texler
Senior Safety Officer
North East Victoria Hang Gliding Club

03/10/2022

Changes to Mystic Hill as a Result of Tree Clearing

Hi All

With Spring well and truly under way and increasing numbers of pilots visiting, it is timely to consider the changes that the recent tree clearing on Emily Spur has wrought.

This area has been logged for the first time in about a quarter of a century. The last time this was done, no paraglider pilot would entertain flying after about noon and before about 3:00 in the afternoon during summer. At the time, this included the highly competent pioneers of the sport in our area.

Already, pilots are noting changes in the way that Mystic behaves in thermic conditions. Hitherto reliable thermal trigger points have altered. Rough conditions are being noted on warm days.

It is concerning that, despite this, pilots have been observed flying very close to the cleared terrain. In some cases they are flying even closer to this bare ground than they would have to the tree tops prior to these trees being felled.

As tempting as it is, this is a very dangerous practice. Our safety margin is based (among other things) on our distance from terrain. This distance gives us opportunity to recover from loss of control before impact. Also, tree tops are relatively soft - a mishap close over pine trees generally means a relatively soft landing into cushioning foliage. Hard contact with cleared ground is far more likely to produce serious life-changing injuries.

Pilots are reminded that Mystic is an inland thermic site. It is not appropriate to fly as close to the terrain as one would at a laminar flowing coastal site. Rough turbulent conditions (including dust devils) can be anticipated at the height of the day, especially over cleared areas. In a way, Mystic has become as potentially dangerous as Spring Hill (near the ACT), another bare inland slope.

Pilots are advised to:

1. Maintain good clearance from terrain, especially more so over cleared areas

2. If low airtime/out of practice, consider carefully whether to launch once thermic activity has strengthened (maybe wait until later in the day when conditions settle)

Here's wishing everyone a safe start to the season proper. See you on the hill sometime!

Cheers!

Karl Texler

Senior Safety Officer

North East Victoria Hang Gliding Club

0428 385 144

26/04/2022

Hi All

HVP employees have (once again) relayed their concerns about paraglides flying too close to logging operational areas today.

Pilots are reminded to maintain at least 100 metres vertical separation from all areas being logged.

Repeated instances of non-compliance will lead to HVP exercising its prerogative to suspend all flight operations at Mystic while logging operations are under way.

Cheers!

Karl Texler
Senior Safety Officer
North East Victoria Hang Gliding Club

25/04/2022

Hi All

Please note that as of today, survey aircraft will be operating around Porepunkah Airfield and the surrounding valleys. These aircraft will be operating between 500 - 1000ft AGL possibly for the next 7 - 10 days.

Pilots are advised to monitor VHF 126.0 if able to, but in any case maintain a watch, see and avoid as required.

Cheers!

Karl Texler
Senior Safety Officer
North East Victoria Hang Gliding Club

28/03/2022

Hi All

We have been notified that commencing tomorrow or Thursday there will be aerial survey activity being conducted around the Porepunkah Airfield and in the surrounding valleys. Please be aware that survey aircraft will be operating between 500-1000ft AGL and will be broadcasting on CTAF 126.0.

This may continue into the next week depending on the weather.

If you can, it is recommended that you monitor VHF 126.0. Otherwise, please follow VFR, remain vigilant, see and avoid.

Cheers

Karl Texler
Senior Safety Officer
North East Victoria Hang Gliding Club

02/07/2021

We were visited by the Victorian governor on Wednesday and got to show off our launch site and sport.
Roger, Bill, Donna, Dave C***s and Jacqx were there on a cold grey morning to represent our club.
4 perfect launches made us look like we knew what we were doing... Was great fun and the guv was a really awesome lady as well.