Mixed Flying of Hang Gliders and Paragliders
Many North Yorks sites are flown by hang gliders and paragliders together. When a site is shared by aircraft of differing performance characteristics, particularly differing speeds, some precautions are necessary to ensure safe and enjoyable flying. Mostly this requires only common sense and attention to good airmanship. However a few of these precautions require discipline and co-operation.
7.1 If you fly only one type of these aircraft, take some time to learn something of the flying characteristics of the other type before you fly in their company. You should particularly be aware of the capabilities and limitation of both types of aircraft and the demands that these place on the pilot.
7.2 On sites where rigging, take off and landing areas have been designated ensure you use these. This will help ensure predictable behaviour and is especially important where some effort has been made to provide separate areas for the different aircraft types.
7.3 Before taking off ensure that there is room for you in the air. Remember that fewer aircraft can fly in the same space if they have markedly different air speeds.
7.4 When flying on the ridge conform to any circuit or flying pattern which has been established. Like most of the other precautions this is particularly important when lift is light.
7.5 Also when flying do not remain for longer than necessary in the top landing overshoot area. Before crossing an overshoot area check that there is no glider on a landing approach. If you top land outside of the designated area you can expect a little less protection should you overshoot.
7.6 If a site is becoming over-crowded appoint one person in charge of operations. If you think a site is overcrowded and no one is in charge then appoint yourself. Others will co-operate. If you lack confidence or experience then ask someone else to do it. This duty does not have to fall on a club official - there may not even be one there.
The person in charge may if they choose use the scheme detailed in 7.10 on the next page.
7.7 Hang glider Pilots
Note that a paraglider can turn, climb or descend in a very short distance. This can catch you out if a paraglider seems close but well clear vertically. A paraglider can turn very tightly due to its low speed, this may make it seem to you that it is turning on the spot.
Your speed is much greater than a paragliders, this can be very intimidating if you fly too close when passing.
The closing speed of a hang glider can give a paraglider very little time to move out of the way, even if the hang glider has right of way.
Hang glider pilots who are experienced in flying in the company of sailplanes will appreciate this.
Avoid flying too close, plan passing maneuvers well in advance.
The relatively high speed of a hang glider can make it difficult for a paraglider pilot to anticipate its next movement. Fly in a predictable and logical manner. Conform to any flying pattern which is being established.
7.8 Paraglider Pilots
A hang glider has a shallow profile, more difficult to see than a paraglider.
To a hang glider pilot a paraglider can appear to be virtually stationary, giving it the ability to remain in the best of what may be weak lift and hence blocking their access to it.
Conform to any flying pattern that is being established. Avoid remaining in one spot for long periods or ‘hogging’ the lift.
Low speed can seem to make it difficult for a paraglider to move out of the way of an approaching hang glider. You are still expected to pass on the right. A hang glider with the ridge on his right of way even though this may put you out of the lift band for longer than you would like.
Anticipate other aircraft’s movement - a hang glider nearing the end of his beat will be returning soon.
The high speed and long glide of a hang glider make it more likely to overshoot on top landing, particularly in light wind. Watch for this and don’t obstruct areas.
On light wind days when soaring is marginal a hang glider will appreciate a few minutes of uninterrupted ridge soaring. Remember it is much more time consuming for a hang glider to de-rig and return to the top.
7.9 Both
Communication is the key. You may be using separate launch areas but make sure you still talk to each other. It is better to discuss potential problems on the ground before taking to the air.
7.10 Timed Interval Scheme for Mixed Flying
The club has an experimental scheme aimed at reducing hazards and ensuring all pilots get an opportunity to fly if light conditions and overcrowding lead to severe congestion. The scheme particularly applies to the Model Ridge but may be used elsewhere.
The scheme works as follows:
1 .If pilots on site decide that overcrowding is a problem then they may activate the scheme.
2. A single person will be delegated “in charge”.
3. This person will allocate intervals for hang gliding to take place and intervals for paragliding to take place. If a much larger number of one type of aircraft is present than the other then the person in charge may at their discretion allocate longer periods to that type of aircraft. The decision of the person in charge must be respected.
4. A visual signal may be used to indicate to pilots whilst flying and on the ground, which time period is currently in operation. The club has obtained a suitable signal consisting of a large piece of cloth which will be placed on the ground at the front of the ridge.
The signals shall be:
Green Hang gliding time period
Pink Paragliding time period
5. During each aircraft types time period only that type of aircraft may launch and fly freely.
6. Aircraft flying on the ridge should land to clear the air when their time period elapses.
7. Whilst flying during their allocated time period some pilots may be able to fly well away from the ridge which is under control. For example by flying into Cringle Bowl from the Model Ridge, or to considerable altitude in a thermal. In these circumstances it will not be necessary to land when their allocated time period has elapsed. If a pilot then returns to the ridge at a time when the visual signal indicates that the other type of aircraft are “in session” then the pilot should land immediately.
Note: Since the introduction of this timed interval scheme as far as I know, I don’t think it has ever been used. There have been times at the Model Ridge when it has been fairly crowded with up to 30 paragliders and hang gliders in the air at the same time. Model Ridge is a very small site and pilots should be prepared to land quickly if they are not confident in this type of environment.
Club members should be aware that a Northerly forecast in the summer months will mean a crowded site. Bank Holidays & weekends especially.