Ridge Soaring Tours are designed with the newly qualified Restricted Licence pilot in mind. They take place in Geraldton (winter-spring) and Albany (summer- autumn).
The towns of Geraldton and Albany were chosen for their reliable weather and because of the number of soarable hills that face the predominant winds in that area. Both towns are large and support a number of other activities should the weather turn foul.
Objectives
Assessing conditions - wind strength, true wind direction, landing and takeoff area. Approaching weather. Rotor.
Site protocol - Logbook, gates, livestock, site maintenance, understanding of who owns and rules the site.
Take off techniques - windy cliff, windy slope, light breeze cliff or slope, ramp, getting to launch, relative air flow, wire people, pilot & wire people commands, flight plan (first turn L or R?).
Landings - setting up top or bottom landing, wind and lift gradient. Rules of the ridge, courtesy on the hill (setting up and flying).
Flying - staying in the lift band, wake, thermals, house thermals, cycles, just how close?, safety margins, turning in lift, crabbing, planing ahead, sharing the lift, wind changes while flying.
Equipment and Costs
All equipment is on a hire basis from Light Flight. The hirer will pay for damages to equipment. Cost $100.00(+GST) per day.
Tours conducted as seperate from courses, all tours where instruction is given a day rate is changed by Light Flight of $100.00 (+GST) per day.
Accommodation -Albany See map of Albany
(Shared room) $15 per night. Mattresses provided. Includes continental breakfast. BBQ facilities, fridge, freezer, microwave and camp stove.
Where - Private residence of Des & Cynthia Bray.
How to get there -From Albany Hwy after the Albany Airport:- turn right at 2nd Road (both gravel) 'Link Road', Drive Slowly - HUGE BUMPS (Deer Park on left) Right onto 'South Coast Hwy'. Left. (Immediate) onto 'George Street'. At top of hill Left at 'Frederick Street'. 2nd road (both gravel) [If you cross railway you've gone too far - turn back and 'Frederick Street' will now be on your right at top of hill Follow 'Frederick Street', nearly to the end, Watch for "H"sign on right. At night - look for Party Lights under tree on right.
Bring - Your own sleeping bag and pillow.
Accommodation - Geraldton See map of Geraldton
(Shared room) or camping. Pay your instructor before leaving (Approximately $15.00/night) (Suject to change due to availablity)
Where - Batavia Coast Caravan Park (Hall Rd)
How to get there - Starting from the main roundabout as you enter Geraldton. Take the North West Coast Highway Exit (3rd one) and follow this main Highway for approximately 9kms (approximately .9km past the Chapman river bridge) Turn right onto Chapman valley Road, about 2kms on your left is a school, turn left at Hall Road. Continue along for about 3kms and the caravan park is on your left. The Bunk (adjoining caravan) accommodation is immediately behind the petrol bowsers.
Bring - Your own sleeping bag and pillow.Please note that hang gliding is a weather dependant sport and that whilst every effort will be made, flying is not guaranteed.