I'm republishing Steve's reports to our group of pilots who fly at
Forbes

First of all let me make something crystal clear. I have been
republishing (over at least six months) Steve McCarthy's reports to a list of
pilots that fly at Forbes. I'm on that list. I very much admire Steve's efforts
to keep cross country flying open and easy in the face of requirements from CASA
for the use of aircraft frequency radios within 10 nm of certain airfields. That
is why I have been republishing his reports.

Steve was not aware that I was broadcasting his reports to an audience of
international pilots (Oz Report readers) and some pilots in Australia have
lately been complaining to Steve under the mistaken impression (clearly
understandable) that Steve was sending these reports to the Oz Report
specifically for me to republish. This is not the case.

Also Steve has been attacked for his efforts and for their wider distribution in
the Oz Report. Some people seem to think that open discussion of this situation
is unhelpful and that discussion and awareness should be suppressed. Well, I
assume that you can understand my position on that.

I have had recent email exchanges with Steve and I am publishing some material
from him below. Let me say that he was extremely unhappy with the attacks on him
and would very much appreciate it if these yahoos went back in their holes (my
wording and interpretation of his sentiments). I have edited (with Steve's pre
approval) some of his comments below (again these apply to local pilots flying
at Forbes now, not necessarily to competition flying):

More GOOD news.

I have just received from CASA the written go ahead for my proposed system of
operations for towing at Forbes under the new regs. My proposal has been
accepted in full. This will include use of a launch area rather than runways and
much simplified radio and operating procedures. The following is an extract from
my proposal accepted by CASA.

"The towing would commence from a mown area on the gliding side of the air
field, as has been the normal practise. This will keep the runways clear of
gliders and launch dollies should an aircraft require the runway. It will also
be much safer for the hang glider pilot as the the tow plane can tow direct into
wind. The glider strips at Forbes are built up and cambered creating a hazard
for hang gliders when launching as the launch dolly tends to run off the side of
the cambered strip. The launch dollies are not steerable.

"The tow plane will give a Forbes advisory call on departure with each tow and
again when inbound. The tow plane will also give general information as required
to other air traffic, such as, the number of hang gliders and tow planes
operating and the position, or the direction the hang gliders are tracking when
departing on a cross country flight.

"The hang gliders will give the required inbound call when entering or returning
to the airfield from within the 10nm zone, and at any time conflict may be
present. This information may be given by a nominated pilot when flying in
company to reduce excessive and over lapped transmissions. From 10nm regardless
of height they may or may not make the field. They could run it in easy or spend
hours climbing and still not make it to the field depending on weather, glider
performance and pilot ability.

"As it is generally not possible to fly full circuits with a hang glider and to
attempt to do so would only increase danger to the hang glider pilot and other
air traffic. I propose they give a call "On final glide from height, distance
and direction" rather than a joining circuit call.

"I will run a compulsory briefing that all hang glider pilots wishing to tow
must attend before flying at Forbes airfield, so all are aware of the required
airfield rules and procedures and the flight plan for the day."

The short list to test the new procedures will be: Dave May, Trent Brown, Andrew
Barnes, Andrew Luton, Peter Dall and Geoff Robertson.

All going well we should be able to get back to normal in the near future with
these guys plus others leading gaggles of hangies on future Forbes adventures.

Later he writes:

As you are well aware these new VHF radio requirements were
introduced with very little consultation and I for one have been putting in a
lot of time and effort to deal with this and ensure a good outcome for all
airspace users. In the long run we will have a safe and workable system that
will allow anyone to fly. Please don't make it sound like Australia is now a no
go zone for hang gliders.

I can assure you that these new rules will in no way affect the running of
any comps in Australia. We will have full CASA approved VHF radio exemptions
for the comps run in this country and at this stage this Forbes Flat lands Comp
is shaping up to be as good as the last. With all the rain of late we will again
have green fields to fly over and hopefully as has been the case of late, BIG
high cloud streets to fly under making for some great racing conditions. We are
likely to still have big air, but with more stability as was the case last year,
creating challenging, fun, yet still safer flying conditions than during some of
the drought years.

This is not the end of cross country hang gliding in Australia, it's a big
country and long cross country flights can still be had now without VHF. We have
had some great XC days of late and a team of locals into records are still
planning their attacks for early 2011. Yes, we have had good rain this year but
it's not Europe, we will need a lot more to kill off good XC flying. Hopefully
I'll be able to put together another good aerotow trip report soon.