As a paraglider and sailplane pilot I can't help noticing that relations between the D&LGC and the local hang-gliding and paragliding community are somewhat less than ideal. Until recently I kept my head well in the sand on this but a display of particularly poor airmanship over the airfield by some foot launch pilots drove me to have a go at them in their local club magazine. (I say 'them' and 'their' magazine. I am a full member of the Derbyshire Soaring Club) This earned me a good slagging off by a couple of DSC members to which I had to write a long and tedious reply. Ultimately, though, it did bring a few skeletons out of cupboards as to what the gripes were really all about. There is NO WAY I'm going to get involved in the politics but I would like to make a few points.

Talking to club members it seems that most sailplane pilots don't mind paragliders and hang-gliders that much as long as they don't interfere with the airfield. There are, however a small number who really hate them. This is interesting because there are a small number of hang-glider pilots who really hate paragliders and vice verse. Every human activity must have some haters. The sad thing is that in all cases these few are often particularly vocal and badly behaved which tends to colour the impressions and views of the rest of us. Form your own opinions and try not to condemn all for the activities of a few.

There are some things we can do to positively improve relations with the footlaunch community. Apart from careful flying in the vicinity of paragliders and hang-gliders be aware that they sometimes have almost no freedom of movement into wind. If a paraglider or hang-glider is downwind of a ridge then it's only way back to the ridge will probably be in a straight line into wind. If you can help the pilot by giving him some clear air that would probably go a long way for a start. It can be pretty scary on a 20kg washing bag at about 20 mph with a ton or so of assorted plastic hurtling around you at fifty knots. Don't be shy of thermalling with them, but be prepared to give a little if things don't work out. If you lose a thermal it's usually relatively easy to find another one with a sailplane and often impossible on a paraglider. Remember that as with sailplane pilots, a fair proportion of footlaunch pilots are relatively inexperienced.

We can also help even on the field. Some of our visitors are foot launch pilots, probably more than we may be aware of. If they hear the sort of third hand, ill informed or prejudiced 'anti' talk that I hear on the field what are they to think? If you have a general problem flying with footlaunched pilots then please come and talk to me about it. You never know, something might be done to help. If the barriers can be lowered a little.

Copyright © Nigel Page - March 2003