http://www.williamolive.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=1345 A letter to the
Newcastle/Hunter valley pilots:

During my wonderful stay in the Newcastle area this year between
the Bogong Cup and the NSW Titles, I had the notion that it would perhaps be a
good idea to invite northern hemisphere pilots to come and enjoy the flying in
and around the Newcastle and Hunter valley area. It seemed to me to be a perfect
area for pilots to locate themselves for a week or more of varied flying with
plenty of opportunities for enjoyment when the flying wasn't happening (although
it seemed like almost every day it was when I was there).


The Newcastle/Hunter area is not that well known by northern hemisphere pilots.
They are not aware of the opportunities for flying that are available there.
Their focus is on Bright or Manilla, or the competition scene. They don't know
what the locals know.


My first consideration was how the local Newcastle and Hunter valley pilots
would view these foreign pilots coming to their sites. Would they be welcome?
Under what circumstances? How would the local club feel about promoting their
area to outside pilots?


Obviously foreign pilots don't know where to go when in the area. They also
don't know the specific site protocols, or where the controlled airspace is.
They need specific knowledge of which sites are flown safely under what
conditions. Knowledge that only local experienced pilots have.


They also need to know where it is okay to land and where they would cause
trouble if they landed. They also need to know what skills are required to fly
at the various sites.


This knowledge is what is normally required for any pilot flying at any site,
but with so many different sites in this area, it is difficult for foreign
pilots to feel comfortable coming here. It is so much easier to go to a single
site, like Mt. Borah, who's owner has a commercial interest (in some respects).


So my first question is: Would you and the Newcastle hang gliding club members
think it would be a good idea to promote the Newcastle/Hunter valley area as a
destination for northern hemisphere pilots to encourage them to come to
Australia and enjoy the hang gliding here?


Do you have any ideas about how it could be done in a way to protect the sites
and keep the pilots as safe and unobtrusive as possible?