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ESTC meeting 2007 minutes (english)

EUROPEAN HANG GLIDING AND PARAGLIDING UNION
European Safety and Training Committee
Minutes of the meeting held 28th/ 29th July 2007 at Chamonix

 

Present: Representing
Marion Varner FFVL. France
Miroslav Fejt Czech Republic
Karl Slezak DHV. Germany
Rodolfo Saccani FIVL Italy
Hakan Polanik SSFF Sweden
Martin Kinzl SHV. Switzerland
Marius Furrer SHV. Switzerland
Dave Thompson BHPA. United Kingdom
John Lovell: Chairman ESTC, BHPA. United Kingdom

Apologies:
Jurij Franko SFFA Slovenia
Arne Hillestad HPNLF Norway
Dara Hogan IHPA Ireland
Jean Solon FBVL Belgium.

 

EUROPEAN ACCIDENT DATABASE

The chairman welcomed both The Czech Republic and Sweden who were represented at the meeting
for the first time. They both agreed to liaise with Dave Thompson regarding the actions needed to
export their accident data onto the European Excel Database Template.

 

PILOT SURVEY

United Kingdom 6,627 pilots 190,000 hours
Italy 10000 pilots
Germany 25,000 pilots 250,000 hours
Switzerland 13,886 pilots 520,000 hours
France 16,000 pilots 576,000 hours
Czech Republic 2800 pilots
Sweden 1700 pilots

 

EQUIPMENT

Rescue parachutes

Sweden stated that it was a National requirement that Rescue Parachutes be carried on flights above 30 metres agl.
In response to a question, Germany reported that they have calculated that a descent rate of 5.5 metres per second equates with a jump from a height of 1.5 metres, and 6.8 metres per second equates with a jump from 2.3 metres.

A discussion regarding packing qualifications followed, and the following was noted :

 

NATION QUALIFICATION

Czech Republic No
France No
Italy No
Germany Yes
Sweden No
Switzerland Yes
United Kingdom Yes

 

Paraglider Testing

Germany reported that they are planning to change the Guteseigel test for Asymmetric Tucks, following investigations into asymmetric tucks leading to spiral dives.
They have also reported problems with spiral dive exit techniques, where rapid release of the brake on exit leads to the canopy accelerating.
Germany also reported that they have had discussions with manufacturers with a view to them marking the control lines with coloured material identifying the area where the brake handles should be attached.
DHV are also looking into harness design to include side protection.

 

GROUND TO AIR SIGNALS

Nothing further, as it would appear impossible to bring about any change to current legal signals laid down by the Aviation Authorities in the various member Nations.

 

SPEED GLIDING

National Status of this activity was reported as follow :-

GERMANY
The Germany and Austrian Speed Gliding Federation has been established.

SWITZERLAND
SSVL is handling this, but still has difficulties.

CZECH REPUBLIC
Nothing organised as yet.

ITALY
They are not involved, but are looking at it.

SWEDEN
Only about 10 people are doing this, but SSFF have declared they want nothing to do with it.

UK
A Development Panel has been tasked to establish how it can be incorporated in the UK.

FRANCE
This has been accepted by the FFVL who have set up a course for instructors, and CEN are establishing load and shock tests for speed gliders. Marion will send the Instructor Requirement Specification to Dave Thompson.

 

ACRO. (AEROBATICS.)

As no response has been received from CIVL regarding our recommendations made a year ago, these are repeated here as follows :

All Federations should remind their members that if they undertake Acro flying then they are flying a glider that has not been certified for this activity.

In Acro competition, each safety boat should have a trained medic on board, skilled in resuscitation.

There should be only one pilot in the “box” at a time if there is only one safety boat.

If formation flying is taking place, there should be one safety boat for each pilot.

A fully equipped ambulance should be present manned by qualified personnel.

Due to neck injuries sustained when entering the water at speed, it is recommended that helmets should have short chin guards, and no rear extensions, in order to prevent twisting forces being applied to the helmet and hence the neck.

 

PARAPRO

After considerable discussion, the unanimous view was that stalling is NOT an acceptable manoeuvre to be set as a requirement for a ParaPro,
Our recommendations are as follows:-

ParaPro Stage 3, Practical Requirements:

No 9 should be removed in its entirety.
No 10 should be rewritten to read Asymmetric Collapses, instead of Frontal Collapses.
A new Requirement should be added which includes Big Ears at this level.

ParaPro Stage 4, Practical Requirements:

The B-line stall should be added here as a Requirement.

 

2m RADIO ALLOCATION

The current situation is as follow:-

Italy The FIVL are currently working with The Italian Ministry for Communications.
Slovenia SFFA are paying their Government for the allocated 147.800 MHz frequency.
UK CAA are considering giving us some 2M bandwidth.

It was noted that the Committee feel that allocation of 2m frequencies for both flying communication and emergency contact would be a valuable step towards European Harmonisation.

 

DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

A vote of thanks was expressed to the Management and Staff at ENSA in Chamonix for the welcome and hospitality shown on the occasion of this meeting.
Again, thanks to Marion Varner and FFVL for establishing this arrangement.

The date for 2008 was fixed as the weekend 26th/27th July, once again at ENSA provided they are agreeable.

John Lovell
Chairman
European Safety and Training Committee