A few close calls on the South Side this weekend -
- a speed flyer kiting up the hill got launched prematurely and twisted the wrong way, he couldn't get his hands out of the toggles to "steer from above the twist " because he was using the hand-through-the-toggle technique. His hand was subsequently stuck in the risers at some point and he managed to land on the side of the hill with no trouble. It's good to do a solid pre flight, be careful of kiting up and being plucked, be trained in riser twist, and avoid the hand through the toggle technique.
- pilot on a hybrid - between speed wing and paraglider - made a last minute decision to do a circle; unable to finish the arc, he hit the hill and did a front flip before flying away. The pilot was o.k. but must be quite sore. Last minute maneuvers have caused LOTS of accidents and tons of close calls. Pre- meditation is key.
- a visiting pilot setting up to land at the bottom of the South Side and a bit high decided a circle would be best but underestimated how much he would drift. He barely missed the hill. Neither sides of the POM are prime for circles.
- a pilot was observed at about 50 feet over the top of the south side pointing straight-down-wind during a soaring session - against all odds, he managed to turn it into the wind and flare. Some pilots somehow imagine that a top landing involves a down-wind-leg - it doesn't in most cases. If you haven't top landed, please seek an instructors guidance. There are ways to do it and ways not to do it.
Finally, there was a blown launch by a speed flyer in the Ogden area. We don't have many details other than it was late in the evening, the launch was technically demanding and the pilot was low on experience. He suffered two broken ankles and the rescue was difficult.
