Annual Awards winners

Congratulations to all of the winners at the AGM event.

• Winged Warrior (furthest/highest scoring XC from an Auckland site) - Emlyn.

• Flying spirit (community service) - Evan and Robbo,

• Flight challenge series - Tony R.

A special thanks for everyone for coming along and making it a great night. To the outgoing committee members, thank you for your services. And thanks to those of you who are joining the committee for the 2025-2026 season.

Think like a pilot - Spring '25

With spring just around the corner I think it's a good time to remind ourselves to take safety seriously. If it's been a long time since you last flew, try to get out and do some ground handling and just ease back into it. 

Our decision making can also be a bit questionable if we are a bit rusty so take extra time to assess conditions and if you should be flying. Some of our sites can feel flyable when they really aren't.

If you are thinking of flying a new site or one that you aren't very familiar with please familiarise yourself with the site guides but more importantly, ask more experienced pilots for their thoughts and a site intro.

If you're not sure who to talk to about a site then the site monitor is a good start. Feel free to contact me directly and I can help you find the right people to talk to. We have plenty of very knowledgeable people in our club so please let's make use of them.

Think Like a Pilot - NZHGPA

I hope to see a lot of you out on the hill or in the air this season.

Bastion Point 

This site is currently off-limits for groundhandling. The AHGPC is currently in talks with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to clarify its status, so please do not use it until further notice.

Pakiri - Ongoing
Local Iwi have placed a rāhui on the beach. In light of how this rāhui is enforced it is recommended that anyone considering flying this site contact Tony Seaman for any update.
In the meantime the recommendation is that unless you are absolutely confident of top landing then do not launch, as Iwi consider all areas of beach and sand dunes currently out of bounds.

Site Monitor role/responsibilities
Some time ago the discussion started within the Committee to define the 'Job Description' of a Site Monitor. The concept has always been there, but was never defined. This resulted in the drafting on the following document, setting out the expectations and framework around Site Monitors.
Current Site Monitors and all Members are welcome to comment on this draft.
See here for more information:
Site Monitor Expectations 

Site maintenance

Auckland Council grants the club permission to maintain the designated take-off and landing sites at select parks, subject to the following conditions:

1. Compliance with Safety Management Plan: All maintenance activities must be carried out in accordance with the club's Safety Management Plan. This ensures the safety of club members, park visitors, and staff.

2. Annual Review Meeting: An annual meeting is held between the club and Auckland Council representatives to: Review the Safety Management Plan, Discuss any updates or improvements, Review the work completed during the previous year

3. Renewal or Termination of Permission: This permission is subject to annual review and may be renewed or terminated based on compliance with the Safety Management Plan and the outcomes of the annual review meeting.

4. Designated sites: Site maintenance must occur only with permission at specific Auckland Council parks / reserves.

Club Events Calendar

The Club Events Google calendar is now viewable here. There are currently a number of placeholders for upcoming events, so keep these dates free and watch for further information in your inbox.