• Happy Holidays

    Happy Holidays!

    The SAFA office will be closed:
    12 noon Friday 22 December 2023 through to Monday 1 January 2024; and
    Tuesday 2 January 2024, though to Friday 5 January 2024. During this period, we will only prioritise urgent emails that can be addressed remotely.
    Happy and safe flying adventures over the holiday season!

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    The Freedom of FLIGHT

    Experience the freedom of Pure Flight today.

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    Flying for Women

    Let us Get you Up in the Air.

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    Which Flight Path for me?

    Paragliding? Hang Gliding? Powered Paragliding? Microlights?

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    Ben’s First Solo Paraglide

    Ben West shares the Thrill of his First Solo Paraglide.

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    Four Steps to Pure Flight

    The Four simple steps to enjoying the thrill of pure flying.

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The Freedom of Flight

Defect Report #8 : Airborne XT-582 - Part No. 106910 Bracket Intake Silencer XT582 Rear.

Aircraft Type: Airborne XT-582

Inspection recommended - Prior to next flight and subsequently after every flight. The bracket needs to be thoroughly inspected for cracks.

Defect: Reports of cracking of the air intake silencer rear mounting bracket. Airborne have increase the length of the bracket as the original one was too short.

If cracking is found, please contact Airborne directly.

Resolved: Airborne have increased the length of the bracket.

XT 582 Intake Silencer Bracket

Defect Report #7 : Airborne XT-912 - Engine/oil cooler mount brackets.

Aircraft Type: Airborne XT-912B

Inspection recommended - Prior to next flight and subsequently after every flight. The brackets needs to be thoroughly inspected for cracks.

Defect: Reports of cracking of the engine/cooler mounting brackets where the nut has been tightened onto a step in the bracket causing undue stress in that location.

If cracking is found, please file a WM Defect Report on the SAFA website.

Airborne have been made aware of this issue and are supplying replacement brackets.

The engine mount bolts torque value will be added to their next manual update.

Please be aware that when installing the new Engine Brackets, the following Torques need to be applied:

Top Link bolt (part number 105515): 6mm bolt. Torque 10Nm

Engine mount bolts (part number: 105944) x 4: 10mm bolt. Torque 50Nm, apply Loctite 243

For specific torques on oil cooler fittings and exhaust manifold refer to Rotax 912 Illustrated Parts Catalogue.

Reinstallation of exhaust components should be done iaw the Aircraft Maintenance Manual, taking care to tighten the manifold nuts evenly to ensure that no stress is put on the manifold, which could induce cracking.

EngMount 1EngMount 2

Defect Report #6 : Airborne XT-912 - Plastic Fuel-cock handle.

Aircraft Type: Airborne XT-912 Rotax 80hp

Inspection recommended - Prior to next flight, carry out a functional check of the fuel cock as part of pre-flight inspection. Remove and inspect handle for rounding or cracking.

Defect: Fuel shut off valve handle was moved from off to on position and on engine start up the engine ran for 10 to 12 sec before it shut down. Inspection found the fuel shut off valve was in the "off" position whilst the handle showed the "on" position.

If rounding or cracking is found, please file a WM Defect Report on the SAFA website.

Airborne have been made aware of this issue and we await their response. We will publish findings/corrective action when received.

FuelShut off 1FuelShut off 2

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Our Craft

Paragliding 

Paragliding
 

A Paraglider pilot sits in a harness below a fabric wing that holds its shape through suspension lines and air pressure.
Hang Gliding 

Hang Gliding
 

A Hang Glider pilot is suspended in a harness below a rigid wing which is usually an aluminium frame covered in a synthetic sail cloth.
Powered Paragliding 

Powered Paragliding
 

Powered Paraglider or Paramotor pilots wear a motor on their back which provides enough thrust to take off with a Paragliding wing, specifically designed for motored operations.
Microlight & PoweredHang Gliding

Microlight & Powered
Hang Gliding

Microlight trike pilots sit in a propeller-driven trike, suspended below a wing similar to a Hang Glider.
Powered Hang Gliders have a small engine contained within the harness allowing launch from flat ground.