The aim of this Code of Conduct is to ensure that all Canungra Hang Gliding Club (CHGC) pilots and visiting pilots take all possible care to preserve the safe and responsible use of Canungra and South East Queensland regional lands and landing areas.

All pilots using CHGC sites must be members of the Hang Gliding Federation of Australia (HGFA) and undertake to follow regulations as set out in the HGFA Operations Manual.

The HGFA administers the sport of Hang Gliding and Paragliding in Australia and is regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

As a condition of CHGC membership, you as a pilot have agreed to indemnify landowners from any claim for damages/loss he/she incurs whilst participating in our sport on their land.

Members of the HGFA are covered by a HGFA Public Liability Insurance Policy to the value of $10,000,000. The club maintains several Landholder Liaison Officers and makes every effort to preserve good relations with and protect the interest of landowners. All pilots must remember that they are ambassadors for our sport and club. Pilots are very much in the public eye and as such our conduct is always under scrutiny. First impressions count! Pilots must be aware of the inquisitive and sometimes naïve nature of the public. Do not assume anything!

Our flying future is directly dependant on our relationship and image demonstrated to all people within our community.

When accessing, launching or landing on private land, rural property or public lands, pilots should seek to observe the following protocols.

1. Pilots using club launch sites should use designated landing fields/bombouts as negotiated by the club with local landowners and councils.
2. Pilots should ensure that they and fellow visiting pilots are aware of designated landing areas, aswell as the specific conditions of use. These conditions are posted on the club website.
3. Pilots must at all times show courtesy and respect in all dealings with the public. You never know whom you may be speaking to.
4. Pilots must keep their language in check at all times. Voices do travel, even in flight! There is no excuse!
5. When engaged in cross country flights, pilots should;
   • Seek to avoid landing in fields with livestock.
   • Take note of cropping activity and avoid landing in cropped areas.
   • When landing stay well away from houses and other structures.
   • Following landing, pilots should promptly move the glider to the side of the field for packing up.
   • Retrieve vehicles should remain on public roads. Entry onto private land is discouraged, and should only occur with the approval of landowner or manager.
   • If landowner is nearby, thank them for use of land for a safe landing. Otherwise, pilots should generally avoid going near farmhouses or unnecessarily disturbing landowner privacy.
   • When exiting do not cross cropped areas, go around them.
   • Use gates when available, and always leave them the way you found them.
   • When negotiating fences, go under them where practical or go over the straining post.
   • Pilots should take all rubbish with them when exiting a property.
   • Pilots should refrain absolutely from smoking while on rural or private property.

If landowners or pilots wish to discuss any issues regarding pilot conduct, feel free to contact the under signed.

Dave Staver, President CHGC
ph: 0409 435 953