We find ourselves in a
dynamic situation that is evolving daily. While the pandemic is not
expected to have a significant direct impact on association operations,
it will undoubtedly affect individual members, instructors, schools and
tandem operations in many ways.
Aside from the obvious
recommendation to follow local guidelines about travel and avoiding
groups of people, I feel it is important to ensure members consider some
less obvious effects of the pandemic when making decisions about
flying.
Landowners may not be happy to have visitors under these circumstances, please check with the site organizer or landowner before heading out.
Your fellow pilots may wish you to keep your distance, please respect their space.
First responders and emergency services are likely to be increasingly overloaded. If you have a bad ending to your flight, you may wait a very long time for rescue if they are able to respond at all. If you need emergency care you will be using resources that someone else may need more than you.
With respect, I ask you to weigh the
relative importance of your desire to fly against the needs of your
community to limit the spread of the virus. It is your decision where
and how you fly. Please make your decision wisely.
A formerly active pilot and HPAAC member, Kevin Harvey, passed away this year back on May 23rd. His family is having a Celebration of Life event for Kevin on Saturday, August 17th between 3:00-5:00PM at Ottawa House. All those who knew Kevin and members of our flying community are welcome to attend.
The event marks the start of the flying season for many people and is the largest gathering of Maritime pilots during the year. With over nine different potential flying sites and friendly competitions, it is a social highlight for many pilots.
2019 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Flying (Friday – Monday) locations depend upon wind and weather conditions. Location updates will be posted on whiteboard on Mainstreet (Loctation TBD) ,Twitter @HPAAC and on the HPAAC Facebook page– and see site map above.
Friday May 17
Pilots breakfast 8:30 am @ Harbour View Restaurant
6:00 pm – Lobster Boil – members only
Saturday May 18
Paramotor demo at the Pier 0730 – 0800
Pilots breakfast 8:30 am @ Harbour View Restaurant
Flying – Check the whiteboard for locations (dependent on wind conditions)
Sunday May 19
Paramotor demo at the Pier 07:30 – 08:00
Pilots breakfast 8:30 am @ Harbour View Restaurant
Flying – Check the whiteboard for locations (dependent on wind conditions)
18:30 – Dinner and AGM – Harbour View Restaurant
Monday May 20
Paramotor demo at the Pier 07:30 – 08:00
Pilots breakfast 8:30 am @ Harbour View Restaurant
Flying -Check the white board for locations (dependent on wind conditions)
Pilots leave throughout the day
Often the best flying of the Festival to be had by those who stick it out.
Reminder that Fox River and Chignecto sites are closed to all flying.
This incident report is a good read to learn from. Many lessons can be learned from it.
Pilots from across Canada looking to visit the East should consider making the journey to Nova Scotia for this premier event. With several days of potential flying and a lobster boil on the beach overlooking the scenic Bay of Fundy, this is a very special event.
As a reminder the Fox River launch is closed and not to be used. Exec is currently working on finding an alternative launch hopefully before the festival.
24th Annual Festival of Free Flight : May 18-21, 2018
The event marks the start of the flying season for many people and is the largest gathering of Maritime pilots during the year. With over nine different potential flying sites and friendly competitions, it is a social highlight for many pilots.
Pilots enjoying the bountiful air of the 2012 Festival of Flight at Fox River.
2018 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Flying (Friday – Monday) locations depend upon wind and weather conditions.
Location updates will be posted on white board in front of BlackRock Bistro (Main Street) and on Twitter @HPAAC – and see site map above.
Friday May 18
Pilots breakfast 8:30 am @ Harbour View Restaurant
Pilot arrival staggered throughout the day. Location of pilots will be posted on white board at the Black Rock Bistro on Main Street
7:30 (ish) dinner – Pizza and Movie night at Diligent River Hall.
Saturday May 19
Paramotor demo at the Pier 0730 – 0800
Pilots breakfast 8:30 am @ Harbour View Restaurant
Flying – Check the white board for locations (dependent on wind conditions)
7:00 pm – Lobster Boil – members only
Sunday May 20
Paramotor demo at the Pier 07:30 – 08:00
Pilots breakfast 8:30 am @ Harbour View Restaurant
Flying – Check the white board for locations (dependent on wind conditions)
18:30 – Dinner and AGM – Harbour View Restaurant
Monday May 21
Paramotor demo at the Pier 07:30 – 08:00
Pilots breakfast 8:30 am @ Harbour View Restaurant
Flying -Check the white board for locations (dependent on wind conditions)
Pilots leave throughout the day
Often the best flying of the Festival to be had by those who stick it out.
Hang Glider at High Head, Nova Scotia.
Pilots from across Canada looking to visit the East should consider making the journey to Nova Scotia for this premier event. With several days of potential flying and a lobster boil on the beach overlooking the scenic Bay of Fundy, this is a very special event.
Pegasus Paragliding, the foundation school for the sport in Atlantic Canada, now owned by Patric Stettler, will not be offering instruction for the upcoming season and the foreseeable future.
At this time it is uncertain when Pegasus will resume its service to those desiring to enter the world of paragliding. For those who are currently in the sport and who wish to progress in the sport via upgrading of their HPAC rating, they can still do so.Senior Instructor and (President of HPAAC) Michael Fuller will ensure that this service to the community is fulfilled. He can be contacted via personal contact or by using the Contact Us form on this website.
This year’s Festival of Flight occurred May 17-20, 2013 – and it was one of the best!
Although the temperatures were unseasonably cold, that did not prevent twenty pilots from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Ontario, from gathering to share stories, laughs and the sky.
The social events started the Festival, with dinner at the Glooscap Restaurant, followed by a special screening of The Boy Who Flies, a film by Benjamin Jordan. Thank you to Rod and Helen at the Hall – for hosting the film event.
Saturday was a complete blow out, with rain and strong gusty north winds that kept everyone’s feet on the ground. That didn’t slow anyone down though. Pilots used the opportunity for completing reserve repacks, something that should be done annually. Thanks to the Fundy Geological Museum for providing space for us to lay our our wings and complete the repacks.
Pilots then gathered at the Pegasus ground handling field for a little bit of fun with kites – feet still firmly on the ground.
Scott launches a smaller kite while Ted looks on.
Gunter showing power kite skills
The social highlight of the Festival is the lobster dinner for pilots, a large beach fire on the shore of the Bay of Fundy makes for a very special time. Many laughs and story telling, and fresh Fundy lobster eaten on the beach. The view is not too shabby either.
Sunday made up for the absence of flying on Saturday. With light northwest winds in the morning, pilots journeyed to “High Head” at Wentworth first thing in the morning. The air turned out to be excellent – and provided a total of 16 flights.
Patric Stettler showed us how it’s done at High Head.
Rob Bird takes to the air at High Head with his hang glider.
After a successful day at High Head – the fun wasn’t over yet. Hearing that Scott and Brian were in the air at Fox River, everyone packed up and headed to Fox River for a sunset coastal soaring flight. Nine pilots were in the air at one time – and the scene of colorful wings and the stunning sunset made a special end to a great day of flying.
Scott Newman and Chris Jette soar above the coastal cliffs at Fox River.
Tim Parker (orange) and Tim Fedak soar the coast during the sunset flight at Fox River.
The icing on the cake was the excellent flying that happened at West Bay on Monday morning. Eight paragliding pilots were in the air and soared high above the cliffs at West Bay. The sight was spectacular to see, and left everyone feeling that this may have been the best (and coldest) Festival of Flight yet.
Paragliders soaring above the cliffs at West Bay.
A very special thanks to George and Deanne for their work putting the lunches together again this year. Great sandwiches, fresh coffee, and tasty treats – add so much to this event. Your efforts were greatly appreciated by all.
And last but not least, thank you to Michael Fuller and to Patric Stettler (Pegasus Paragliding), for all of the work done in organizing this year’s event.
The spring weather has (finally!) arrived in the Maritimes. The long-weekend included bright sunny skies and warm temperatures. There were reports of several pilots flying this weekend. Guy explored a new launch in Medford and also took to the skies at Lawrencetown Beach. It seems Guy was the first pilot of the year to fly Lawrencetown in the 2013 season.
Not to be outdone, Chris found excellent lift at the recently improved Point Prim launch in PEI. The action was caught on video by Brendon – who has discovered a new career in video production.
