Sunshine Coast Sports Aviators

Hang Gliding club on the Sunshine Coast And Hinterland, we also support Paragliding and Microlight in the region.

All pilots are required to be a current member of the SAFA and join our club before flying these sites. All pilots must abide by the club code of conduct which can be found in the club information tab.

Frequently asked question asked by pilots.

Are PG and PPG and WSM pilots eligible to be members of the Sunshine Coast Sports Aviators?

It does appear that the previous committees have sought to admit people into membership that do not meet the constitutional requirement of being “hang glider pilots” or persons with “an interest in hang gliding”. And that the club has not been predominantly focussed on promoting the interest of hang gliding. I cannot locate any record (although I note, our records appear to be quite incomplete from previous committees) which would identify what criteria was being applied. The evidence makes it clear the constitution was not being followed. The processes seem to have been very loose in that respect. One of our duties as committee members is to ensure the club complies with its rules and that includes working within its objects. Moving forward and having regard to the objects of the constitution of the club, the committee needs to have a focus on its objects and therefore on the promotion of hang gliding and promoting good fellowship among those interested in hang gliding. That being the case, we need to consider our approach to the other disciplines. Those who do not meet the criteria simply cannot be members of the Sunshine Coast Sports Aviators if we are to comply with our duties to uphold the constitution. If you didn’t receive the email from the president on the 1/06/204 calling the AGM this means we have no information available to us suggesting you meet the criteria to be a member of the Sunshine Coast Sports Aviators. The club will refund on a pro-rata basis the unused annual fee of those persons on the roll who do not satisfy the constitutional criteria. We repeat our suggestion that pilots who believe they meet the criteria send the relevant information to the secretary.

What happens to me if I have equipment in the hanger.

If you have equipment or aircraft stored in the hanger and you are paying the rental fees for the space under an agreement with the club you are intitled to keep your equipment or aircraft in the space. If you have no agreement and are not paying for the space, you have no right for accessing the space as this space is controlled by the paying pilots. (this also includes instructors, if they don’t have aircraft or equipment in the space, they are not intitled to enter the space).

When will the AGM be held?

The AGM will be held on the 16/06/2024 at the Woonby Hall 1/3 Hill St, Woombye QLD 4559 the meeting will start at 10:00am. Only members, being HG pilots (and members with a demonstrated interest in Hang Gliding) who are full financial of the Sunshine Coast Sports Aviators.

Would you kindly liaise with Air Services Australia regarding an LOA and possibly re-opening of Pt. Cartwright for flying.

We have been working with Air Services to try and get this site back, this site has been lost due to pilots not following the site rules. It has been hard to convince Air Services that pilots will now follow the rules as the photos and Facebook posts continue to show pilots not following site rules and applicable civil aviation rules.

Please update your members on our current financial position.

The current financial position of the club remains sound, and the audited financials will be presented at the AGM.

Please return the SCSA website to its normal functionality so that members who have a legitimate right and need may access it.

We are currently conducting maintenance and an upgrade on the web site to improve it and it will be back up and running soon.

Could you please update your members on the current status of the Teewah Hanger and any relevant discussions with Noosa Shire Council.

The Noosa Shire council don’t control the Teewah airfield. A year ago they handed it over to the DES, the DES have very recently advised the club that it has decided to move in another direction with the airfield and turn it back into national park. At present they have given the Club 2 years on the site. The DES is putting a working group together to work out what they are going to do with the 2 clubs on the site. We will keep you posted when we know more.

Would you kindly lift the ban on flying at Sunrise Beach Launch?

We have a proposal drafted and ready to present to the landowner and the council to resolve this problem, hopefully we can have this opened in a couple of weeks.

Why are we not allowed to camp at the airfield.

The permit that is now controlled by the DES does not allow for people to camp at the site.

Who are the current committee members.

Steven Beale, Paul McNab, Paul Reilly, Karen Cookman, Gary Allan, Paul Thomas, Ronald Rimkus.

About the Club

The Sunshine Coast Sports Aviators Club, formerly known as The Sunshine Coast Hang Gliding Club and Conondale XC flyers manages the operation of a range of flying sites on the Sunshine Coast and Hinterland. We aim to operate all sites in a safe, considerate and cooperative manner, ensuring that the interests of all parties are taken care of. We work in close cooperation with local councils, residents, airports and National Parks to maintain the interests of all stakeholders.

There are special requirements at a number of our sites, including requiring clearance from the control tower at Sunshine Coast Airport before taking off. You must be a current member of the SAFA and this club, to fly any of these sites. This is required by local bodies and is mandatory.

There are many experienced local pilots who are happy to guide and educate new comers, and visitors to the area. Please contact a Club Safety Officer to get the latest information on a site before flying.

We are here to help. Fly safe and have fun!