Hike & Fly unrated sites

The THPA has a "Business Licence" with Parks and Wildlife Service that allows flying from unrated, unmanaged, undeveloped sites around Tasmania (availaoble for downlaod in Documents section). These are wilderness launches, usually in remote areas and as such deserve some respect.

The Business Licence allows us to fly unpowered from any PWS-controlled land (Such as National Parks, Reserve land, Coastal Reserves) that is accessible by a track. We may launch away from the track. At all times, and especially off-track, we must adhere to the "Leave No Trace" principles. This access is a huge privilege and can be easily revoked. As such we suggest not flying anywhere too close to the public (i.e. don’t launch right near lookouts… find somewhere more discreet), not using wind streamers where they might be seen as being "left behind", we do not modify the launch or landing in any way, we only fly sites we are licenced for and capable of flying. Let’s also be self-reliant and carry a suitable first aid kit, tree rescue kit and EPIRB.

Probably the best starting point for assesing land ownership/status is the LISTmap (https://maps.thelist.tas.gov.au/listmap/app/list/map) with the added layer of ‘Public Land Classification.’

RATINGS:

Crown Land, the National Parks, and the Wilderness areas is rated as a single site as PG5. Financial THPA PG5 pilots may just go and fly.

PG4 (or lower rated) pilots may not fly from an un-named launch on Crown Land, the National Parks, or the Wilderness, as this area is rated PG5. To increase access to the wilderness the THPA is undertaking a series of new site assessments in the wilderness to give PG4 and, potentially, PG3 pilots increased access to Hike and Fly sites. A directed call for sites to assess is currently underway.

At present, special PG3 ratings apply for 12 Trees, The Sentinels and Mt Anne, where a PG3 can be supervised by a PG5 on days deemed suitable by the PG5.

Newly recognised PG4 sites:
Mt Eliza, The Thumbs, Alpha Moraine

SITES to be appraised.
Shnells ridge
Celtic Hill/ridge
Mt Cullen
Mt Lyell
Tyndalls
Mt Wedge
Alpha Morain
Mt Cambell

Financial THPA PG5 may supervise lower rated pilots on a Tasmanian launch for a day or part of a day. The criteria for rating a site are laid out in SAFA SITE rating and appraisal checklist Ver. FAC-02 20200907 and cannot be ignored. A day may be segmented based on conditions such as anticipated/experienced wind and thermal strength. This one-page document should be used as a guide.

N.B. Thermal strength is that indicated by Skysight, etc. which is max climb + 1.5m/s.

IMPORTANT: Be aware that our wilderness is harsh and our weather often unkind. Landing out in remote country, especially in the South-West wilderness areas, could involve many days of walking out. There are no roads, few tracks, no humans and very difficult terrain. Those seeking to undertake this style of flying should be highly experienced pilots and very capable in the outdoors. Do not rely on rescue operations as poor weather can delay helicopters for days. 

Hazards

<p>Be aware that our wilderness is harsh and our weather often unkind. Landing out in remote country, especially in the South-West wilderness areas, could involve many days of walking out. There are no roads, few tracks, no humans and very difficult terrain. Those seeking to undertake this style of flying should be highly experienced pilots and <strong>very</strong> capable in the outdoors. Do not rely on rescue operations as poor weather can delay helicopters for days.&nbsp;</p>