Chris Boyce with a tandem passenger above Stanwell Park – one of the premiere destinations for the sport.
Jet buzzes gliders
March 10, 2010
Section: News
HEATHER SMITH
AN F/A-18 Hornet returning to base following the Wings Over Illawarra air show flew underneath hang gliders at Stanwell Park, the Air Force has confirmed.
A defence spokesperson said air combat jets were authorised to fly as low as 30 metres above sea level and the jet, on its way to RAAF Williamtown, was flying at 75 metres at a speed of 250 knots.
“The F/A-18 pilot observed hang gliders in the Stanwell Park area and ensured an appropriate separation was maintained between the aircraft and the gliders,” the spokesperson said.
“The pilot is an experienced instructor and air display pilot.”
Chris Boyce, the owner of Sydney Hang Gliding Centre which operates from Bald Hill, said about 20 hang gliders were in the air at the time of the incident.
He said none of the hang gliders were adversely affected by the F/A-18’s jet stream but he questioned the pilot’s tactics.
“He did a fly by then he banked and did a 360-degree turn and took off again,” Mr Boyce said.
Mr Boyce said the area had witnessed a “fair bit” of aircraft activity in the past month with Black Hawk helicopters through the zone a few weeks ago.
The defence spokesperson said the F/A-18 pilot was at all times operating at an authorised level.
