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HGFA State Branch sub-committees meeting Sept 21-23 2007. Purpose of the presentation. Introduction and overview of The Pico Club inc. Recent developments Questions raised by members Suggestions as to “Where to go from here?”. History of The Pico Club inc.
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HGFA State Branch sub-committees meeting Sept 21-23 2007
Purpose of the presentation • Introduction and overview of The Pico Club inc. • Recent developments • Questions raised by members • Suggestions as to “Where to go from here?”
History of The Pico Club inc. • 1998 First “Pico-Light” fly-in at Jeff Hoffmann’s property in Milbrulong ( 3 pilots ) • 1999 Second “Pico-Light” Fly-in (9 participants) • 2001 Establishment of “The Pico-Light Flying Club” with the aim: • Encourage participation in PPG • Information exchange • Communication via Email • 2001 Establishment of The Pico Forum ( 2007: 118 members) • 2005 Establishment of “The PPG association of Australia ( The Pico) ” and Terms of Reference of the association defined • 2005 Establishment of the association's web site “The Pico.com.au” • 2006 “The Pico Club inc.” established as a means for creating HGFA sanctioned PPG fly-in’s • 2006 At the AGM of the association it was agreed to abolish the association and to extend the ToR of the incorporated club to include the ToR of the association. First election of office bearers • 2007 Tenth “Pico-Light” fly-in at Jeff Hoffmann’s property in Milbrulong (55 pilots)
Goals and Objectives of The Pico Club inc. • To provide a means of communication between the HGFA and the members of the Pico • To formally represent the interest of the members, nation wide, in dealing with the HGFA • To foster the sharing of ideas, developments and experience related to the sport of PPG, by: • Regular communication with the members through the PICO internet forum • Pilot briefings at the fly-in’s • Establishment of skill improvement session at the fly-in’s • To provide a continuity in the organization of national PPG activities • To promote understanding of the sport • To organize the annual PICO fly-in and other activities if so required • To appoint Safety Officers and/or Duty Pilots to assist with supervision and control of operations
Achievements so far • A PPG club with 47 members ( there are 97 licensed PPG pilots in Australia – Nov 2006) • Club feedback on NPRM part 103 compiled • Australian (club) PPG records defined and operational • HGFA sanctioned PPG fly-in’s are organised • PPG training sessions operational • PPG Mentor system defined and currently presented to CASA • Wheel based subcommittee operational • “The Pico Club inc” recognised by the HGFA as a national club • PPG training syllabus prepared with inputs from members
New additions to conventional hang gliding and paragliding • Foot launched powered hang gliders • Foot launched powered paragliders • Wheel based versions of the above • Tandem operations foot launched and wheel based of all the above • Trikes and Nanolights • Powered parachutes They do not necessarily require dedicated flying sites They do not necessarily require state based organisations to look after their interests
Is there a fit between state objectives and national objectives? • Example: VHPA top 4 aims • Developing and maintaining launch and landing sites • Negotiating new sites • Existing site improvement • Local and state government liaison • The Pico Club top aim • To grow the sport in a safe and responsible manner
Flying site ? Flying sites can be anywhere
Questions raised by members of The Pico Club inc. • What are the State Branches doing to promote the sport of PPG? • Why do we have to pay different fees depending on which state we live? • How are the State fees established? • What are the State Branches doing with our PPG fees?...Auditing and reporting is being done?? • How can we get funding for national PPG projects?
A fair deal State Branches were asked formally to financially contribute to a PPG project • The PPG community contributed in 2006/2007 over $3000.00 to State Branches • Zero feedback and no contribution from the State Branches was received following a request to assist in a Pico Club project
Proposal for a fair deal to suit all new sport developments within the HGFA • Funding provided to State Branches and National Clubs on an “as needed” basis • Funding provided to State Branches and National Clubs on a prioritised “ as wanted” basis
This can achieve: • Uniform national fee structure for all operations • Funding for PPG projects as well as all other national projects becomes a possible reality • Transparency, by reporting on progress of projects ( technical, financial and in general achievements of objectives) • Increase in and retention of membership
Future? • Short term • The Pico Club, resulting from support received, to further develop • PPG wheel based operations • PPG tandem operations • Dedicated PPG training and PPG mentoring • A pathway for other national HGFA clubs • Medium term • The Pico club inc. to include PHG to form a combined HGFA national club
That’s it The Pico Club inc. Passionate about Powered Paragliding