VHF Radio Operations Endorsement

The VHF ("Air Band") Radio Operations Endorsement is quite a straight forward course to do.

It is a one day course and at the end of the day if you pass the written exam and oral exam you end up with a VHF Radio Operations Endorsement that is recognized by CASA and the HGFA and the endorsement is placed on your HGFA membership card.

During the course, you learn how to use a VHF Radio and you also learn flight operations in and around non towered airports; which opens up the possibility to fly in and around areas that were previously inaccessible by motorised paragliders. It is also important that you become competent in reading a Visual Terminal Chart, VTC. It would be worth purchasing one from you local sky shop. Remember they need updating every six months. Bring one with you to the course.

The Pico Club Inc may assist by subsidizing the cost for its members that do a HGFA recognized course.

One of the schools that do the HGFA recognized course is AirSports Flying School at Sunbury Airfield situated about 10 minutes drive from the town of Sunbury and about 30 minutes drive from the city of Melbourne. Rodney Birrell is the organizer and is contactable at mail@goflying.com.au
Rodney can create a course for no less that 4 people or can incorporate you into a course with others. Courses cost around $90.

Another school recognised is delivering radio courses is Poliglide. Andrew Polidano fly's motorised paragliders and teaches in Mullumbimby on the Far North Coast of NSW. Conatct Andrew on [andrew@poliglide.com]. At the 2009 pico fly-in andrew will run a course for $40 for pico members.

The Book you need is FLIGHT RADIO FOR PILOTS VFR OPERATIONS. It costs about $35 and can be purchased from Rob Birrell at http://www.aeroshop.com.au You will need to study this book for a couple of weeks prior to the course. An interactive audio computer-CD is also available.

References to the HGFA Operations Manual

• 6.1.4 Radio Operators Endorsement
• 6.6.1 Radio Usage
• 7.4.5 Radio Operators Endorsement
• 8.5 Syllabus of HGFA Radio Operators Endorsement

There has been a slight change to 6.6.2.1 Call signs. The call sign for a PPG is Hang Glider (last 4 digest of your membership number) I am a Paraglider. Example:-

 Hang Glider 4922 I am a Paraglider

These days flying motorised paraglider’s it is even more important to have a solid understanding for airspace. A current copy of the VTC (Visual Terminal Chart) of your area with the knowledge of how to read it is essential. Recently CTAF(R)'s replaced MBZ's and in theses areas a VHF radio needs to be carried and used by law. We are a voice on the radio, weather we fly a Boeing 707 or an 80cc back pack motor. Consequently our language is important. It's essential to have the basics down pat.

Identify the area your talking about eg traffic casino
Give your call sign eg: Hang glider (last 4 numbers) flying eg motorised paraglider
Currently 1000ft (ASL) and location
Heading south and finish with
Traffic Casino (substitute your area)

There are also circuit rules when calls are to be made. The better the motorised and non motorised community get are VHF procedures the larger the flying area we have, and the more respect we command in the air.

Restricted and Danger zones need to be determined when planning a route as well as there activity.

There is help available at the Brisbane briefing office: 0738663224

The reference book is great and simply turning on your radio and listening to other airspace users is very helpful.

The Mullumbimby based paramotor school [1] provides an overview of VHF ops in the HGFA's Experimental Motorised Paragliding certificate as well as a real scenario to help people plan a flight - see http://www.poliglide.com for more info.

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I hope this information helps you the pilot acquire this qualification and fly more safely.

Rick Clarke
President
The Pico Club Inc