SKYLINE GONDOLA


Notice: This is a Restricted Flying Site
Flying at The Gondola is a privilege not a right!

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DO NOT FLY AT THIS SITE WITHOUT BEING ACCREDITED.
YOU MUST FLY WITH A TEXT RECEIVABLE MOBILE PHONE WITH A NZ NUMBER AND BE LOGGED INTO THE WEBSITE.
YOU  MUST KNOW THE GAA SITE BOUNDARIES.

THERE ARE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES FOR ANYONE WHO DOES! THE LOCAL POLICE WILL GET INVOLVED AS IT IS A CIVIL MATTER. IT IS ILLEGAL TO FLY FROM THIS SITE WITHOUT BEING AN ACCREDITED PILOT AND MEMBER OF THE NZHGPA.

The skyline gondola flying site requires a special permit/accreditation in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Southern Hang gliding and Paragliding Club & Airways Corp. New Zealand. That accreditation lasts 2 years.

Click here to download the MOU.

To fly at SKYLINE take the following 6 steps:

  1. Have meet the prerequisites for being accredited.
  2. Read through the following site guide.
  3. Complete the online exam.
  4. Fill in the accreditation form and get it signed by an authorized pilot.
  5. Be issued a login to gondola.southernclub.co.nz (Check this before arriving on site).
  6. Fly with a local pilot or seek local advice on the day before flying for the first time.

STEP 1:
PREREQUISITES

To be signed off you are required to adhere to the following:

  • To have completed a mandatory minimum 80 flights total logged from any site or at least 3 flights with an Accredited Southern Club Instructor on radio from the Gondola. If you don’t have your flights logged in a book, you’ll have to come back to school.
  • You must know the airspace boundaries ( see maps below) both vertically and horizontally. Flying beyond Shotover Street is prohibited to allow for an extra buffer.  
  • You must be a current member of the NZHGPA.
  • You must have read and understood the current Memorandum of Understanding between the Queenstown ATC tower and the SHGPGC.
  • No one is allowed to fly without being logged in under current MOU. So if an accredited Southern Club Instructor is taking a student, an account will have to be created and they will have to be logged in before flying.

STEP 2:
SITE GUIDE

ACCESS

Take the Skyline Gondola from Queenstown village. It is a short 10 minute uphill hike from the Gondola top station.

AIRSPACE

The airspace is defined by G756. This General Aviation area is very small. You must stay within this area. Do not fly closer than 200m to the Skyline buildings, Luge or Gondola cables. Remember, the Skyline managers office is up there. Someone may be watching. Someone is always watching! The maximum altitude is 4,500 ft.GAA G756. Max altitude 4500ft.

WEATHER

Check ‘Holfuy’ for the ‘Gondola’ at holfuy.com

“The Southerly” can rapidly kick in at  the Gondola rather. Keep an eye on Lake Wakatipu for whitecaps and wind lines. It’s easy to avoid. Know what to look for.

Before walking up from the top of the Gondola check the lake for wind and weather. From the top launch it is not possible to see the lake to the south. Westerlies and Northerlies can swirl around and “blow in” on takeoff hiding the undesirable flying conditions.

When in doubt, ask the ‘G-Force’ pilots.  If they are not flying tandems, ask: Why not?  It’s usually due to the weather.

TAKE OFF

Do not use the lower Eastern ‘G-Force’ takeoff. The solo takeoffs are a short 10 minute hike up the hill.

Prior to taking off check landing field availability. The Recreational (Rec) Ground is not available to pilots when other events are going on there. At no time is the school ground available for solo / non ‘G Force’ pilots.

DO NOT fly here without first doing the training and paperwork..
This is an exceptionally sensitive site.

LANDING

Only G-Force (commercial tandems) land at the Primary School.

Recreational pilots land mainly at the Rec Ground on the rugby field, but occasionally at Warrens Park. Prior to taking off check landing field availability. The Rec ground is not available to pilots when other events are going on there.

DO NOT ever endanger the public when coming into land. Watch out for obstacles. It is not ok to land at the Primary School at any time short of an emergency landing.

HAZARDS

BE AWARE: Due to recent tree felling (2021) the power-lines that run down from the Base Building, parallel with the
gondola line to the west, are now exposed increasing the risk of a pilot flying into these lines.

Speed flyers should be extra aware of the location of these lines and the risk of making contact with them.
Always stay clear of the chairlift and gondola line.
Respect the nature of the site with limited landing options and fly within your ability.

FINAL CHECKLIST BEFORE FLYING:

  • Check the wind in both the landing field (be aware of and understand the “Gorge wind” effects) and what the winds are doing at take off and at all relevant altitudes for your flight.
  • Do not fly this site in strong winds. Always keep an eye on indications of wind on the lake  and be aware of the leeside Northerly.
  • Do not take off if the landing options are limited or not suitable for your ability. Just because others may be flying does not mean it is within your capabilities. Know your limits.
  • Be aware of other pilots. If you know a pilot that is flying without accreditation or is flying in a way that risks the site, it is your responsibility to correct and / or report them. Please look after this site.
  • Give consideration to other users of public facilities E.G. The Rec Ground.
  • All pockets must be closed and objects are to be secured prior to take-off e.g. cameras & phones.
  • The performing of aerobatics flights at this site is very sensitive. Aerobatics  are only to be done well clear of built up areas, i.e. only over trees, at a safe height and where legal and safe landing options are available.
  • You must ensure that safe and suitable (for your ability) landing options are available.
  • Fly within your own ability. If in doubt, don’t fly!
  • MOU  

This is an exceptionally sensitive site due to its proximity to built up areas. Negligence may result in ALL pilots being banned from flying this site.

Join the Southern Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club Facebook to get in touch with the people that can assist. ‘G Force’ is a local tandem company. This is their primary site.

STEP 3:
ONLINE EXAM

Complete the online exam follow the link:
https://www.classmarker.com/online-test/start/?quiz=mxy5e00755936422
Password: G756

STEP 4:
ACCREDITATION FORM

Once you have passed the exam please fill in G756-MOU-ACCREDITATION-FORM and get it signed by one the following authorized pilots:

    • Sanae Noguchi    021 115 1587
    • Bradley Franks     021 0913 3972
    • Jason Searle        021 245 77029
    • Chris Conolly       022 676 5599
    • Ben Kellet            021 232 7217
    • Leo Chelle            027 352 2286
    • Josh Short           022 103 2407

Please also include a short description of your flying history and skills (a photo/copy of your logbook would be great as well).
Once you are signed off, email all of your documents to gondola@southernclub.co.nz to create an account to login.

Please wait for your accreditation to be processed before flying!

Do you want to become an authorized pilot to sign other pilots off to fly this site?
You will need the following requirements:
1. Have your PG3 rating.
2. Currently G756 ( MOU) endorsed.
3. Be approved by Southern Club Safety Officer (Bradley Franks).
4. Please send an email to daniel@southernclub.co.nz to be registered on the SHGPGC website as ‘Authorities’ i.e. willing and able to sign off.

STEP 5:
LOGIN PROCESS

(Once your login has been processed)

Check your login works before you arrive on site to fly

Procedure For Flying:

  1. Log onto the website gondola.southernclub.co.nz ensure your contact details are correct, select ‘air’ before flying and select ‘ground’ when landed.
  2. You must carry your phone and have it in sight at all times. Should the airspace be closed you will receive a text message informing you of the closure. Should this happen you have 15 minutes to land.

Note: This is a unique and a very sensitive site close to built up areas and Controlled airspace. All pilots must be compliant with the G756 MOU and fly this site in a sensible, responsible manner at all times. Failure to do so will result with the pilot losing their accreditation. Forgetting to log in and out of the website after a days flying will result in a first warning and then loss of accreditation!

G756 Website

Below is a description of the use and function of the Southern Club’s Skyline database & website.

Pilots

To activate and deactivate their flying status pilots are required to visit gondola.southernclub.co.nz where they will be presented with a login screen:

Gondola Login

Once logged in pilots can change their status from ‘Air’ to ‘Ground’ and Vice Versa.

Gondola Login

The above image shows Keri Mapperson as logged in and Ian Hornby also logged in and showing in the air. When Keri selects the ‘Set Air’ button, the word ‘Ground’ will turn to ‘Air’.

It is not possible for a pilot to change their status to ‘Air’ when Airways has closed the Airspace on the website.