The Cloudbase Mayhem podcast is where you will find fascinating and educational interviews with the best free-flight pilots in the world. If you fly a hanglider or paraglider, if you fly acro or cross country, the Cloudbase Mayhem podcast is where we glean how the great pilots of the world get there. Hosted by Red Bull X-Alps pilot, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and current holder of the North American foot launch record, Gavin McClurg. Follow me on Instagram @gavinmcclurg or on Facebook @ facebook.com/gavinnmcclurg or Twitter on @cloudbasemayhem.
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#210- Louis Tapper and Reducing Carnage
Adventure often runs in the blood of Kiwis, and in Louis Tapper it runs thick. Long before Louis got hooked with flying he broke a world distance record in kitesurfing in Brazil and was (and remains) a pretty hard-core paddler. When he discovered flying he dug in hard. Louis competes regularly in World Cups around the world; is a 6-time New Zealand National Champion; and currently holds the out and back AND FAI records in New Zealand. In this episode we explore many aspects of managing risk, beginning with his epic in Brazil. We discuss the crossover between paddling and flying, best-practices for progression in paragliding, and the lessons Louis has learned from flying sailplanes. The conversation then shifts to the topic of the recently published New Zealand Safety and Accident Report, which Louis and several others researched and penned. We dive into what the comprehensive report uncovered, why it’s almost always a string of errors that lead to an accident, where the greatest change is needed, who is most at risk, and why too many accidents in paragliding, speed flying, and hang gliding keep happening. We explore the concept of human factors in accidents and the potential for applying lessons from commercial aviation to improve safety in free-flight. Turns out it remains pretty obvious: it’s the basics that can make a big difference- ground handling, launching, and landing. Louis emphasizes the importance of margin and observation in reducing accidents and the importance of personal approach, wing handling, and situational awareness. The conversation also highlights the significance of decision-making and why pilots don’t throw when they should, the risk assessment for different pilot levels, and the need for a community-based safety approach. The slow progress in changing the safety culture in New Zealand (and around the world) is acknowledged, along with the compromises in safety associated with lightweight gear. An important talk with a fun individual! Enjoy!
To read the Safety Task Force Report go here.
To see the FlyTop approach to safety that Louis discusses in the show go here.
What is old is new, 20 year old recommendations for the Hang Gliding community that still stand true today.
Takeaways
* Persistence and thoughtful decision-making are important in extreme adventures.
* Observation and risk management are crucial skills in paragliding, hang gliding and speed flying.
* There is a need for better accident reporting systems and a focus on human factors in paragliding.
* Lessons from other sports, such as backcountry skiing, can be applied to improve safety in paragliding.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:32 Kitesurfing and Distance Record
04:03 Challenges of Flying in Brazil
05:09 Sailing Experience and Challenges
06:06 Risk and Safety in Flying
08:34 Unofficial Distance Record
09:35 Learning from Mistakes and Challenges