The SAHPA Site Guide is an ongoing project supported by volunteers who contribute their insight and experience. It includes original content from Greg Hamerton’s Fresh Air Site Guide (5th edition, 2006). Please send requests, corrections or suggestions to office@sahpa.co.za.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my favourite launch site not listed?
The SAHPA Site Guide is a volunteer effort, and requires significant effort to collate information, publish, review and promote each site page. The addition of site guides are prioritised based on statistical risk (which explains the proliferation of Western Cape and Garden Route sites), and interest from pilots. If you believe your site should be prioritised, please write a motivation addressed to office@sahpa.co.za.
Who is responsible to keep the SAHPA Site Guide up-to-date?
While SAHPA is the custodian of the SAHPA Site Guide, clubs (Safety Officers and Site Liaison Officers) are ultimately accountable to ensure that Site Rules are clear and that any risks have been identified and communicated to the broader community. Changes are made by the editors (listed above).
Why are sensitive sites listed in the SAHPA Site Guide?
In a word, transparency. The internet is already filled with insufficient information about sensitive sites. We would rather publish comprehensive site information, complete with warnings and cautionary advice, than have uninformed pilots attempt sites that they are unprepared for.
Is the information accurate?
When a SAHPA Site Guide page is published, the key stakeholders (Safety Officer, Instructors) are notified with a request to review the content. If there are mistakes, or errors of omission, these are corrected by the editors (typically within a day or two).
Why has my submission been rewritten?
Descriptions like “hairy outcrop” don’t translate well. We try to ensure that all language used in the SAHPA Site Guide is neutral and easy to understand, and that readers can get a fairly accurate translation from Google Translate.