Like my namesake earlier in this thread, I too fly at WOTG or D129 as it is probably better known to most GA pilots.
As stated, the operation works well at WOTG most of the time, (albeit it can be frustrating at times!) provided that the pilots, the DZ controller and equally the parachutists are briefed about what is going on and who goes where! You would not believe the number of times you see parachutists land or walk across the winch cables though, usually to the frustration of both the DZ controller and the pilot who is waiting for a launch!
When RAFSPA is operating, every launch is cleared via the DZ controller (133.65 if anyone wants to maintain a listening watch) and the two activities are kept pretty much apart.
One query from this unfortunate incident though:-
Q. The inversion on Saturday was about 3,500 AGL - presumably the K8 was local soaring, so if the para was in free-fall at this point, isnt this a bit low or was he/she under canopy when the collision happened?
The biggest danger to all of us is complacency, how often do you see powered aircraft landing short with canopies in the air etc?
