Red Bull professional hang glider pilot Jonny Durand laments the loss of Beechmont
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- Third ranked world champion and Red Bull professional hang glider pilot Jonny Durand started his sky-high journey at Beechmont - the now abandoned launch site due to the controversial landing refusal by Queensland’s Environment Department.
He’s taken out the Australian championships 21 times and is currently ranked third in the world. At Beechmont, he set the world record for the longest flight. As the saga over the landing refusal drags on, Jonny laments about being denied the joy of flying at Beechmont.
#redbullracing #redbull #paragliding #Beechmont #queenslandtourism
Well said Jonny. So many local people and businesses will be negatively affected by the permit refusal by QPWS. It seems that QPWS have forgotten that the parkland they manage is also for the benefit and enjoyment of the community, not just to be preserved and hidden away for future generations. Paragliding (and hang gliding) are peaceful, non intrusive, environmentally friendly sports and align perfectly with the Environment and Science portfolio’s objectives. It is such an easy win-win. Minister @MeaganScanlon please help.
What was the reason for the Ministers decision to ban landing there?
Great video. It's quite shocking that there is so much drama with such a well established site
Well said, this site ban has such an impact on high level competitions and local tourism. Stirling Hinchliffe MP please help us maintain this site and sport
As an interstate pilot to fly at beechmont & visit the surrounding area was a highlight I looked forward to every year, so much history & effort to secure the launch & such a trajedy to loose this iconic site for the sake of a safe landing field. Devastated!
Paragliding in particular is growing in popularity and is probably where mountainbiking was 10-15 years ago. The opportunities are massive. Mountainbiking was treated the same way at this stage in its growth - treated like a threat not an opportunity. The jurisdictions that embraced it - Tasmania, New Zealand, etc are reaping a tourism bonanza. Sadly not Qld or NSW.
Great insights mate- as you said so well. You know this place better than anyone. 😊
Unreal that we have to fight for this sport in Austalia while other countries embrace it. Switzerland even have a Paraglider on the back of their 50 francs bill and paragliding pilots are landing in the centre of Interlaken, a major tourist destination.
Nice one Jonny, as a slightly older local pilot, me 😂 seeing you come up through the ranks, take on and beat the worlds best pilots, you truly are an inspiration to us mere mortals. It's such a shame that your backyard and best flying site in Australia has been cancelled due to red tape, this needs to change fast, we have 2 world class competitions approaching fast (around October) that the club needs to make plans for, if we don't have a bomb out paddock at Beechy, we can't run these comps with other 30 years of history. Devastated is an understatement.
It's outrageous that a here today gone tomorrow minister can be so short sighted and refuse to fully understand this issue. Single-handedly bringing to a close scores of years of free-flight history. This is a world famous flying site.
While the rest of the world sees and understands the value of free flying to local businesses and tourism the Aussie government continues to keep their heads in the sand oblivious to what’s going down. Thanks Jonni for your video
I’m totally supportive but this video doesn’t tell us what the issue is and how it can be fixed or how we can help to fix it.
What is the issue and how can we help??
I’m a local and I’m keen to help. Tell me how
Come on, Minister Scanlon. A word from you and this problem is solved. Pilots do zero harm to the enviroment.
This will be a significant loss for local tourism. Every year pilots and their families travel to Beechmont Australia from all over the world to enjoy the unique area. There are also x2 major competitions that bring visiting people here to experience the accommodation, cafes, and bars who also sponsor our events.
Personal I was moved by this video and hope that this will be resolved soon.
Jonny what a legend
What a great video narrative. So proud of you jonny!
free flight is going down everywhere, that’s really sad… sorry for you guys
It’s not really, it’s growing in popularity and is probably where mountainbiking was 10-15 years ago. The opportunities are massive. Mountainbiking was treated the same way at this stage in its growth - treated like a threat not an opportunity. The jurisdictions that embraced it - Tasmania, New Zealand, etc are reaping a tourism bonanza. Sadly not Qld or NSW.
Well said Jonny! Meaghan Scanlon, please help.
Thanks Jonny. Keep the dream alive
Well said Johnny. It would be such a loss if we couldn't use the site any more.
Come on Minister. The people of the Scenic rim need this to be able to continue. It's a part of our heritage.
Always a tragedy to lose any flying sites. I live an hour drive from two historical hang gliding and paragliding sites, and it would be a tragedy to loose either of them. One (Dunlap, California) we lost the original launch and landing zone for a few years but we did secure another launch site and landing zone, they where a little sketchy but completely doable, but weren’t good for beginners due to the orientation of launch and the LZ being 7:1 glide from launch as paragliding pilots we needed to rely on our ability to use lift to get to LZ with enough altitude and you couldn’t see the LZ from launch. But this year the original launch and LZ (which is right under launch) has been opened back up, it’s absolutely amazing to be able to fly from the old launch and LZ, I’ve never flown this launch and LZ because I learned while it was shut down but I did fly the alternate several times, looking forward to flying the original site for the first time.
Minister Scanlon might want to read up on her Australian history of free flight in Australia and contributions to global aviation - Lawrence Hargrave ring a bell...? Although not Stanwell Park, it's just as significant in terms of continuing the art and recreation of free flight in Australia.
Well put Jonny!
Pro tip. They can't deny you landing in an emergency, and since you don't have an engine, pretty much every landing counts as an "emergency landing"
This.
Unfortunately, it is not an emergency before you take off. If you take off without a permitted safe landing area then you are being irresponsible..... And are you suggesting that we just ignore all the no landing zones that clubs have?
@@KrisEricksen It's for a good cause: flying. If the site is being shut down anyway, what is there to lose?
I came from Canada to fly this site. Hopefully the powers that be can see the value in securing a bottom landing field for the local club. I'd love to come back for another Canungra Cup.
I sincerely hope that you would get hold of a landing place soon!
How is outside in the sun, away from everyone, sanely restricted? This should be encouraged, as should all outdoor exercise.
Well said Jonny. Great video. And I thought we in Europe had the worst politicians in the world.
Very sad news. What can interstate/ overseas visitors & others do to support the CHGC's case? I guess we could email the Qld minister (Meaghan Scanlon?) - to show that this will affect the number of visitors to the Canungra area in future..
Yes that would help us, also Stirling Hinchcliffe MP as minister for tourism. He can be contacted at tourism@ministerial.qld.gov.au
Unfortunately it's been a problem for the 50+ years I've been flying. Just need to get the flying community to all chip in.
The lose of this sites landing area will be a disaster.
#meaghanscanlonMP
#leannelinardmp
#StirlingHinchliffeMp
#AnnastaciaPalaszczuk
Loss of tourism = loss of how many x jobs in your electorate?
We need your help urgently to secure a lower landing in Beechmont to fix this loss of tourism.
The local cafes and restaurants are now only open on the weekends for a few motorists. How long can they survive. Pilots from all over the world vist here and are watching this development.
They inject a significant amout of revenue in the region with an average stay of 2 - 4 weeks.
Who will bail out our local business like Binna Burra Lodge , Flying Bean Cafe, Pink Galah, also When will the road be fixed. Yes we feel abandoned.
What's the reason for closing down the landingfield?
go on Jonny 🤙🤙🤙
what is the notice of refusal to amend?
What's the main reasons they wanna close it again?
Can't believe QPWS would be so careless..
'Scandalous' Scanlon. How can one person have that much power?
What more can we do to help? Who Can I wright to to express my support?
You gotta get this minister thrown out!
as long as you don't bomb out ,,,, god help us ..
The base of the mountain looks like pastureland that has already been spoiled by humans and cattle. What harm can be caused by hang glider and para glider landings?
Where do we donate?
Organize a petition and send that to the the minister and QPWS? Organization and focus should help it along + we found that having the female members bring the petition immediately softens the response from Government and helps them listen to the appeal.
yep once they gone
yay jonny
What a place! … no one could be reasonable to use a landing field… !… there’s no argument with unreasonable people .. money can solve this.. . Sad
Make it political. Self-interest is all that these virtue-signalling politicians understand. Paragliders do zero harm.
Grumpy farmers?
Déjà t'deuxc
Pub dans ton visage
It's impacting the businesses, lifestyles, hobbies and training grounds of many local residents. Huge loss for our community. @meaghanscanlon please help!
Does anyone know the reason why it was closed , what the motivation was , who is against it and whether it was a personal attack or just a logistical move ?
Come on @meaghanscanlon???