Site News

Up to the minute information about Wessex sites. Bookmark this page and check it out regularly BEFORE you fly! Please communicate any important site information to the Sites Officer as soon as possible!

22 Feb 2010 Sky Surfer Sites

Dear Reciprocal Club,

Would it be possible to remind your membership of the arrangements that exist to fly Sky Surfing sites under the Reciprocal Agreement?

As Spring approaches and the desire to fly reaches fever pitch, commonsense has a tendency to go out the window. There have already been a few incidents this year on 'Surfers sites arising from over enthusiasm - and a disregard for basic protocols.

Many of your members will know that most of our sites are small and cramped. Added to this, they are also shared with other users, notably a large aeromodelling club. Now, we are all too aware of the risks arising from mixed air traffic, (i.e. hang gliders and paragliders); include some large and very fast models in the mix and the dangers multiply. No-one wishes for a mid-air to happen. It will spoil the fun for everyone as site access would be withdrawn.

So please, if you are planning on visiting Sky Surfing sites, (especially Butser or Mercury) please check with local pilots before you fly and observe the Sites Rules. A little thought and consideration does wonders.

Many thanks.

Brian Parkins (Sites Officer, Sky Surfing Club)

18 Aug White Horse Bowl

The tenant farmer of the Bowl to the West of White Horse, Weymouth has asked that we refrain from launching into the bowl. This was never an approved take off but has been used on ccasions. Please take the trouble to walk to the official take off. Emergency landings may still be made behind the bowl.

24 June 09 Avon Sites

The Avon Club committee would like to remind pilots that visiting pilots are welcome on our sites, but they must be fully conversant with the site rules and must have up-to-date membership of the BHPA (or international equivalent). In the case of Draycott, pilots must be members of the Avon club. The site rules are available on the club website and visiting pilots are asked to consult the sites officer or a committee member prior to flying, either on the hill or via the contact details

4 June 09 Sky Surfer Sites

Dear Neighbouring Club

As you are aware the SkySurfing Club has a number of easterly sites which have seen heavy use over the last few weeks. These sites have sensitive rules governing their use;

At Mercury there is a £1 site fee (per pilot) to be put in the honest box on arrival. The land owner has noted that the level of site use at present is not being reflected in the amount of money in the box indicating that pilots are not paying, the fact this is noted by the land owner is bad news. There are also airspace sharing agreements in place with the aero modellers which restrict the use of the ridge, it is a constant battle to keep these enforced. We would also ask that HG and PG pilots communicate openly and are sensitive to one another’s needs regarding room, airspeed and other safety matters.

At Whitewool there is a restriction to eight pilots only on the hill (sum total of those in the air AND on the ground) and there must be a site warden present with permission to fly on the day from the land owner. We have lost this site before and are likely to do so agin if the rule is broken. This site has priority for low airtime PG’s. The site is closed on bank holidays.

If your club does not have a reciprocal agreement with us then pilots must become members of the SkySurfing Club in order to fly the sites. If reciprocal club members are flying our sites on a regular basis then we would request they also join SSC.

We would please ask you to reitterate the above matters to your membership. All details can be foun in our online site guide at www.skysurfingclub.co.uk

Many thanks

James Roy

SSC Sec

30 Apr 09 Barton-on-Sea Site rating change

After a lengthy discussion in committee, on the forum and at the site, it has been decided to change the rating of Barton to CP+25 hours recommended. The committee and experienced "scratchers" feel that this is an appropriate number of hours to recommend in view of the technical difficulties of the site and its very public nature. Site guide will be updated in due course.

Compton Abbas events (affecting Monks Down and Winklebury)

Naomi House Benefit Day Fly In
26th April 2009

Pooleys Day
17th May 2009

Microlight Fly In
30th & 31st May 2009

Aerobatic Competition
12th & 13th June 2009

Dorset Air Race
20th & 21st June 2009

French Connection Fly-in
18th July 2009

Big Boys Toys – New & Improved
26th July 2009

Balloon Evening Glow &
Compton Cream Teas
1st & 2nd August 2009

Bi Plane Fly In
15th & 16th August 2009

Retired Airline Pilots Fly In &
All Day Breakfast
5th & 6th September 2009

Air Ambulance Benefit Day
13th September 2009

9 Mar 09 - White Horse

The landowner at White Horse has notified me that he will shortly be erecting a fence below take off on the hill. This is a requirement of English Nature to retain ponies grazing on the hill side as part of the sites SSSI classification.

The fence will be Plain wire (not barbed) and posts well spaced, it will be run along the hill front at approx the height of the riders head to allow us to launch over it still.

NOTE IT WILL BE ELECTRIFIED, Should you land below the fence look out for the blue polypipe insulation which will allow you to climb over without sparking up your naughty bits ! if your lucky.
The fence is in no way intended to discourage us and the owner hopes it will not be to much of a problem to us.

Sky Surfer Sites

Folks, please be aware of the following dates that the MVSA will be holding aeromodel competitions on local sites, in particular Butser Hill or Mercury. These sites are shared with the Sky Surfing Club.

Whilst there is NO suggestion that HG/PG pilots should stay away on these dates, you may wish to consider less crowded alternatives. If you are flying one of these hills on these dates, please make an extra effort to liaise closely with the MVSA to avoid any conflicts and ensure the safety of all concerned.

29th March - Multi Task
26th April - F3F
31st May - EPP Pylon
21st June - Once Around the Hill
26th July - F3F
30th August - Open XC
20th September - Scale
25th October - EPP Pylon

Rybury Closed 29/08/08

Rybury Closure Thames Valley have put out notice that Rybury has been temporarilly closed owing to percieved 'over usage ' by the landowner. Richard Bungay from TVHGPGC has requested no one fly's the site until the matter can be resolved.

Barton 31/07/08

2 Points for Barton flyers

Point 1 -
I happened to be at Barton Today 30.07.08. A shocked looking pilot
landed and exclaimed that some nutter had been trying to stone him. I
explained that this is not uncommon and that the culprit would appear
to phycologically challenged to some degree, (he must be a couple of
bricks short of the full load or he would have had the sense to buy a
catapult by now rather than waste energy throwing stones)
Seriously though, if you dont know what i'm talking about you need to
be re - briefed on this site by an experienced Barton Pilot who will
fill you in.
If you are familiar with the situation all I can suggest is keep out
of Mr Angry's projectile radius range or maybe if he tries to stone you
personally approach the Police as an individual, it must be an offence
to propel missiles at an unhostile aircraft me thinks so the guy could
probably be prosecuted or santioned or something.

Point 2 -
A couple of Pilots who where themselves flying Barton on Sunday
expresed concern regarding some flying 'moments' on Sunday.
Barton Beach and green where very busy with members of public due to
the cracking weather.
Apparently the 'moments' could very easily have turned into serious
incidents had the chain of events run just slightly differently.
No specific happenings where mentioned so no ones on a witch hunt here
and im not trying to give a parabollocking or anything like that.
But please bear in mind we are very much in a public domain here.
Kids, old people, animals and even normal people who dont fly will not
understand what we are doing and may make random moves when flown near
etc. Anything that happens here is watch by many people.
Please just take extra care and give extra consideration to the public
and your own actions,
I guess as part of your site assesment if the take off and landing are
so busy with people that you cannot safely fly and land you should
maybe consider the site temporarily unflyable same as you would if its
blown out or too light.
We have made this site accessable to most members now with the de-
rated pilot level restriction but please remember that although it
looks a friendly site it still bites if you get it wrong
Points taken I hope, please enjoy.

Ali F

Sites Officer

Kimmeridge Site fees 15/07/08

'The Hole family are now running a smalll Cafe in Kimmeridge, just
round the corner past the turn off for the farm on the left (its the
only Cafe in Kimmeridge) ( in facts its probably the only anything in
Kimmeridge) When paying your £2 daily site fee please try the Cafe
first as Mrs Hole or her daughter will more likely be here than the
farmhouse.

Ali F'

Ballard Hang Gliding Parking 6 Jun 08

I have just recieved the licence renewal for Ballard Down from the
National Trust. If you remember they had told us we would be unable to
continue to park HG carrying vehicles on Ballard Down after May this
year.

Good News, they have agreed to let the parking concession continue.

This concession is strictly for Hang Gliders only.
National Trust have also requested that we ensure parked vehicles do
not obstruct the access track in any way.
Also that vehicles are parked discretly and in a way that they are not
noticable from Studland Village.
Please could anyone who knows a non internet conected HG pilot pass
this info on.

Thanks
Ali Florence

12 May 2008 Members-only sites

Portland sites and Barton on Sea have now had their classification changed from 'members only' to 'open sites' If flying as a visitor at any of these sites please ensure you have read and fully understand all details given in our 'Sites Guide' which is available free on line. It would be wise to have a copy of the guide in your possesion for on site reference.

We strongly recommend that any visitors or first time flyers on any of our sites ensure they recieve a thorough briefing from a Wessex member before flying

Ballards HG Parking 25 Jan 08

After a long silence National trust have corresponded regarding their
recent statement on stopping HG Pilots parking on Ballard Down.
They seem to have taken on board our issues. The matter will be
discussed with NT access, legal and property people along with several
other topics at a forum to be held this March.

A decision on the parking will be made shortly after this.
In the mean time if we park on top of the ridge please try and park
your vehicle adjacent to scrub bushes if possible so as to break the
visual impact on the sky line. Also bear in mind this privelidge could
well be withdrawn so be on best behaviour (as i'm sure you always are)
NOTE THIS PARKING CONCESSION IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO HG PILOTS CARRYING A
HANGLIDER ON THEIR VEHICLE< PG PILOTS WALK UP>

Ali F (SITES)

22 Oct 07 Devon and Somerset Condors sites

Hi all



We had a very busy day at Beer Head and Branscombe on Sunday

A couple of problems arose with some of your members visiting

Can you please make sure that they know what the rules are on these two very sensitive sites

Branscombe is members only as requested by the landowner - who is very sensitive and this must be adhered to at all costs. Condors members are requested to park on the side of the road - not blocking any farm entrances and walk out along the lane, not drive

Beer Head is open, but again no driving out and park in the carpark at all times, not in the lane or access road

Many thanks if you can pass this on to your members

Phil Fouracre
Sites Officer
Devon and Somerset Condors

19 Oct 07 Portland East

Apparently one of our members was 'spoken to' by staff at Portland
young offenders institute today (18.10.07), Last Sunday (14.10.07) a
lone wing was flying Portland East but had not reported to the Borstal
gatehouse, this is a requirement before flying here. Also a nearby
resident had remonstrated that (presumably the same pilot same day) had
been flying very close to the Peregrines nest, although they are not
technically 'nesting' they still reside in the same area and probably
value some privacy.

It is unlikely that this pilot is a Wessex member, however if any one
knows any body who flew here on 14.10.07 please could you ask them to
study the sites guide before visiting this or any other Wessex site
again.

Ali F (Sites Officer)

Westbury 13 Sept 07

For any pilots who fly Westbury, please could you make sure that you are
aware of the site rules, since this is a busy and sensitive site. Currently
we are facing a change of ownership of some land including our emergency
landing field. We know this is likely to result in a less friendly farmer so
we are trying to make sure we are squeaky clean, in particular if it should
come to any negotiations with English Heritage, the MOD or the town council,
all of whom take an interest of some sort in our activities.

Full site rules are on our website and could I please remind everyone specifically about the following.

- Do NOT land or take off from above the horse or on the horse
itself. There is a public footpath just above the horse, and landing here
endangers members of the public, plus the horse is an ancient monument.
Landing above the path is likely to dump you in rotor. If you are in a
situation where you are low near the horse, the only option is to put it in
just in front of the horse's nose, and then WALK BACK TO TAKE OFF. However,
if you're not staying up, you shouldn't have taken off.

- There is NO bottom landing field. We have an emergency landing
field, to be used in the event of mechanical failure, extreme danger etc.
I.e. you spot a flight of the Red Arrows heading your way and spiral in to
land ASAP. It is not an option just because the conditions are light and
you thought you'd give it a go. Please respect this, as the farmer is
already very keen to close this field to us as soon as the tenancy agreement
changes.

- If you do land in the emergency landing field (after you've
narrowly avoided those Red Arrows), you must exit from the gate in the
corner by the road, and walk along the road to a footpath. Do not attempt
to walk straight back up the hill from the field.

- The field to the left of takeoff is also NOT a landing field. We
have no permission to land there.

- Westbury is a top-landing site only. If you have doubts about
staying up, or other people are scraping, land whilst you have the chance,
or if you're on the ground - don't take off.

English Heritage are not keen on us flying there, and we must not give them
the excuse to stop us doing so. Please help by respecting our site rules,
if you have any questions or are on the site and not sure, please do ask any
of the other pilots there, you'll soon find an Avon pilot happy to help.

Many thanks,

Richard Zaltzman

Chairman, Avon HGPGC

Batcombe - 4 Aug 2007

We now have a written agreement with the farmer and are paying a fee to fly here

Can you let your members know that nothing has changed, but, that he is adamant that parking should be in the field at all times

Anyone parking outside anywhere in the proximity of the gates and the field opening to the right, risks losing the site

Any problems contact me

Many thanks

Phil Fouracre
Sites Officer

01460281130
07850216464
D & S Condors

Landing at Durlston Head - 12 Aug 07

Following Dave F's EITS re-landing at Durlston I went to see Robin Plowman who is park warden for Durlston. I explained a little more about our sport and activities around the area in general and put likely numbers of Durlston landings into perspective. The discussion was totally amiable. Robin is ok with us landing out within the park but asks that we continue to give consideration to other park users, like avoiding landing close to people, animals and not taking vehicles over fields etc.

Also he requested that if we land within the park that once wrapped up we just report in to the Rangers office (shop) by the car park to let the ranger on duty know that we have landed safely. I think someone had reported seeing a parachute land when Dave came in and was maybe concerned for his wellbeing.

Ali Florence

Bournemouth Agreement - 4 Aug 07

Please would members be SURE to scramble the combination on the lock before leaving it. This evening I found a very dubious vehicle in our gateway: he only drove away when I hooted at him to move. With the Steam Fair going on, the area is swarming with people looking for somewhere to hole up!

Thanks to the public-spirited member(s) who pulled ragwort and left it, bagged, very sensibly, outside the gate where the cattle couldn't get at it! Others please follow suit - but wear gloves!

7 Aug 06

Avon - Frocester

From: Richard Zaltzman

Change to Frocester site rules.

After much consideration, the Avon Club have decided that the very technical nature of Frocester and the sensitivity of the site with the landowners means we have had to restrict access to Pilot rated plus 100 hours for Paraglider pilots and Advanced Pilot rated for Hang Glider pilots. We do have other sites that are flyable from N to W, so if you are not Pilot (PG) or AP (HG), please get in touch for the alternatives. Frocester can be extremely difficult at times, with a small, steep takeoff, plenty of trees creating turbulence and very limited bottom and top landing options. It is really an XC site for experienced pilots, and we would ask all visiting pilots to respect the site rules, in particular the very limited landing options, to help us ensure we can keep the site open. Please don’t be afraid to ask any pilots on the hill for site rules if you are not familiar with them.

Many thanks,

Richard (Chairman – Avon HGPGC)

Bournemouth 8 June 06

From the Wessex HGPG Secretary:

A complaint has been received from a resident of the large white tower block between Boscombe and Bournemouth piers. Apparantly it was being soared on Friday 2nd June. The matter has now been resolved amicably. If you fly here please DO NOT soar the tower block, tempting though it is.

Also, response to my recent email made it clear that some members were unaware that Bournemouth Council now keep a list of all approved pilots.
They requested this when we last renewed the agreement. Please be assured that there is the absolute minimum of information on this list: it is simply member name and BHPA number, information which the council wardens can request from you anytime you are on the site anyway. The list consists of all PG Pilot rated members plus those CPs with grandfather rights. If you do not wish to be on the list let me know and you will be removed, but that will mean that you can no longer fly the site.

31 Jan 06 from Don Shipton

Chalton:

An east facing hill overlooking a railway line with restricted top and bottom landing areas that make this more suited to Paragliders. The site is a walk up with limited roadside parking. There is no farmer imposed restrictions on numbers but is only available from February through September. Should provide cross country potential and being our most easterly Paragliding site enjoys therefore the greatest distance before airspace restrictions are encountered.

31 Jan 06 from Alastair Florence

Following the problems of vehicle parking on Bell during wet conditions we have managed to gain agreement from Owen Yeatman to use the chalk pit at the bottom of the hill as an overflow car park. Please read the following points carefully before using it though.

The Chalk Pit does not belong to us. Owen still owns the lower segment of the hill surrounding the chalk pit. He has kindly agreed that it can be used by us under certain circumstances. Please do not abuse his goodwill.

Although fairly flat this area is still far from ideal for parking cars. It would be easy to get stuck here or slide into other vehicles if care and thought is not taken.

I suggest that you stop your car in the gate way and walk into the pit first so that you can decide where you will park rather than just drive in and get stuck. Then park thoughtfully to allow others to get in and out.

We only have permission to use the pit during the winter or wet days when it is unwise to try and park at the top.

Please use any road side parking as your first choice, only use the pit as a last resort when the road side is full.

Close the gate at all times.

It is a long walk up the hill from here. Its an easier walk from the roadside parking.