Victoria > East Inland

Landscape

Site photo
Type Inland hill
Conditions N and W Launches
Height 1400'/425m agl, 1804'/550m asl
Rating HG Advanced / PG4, PG3 supervised
70km N of Melbourne.

From Hume Mwy, turn to Ennis Rd at (-37.12967, 145.08926), follow Ennis/Main rd for 12km and turn to West Falls Rd. From Kind Parrot Ck Rd, turn to Fairview Rd at (-37.17359, 145.25503), follow Fairview/Main rd for 15 km and turn to West Falls Rd.

After the intersection with Freeman Rd at (-37.12565, 145.17853) , go through a closed gate with a code lock and follow a good track to an unlocked gate at the radio tower. Track from the radio tower to the launch is passable for a high-clearance 2WD in dry conditions.

For the lock code, message your SAFA number to Neale Halsall at 0412 506 134.

000 Emergency Markers (?)

  • LAN100: Launch
  • LAN200: Landing - Hangie LZ

Landowners

Private
As mentioned above the takeoffs for this site are on PRIVATE PROPERTY and access is through a LOCKED GATE. The landowner does NOT want pilots to contact him, all information and correspondence should be made through the responsible club.

Contact/Responsible

Skyhigh , MHGC

Description

North Launch. Paraglider and Hangglider. Takeoff Tree slot launch, wide enough (15-20m) for a single glider, with limited amount surface covered with synthetic turf. Landowners - North LZ landowners are Simon & Nola Eden. They asked the visitors to notify Simon at 0409661230 before coming

Hike up to the northern LZ roughly follows a vehicle track up the ridge with the single-wire powerline to the radio tower. It's reasonable to take a shortcut up from the track at (-37.09745, 145.17801)

West Launch. Hangglider Only..... A mountain ridge overlooking Seymour Township with north and west facing ground ramp launches. Currently, the West facing launch is only open to Hang gliders, as there are no Westerly LZs for paraglider pilots.

As per landowner agreement:

  • No more than 8 pilots at any time
  • No more than 10 cars (minimise cars and carpool from LZ)
  • Pilots are welcome to park on the landowners property, driving up the driveway and leaving cars next to the LZ gate. Please do not obstruct the driveway, or park under the carport.
  • Flying in winter is discouraged (due to wet, soft track, but it's a thermal site anyway). Light wind conditions are favoured at this site.
  • Only use designated access path per description UNLESS emergency
  • No dogs allowed
  • SAFA members only

Takeoff

Ground ramp launches.

Landing

The primary LZ is the paddock on the north side of the house, a large square paddock with a very slight decline in gradient (~3%). Hang glider pilots may choose to land in the original LZ on the north side of the road, but are welcomed in the primary LZ.

The clear paddock on the south side of the house may be used as an emergency bomb out, however this land has a steeper decline in gradient.

On the east side of the primary LZ, there is strictly no landing.

Top landings (possible but not recommended) are available behind the tower near the north launch, and in the valley behind the west launch. The following is strictly a guide, pilots must appreciate that turbulence increases exponentially as the wind strength increases. 18 knots is said to be the limit for hangies, less for PGs. There will be a band of rotor to go through at about 130ft above, this should subside at about 80ft to 70ft, but be careful & ready. From the air you must access the current conditions and choose the sweet spot. If uncertain take the less convenient but conservative (SAFE) option and choose one of the bottom landing areas.

Hazards / Comments

A single wire power line runs from the tower (to the east of the North launch) down the spur and across the river. It has marker balls on it but can still be difficult to see. Stronger westerly direction of wind influence can cause turbulence at take off on the North launch. Consider this depending on the conditions on the day.

If travelling south toward Melbourne, DO NOT infringe on controlled airspace. Controlled airspace is at C LL 8500 over launch and drops to C LL 4500 at Broadford less than 10km south.

Guidelines:

The club recommends that the site is only suitable to "Advanced" rated pilots, or suitably experienced "Intermediate" rated pilots with:

  • Suitable Mountain XC experience.
  • The judgment & skills to fly appropriately (read safely).
  • Supervised (onsite) by an "Advanced" rated pilot with current local experience.

The site has limited (approved) landing zones which may not always have guaranteed glides to. For this reason it is only suitable to mountain XC experienced pilots, that have the judgment & skills to fly appropriately (read safely).

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