Welcome to the Australian National Site Guide

Due to the changing nature of weather conditions, land, land owners, site restrictions, airspace, etc. it is not reasonably practicable to keep this Site Guide up to date and accurate at all times. The Site Guide should therefore be considered out of date, and all information and site protocols verified with the administering club before flying.
The information in the Site Guide is provided as a guide only. No representation is made that the information provided is current, complete or accurate. Neither Regional Associations, nor SAFA nor other contributors to the Site Guide assume any responsibility for persons relying on the information contained within it.
Prior to first flights, visiting local & international pilots should contact the administrating club for site rules, protocols and hazards.
When operating at a flying site where a duty pilot is appointed, that is not their home site, pilots should report to the duty pilot prior to undertaking any operations, or further operations, from that site.
Visiting pilots MUST ensure they are properly briefed on local requirements and conditions. Proof of SAFA membership, Log books, (VHF endorsement and radio operations if required) should be produced on request by an Instructor, Safety Officer, or Duty Pilot of the SAFA.
Ensure you have suitable qualifications, skills and experience for sites you fly. You must always use your own judgement when deciding to fly. The decision to fly is yours alone and you do so at your own risk and responsibility.
In accordance with Australian civil aviation laws, you must be a current member of the SAFA (this includes visiting international pilots) to legally fly within Australia.

New South Wales > Newcastle

Catherine Hill Bay (Catho's)

Site photo

Type	Coastal
Conditions	ESE to ENE, soarable over 10 knots
Height	121ft, 37m ASL
Rating	PG2 / HG Intermediate. Great beginner site.

Launch Navigate Map

Closest shops: - Catherine Hill Bay Hotel. - Catho Surf Lifesaving Club. (Summer only) - Supermarkets in Swansea & Lake Munmorah.

Landowners - ?

Contact/Responsible

NHGC , Central Coast Sky Surfers , NPC Newcastle, NSW

Description

Please contact Central Coast Sky Surfers to fly this site (www.centralcoastskysurfers.com)

Parking is available right behind launch, off Flowers drive.

Airspace

Non-Active – But is a VFR flight corridor for aircraft transiting north and south from 500ft

Weather Station

Newcastle (Coastal) NSW Weather Forecast & Live Wind/Surf Report (seabreeze.com.au)

Emergency Contacts

Emergency Call 000
Swansea Fire Station (02) 4927 2547
Westpac Rescue Helicopter (02) 4952 0000
Tony Barton – 0412 607 815
Central Coast Sky Surfers to fly this site (www.centralcoastskysurfers.com)
What Three Words - App

Takeoff

Launch is a grassy slope. Lots of gently sloping space available to launch, sort gear or practice ground handling.

Overview

Landing

Beach landing in front, with a quick walk back up to launch.
Basically, designed for a beginner pilot.

Flight

The site is not large. It can handle 2-4 wings at a time on strong days and 1-2 wings on lighter days.

Keep an eye on the water. Notice any changes and see what air is heading your way.
The east facing hill does not have a huge lift band.
The headland in the background of below image may cause turbulence when wind swings more ENE.

Hazards / Comments

On stronger days, be careful not to be dragged off your feet into the car park or the wall behind the launch area.
Once the winds venture past the northern headland, the site is in turbulence and unsafe to fly.

Hazards