New South Wales > Northern Beaches
Cooks Terrace
| Type | Coastal Cliff |
| Conditions | HG: NE-E, PG: East. Site will accommodate ENE to ESE for PG2. PG4 rated pilots may fly NE ridge in NE wind direction. |
| Height | 25m / 82' AMSL |
| Rating | PG4 with the following exceptions: * PG3 but only after approval from an SPHGC Safety Officer or SPHGC Duty Pilot before each launch. * PG2 need direct on-ground supervision from an SPHGC Safety Officer or SPHGC Duty Pilot during the period of their operations. UHF radio must be used. HG Advanced. |
Near the intersection of Narrabeen Park Parade and Cook Terrace, fifty minutes drive from the city centre. Traveling north on Pittwater Rd, turn right at the hospital into Coronation St, then follow the road out to the beach and turn right again up the hill. Parking in the car park along Narrabeen Park Parade.
Landowners
Public land
Contact
Sydney Paragliding & Hang Gliding Club , SPHGC Safety OfficersResponsible
Sydney Paragliding & Hang Gliding ClubDescription
A.k.a. Robert Dunn Reserve. A large grassy park atop a sandstone cliff which faces almost due East but has a turn towards the North West at the northern end.
This is a great fun site that is very popular due to the large grass park and non-metered parking right next to the site. During busy days a Duty pilot will manage flying activities, launching, ground handling and duration of each pilot’s flight. Pilots are asked to share the air.
Due to a new ridge fence installed in July 2019 this is not a recommended HG Site until a review has been completed.
There is a mandatory local exclusion zone in place for the eastern side of the property adjacent to the south end of the reserve. Breaches of this exclusion zone will be reported to SAFA and suspension of flying privileges is highly likely. Please respect this exclusion zone.The exclusion zone operates on the eastern side of the property, at a height below 100 feet within a horizontal distance of 29 metres from the most eastern roof fascia of the house. 29 metres is further than you think.
The diagrams below provide a visual reference. The yellow bordered area is the exclusion zone, but the best guide is definitely do not fly into the shallow bowl in front of this property if you are below 100’ (30m). If you imagine a straight tangential line (green in the diagram) running along the ridge from launch and connecting to the small spur on the south end of the ridge then the exclusion zone is anywhere west of that line.
Avoid flying through the exclusion zone during top landing from the south when the wind direction is north of east. The final approach must stay to the north and east of the canopy of the banksia tree – red circle. For all other wind directions, the preferred top landing approach is from the north, unless you can remain outside of the exclusion zone on approach from the south.
Pilots must respect the privacy of the owners of all houses on the south ridge by not looking into the properties, engaging in conversation with anyone in the properties while flying and not acknowledging any call outs from these properties. 
Takeoff
HG: In the past cliff launches were the only launches considered possible but recent experience has shown that a conventional launch is now possible. Seek advice from local hang glider pilots before attempting. You need to carefully line up your take off and will need the help of local experienced hang glider pilots.
PG: This has been a popular low airtime pilot site until the recent installation of a 900mm high fence near the cliff edge. This has made the site more hazardous. You should not launch unless you have the skills and the wind conditions will allow you to clear the fence. When launching, do not step on or launch from the fence. There is a danger that doing so may unweight the wing and result in a collapse. Be aware that at the northern end of the cliff, the circuit direction may vary based on conditions. Speak to a duty pilots for advice. Be aware of this possibility.
Landing
HG: Mona Vale beach, Warriewood beach or on the relative flat grassed area north of launch and between the vegetated sand dune and the line of trees behind.
PG: The beaches to either the north or south of the headland. The park at the northern end in front of the hospital helipad is an excellent landing area when the wind is E, ENE or NE. Due to the slope exercise caution when the wind is ESE and do not land in the park when the wind is SE. Top landing is suitable for experienced pilots. Always remain east of the road. Non-experienced pilots should seek advice. Take care to look out for spectators as this is a very popular park. Once you’ve landed, please drop your wing to make it easy for others to also launch or land. Be wary of the fence on top landing approach. Also observe restrictions below during top landing.
Flight
Lower Level of controlled airspace is at 2500'
Hazards / Comments
HG: There is considerable turbulence behind the tree near the wooden bench. Its nature is related to the wind direction bias and strength.
PG:
- The Safety Signs and Cones and Wind sock should be used at all times that flying operations are underway – not just when it begins to get busy. Take the time to prepare the safety of the area before you fly. The signs/cones/windsock are in the lock boxes at launch. If you don’t know how to access these safety tools then ask your colleagues. The last person at the site is to return the safety tools to the lock boxes. Yes, even if you are the only one there please install the safety tools before flying.
- Before Launching make sure that there is no members of the public behind launch.
- Do not ground handle for extended periods on launch/landing and always bring you wing down when other pilots are considering top landing. Do not fly in front of pilots who are top landing. Wake turbulence can cause collapses. This is an important consideration during mixed wings operations.
- Before top landing make sure there are no members of the public behind your landing area and assess clearly whether you have the skills to top land in the prevailing conditions. If not head for the beach – it is easier and safer and your colleagues will quietly applaud your good decision making. Top landing when the reserve is busy should only be attempted by experienced pilots.
- Observe the SAFA and local low flying separation rules from members of the public and buildings. See restrictions below for more information. The Exemption to these rules only applies to the Reserve and Warriewood and Mona Vale Beach and comes with a set of conditions and these require assessment of the potential danger to a person on the ground and assessment that the operations can always be carried out safely.
- Accidents always happen very quickly! If you want to practice manoeuvres then move away from the public and buildings. Sure it may be cool to be flying low and “entertaining the crowd” but it is not smart in a public area despite how much you think you are in control. In other words, do not spend your flight swooping low near launch or in the front of the houses to the south of launch.
There are often many spectators that must be avoided. There is rotor behind the bush on top of the cliff near the northern end. There is a 900mm high fence along the cliff edge. Do not underestimate this hazard especially on launch. When conditions are light a good decision would be not to launch. Keep an eye on the wind direction. When the wind is to the South of East don’t fly the North East facing part of the ridge. If landing on Warriewood beach, land on north end of the beach, to avoid rotor off Turimetta Headland. There are power lines running from the toilet block on Warriewood beach. Top landing - It’s an unleashed dog park. When the wind turns NE flying is restricted to PG4 pilots. A common incident is a pilot getting too south, too low and not being able to penetrate the venturi for a safe landing on Mona Vale beach. Rocks and water below the ridge make an unsafe landing. If too low and too south don’t turn back to the north, instead continue downwind to Warriewood beach.