Queensland > South Queensland
Killarney
| Type | Hill launch, Inland Site |
| Conditions | N launch: NNW to NE; SE launch: SSE to ESE; E launch: E (not suitable in light or nil winds); W: WSW to WNW (no good in a Southerly) |
| Height | various; ~700 - 1100m above ground level |
| Rating | North: PG2; SE: PG3; E: PG4; W: PG4 |
Landowners
Various landowners are involved in flying these beautiful sites. The sites are quite remote and visitors will be noticed, even if they are only coming by on foot or by car. Please contact the Wicked Wings club at least 24 hours before you try to access any of the sites, so that they can get permissions from the landowners.
Contact/Responsible
Wicked Wings Para/Hang Gliding ClubDescription
Situated in the beautiful Gold Coast hinterland, the Killarney sites are among the most beautiful and best sites in South-Queensland for inland flying, including XC flying. The North launch is more than 1000m high and the SE launch is still more than 500m above ground. On thermic days, it is easy to get to cloudbase and enjoy the view over the beautiful range with its spectacular rock faces and waterfalls.
Weather Station
www.freeflightwx.com/killarney
All launches and landing sites are on private land and administered by the Wicked Wings Club. Please contact the club before you visit any of these sites: www.wickedwings.com.au
Takeoff
N Launch
(NNW to NE)Rated PG2. Large, easy grass launch with a moderate to steep slope that is wide open to all sides. The North Launch is on a different hill and behind gates, and is only accessible via 4WD. Take a look at the windstation before launching (www.freeflightwx.com/killarney).
SE Launch
(SSE to ESE)Rated PG3. Large, easy grass launch with a moderate slope on top, getting steeper towards the bottom. The launch is surrounded by trees on both sides, but it is fairly wide.
E Launch
(E (not suitable in light or nil winds))Rated PG4. Quite small grass launch with trees on all sides. Should only when it is straight on and when there is a good breeze. Not suitable in any cross wind, light wind or nil wind conditions, as you have to get over the trees at the bottom.
W Launch
(WSW to WNW (no good in a Southerly))Rated PG4. Rocky, gravelly launch with a rather flat slope on top of a low hill, often requiring forward launches. Restricted by trees on the left and not suitable in cross-wind conditions.
Landing
E/SE Landing
Landing is ONLY allowed in the kidney-shaped paddock directly below the SE launch that often has cattle in it. There is a fence line surrounding the paddock and one directly dissecting the paddock. Watch out for powerlines near the road. There is usually no phone reception in the landing area. Access is via the river crossings on Condamine River Road, which is often closed (requiring a footmarch through the river crossings).
W Landing
The only good landing is a paddock to the left of launch, directly below the ridge. The paddock has some trees in it and is surrounded by fence lines. Phone reception is spotty.
N Landing
Big, beautiful grassy paddock that is however in a biosecurity area and requires communicating all landings to the landowner. Please contact Wicked Wings before flying any of the Killarney sites!
Flight
The Killarney launches are ideal for flying XC. Pilots going west should take a notice of Warwick CTAF (127.85). To the north near Toowoomba are two airports with CTAFs (Toowoomba and Wellcamp; both: 127.65), which should be avoided if possible. Also to the north of Killarney is Amberley restricted airspace, which we have to avoid. Amberley is usually active on weekdays, with a lower level of 8,500ft north of Killarney and then getting lower towards the north and east (e.g., 4,500ft near Ma Ma Creek/Gatton). Amberley is usually inactive on weekends and holidays (check NOTAMs or Amberley ATIS).
Map information
