Long Reef SE

Description

A curved ridge facing SSE with a steep to very steep slope. The ridge runs from the beach level on the western end, up to the crown of the headland and then turns slightly SE down to sea level at the eastern end. It is covered in a mixture of tussock grass and low bush, exposed rock and shale.

This is a good site to build up your hours with easy ridge soaring and great views down to Manly. Take care, southerly winds can be gusty with changing conditions.

Not often flown by hang gliders as it's a fair walk to carry your kit.

Weather station

Takeoff

This is a cliff launch for hanglider pilots who may need wire assistance.

PG: A grassy area part way along the walking track on the southern face. The grassed area slopes backwards away from the ridge which may make launching for less experienced pilots difficult except in ideal conditions and with assistance. When the wind is straight on one option is to bring the wing up while you are a few steps down the ridge (goat track) that goes over the edge. This can be tricky and you will need a spotter to check for pedestrian traffic. When the wind is a little more south then this option may be difficult and it is recommended to lay your wing out on the northern side of the path and bring it up from there. Remember pedestrians have the right of way and be courteous. Other launch options are a sideways launch or cobra. Because the ridge rises toward the east, pilots flying eastwards tend to be lower and may need to hug the ridge. Those flying west are usually higher and often pass further out from the ridge. This is the opposite of normal right of way rules so please do not force your right of way in these circumstances.

Landing

A planned landing on the beach to the south west is the easiest option. If you get low then it is possible to bomb out on the various narrow bits of sand and tidal rock shelf in front of the take-off. However at high tide the rock shelf is covered by shallow water. You will be able to stand but the wave action means you could lose your kit and even worse endanger yourself. Be ready to get out of your harness in these circumstances. When landing toward the western end beach there is a low spur which intersects the beach and this must be taken into account if selecting a beach landing - make sure you have the height to miss the spur. There is a sandy beach during low tide at the eastern extremity of the ridge which presents a landing option, however there is some compression around the point.

PG: Top landing is relatively easy however do not drift back too far over the golf course as the backward sloping nature around the launch means some rotor is present. You can avoid this by setting up to land in front of the path. If conditions become strong and penetration is not possible then make distance toward the southwest away from the higher ridge and land on the golf course. This is for emergency landing only.

Flight

Lower Level of controlled airspace is at 2500'.

Operating boundaries are primarily dictated by the lift zones generated by the S-SE breeze, and may be variable based on wind strength. The diagram shows the zones under nominal flyable conditions.

Powered Paragliding & Powered Hang Gliding Operations

• CARRIAGE & USE of a VHF radio, when flying South of Long Reef in the Victor One corridor, is MANDATORY.
• The site has houses in close proximity, so please be considerate when warming up your engine and taking off. The shorter time you take getting up and away, the less impact you will have on the property owners.
• Do not fly within 100m radius of houses along the foreshore. The same applies for large groups of people on our various beaches. Even at 100 m the noise from your motor will be around 40 db and mildly irritating.

Hazards / Comments

The two main hazards with this site are the launch (Takeoff above) and the small areas to land below the launch at high tide (see Landing above). Check the tide before launching and be prepared to wait until you are sure conditions will support above the ridge soaring.

In moderate conditions, launching from the top is difficult. An alternative is launching from the goat track, however good ground handling skills are essential. On launching, the steep slope means that your wing may overshoot. You need to be prepared to check it early. The normal approach is to kite the wing (often from a bundled launch) and walk, assisted by the wing, back up the slope (in the goat track) onto level ground before turning and launching. However in stronger conditions be prepared to launch from the goat track and even launch before you have turned.

When the wind is from the west of south, conditions become more gusty and the lift becomes uneven, it is strongly recommended that pilots do not fly this site in these conditions.

PG2/3 Conditions

PG2/3 pilots must have supervision from a club SO who will assess the conditions ie tide, wind direction/strength.

Powered Paragliding & Powered Hang Gliding

• If while you are flying along the coast you come across hang glider and/or paraglider pilots engaged in free flying DO NOT under any circumstances fly at low levels up wind of their activities and DO NOT attempt to fly with them. The turbulence created by your prop can have catastrophic effects on their wings. Documented cases of this have resulted in serious injuries to the free flying pilots. Increase your altitude to at least 100 feet above the highest pilot and proceed over the top of their activities.
• A number of Seaplanes fly between Rose Bay and Palm Beach every day. They are usually seen between 250 ft. and 1000 ft. There are also helicopter and various other joy flight activities in the area. Be aware and lookout for these craft. The turbulence they create can have a dramatic and dangerous effect on your wing.
• Westerly winds in this area tend to be very rough and turbulent due to geographical features to our west. It is advisable to fly only when westerly winds are less than 8 knots. Even then, flying may be a little uncomfortable.