New South Wales > Northern Beaches

Turimetta

Site photo
Type Mixture of coastal cliffs and steeply sloping faces with many knolls
Conditions South East but will tolerate ESE
Height 60' / 20m
Rating PG4 / HG Intermediate
Sydney's Northern Beaches.

On Narrabeen Park Parade. When coming from the south, turn onto Ocean St, follow along until you cross Narrabeen lagoon. Then turn right at the next roundabout onto Narrabeen Park Parade. Parking is on the side of the road.

Landowners

Public land

Contact

Sydney Paragliding & Hang Gliding Club , SPHGC Safety Officers

Responsible

Sydney Paragliding & Hang Gliding Club

Description

A complex set of cliffs and slopes make what appears to be a simple site quite tricky with compression and rotor in various places depending on the wind direction and strength.

Takeoff

A small grassy park. Most pilots choose to head along the cliff to the right of launch (S). Take care not to get in too close behind the first knoll as there is much rotor. This is less severe in ESE wind direction. Do not try to cross the knoll down low and hug the cliff face expecting lift. The better option is to land on the beach and launch again when conditions are more favourable.

Landing

On the beach in front of launch. Top landing is possible but requires accurate flying. Do not fly over the road as there is power lines on the western side. Be aware of parked cars and pedestrians.

Flight

A tricky site with a lot of changes in direction of the cliff face. Cliffs to the south of Launch chute face more E while to the north the cliffs face SE. Sufficient height required to cross from N-S. Lower Level of controlled airspace is at 2500'.

Hazards / Comments

The nature of the site requires careful attention be paid to changing conditions as areas that were safe become effected by rotor and vice versa. When on the northern cliff face it is a fair way back to the beach. Always ensure that you have sufficient height to reach the beach landing before committing to the northern cliff. There is no landing option in front of the northern cliff. When the wind increases there is much compression on the launch, take care not to be blown over the road when launching or top landing. If in doubt land on the beach. When the wind swings to the ESE the launch can be in rotor and you may experience difficulty inflating your canopy. This is a deceptive site that looks very benign but has a lot of hazards.