Site Name: Mt Bakewell
Site Description: Mt Bakewell is probably the best thermalling hill within 1000km of Perth, nice high takeoff, and good cross country possibilities. Can be dangerous due to some very violent thermals in summer, also adorned with numerous antennas. Very sensitive site due to some surrounding landowners and council has been lost to paragliders before. There are 3 launches and it is important to use the correct launch for the conditions.
Getting There: If you have not been there before organise to have your first visit with a pilot who knows the site.
Mt Bakewell is near York in the Avon valley, about 1.5 hours drive east of Perth, access requires a 4WD or a long climb on foot.
Access Protocols: Permission must be sought from the land owner before entering the property. Everyone entering the property must check in with the owner unlike most sites. The owner would appreciate a small gift to show your appreciation. One bottle of wine or softdrink per vehicle is appropriate or a small cash give of $5-$10. If for any reason the owner is not home which is unusual the gift can be left near his veranda.
There is a strict 30km/h speed limit on the access track at the owners request. Please respect his wishes and keep your speed very low. Walking pace is an appropriate speed near the house and sheds.
Site Rules: Get permission from the land owner before entering.
Managing Club: Hill Flyers Club Hang Gliding
Cloudbase Paragliding Club
Site Contact: Rod Merigan Insert Phone Number
Mt Bakewell looking NE along the range.
WHEAT BELT
Site Name: Mt Bakewell Top
Launches
Site Type |
Direction |
Rating HG |
Rating PG |
Take Off Altitude |
Inland Ridge |
S - ESE |
*Advanced* |
**Intermediate** |
840ft AGL |
* Supervised and intermediate hang glider pilots can fly under the supervision of an SSO or instructor.
** Supervised paraglider pilots can fly under the supervision of an SO or duty pilot.
Suitable Conditions: There are 2 launch options at the top of Mt Bakewell:
Top Launch is best in an ESE but can be used from an E to a SSE. Be careful of rotor in a strong southerly.
The middle launch is best in a SSE but can take anything from a SE to a S.
Paragliders tend to prefer the middle launch as there is more laminar air flow. The hang gliders like the steeper ramp on the top launch.
Flying: Thermals may be very strong; in thermic conditions the thermals will generally overwhelm ridge lift. If you are sinking out, flying away from the hill and trying to connect with a thermal in front is often more effective and is much safer than scratching close to the hill side. In light winds thermals will pop off from the tree line and may not come over take off, so nil wind launches may be required to connect with thermals in front.
The gravel pit, the bowl, and the knoll on the ridge to the east of the S takeoff all provide relatively good thermal triggers. The site works best with a reasonable amount of wind to bring thermals onto the hill from the flatlands. ESE winds produce little ridge lift but bring the thermals in nicely.
Often in summer you will get evening glass off or "magic lift" in the evenings where a huge area of smooth lift extends in front of the hill, making for perfect soaring conditions on the hill. The site is suitable for novices in these conditions with suitable supervision from advanced pilots with experience of the site. Good skills are still required to launch due to the cliff launch. Due to the steep face a delicate touch is required to inflate a paraglider in stronger winds, as the glider will surge as it comes through the wind gradient if not controlled.
Airspace limit is 8500ft
Site records:
· HG 290km Ray Chatfield Feb 1984
· PG 286km Sam Clark
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Local Hazards: As with any inland site this hill can feature strong lift, strong sink and turbulence.
Beware of powerlines and aerials, with attendant guy wires near the top launch. In addition to the obvious powerlines on the spur to the right of the top launch there is another running up the gully to the left of launch, this powerlines has very few poles and is very difficult to spot.
There is a strip of paddock in front of launch west of the powerline and east of the gravel pit access. This is not a permitted landing area, as the constriction of powerlines and trees on three sides and a significant slope mean it is easy to get into trouble if your approach is not perfect.
The gravel pit landing is very small and has numerous large painful obstacles it should only be used by intermediate pilots. All pilots should inspect the gravel pit on the ground before flying Bakewell for the first time.
There is a large commercial skydiving operation behind the hill. Watch out for the plane and don't fly over the airfield, which is also the drop zone.
WHEAT BELT
Site Name: Mt Bakewell, Lou’s,
Bottom or South Launch
Site Type |
Direction |
Rating HG |
Rating PG |
Take Off Altitude |
Inland Ridge |
SSW-SSE |
*Intermediate* |
**Intermediate** |
400ft AGL |
* Supervised hang glider pilots can fly under the supervision of an SSO or instructor.
** Supervised paraglider pilots can fly under the supervision of an SO or duty pilot.
Suitable Conditions: SSW - SSE
Flying: Because the launch is so low with trees in front it is necessary to for paragliders to launch into a thermal or exceptionally good wind conditions if you are to get up. Hang-gliders are able to fly the site more easily in conditions too strong for paragliders.
Once flying try to work up the ridge to the summit.
Landing is directly in front of launch beside Lou’s driveway. If paragliders encounter sink they may be unable to safely cross the powerlines and be forced to land to the left of the house.
Otherwise the same as Bakewell top launch.
Local Hazards: As with any inland site this hill can feature strong lift, strong sink and turbulence.
The Launch is very small with a tree on the right and many trees in front. Glide out over the trees in front is marginal on a paraglider, so a launch into lifting air is very desirable.
The spur to the left of takeoff can generate rotor on launch in an ESE wind and disguise the true wind direction.
There is a powerline in front of launch to the left of the house.