Sand Patch
HANG GLIDING
A huge
site, more than 10km of ridge, with no bottom landing as the limestone cliffs run
straight into the ocean, have a look at the photo.
Site Type |
Direction |
Rating |
Take off Altitude |
Coastal Ridge |
SSW |
Intermediate |
450ft |
Getting There:
From
Albany drive out around Princess Royal Harbour towards Little Grove and the Gap.
Turn right at Princess Ave towards the
prison and then left up the road sign posted to sand patch and the wind
farm. Take the first gravel road right after the Prison and then to the car
park at turbine 3 where there is a path to the set up and landing area.
Flying:
Sand Patch comes on with a SSW wind and
often happens after a north west front has passed the coast and the wind starts
to back SW to SSW to S and then South East
Often the wind strength will be dropping in these conditions as the wind backs to the South East.
It is very important to be aware of wind shift and strength on this site as there are no bottom landings for Hang Gliders. There is a lower part of the ridge just to the right (west) of take off; this area may be an option for landing if a pilot gets too low to make the top landing area.
All visiting pilots are advised to seek local knowledge before flying, as changing weather conditions are the most challenging issues for this site.
Set up and landing area is in the
slashed area in front of turbine 3, please keep gliders to the front right hand
side (west corner) of this area when setting up and parking.
Landing approach is general best along
the slashed spur which is off to the SE corner of the landing area and is
clearly visible from the air.
There is a no fly zone 100 meters directly out in front of turbine 3 this is to give adequate safety separation from the turbine .
Also to note this Site is within 10nm of the Albany Airport and so is in a CTAF area, VHF radios are to be carried and monitored by all pilots flying above 500ft AGL.
Albany CTAF. 127.85
Local SSO Simon. Shuttleworth.
0427950556
Local SSO Peter.
Roberts 0409
991 681
Peter.roberts@bordernet.com.au