Site Guide

Countisbury

Directions

Take A39 from Minehead to Lynmouth. At the top of the hill is The Exmoor Sandpiper Inn. Park in the top corner of the car park. Turn left out of the gate. Walk through the churchyard & through the gate at the top. This is the lower T/O. Top T/O is up the hill ahead right of the hut. Alternatively park at the NT (Barra Burrow) car park half a mile on the right before the Inn. (Parking at the Sandpiper is by permission of the landlord. Do not park there if you have no intention becoming a customer later in the day!)

Owners

National Trust - takeoff.

Guidelines

Not for the inexperienced pilot. 100 hrs airtime is the recommended minimum. Consult a coach before you go and be very careful in your assessment of conditions. Good judgement is essential. Make sure that you have correctly determined the wind direction and speed.

Takeoff

Lower T/O from the slope in front of the church. Upper T/O from the grass area to the right of the hut.

Bottom Landing

No bottom Landing.

Top Landing

On the cleared area left of the hut on top T/O and left of the track to the NT car park. Also in front of the church wall at lower T/O for PG's.

PG Side-Slope Landing

With care there is plenty of slope landing. Assess carefully before takeoff.

XC Potential

With a north wind long coastal runs West to Ilfracombe and East to Porlock are possible. The sea and the rocks will claim the careless! Strong winter thermals give opportunities to go over the back.

Hazards

The site is subject to very rapid wind increase. If the wind is North, watch for any indications that it is going off to the east and bottom land at Lynmouth. Rotor from the hut at t/o. The Aerials on the mast. The RAF use the mast as a target. Soaring with a Tornado below you may cause alarm! (It has already happened). Make sure you NOTAM when flying midweek.

Nearest Phone

Exmoor Sandpiper Inn