Charmouth
SITE TYPE | COASTAL | LOCATION | 50.7334 / -2.8976 | |
SITE ACCESS | MEMBERS ONLY | GRID REF. | SY367930 | |
PILOT RATING | CP | TAKE OFF | ||
WIND DIRECTION | S - SW | PARKING | ||
BEST | SSW | HEIGHT | 50 feet (15m) | |
XC POTENTIAL | UNLIKELY | TOP - BOTTOM | 50 feet (15m) |
Site Rules
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Condors members only
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Members of the public have right of way at all times
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Site closed mid July to end of August
Hazards​
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Rotor from the cliff
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Constantly changing cliff line due to erosion
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Unstable cliff edge
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Identifying a suitable take off location
About​
Charmouth is a cliff top site just off the A35 between Axminster and Bridport.
The site suffers from a high level of erosion making take off assessment difficult and it is therefore not ideally suited to low airtime pilots who would be better off using the nearby site of Eype.
Charmouth was once popular with HGs however erosion has destroyed the original take off area and the site is now only flown by PGs.
Coastal soaring is often considered to be safer than inland, thermic flying however the club sees more accidents on the coast than inland each year. Robin Wallace (Wessex HGPG) has produced an excellent guide to the dangers and pitfalls of coastal flying which should be essential reading for all pilots:-
Access & Parking
From the A35 drive into Charmouth and turn off to the beach as signed.
Park in the first car park on the left (Beach Car Park):-
https://what3words.com/weary.usage.blunt
Walk across the wooden footbridge and along the footpath to the launch area.
Note:- The car park closes in the evening and the gates will be locked. Check closing time before flying.
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Guidlines
This site is constantly changing as wave action undermines and erodes the cliff. Pilots should carefully assess wind direction and cliff shape to decide where to launch and the What 3 Words location given is a guide only.
Be cautious of cliff generated rotor as you launch and be prepared to drop the wing if necessary.
Due to the difficulty in identifying where to launch and the potential for rotor this site is not suited to low airtime pilots who should consider going to Eype if the conditions permit.
The SW Coastal path runs through the site and is often busy with walkers who always have priority.
There are parts of the cliff that are spine backed and a number of pilots have been forced over the back. Keep well out in strong winds and do not fly directly onto the back cliffs at Stonebarrow Hill (high cliff at the back of the main slip, where the coast path runs at the back of Cain’s Folly). Gain height on the lower cliffs in front and transfer onto the higher back cliff at the Eastern or Western end which avoids going over the main slip. If crossing the slip low there is a likelihood of encountering rotor and a number of pilots have been dumped into the trees, usually needing ropes or a helicopter for extraction.
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In suitable conditions it is possible to head West to Golden Cap, Thorncombe Beacon, Eype and beyond (see Eype site guide).
Take Off
Over the years the cliffs have eroded and the main take off locations have disappeared.
The further the wind is off to the west, the easier it is to leave the ground, but the greater the difficulty of picking up lift on a fast downwind glide.
You need to inflate your glider where possible and this can sometimes mean on the beach or bottom landing and then assess the wind direction with the glider inflated and ground handle across or up the slope until it is possible to take off.
Direction, wind speed and erosion change the most favourable spot and therefore you must assess each launch carefully.
There is a spot for a take-off higher up the hill, which does not work well if the wind is off to the south. This launch is accessed via the coast path, which has recently slipped away and is now diverted through the fields inland. Takeoff is on the small spur three quarters of the way up the cliff. There is only room for one glider. In order to avoid rotor it is usually necessary to lay out across the footpath, keep an eye out for walkers and exercise common sense when launching.
Bottom Landing
Plentiful beach exists along the whole run but keep clear of tourists especially as you get nearer to Charmouth where the beach will be busier.
It is also possible to land on the grass area at the base of the slope just across the river from the car park. The field has a large busy footpath across the middle so exercise common sense and if there are members of the public in the landing area, wait until it is clear or land on the beach.
Keep a good lookout for kites and models being flown on the green and the low cliffs and be aware that the wind funnels and accelerates into the landing area. If in doubt land on the beach.
Top Landing
None that is safe - land on the beach or field near the car park.​
Ridge Run
See Eype site guide​
XC Potential
May be possible in the right conditions.​
Airspace
Danger Area D012 - Lyme Bay North closely follows the coastline to the East of take off and then, at Beer Head, angles out to sea. Instruments are likely to indicate that you are close to this airspace but you are unlikely to enter it.
The control authority is aware of our activities along the Northern edge of the danger area and it is safe to ignore these warnings and often better to dismiss the airspace completely if your instrument allows. XC League will not invalidate your track if you have entered this airspace.
All pilots using Devon & Somerset Condors HGPG sites must be current BHPA flying members, hold a minimum rating of CP Hill and obtain a site brief from a pilot who regularly flies the site.
The information contained in this document is provided purely as guidance. It is not intended to be an exhaustive guide to the hazards that may be encountered and it is the responsibility of individual pilots to carry out their own assessment of the site and weather conditions before making a decision to fly.
Neither the Devon & Somerset Condors Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club, authors of this guide, editors of this guide, any official or member of the club in any way accept liability for any accident, injury, or loss, to any person, resulting from free flying activities or the use of this guide.