Bickleigh
SITE TYPE | Hill | LOCATION | 50.8328 , -3.5194 | |
SITE ACCESS | MEMBERS ONLY | GRID REF. | SS931048 | |
PILOT RATING | CP | TAKE OFF | ||
WIND DIRECTION | NNE - ENE | PARKING | ||
BEST | ENE | HEIGHT | 655 feet (200m) | |
XC POTENTIAL | POSSIBLE | TOP - BOTTOM | 245 feet (75m) |
Note:- this site is Bickleigh between Exeter and Tiverton NOT Bickleigh just North of Plymouth
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Site Rules
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Condors members only
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No parking on the road
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No overflying of the houses in front of launch - Ron Cutler (owner) has expressed his dislike of the practice.
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Avoid livestock in any of the fields
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Do not land in cropped fields
Hazards​
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Sloping bottom landing fields
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Fences/hedges at rear of take off
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Potential for rotor from large tree part way down take off field
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The owner of the house (Ron Cutler) in front of TO services aircraft engines and helicopters which occasionally land in front of TO on a pad next to the lane.
About​
Bickleigh is a very small farm site overlooking the Exe valley about half way between Exeter and Tiverton. A shallow bowl, taking a similar wind direction to Farway, the site becomes thermic but the proximity of the coast means sea breeze is an ever present threat.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Access & Parking​
From the North (Tiverton) :-
Take the A396 southbound out of Tiverton. In Bickleigh, just before the bridge, turn right onto the A3072. After approx 300 yards turn left signposted Bickleigh Castle and continue for approx. 2½ miles. At the T junction with an unmade road turn right and park in the farm equipment yard on the left :-
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Do not obstruct equipment, entrances, gateways or buildings. If anybody is in the yard please explain why you are there and ask where you can park.
From the South (Thorverton) :-
Leave Thorverton along Jericho Street by the (village green on the right). Continue for approx. 2½ miles to a T junction with an unmade road straight ahead.Continue onto the unmade road and park in the farm equipment yard.
The entrance to the take off field is 20m past the yard, through a gate on the right.
Guidlines
If the wind is off to the North then use the Southern take off field. In this case you will be taking off over a barbed wire fence.
Whichever take off field is being used, ensure that you stay well clear of the large tree in the middle of the field and the rotor that it will potentially be creating.
Bottom Landing
The fields in front of take off have appreciable slope but are landable with care. Slope landing is also possible below take off.
Top Landing
On take off and there are other fields available around and behind launch but beware of rotor from buildings/trees if having to use these.
XC Potential
There is potential for XC towards Lands End however sea breeze is likely to limit distance.
Airspace
None immediately relevant however Okehampton, Willsworthy and Merrivale danger areas are about 35km downwind if on XC. These areas are activated by NOTAM.
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.