SITE TYPE | COASTAL |
SITE ACCESS | OPEN |
PILOT RATING | CP |
WIND DIRECTION | N - ENE |
BEST | NNE |
XC POTENTIAL | UNLIKELY |
LOCATION | 51.2047 / -3.6273 |
GRID REF. | SS864463 |
TAKE OFF | |
PARKING | ??????? |
HEIGHT | 1020 feet (310m) |
TOP - BOTTOM | 1020 feet (310m) |
Porlock Hill
SITE TYPE | COASTAL | LOCATION | 51.2047 / -3.6273 | |
SITE ACCESS | OPEN | GRID REF. | SS864463 | |
PILOT RATING | CP | TAKE OFF | ||
WIND DIRECTION | N - ENE | PARKING | ??????? | |
BEST | NNE | HEIGHT | 1020 feet (310m) | |
XC POTENTIAL | UNLIKELY | TOP - BOTTOM | 1020 feet (310m) |
Site Rules​
-
​Check bottom landing options before flying
-
Do not land in crops or livestock
Hazards​
-
Beware of the hole on the launch slope
-
Make sure you are off the ground before you get to the pile of rocks
-
Beware of rotor on take off in strong winds.
-
Clearing the trees in front of launch can be difficult - bale out early
About​
Porlock Hill is rarely flown and there are ususally better and safer launch sites for this wind direction. It can be dificult to launch successfully owing to the shape of the hill
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:-
Top Landing
In the takeoff field. Top landing is small for HGs.
Access & Parking
Drive out of Porlock on the A39 toward Lynton. At the top of Porlock hill is a cattle grid. Turn right immediately after onto track. At the end of the tree line, on the right, is a gate to the take-off and top landing field. The farmer has granted us right of access along this track, which may need to be politely pointed out to Exmoor Rangers.
Guidlines
Used to be an HG training site (top to bottoms), but coastal erosion has removed the old landing fields. The trees in front of take off are difficult to clear in light winds and dangerous owing to rotor in strong winds.
Bottom Landing
Land in any of the bottom fields without stock, crop or water. Check before flying.
To retrieve, from Porlock drive towards Porlock Weir. About 1.5 miles on the right is an asbestos farm building. The track next to it leads to the BL fields.
XC Potential
Can be thermic, and flights have been made over the back however, the land rises quickly so you need to be climbing well.
There is the potential for a long ridge run West along the coast to Ilfracombe however this is a technical run and should only be attempted by experienced pilots as landing options are limited or non existant in some places​
Airspace
None
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.