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Long Mynd Soaring Club
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| Status: | Long Mynd is currently open to all pilots |
|---|---|
| Grid ref: | SO404918 |
| Latitude: | 52.5211° (52° 31' 15" N) |
| Longitude: | -2.8786° (2° 52' 42" W) |
| HG rating: | CP |
| PG rating: | CP |
| Takes wind: | 260 ° - 310 ° (WSW - WNW) |
| Location: | [maps.google.co.uk] [www.multimap.com] [www.streetmap.co.uk] |
05.06.2010: The bottom landing for paragliders at the Mynd is temporarily closed, until the farmer is able to cut the grass for hay. This will probably take a couple of weeks, depending on the weather.
In the meantime, use the field immediately to the left of the usual bottom landing (left as you look from launch). This has fence posts going across it, but the wire between them has been removed. There is also a power line going across the bottom corner of the field. Neither of these obstacles should be a problem - if you think they are, check out the field before flying.
This notice will be removed when the usual field re-opens.
This is an extremely popular site in a Westerly, and can get extremely busy. If you have not flown the site before, take a few minutes to view the multimedia site guide (see below) and read the other information on these pages.
Additional information will often be posted in the notice board and sandwich board at the entrance.
For non-members of the LMSC, a site fee of £3 per day is payable at weekends and bank holidays. Please put the money in the collection box, or hand to a committee member. Site fees are used to maintain the site (which is not cheap) and for the air ambulance.
This site guide requires Flash (which your browser should have) and uses audio. Use this to complement the information provided in text format in the sections below.
Kai Coleman, 25.06.2004. To Eltisley. 201.6km. PG
From Church Stretton take the Burway hill and follow signs for the Midland Gliding Club. Park by the roadside in ‘echelon’ to save space. Do not obstruct the gateway. Go through the gate to the rigging area. DO NOT CLIMB OVER FENCES. HG rigging is immediately inside the gate. T/O is straight ahead and landing is on the northern half of the site. PG take off is at the northern end of the ridge. There is potential conflict with HG overshoots here - all pilots must be aware.
T/O altitude 1400 ft AMSL
Top to bottom 700 ft
Take-off is straightforward but keep a very careful watch for soaring traffic which can be heavy. PG pilots should keep to the right of the white line (marked with painted slabs) to take off and when below the ridge to avoid conflict with HG overshoots.
Top landing is good except for rotor which can occur in the north east corner. In strong wind, do not go back beyond the boundary fence. Clear the landing area immediately. NO PARAGLIDER SLOPE LANDINGS below take-off (sheep grazier’s orders).
Bottom landing fields for paragliders are restricted to the two small sloping fields immediately under T/O. For hang gliders there is a larger, flat field over the road and slightly right of T/O. Pilots new to the site MUST TAKE LOCAL ADVICE each time on bottom landing before flying since this is a VERY SENSITIVE ISSUE and field availability changes with the seasons and usage etc. See notes on horses below.
DOGS are not allowed on the field. Remember that farmers are entitled to shoot dogs near sheep.
This area is used by low flying military aircraft on weekdays - see notes.
Birmingham CTA at 30m, Halfpenny Green at 24m, RAF Cosford at 23m.
(take off) LMSC
These notes and diagrams are intended to give pilots an appreciation of the two circuits used by the MGC which affects us.
If you are forced to land in front of the MGC, walk either north or south away from their field. Do not take off from there as you will not be visible to a glider on take off or on weak-link break practise.
SOUTH WEST LAUNCH CIRCUIT
Release heights vary but 1000ft plus is often reached. It is most important that pilots keep a watchful eye on activity in the launch area. The AMBER FLASHING LAMP will operate during each launch. A glider ready to launch will have it’s wings held level by a tip while no-one will be standing near the cockpit. However, the canopy may be left open until the last moment.
If a glider is ready to go and you are approaching the launch caution area it is good practice to turn away from the release zone as a positive indication that you are aware. It is important to realise that a cable break could result in a glider crossing the edge of the hill at almost any height.
The CAUTION AREA to the north has received too little attention in the past. Please don’t congregate in this area since it is the access point to the landing circuit for sailplanes who can be faced by an intimidating ‘wall’ of HG/PG traffic. Some sailplanes may be scratching and some may be flown by low-airtime pilots. Training at all levels is conducted by the MGC.
WEST LAUNCH CIRCUIT (winch, aerotow and, occasionally, bungee)
Most of the above comments apply to this circuit but winch launch height is generally lower and release is close to the edge of the hill.
AEROTOW LAUNCHES
Aerotow launches are particularly vulnerable to inconsiderate actions on our part, especially in a westerly launch. They cross the edge of the hill typically below 100ft and are obviously unable to take evasive action at this critical moment. In addition, the tug pilot has poor visibility down and forward. Keep a special note of towing activity and in particular DO NOT CROSS THE BUNGEE POINT BELOW RIDGE HEIGHT when towing is active. If you hit strong lift you could rise up in front of a tug pilot. It has happened!
Aero modelers have an agreement to use the northern bowl. Whilst they have a particular duty to avoid conflict in flight, it is unwise to fly in this area when models are flying. It is easier to spot operators on the ground than models in the air.
A riding school operates at the farm below take off. The stables are tucked-in under take-off and a new, light coloured, schooling area is located about 100m west of the house. We should take great care not to fly low over any horses, especially while being ridden, or land in a field with horses. The few permanently resident horses generally get used to us but several will typically be temporary visitors receiving special training so will be unused to flying activities.
A Blipspot is taken from RASP forecasts, and provides an hour by hour forecast readout for: