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Medway Model Flying Club
SPORT & SLOPE REPORT BY BRIAN DOUST
Note:.It will I am sure be recognised that as this information has been gleaned from fellow flyers on the INTERNET, and obviously cannot give any guarrantee or assurance that this information is bone a fide.
CROOKE PEAK. Well known slope in the West Mendip Hills. On the M5 leave at junction 21. Can fly in most directions. Small models appear to get lost on this huge slope, So larger models are the norm. There are 2 car parks at the bottom, but as the height of the slope is around 800 feet, only the fit and able should attend.
IVINGHOE BEACON. After leaving the M1 head West on B489. This is the home slope of the ISA club You can fly in most directions. West being the best. East the worst. You will find a car park near the top. It then only requires a brisk walk to reach the main slopes. but should the wind be from the North East, a few yards will be all that is required. rake proof of insurance and, a peg board is usually in evidence.
SHARPENHOE and HEXTON. Sharpenhoe is North of Luton near Barton le Clay on the A5. the slope is East facing. Hexton close by is flyable West to North west. Both sites are okay for the larger models.
DUNSTABLE DOWNS. Just to the West of Dunstable, on the B489 heading towards lvinghoe. Thereis a South West bowl and west face. Good flying, althouth Hang Gliders in evidence?.
BEACON HILL. Go South from Newbury on the A34 to find Beacon Hill on the left. Phis slope flys East round to North East and, there is a flyable South West slope at the back of the hill. You will find a car park at the base, but alas a long plod climbing to the top.
WATERSHIP DOWN? WHITE HILL? and LADLE HILL. A few miles from Beacon hill, we find Watership down, look for a large TV antenna array, this is white Hill. This flys North or North East. Level walk from car park and, lay by on the main road. rhere are 2 slopes, one each side of the road. if you walk to the end of Watership Down, you will discover Ladle Hill which is west to North West. Access can be gained to this sit via an alternative route.
INKPEN HILL. Just South of Hungerford. Alternative name is Coombe Gibbet. A South facing site and, you will find some restrictions. Able to park car, climb over the fence and, fly.
COOMBE HILL.
Little used slope close to Chequers. (PMs Residence) just outside Wendover.
.the West face is best, although it also flys North. Large oberlisk on one
corner of the slope, but does not impair landings. there is a car park and,
a lay?by, also a level walk to the slope.
CERNE ABBAS. Find Sherbourne, near Yeovil and, drive South on the A352. This is the hill famous.for the BIG giant carved in the side of the hill. West facing slope.
OSMINGTON HILL. Outside of Weymouth on the A353. south facing slope. A White horse, with King George III sitting on it, is carved into the hillside. well known site.
KIMMERIDGE BAY. Due South of Wareham and, near Corfe Castle. Fly the cliffs around here for Southerly winds
BULBARROW HILL. Between ?landford Forum and, Sturminster Newton. Its good for South East to South West winds, and you fly only 20 yards from the car park. Close by there is also a slope which takes a North West wind.
BUTSER HILL. This hill is South of Petersfield, its signposted as the Queen Elizabeth country park on the A3. Good slopes for west round to North East. clockwise Just flyable to the South West. This is a well frequented site. A one pound coin will gain you admission, frequecies to use are posted on the machine. A small cafe is open during summer months, but at these times lots of day trippers are in evidence. Excellent landing areas are to be found.
CHERRY HILL. Overlooks channel tunnel station at Cheriton. Little used site, which flys South or South west Limited parking in the lay?by, but park, climb over the fence and fly. Hang gliders are in evidence but further along the slope.
CROWN at WYEDOWN. Near Ashford, find the A28 from Canterbury. West winds are required to fly this hill which is close to the Wye agricultral college. Not brilliant but, usable very little used slope. ro help locate there is crown carved into the chalk, so hence its name.
UFFINGTON WHITE HORSE. Go West from Wantage on the B4507. You can drive to the top of the slope, where there is a car park. You can fly North to North West in a series of grassy downland bowls, plus a miserable west slope. A white horse carved into the side of the hill. Very popular with day trippers.
EDGE HILL Up past Banbury. Take the A41, it is a North West slope. Being close to the boundry this site could be in Warwickshire. Little used sitebut quite good.
WHITE SHEET. Home of the white Sheet Flying Club. So it is very popular and, well used. This is a slope where one can fly in winds. South West to North West. There is a rumor that it is to become a closed site. (members only).
COLLEY HILL. Almost in London, Reigate actually. These are National rrust slopes on the North Downs. Able to fly South East round to South West. Difficult to locate. Take junction 8 on the m25 and, look for MARGERY road, you have to cross the m25 over a footbridge to get there from the car park! Good slopes, and though a closed site information for visitors can be obtained from. Alan Perrin on 01737 213533, or Mathew Jones, on 01757 244567.
THE LONG MAN Close to the village of Alfriston, which is outside Eastbourne on the A27 This slope is usable west to North West. There are 2 lay?bys, but the walk to tile top is a long one, although not difficult. There is also a South west bowl that is also flyable. NOTE, you have to carry proof of BMFA for insurance.
DITCHLING BEACON. Find the b2116 from Lewes to henfield, its halfway along, the road goes over the top of the hill and, there is plenty of parking space available. You fly on the left of the road. Slope is North to North East.
BUTTS LANE. Look for Willingdon, near Polegate and, just outside Eastbourne. Butts Lane the road is that easy to lobate, But it is a very steep hill leading to a car park at its summit. From there its a level walk to the slope, which is composed of 2 bowls flying last to North East. Also a flyable South East face.
FIRLE BEACON. Head towards Lewes from Eastbourne on the A27 and you will be running under a line of hills. Along these there are various spots to fly and, you are able to drive to the hill tops. Slopes are all North or North East.. As this is a long range of hills, there is plenty of space for all..
MOUNT CABURN. Very near to Lewes. It is quite a trek to the top. This is a slope for winds of a Southerly direction. The slope looks superb but is a little dissapointing.
MILL HILL. Overlooking Shoreham airport. This little used slope is for South West to West. A nice edge if you walk down the slope a little and, this is recommended as there is a height restriction of 50 feet above the top of the hill. Also a hill further along called Trleigh hill this is flyable but not brilliant and JP for this a wind of a Westerly direction is required,.
DEVILS DYKE. North of Brighton. Devils Dyke is very busy in summer with day trippers, and Hang gliders. Due to a fatal accident some years ago the slope is now split into 2 sections. White posts down the front of the slope mark out the area. Hang gliders to the Left. Models to the Right. Park at the top, then a short distance to fly. An added bonus here is the pub come restaurant on site. You will find superb lift when the wind is to the North.
TRUNDLE HILL.Part of the privately owned Goodwood estate. Find the A286 going North out of Chichester, it directly overlooks Goodwood airfield and, therefore comes into controlled airspace. Open to soarers providing they have BMFA insurance and, the largest models flown are not above 100 inch Wingspan. Also a height restriction governed by the height of the radio mast. When the hill is occupied with lambing ewes flying is further restricted.
WESTBURY WHITE HORSE
Not too hard to find this site, its sign posted from the town of Westbury on
the B3098. It flies West and, North West. It can Get busy with day trippers
Parking is easy and a level walk from there. Very nice slope but, Hang gliders
PEWSEY DOWNS and MILK HILL. South West of Merlborough. Milk Hill flies South and, South West. Head for Pewsey, which is south of Marlborough on the A345. They fly on 2?hills on either side of the road.. The East side flies mainly South. West of the road flies more to the South East. Good site for Cross Country.
ROUNDWAY HILL. Roundway is signposted on the Left of the A361 going North out of Devises. AS you enter the village the main road turns sharp right. Do not 'follow the bend but continue straight this takes you into a no through road. When you meet a fork in the road, go Left. Later bear Right onto a rough road, this leads to the parking area. the slope flys South West to West with a good landing area.
OTFORD. Sites previously published by Russel Mills. Not known or used much, this slope is either Westerly or South Westerly. Prom Swanley take old A20, turn RIGHT after Farningham round about onto A225 drive through Eynsford, and on towards Shoreham, as you pass Shoreham train station look on the LEFT for a British telecom building which stands on its own. Park here, there is a footpath starting here. Follow the path until it meets a stile. vurn LEFT to be at the base of a West slope or, continue on to tile top of the hill. (there is a chair there) Turn Right to find a slope for South West.
KEMSING (the cross). Directions as above, but continue on the A225 to outskirts of Otford, turn LEFT onto Pilgrims Way signposted Kemsing. Continue along this road through a housing area, it then becomes a single track, a further 100 yards brings one to a few houses lying below tile road. Park here or a little further along. hill is to your left. Panoramic views to be admired whilst getting your breath back. Slope is for the South, but just flyable. South East to South West.
POLL HILL. From Orpington follow tile A224 to badgers mount,, and continue on to the Poll MillArms pub. Park in the lay?by. Take the footpath close by the pub, which takes you over the footbridge (Cowbridge) crossing the M25. From here it is case of bearing off to the right, and after a wooded area then brings you to a grassy slope overlooking Otford and Riverhead
HOLLY HILL. From Swanley take M20 to junction 2, travel down Wrotharn hill to round about, take a LEFT turn A27 to Gravesend. After passing a pub on the right, take the next right which is signposted Trottiscliffe park. Stay on this road do not deviate for some 2 miles, keep a lookout on your RIGHT for a Viewpoint car park Park here and fly in next field down. south East to South winds required
THURNHAM.A good slope with great lift, but due to flints titanium skids would
be an advantage. )outli Westerly. To get there take M20 coining off at junction
7, then
take A249 Isle of Sheppey, turning first RIGHT into Detling village, follow
through village and turn down pilgrims way opposite a pub. the ridge will be
seen on your LEFT, but watch the road as it is single track. At the next pub
turn up a steep lane. Limited parking at top on the right hand bend. The footpath
you fly from starts here.
MOUNT CABURN Take the A26 to Lewes, at the first roundabout at Lewes turn LEFT through Culfail tunnel to the next roundabout, and turn LEFT onto the A27. Then take first LEFT and, go through the village. As you come out of it there is a space to park a couple of cars opposite a farmhouse. Park, walk through farmhouse gate, and immediately turn RIGHT, duck under barrier to follow footpath up to the summit. wind required South round to west.
MILL HILL. Take M23/A23 towards Brighton, turn towards Worthing on the A27. On reaching Shoreham airport, go towards Shoreham. when approaching the town at a small roundabout, LEFT in to Old Shoreham road, then second Left signposted Truly hill park at the top of tile hill. Winds South West to West. Height restrictions of 50 feet above crest of hill. Even frequencies only.
The above 2 sites included again, as there is more detail in Russels list.
SPORT and SLOPE REPORT BRIAN DOUST
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