Take-off
Rigging: Hang gliders (H.G.) rig at top of the slope immediately to right of the top stile. Paragliders rig slightly down the slope – you will see the patch we use as it is well trodden.
Butser West paragliding site and weather forecast
Hampshire South Downs. Live seven-day flying weather, launch directions and site information for Butser West.
Altitude236 m
Launch directionsN, NE, W
Coordinates50.9767, -0.9876
AreaHampshire South Downs
Managing club: Sky Surfing Club
Flying profile
Best Workable Not recorded
Butser West is a hill site in Hampshire South Downs with a recorded launch elevation of 236 m. It works best in northerly, north-easterly and westerly winds. Pilots fly it for ridge soaring and thermal, using foot launch.
- Terrain
- hill
- Lift
- ridge soaring and thermal
- Launch
- foot launch
- Cross-country
- Not recorded
When the wind is wrong for Butser West
The nearest site we have rated for each wind direction Butser West doesn't cover.
Ballard Downsouth-easterly wind, 78 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 53 m · SE, S launchBarton on Seasoutherly wind, 54 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 8 m · S launchMount Caburnsouth-westerly wind, 74 km away · Southern Hang Gliding Club · 137 m · S, SW launchCombe Gibbetnorth-westerly wind, 55 km away · Thames Valley Hang Gliding Club · 220 m · N, NW launch
Site briefing highlights
Short extracts from Sky Surfing Club and ParaglidingEarth. Read the full guide before you fly.
Landing
Top landing, particularly for H.G., is for experienced pilots only and will always be hazardous in fine weather due to the inevitable overcrowding of the site by the various users.Front face landings for H.G.
Access and parking
Pilot requirements — HG: CP PG: CP. From the car park, head through the trees and through a gate to the grassy launch area. Parking Parking is controlled by number plate recognition cameras. The official car park is expensive!
Flight rules
RESTRICTED site! Members only! Visitors NOT welcomed due to insurance issues!
Hazards and cautions
- Include walkers on designated footpaths, aircraft modellers generally grouped to the northern edge of the slope and their models overshooting kite flyers and parked cars in the top area, paragliders in circuit on the slope and gliders lining up to launch. Horse riders on the track below take-off may be hidden from view. Pilots in the air should fly away from the riders and shout to warn those pilots waiting at take off. Turbulence, from Rake Bottom can be extreme in all conditions and also from the tree line to the south of take-off when conditions are strong and the wind swings slightly to the south. If winds are south of west treat the southern bowl with great caution as you will be in rotor!
Check current site guidance
Paragliding sites near Butser West
Whitewool6 km away · Sky Surfing Club · 131 mHarting Down9 km away · Sky Surfing Club · 159 mBarton on Sea54 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 8 m · S launchCombe Gibbet55 km away · Thames Valley Hang Gliding Club · 220 m · N, NW launchDevil's Dyke55 km away · Southern Hang Gliding Club · 193 m · N, NW launchDitchling Beacon62 km away · Southern Hang Gliding Club · 222 m · N launch
Forecasts are planning aids, not safety clearance. Check current observations, official airspace and NOTAM information, local rules and your own experience before every flight.
More paragliding sites in the UK · Read the paragliding weather guide