Managing club: Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · Access: open
Site briefing
Planning information for Eype
Take-off
Sharp edged cliffs generate rotor so be prepared to encounter this right across the launch area. Rotor is particularly prevalent if the wind is off towards the South making launching difficult and top landing increasingly dangerous.
In light wind speeds, the wind at ground level can blow up the slope from Eype Mouth, but as soon as your wing inflates it will turn into the prevailing wind from the sea. At higher wind speeds this problem doesn’t seem to occur, BUT exercise extreme caution, due to rotor and possibly being blown backwards.
It is best practice to be airborne well before arriving at the cliff edge. If you reach the cliff edge without being lifted off your feet then you should consider aborting the launch.
A public right of way exists all along the Jurassic coast, therefore walkers etc, have priority over pilots. Do not lay out paragliders across the footpath. When inflating in readiness to take-off, do this on the downwind side of the path, and then cross to take-off, so long as you don’t inconvenience walkers. If walkers are crossing in front of takeoff then be extremely polite in making any request, or wait until they have moved away. If you leave any baggage, for safety, leave it along the hedgerow, but at your own risk as the area is very busy.
There are 3 benches along the Eastern fence line and these are often full of spectators watching pilots launch and land. When launching, start well down the slope to give room to bring the wing down before it reaches the benches if aborting the launch or you are being dragged.
Landing
Top landing: Due to the number of incidents caused by pilots attempting to top land in conditions that are not appropriate for their level of experience and/or equipment it has become necessary to make TOP LANDING PILOT RATED ONLY.
Whatever the conditions and level of experience it will always be, due to the nature of the site, safer to bottom land on the beach.
For those pilot rated flyers that wish to consider top landing then you should:-
Discuss the various approach options and dangers with a club coach or other pilot with regular experience of top landing this site.
Make a thorough assessment of the wind speed and direction before attempting to land. Take into account the increased wind speed due to the venturi. Arriving over launch going backwards will leave you no “good” options.
Be prepared to encounter rotor at any stage of the landing., Get your feet down very early and be prepared to PLF if necessary.
Abort the landing and go around if you arrive over launch with excessive height
If losing height over launch do not go further back than the bushes at the rear of take off. The chance of encountering rotor increases significantly beyond this point although there is no guarantee you will not encounter it anywhere across the launch area.
Ensure the coast path is free of walkers before starting the landing approach
Make sure any pilots attempting to launch are aware of your presence. Shout “LANDING” if necessary to prevent other pilots inflating as you land.
Ridge Run
The attraction of flying this site is the scenic 8km ridge run to Charmouth heading West from launch.
Challenges encountered are the transition onto Golden Cap and gaining height at Charmouth for the long transition east over low cliffs back to Golden Cap.
There are long stretches of beach along most of the route however, landing on the Charmouth side of Golden Cap can result in a long walk out as the old steps at St Gabriel’s Mouth have been destroyed by cliff slippage. If the tide is high cliff slippage below Cains Folly may make it impossible to walk out to Charmouth and it will also be difficult to round Golden Cap and walk out to Seatown. You may have to wait until the tide drops to escape the beach.
For the return trip from Charmouth use caution in strengthening wind conditions. There are parts of the cliff that are spine backed and a number of pilots have been forced over the back. Keep well out in strong winds and do not fly directly onto the back cliffs at Stonebarrow Hill (high cliff at the back of the main slip, where the coast path runs at the back of Cain’s Folly). Gain height on the lower cliffs in front and transfer onto the higher back cliff at the Eastern or Western end which avoids going over the main slip. If crossing the slip low there is a likelihood of encountering rotor and a number of pilots have been dumped into the trees, usually needing ropes or a helicopter for extraction.
The ridge run also extends to the East of launch and it is possible to fly a further 6km to Cogden in this direction. Flying East is usually assisted by the element of West in the wind however the return trip is often slower and more challenging. In particular there are two wide crossings, firstly at Freshwater and then at West Bay. There is ample beach available at Freshwater to land on however the West Bay crossing is much more challenging and should only be attempted by experienced pilots. There are limitations on where you can land and the small beaches around the ha…
Access and parking
Site access: OPEN.
Pilot rating: CP.
Local guidance
Hazards and cautions
Top landing at take off - needs careful assessment and good spot landing skills
Constant risk of landslip - take care when walking near the cliff edge
Rotor from sharp cliff edges - top landing anywhere along the cliffs is high risk
Walkers on the coastal path - they always have priority
No beach landing in some places. If getting low make for a beach early
Forecasts are planning aids, not safety clearance. Check current observations, official airspace and NOTAM information, local rules and your own experience before every flight.