About this flying site
You must follow the Hawarden ATC notification procedure if you want to XC from this site
Clwydians / Wirral / North Wales coast · Paragliding site
Moel Famau paragliding site and weather forecast
Live seven-day flying weather with launch direction, altitude and local site information for Moel Famau.
Altitude429 m
Launch directionsW
Coordinates53.1385, -3.2596
AreaClwydians / Wirral / North Wales coast
Managing club: North Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · Access: open
Site briefing
Planning information for Moel Famau
Take-off
Getting to takeoff: Moderately difficult. Take the upper footpath from the north car park towards the summit. It's a steady climb with a gain of height of about 350ft / 105m from car park to take-off area. Only the fitter HG pilots will carry up in one go! Moderately easy. T/O is across a popular walking track with a blind corner so look carefully before launch. When top landing, take care not to fly behind the fence running N/S along the ridge. A lower T/L is possible on the small prominatory immediately below and in front of launch. Caution rotor if the wind is anything but due W.
Landing
The designated bottom landing field is a trapezoid shaped field 1.5 miles glide from take-off and pilots should assess conditions and glider performance before committing. Grid Reference SJ143593 . Bottom landings may also be made in the 'stump' field below and to the left take-off. This field is limited in size and slopes away towards power lines beyond the stump in the middle of the field, so approach this field as low as possible over the gate in the corner nearest to take-off. Landings can sometimes be made in the small un-enclosed field in front the Southern car park. This must only be attempted with extreme caution due to venturi winds, rotor behind the tree line and heavy public presence.
Access and parking
Park in either of the two car parks at the top of the pass. Parking fees are charged (approx £1.50/day)
Flight rules
http://www.nwhgpc.org/sites.html#moelfamau A separate site permit is needed to fly here
Local guidance
Hazards and cautions
- EGNR (Hawarden) RMZ procedures:
- Moel Famau lies on the edge of the Hawarden RMZ (Radio Mandatory
- zone). Notify Hawarden ATC by telephone (01244 522012) or text (07786 208291) stating 'Moel Famau
- active (dd/mm/yyyy) from (time)' if there is any chance of leaving the site to the east, such as XC. An
- acknowledgement must be received from ATC prior to commencement of activities. Pilots will not normally
- need
- to notify ATC of cessation of activities.
- Due to the proximity of the coast, this site is often affected by a sea breeze during the summer.
- The altitude and nature of the site means conditions can be markedly different from those observed in the
- Vale below. Benign flying conditions can quickly become blown out.
- This site is strictly controlled by the Denbighshire County Council. Anyone wishing to fly must purchase
- an annual permit (permits expire at the end of April). Either call at the Countryside Office to obtain a
- permit, or apply by post. Send a cheque for £8.00, payable to Denbighshire County Council; a photocopy
- of both sides of your BHPA membership card and BHPA insurance statement; two current passport photos
- (one only for a renewal), and a 7"x10" self addressed envelope to: Howard Sutcliffe, Denbighshire
- Countryside Service, Loggerheads Country Park, Ruthin Road, Loggerheads, MOLD CH7 5LH Tel: 01352 810614.
- Failure to comply with this requirement will jeopardise the use of all sites in the area controlled by
- the Denbighshire County Council. This site is also used model aircraft fliers: please liaise with them
- with regard to take-off and landing areas.
Authoritative sources
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Forecasts are planning aids, not safety clearance. Check current observations, official airspace and NOTAM information, local rules and your own experience before every flight.
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