Take-off
All available launch areas are from a flat cliff top. Your wing will be in rotor until inflated over your head. Inflating the wing can be difficult. You will then be pushing out directly over a vertical drop.
Portland East paragliding site and weather forecast
Dorset / Wiltshire. Live seven-day flying weather, launch directions and site information for Portland East.
Altitude113 m
Launch directionsNE
Coordinates50.5544, -2.4247
AreaDorset / Wiltshire
Managing club: Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club
Flying profile
Best Workable Not recorded
Portland East is a hill site in Dorset / Wiltshire with a recorded launch elevation of 113 m. It works best in north-easterly winds, and can also work in easterly winds. Pilots fly it for ridge soaring, using foot launch.
- Terrain
- hill
- Lift
- ridge soaring
- Launch
- foot launch
- Cross-country
- Not recorded
Recent forecast scores
Day scores for Portland East from Magic Skyweed's latest forecast runs (17 Sept, 17:28 UTC), on our 0–100 flying scale. The live forecast scores every hour against your own glider and limits.
- Thu 17 Sept0/100 No-gomedium confidence
- Fri 18 Sept0/100 No-gohigh confidence
- Sat 19 Sept0/100 No-gomedium confidence
- Sun 20 Sept0/100 No-gomedium confidence
- Mon 21 Sept0/100 No-gomedium confidence
- Tue 22 Sept55/100 Marginal · top-to-bottommedium confidence
- Wed 23 Sept49/100 No-go · ridgelow confidence
When the wind is wrong for Portland East
The nearest site we have rated for each wind direction Portland East doesn't cover.
Monksdownnortherly wind, 54 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 258 m · N launchBallard Downsouth-easterly wind, 35 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 53 m · SE, S launchWhite Horsesoutherly wind, 12 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 143 m · S launchRingsteadsouth-westerly wind, 11 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 118 m · SW launchPortland Westwesterly wind, 1 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 91 m · W launchCowdownnorth-westerly wind, 28 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 201 m · W, NW launch
Site briefing highlights
Short extracts from Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club and ParaglidingEarth. Read the full guide before you fly.
Landing
Top landing: Back on take-off works well if the wind has any north in it. If the wind is due east or south of east, treat it with caution and land well forward.
Access and parking
From Weymouth follow signs to Portland. Once on the island follow signs towards “The Bill” until you see a left turn sign posted “Young Offenders Institute” and “The Grove”. This is just after a petrol station.
Flight rules
See http://www.wessexhgpg.org.uk/Sites/SiteGuide/PortlandEast.pdf
Hazards and cautions
- Immediately behind the first take off there is a very large quarry. Being dragged whilst ground handling could be unpleasant so be careful and use assistance if necessary. This is a cliff site. Bottom landings require a lot of skill and some luck. If you miss the track beneath there are virtually no other options other than dense sharp scrub or the sea. Neither are good for you. Normal precautions apply with respect to rotor during launch. Changes in weather conditions can be rapid and dramatic. Beware of orographic cloud forming.
Check current site guidance
Paragliding sites near Portland East
Portland West1 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 91 m · W launchRingstead11 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 118 m · SW launchWhite Horse12 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 143 m · S launchFriar Waddon14 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 101 m · S launchKimmeridge23 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 153 m · SW launchSt Aldhelms26 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 49 m
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