Take-off
The launch area is very pilot friendly. There is plenty of space to lay out wings, virtually no obstructions, and a nice gentle slope that steepens rapidly.
Dorset / Wiltshire · Paragliding site
White Horse paragliding site and weather forecast
Live seven-day flying weather with launch direction, altitude and local site information for White Horse.
Altitude143 m
Launch directionsS
Coordinates50.6593, -2.4044
AreaDorset / Wiltshire
Managing club: Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club
Site briefing
Planning information for White Horse
Landing
Top landing: There is a large easy top landing area, making this a good place for low airtime pilots to practice. No nasty obstructions on the ground, your biggest worry should be flying into a thermal on final approach and finding yourself going up again. Hang glider pilots should land from east to west if at all possible, as this is upslope. Only the back of the field is flat enough to land a hang glider, particularly modern gliders. Further forward you will just fly down the hill and overshoot! The western top landing area, shown on the map, is not now recommended due to the new fence by the track and as the field is normally cropped. However, it still can be used in an emergency. Bottom landing: Paraglider pilots should note that the expanse of gorse on the hill makes side landings difficult. A recent regime of scrub control has currently eased this problem but the gorse will re-grow and can still catch lines. The best places to side land are either around the 'horse' (but please do not actually land on it) or half way down the hill to the right of take-off (west). Have a good look before taking off. Bottom landing field 'A' (///register.trombone.beeline) is ideal for paragliders. Access back to the hill is via a gate in the NE corner. Field 'A' has no vehicular access and slopes, making it less than ideal for hang-gliders. Bottom landing in the main long field directly below take-off is very safe, however, it’s a long walk out! Bottom landing field 'B' can be accessed from Sutton Poyntz (see area map). Park along the side of the road by The Springhead pub (///noise.atlas.spreads). Follow the road around to the right. Beyond the houses follow a farm track through two gates and where it splits take the right fork to the bottom landing field. You could drive to these fields but the section of track by the gates is deeply rutted and impassable unless the ground is very dry. If in doubt, carry out! Do not use bottom landing fields if they are cropped (remember long grass is a crop!) or have animals in them. If all fields are cropped, the site is effectively closed to hang-glider pilots unless top landing is a certainty.
Access and parking
From Dorchester – Follow the A354 toward Weymouth. 2.0 miles from the Dorchester bypass, bear left onto the road signposted to Broadmayne. Follow this road for a further 2.0 miles. 300m past a crossroads (signposted right for Sutton Poyntz / Preston) and as the road kinks to the left, bear off right onto the chalk track. From Weymouth - Follow the A353 to Preston turning left at the roundabout and then immediately right into Coombe Valley Road. Follow this road to the top of the hill. Turn right toward Broadmayne for 300m and as the road kinks to the left, bear off right onto the chalk track. From Wareham & Wool - Follow the A352 into the village of Broadmayne and, immediately before the petrol station on your left, turn left into ChaIky Road. Follow this road out of Broadmayne for 2.1 miles. As the road reaches the top of the hill, and as the roads kinks to the right, turn sharp left onto the chalk track. Park only on the south side of the track (///cuter.searching.hometown). Do not double park either side. An absolute maximum of 4 cars may park on the right, tight to the fence beyond the right hand bend in the chalk track on the right fork (///caressing.dried.compliant). Beware – this track can become seriously rutted and may not be suitable for your car along all of its length. NOTE – NO PARKING is allowed anywhere in the top landing field or along the final part of the track that leads to the top landing field! However, members may drive to the top landing field for the purpose of dropping-off and collecting their paragliding and hang gliding kit before returning their car to the correct parking areas. Load as many wings as possible into one vehicle if going with the ‘lazy’ option rather than take car after car up. Close all gates.
Local guidance
Hazards and cautions
- THE SITE CAN BE VERY TURBULENT IF THE WIND HAS ANY EAST IN IT DUE TO ROTOR FROM THE RIDGE IN FRONT. If the wind speed exceeds 18mph, hang gliders should note that it is always turbulent, but that conditions often smooth out 100 - 200 ft above take-off. This effect is caused by the cliffs upwind. It can also be turbulent behind the trees at the bottom of the hill so all pilots should avoid scratching too low down. Aero modellers fly from the bowl to the right of take-off. The owner runs a horse riding establishment, and uses the tracks in the vicinity of launch. Please take great care not to spook any horses! Avoid landing near them, avoid flying low over them, avoid inflating wings when a horse is approaching and wait until they are well clear.
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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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