Signal Hill Bench – paragliding startovačka
Startovačka Signal Hill Bench se nachází v Jihoafrická republika ve výšce 295 m n. m. Hlavní orientace startu je Z, SZ; vhodný vítr je 0–8 m/s (max. poryv 11 m/s). Obtížnost: pokročilý.
Parametry startu
- Země
- Jihoafrická republika
- Nadmořská výška
- 295 m n. m.
- Orientace startu
- Z, SZ
- Vhodný vítr
- 0–8 m/s
- Max. poryv
- 11 m/s
- Obtížnost
- pokročilý
Klíčové informace
Podmínky
Sports-rated (advanced site) above city of Cape Town for sea-breeze saoraing with some thermals. Easy slope launch. Advanced because wind gradient can increase rapidly and no landing options if blown over. Also, landing if not on top can be difficult due to flying over buildings. DO NOT FLY unless suitably rated and accompanied by experienced local pilot. 'The Point': for NW winds, drive all the 'The Bench' is 1km S along the ridge, and is more suited to W winds. The lay out area is behind the scenic bench. The ideal Sunday afternoon soaring site. A long ridge that is the body of the animal that forms Lion's Head. Signal Hill forms a smoothly sloped obstruction to the north-westerly wind. The lift band is usually wide but not too high, peppered with the odd thermal. Hang gliders tap into the real magic of Signal Hill when the wind is really strong, soaring high in the laminar flow. If it's too light here, go to Sir Lowry's Pass. If it's too strong at Sir Lowry's, come back here. Rapid shift in wind strength and wind gradient often without visibly warning on sea. > This site has caught experienced pilots out so many times. It looks safe; do not be fooled into flying here before you are Sport licensed. > Conditions are usually prefrontal when you fly Signal Hill, so beware of strong wind-gradient and rapid wind increase. > There is nowhere to run to should the wind increase. > Avoid flying in Berg (NE) conditions, or soon after the wind has swung from NE to NW. The bergish air does not dissipate immediately, so for this reason be wary of particularly gusty NW winds. > Slope landing becomes more difficult the lower you get. The best place is in the venturi on the N corner, where your groundspeed will be less. > Gliding out too low or against an unexpected headwind to land at Green Point can mean a forced landing amongst buildings. There is sometimes a strong, turbulent S blowing below 100m, creating shear turbulence. Check the flags at the Liquor Store on the main road slightly to the right of your approach path. If the wind is from the left at the Bench, it is SW, and will be very turbulent and not much fun. Beware of vandals in the car park. > Hang-gliders: 'White horses' on the sea?. > Don't land at Green Point common, because the rotor from the flat blocks can be nasty. Run on to Lion's Head and go to the far end of Camps Bay beach.
Přístup a přistání
The launch is on the grassed picnic area just to the left of the car park. Any suitable area below the chains just before the car park. It is accessible from the tar road via a little gravel turnoff and car park. Drive up Kloof Nek Road. Drive past Lion's Head towards Signal hill lookout point. Halfway along there is an entrance to the left (after the Muslim Kramat). Walk to left and takeoff facing sea. Second takeoff at lookout point, on grass to left of boardwalk.
Odkazy
Startovačky v okolí
Údaje jsou orientační (zdroje: XContest, paraglidingearth.com, paragliding-mapa.cz). Před letem vždy ověř aktuální podmínky, vzdušný prostor a souhlas správce startovačky. Více na živé mapě.