Draycott: SSW-SW; 850' asl; 600' ttb; (ST 497 508 - sheet 183), site code 2.022
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Sites Officer:
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Geoff Rogers (01761) 232096.
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Rating:
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Experienced Pilots only. Soaring only, no top-to-bottoms.
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Permission:
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Full Avon members only.
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Parking:
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Park by the corrugated tin hut.
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Rigging:
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Anywhere in the field over the other side of the wall. Do not climb over the stone walls, use the stile.
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Take Offs:
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Located above the stone wall on the front of the hill just before the corner where it turns downhill, about 200 yards to the west of the hut. This a shallow incline and requires a committed run on a hang glider.
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Local Flying:
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This site is very sensitive to wind direction. As a general rule do not fly if the wind is coming from a direction to the east of Glastonbury Tor. Look out for the sea breeze which can switch the wind off the hill. The ridge is shared with the gliding club which operates from a field about half a mile north-west of take-off - watch out for them. When good the whole area provides plenty of lift but on other days you can find yourself at take-off height, scratching just above the trees. Weak wave has been encountered several times at this site. The area to the south is part of Yeovilton AIAA so, when flying out in front, keep a look out for military aircraft.
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XC Flying:
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Two miles down wind there is a small firing range, so watch out for red flags. The downwind route is useless for XC as you'll run into Lulsgate airspace. To fly any distance you must track east before turning down wind. Check out the map.
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Top Landing:
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Either in front of the wall behind take-off or in the uncultivated field where the cars park. Beware of the power line which runs along the northern edge of the uncultivated field.
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Bottom Landing:
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There is no official bottom landing field. There is a field just below take-off that can be used to avoid going all the way to the bottom, although a landing in it requires great skill and judgement. The field generally used is in front of the woods to the west. This field slopes away from the hill and landings are usually made towards the hill as there is little or no wind. Ask an experienced pilot before flying. Keep out of all fields containing livestock, especially horses.
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Telephones:
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Draycott village. Drive down the hill to the village turn left and then first right. The telephone is on this corner.
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Hospitals:
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Bristol or Weston.
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Directions:
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Heading west along the B3135 towards Cheddar turn left towards Westbury-sub-Mendip about half a mile after passing the danger area flag on your left. The entrance gate to the site is just under a mile down this road on the right, opposite a water storage mound in the field on the left. There is a barn in the NW corner of the field. If you reach the quarry you have gone too far. (Alternatively approach up the hill from Westbury-Sub-Mendip.) Close the gate and drive slowly across the field by following the track into the next field. Follow the track through a gate into an uncultivated field closing the gate behind you. Follow the track as far as it goes.
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This page last updated: 1st November, 2011
© Avon Hang Gliding & Paragliding Club, 1997-2013
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