VHPA Site Guide - West Inland

Victoria - West Inland

Ben More

Large inland ridge.

Takeoff

Victoria - West Inland

Ben Nevis

Large sheer mountain with clear takeoff and large landing paddocks below launch

Takeoff

Landing

The non cross country pilot or the unlucky will find plenty of room to land directly in front of take off amongst the large cleared grazing paddocks. Alternatively, with only a thousand above, or thereabouts, the Warrak bomb out area is within reach. If landing at Warrak be sure to land well downwind of any trees and please avoid flying over the deer pens immediately West of the paddock behind the owners house.

Flight

The surrounding area possesses excellent thermal generating characteristics, with terrain ranging from tree covered earth to bare granite. Many thermals cook up on the flat ground out in front and are carried by the drift to the mountain. A good day will see the whole area providing lift. Ridge soaring is also possible in a moderate Westerly or North Westerly.

Cross country flights regular occur from this location. Almost every season now sees pilots flying in excess of 100km. Flights South to the coast and East to Ballarat are common.

Hazards/Comments

The main hazard is a power line servicing a lookout tower at the top of the mountain. It is a single line, supported only at the ends, running from top to bottom and is sufficiently far away from the mountainside to make hitting it a real possibility. Any pilot flying to the right of takeoff and below the top should know exactly where he is in relation to this line at all times. Orange marker balls are fitted but not that easy to see.

Map information

Victoria - West Inland

Birchip Tow Paddock

Large flat dusty paddocks, unless it has rained (in which case they are muddy!).

Flight

Site of the famous Flatter Than The Flatlands competition held Easter each year. Flights up to 285km have been achieved here. A 'regular' flight in the tens of km can be expected.

Hazards/Comments

If never having flown here before, please contact Warwick Duncan to learn the drill.

Victoria - West Inland

Cave Hill

Inland rock face slopes down at 30 deg leading to a 3-4m drop into wooded area overlooking upper end of Middle Creek valley. Set up area is very rocky, sloping and limited to about 8 gliders in area.

The National Parks Act 1975, Part 1, 4(a)(iii)provides for the use and enjoyment of those parks by the public for inspiration, solitude and appropriate self-reliant recreation.

This site is managed by Parks Victoria under the National Parks Act 1975. This site has been temporarily prohibited for use by Parks Victoria. Should you choose to launch from this site you may be in breach of the National Parks (Park) regulations 2003, Part 2, section 44(2) "A person must not, in a Park- (a) launch or land an aircraft."

Takeoff

Landing

Land in paddock to North of Middle Creek camping ground, or go on round Mt. Cole to paddocks South of Mt Cole alongside Ferntree Gully Road.

Flight

Good for days when the wind is a bit south of west for Ben Nevis and not SW enough for Ben More.

Hazards/Comments

Rocks are slippery when wet and hazardous particularly to wiremen, if used. Beware of single power line that runs on the SW side of Ferntree Gully Road.

Victoria - West Inland

Colliers Gap

North facing inland hill. Suitable when wind is between Nevis and Lonarch launching conditions.

Takeoff

Landing

Land in Nevis landing paddock. This is out of sight around to the left of launch. Emergency LZ straight out the front at the top of road running South out of Elmhurst, this may only be used when not in crop (Jan-Aug).

Hazards/Comments

Track is seasonally closed from mid June to 31 October to protect the track. This is a shallow long treed slot and not suitable in nil wind. Watch out for the snake that lives under the launch rock.

Victoria - West Inland

Dynamic Flightpark

Large inland paddocks.

Takeoff

Flight

Flights of over 300km have been achieved here.

Hazards/Comments

High Powerlines along the Highway at north end.

Victoria - West Inland

Elmhurst Hill

Large clear, grassy hill.

Takeoff

Landing

The landing area is directly in front of take off, approximately 1km out beside the access road. On top landing is possible directly behind the take off.

Flight

This site is usually flown when the wind at Buangor is too strong or too far off to the SE. The wind at Elmhurst is usually lighter than at Buangor because it is sheltered by Ben Nevis and Mount Lonarch. Cross country flights are possible from this site when the wind and thermal conditions are suitable.

Hazards/Comments

The lee side of the hill is very steep, and a rotor should be expected behind the hill. Do not fly over the back in ridge lift only. There is usually turbulent air above and to the right of take off when the conditions are strong. Clearly visible high tension power lines run across the landing paddocks.

Victoria - West Inland

Gordon

Mt Black (Gordon) is a rounded, grassy volcanic hill with an easy open take off and landing. Farm track access to the crater and thence to the SE launch, if traction is good. Walk the last 150ft on the south side. On top landings are possible on the south side, but difficult due to a fence on the SE side. Weather station on 0417 112 062.

Takeoff

Landing

Landing area at the base of the south face is small and sloping. Do not land in the three paddocks directly below the SE takeoff. These were, at one stage a good landing area and excellent training slope, but were lost to us by a thoughtless pilot. Antagonizing the farmer will not help our cause in the local area.

Flight

Both faces provide similarly good soaring prospects in moderate winds. Most Southerlies are unstable and produce good lift (along with sink and turbulence). South Easterly sea breezes often provide smooth ridge soaring in the late afternoon with adequate if a little disappointing height gains.

Hazards/Comments

The surrounding countryside is green and rolling and very picturesque if you get high. Unfortunately this will put you into the flight path of light aircraft flying between Melbourne and Ballarat, keep a good lookout at all times as light aircraft have passed over this hill at less that 200'. Particular care is needed between the hill and the freeway. Be aware of the power line which runs from the road directly to the group of trees below the trig point on the SE side.

Victoria - West Inland

Mt Buangor

The National Parks Act 1975, Part 1, 4(a)(iii)provides for the use and enjoyment of those parks by the public for inspiration, solitude and appropriate self-reliant recreation.

This site is managed by Parks Victoria under the National Parks Act 1975. This site has been temporarily prohibited for use by Parks Victoria. Should you choose to launch from this site you may be in breach of the National Parks (Park) regulations 2003, Part 2, section 44(2) "A person must not, in a Park- (a) launch or land an aircraft."

Site has been flown recently on a limited basis by advanced pilots with knowledge of local conditions.

Takeoff

Landing

Large paddocks are at least 3km away. Do not land either in the paddock directly in front of launch or those to the far right. There are paddocks out of view behind the ridge on the left. If there is NO chance of staying up, DO NOT fly here. This site is extremely sensitive. Landing area is to the South (left) around the ridge to a paddock North of the Middle Creek camping ground. The Warrak bomb-out site for Nevis is to the right (West and then North) is also available for landing and is easier when the wind is off to the East.

Flight

Buangor overlooks a heavily forested valley and although there appears to be a landing area directly in front, due to a disgruntled local, no paddocks within bomb-out can be used for landings.

Mr Kevin J Wilde is the owner of the extensive land holdings in the Mt Cole area. Mr Wilde requires pilot do not land on his property.

Hazards/Comments

If you are not familiar with the landing areas then consult a local flyer.

Victoria - West Inland

Mt Buninyong

A prominent volcanic cone with a popular lookout at the summit.

Takeoff

Landing

Good landing areas at the base of the of the mountain but the larger one (across the road) is truncated on one corner by power lines.

Flight

The site produces good ridge and thermal lift in a moderate easterly, but be ready to get low between thermals. Wire assistance is desirable under most conditions but is essential in any sort of crosswind.

Hazards/Comments

Set up in the road cutting and be prepared to shift your glider out of the way if any vehicles want to pass, we do not want anyone to complain about us flying here.

Victoria - West Inland

Mt Hollowback

Mt Hollowback is a grassy, volcanic pimple sticking out of the plains north of Ballarat. It has two microwave towers on the western 'peak' with a good sealed road to the open takeoff areas. Popular with aeromodellers and novice pilots.

Takeoff

Landing

Landing paddock is large and clear but beware it does slope in places. Usually a very easy landing

Flight

Although the local do have some good flights here, it is not worth the trip for soaring pilots but is excellent for student and beginning flights.

Victoria - West Inland

Mt Lonarch

Large treed mountain ridge.

Takeoff

Landing

Paddock out front, at the corner of Pallets Rd and Mt. Lonarch Rd. Paddocks closer to the hill can be used in an emergency.

Flight

Usually rough thermals especially if the wind is off to the north.

Hazards/Comments

The site was temporarily lost due to stock being scared out of the paddock by gliders. The old LZ is Still closed flying. Contact Dynamic Flight or WVHGC committee member for farm manager contact number.

Victoria - West Inland

Mt Sugarloaf

Treed Mountain ridge to the south of Ben Nevis launch an alternative to Nevis in stronger Northerlies.

Takeoff

Landing

Large clear paddocks out front is the same bomb-out as Ben Nevis. Alternately over the back at Warrak or off to the left at the paddocks at the end of the Sugarloaf track.

Flight

As this launch is used when a northerly wind is to strong to launch at Nevis, you find that the flying beat is quite short and can be turbulent if there is any hint of east in the wind direction.

Hazards/Comments

Beware of the possibility of rotor near the trees on launch (this site has claimed a few gliders) an good launch run is paramount keeping on good speed until you are passed the trees and through the surge of lift.

Victoria - West Inland

Werribee Gorge

Werribee Gorge is renowned for two things - never being on, and being very rough. Most people do not go to the Gorge unless it is really lousy elsewhere, so it is usually lousy at the Gorge too.

The ridge is used extensively by sailplanes from the Bacchus Marsh Gliding Club whenever a brisk Northerly is blowing. Thermals cook up from the sheltered valley.

The site overlooks the flood plains of the Werribee river, but is unfortunately downwind of several rather rough looking hills on the other side, hence the rough air, which has to go down before it gets a chance to go up.

Takeoff

Landing

Landing on top is OK, but NOT downwind of the road behind the railway.

Flight

Werribee Gorge is best flown early in the morning, on days when the forecast is Northerly, increasing to 10 - 15kts. You should launch no later than 11.00am, because at lunchtime the Green breeze sets in. The Green Breeze is a pseudo sea breeze from the SW generated by extensive treed areas. The wind will switch to SW in the space of 10 minutes, to a strength of up to 15kts. Best flights are acheived in a firm NE with lots of Cu.

In a N, NNE getting away will see you travelling down the Bachus Marsh - Geelong Rd. You can follow the Eastern edge of the Brisbane ranges all the way to Geelong.

Hazards/Comments

The site should not be flown in winds greater than 10 - 15kts. 10kts is perfect, if from due North. If the wind has any West in it whatsoever, don't even bother to set up. DO NOT fly downwind of the "lump" hill to the right. Sink City! Watch out for fierce wind gradients in the ample on top landing area behind takeoff, and power lines and fences below. The landing area at the bottom is very small, and it is a good idea to check with fliers who know the site as to which paddock you are allowed to land in. Do not forget, you will be landing in the lee of a very large hill, so expect still air at the best, or extreme turbulence at the worst. If the rifle club is operating, and it usually is on weekends, stay away from the Western end of the ridge!