The airspace charts from Airservices are now available to download free in pdf format. The relevant maps for out flying sites are the Sydney and Newcastle VNCs and the Sydney VTC.
http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/aip/aip.asp
direct link
Note the radio areas around the non-towered aerodromes are not shown, but you can easily find the aerodromes at Bathurst, Mudgee and Orange.
Edit May 2018: updated the link, slso if the page moves I found it under: Publications>Aeronautical Information Products (AIP)>AIP Charts (24 MAY 2018). There is also a copyright agreement you need to click.
Sunday, December 10, 2017
Thursday, December 7, 2017
Updated the weather links
I fixed and updated some of the weather links that were broken.
- The Windity link now goes straight to the map and airgram for Blackheath.
- For the blipmap, use Camden (current day) or NSW 24 and 48h forecasts.
- Windity has a handy precipitation forecast in the airgram.
- Blipmap can show you when the thermals are likely to start by looking at the height of critical updraft strength and the cloudbase potential plots.
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Newcastle Hang Gliding Club Competition Dates
The NHGC has published their competiton dates for thsi season and asked us to share the information with our members.
Central West Classic
Where Gulgong Nsw
When 19th-25th November 2017
practice day 18/11/2017
sign in 6pm 18/11/2017 at gulgong airport
Sign up on the NHGC website competition page is open now
This competition is a AA rated aero tow comp open to all pilots with tow endorsements
Great comp for advanced,Intermediate and novice pilots.All details on
The Newcastle Hang Gliding Club Website
Corryong cup
Where Corryong Vic
When 7th-13th of January 2018
Practice day 6/1/2018
Sign up will be open Friday 1st of September 8pm on the Newcastle Hang Gliding Club
Website Competition page
This comp is a B grade comp and is great for Advanced,Intermediate and novice pilots.
It is a foot launch comp launching off Mt elliott Corryong.Sign up fills up fast so be quick
to sign up to secure your spot in the comp.Max pilots 75.All details on the NGHC
Website competition page.
Manilla nsw state titles
Where Manilla Nsw
When 17-24 febuary 2018
Sign up is open now at the Newcastle Hang Gliding Club Website
Competitions page
This comp is a great comp for Advanced,Intermediate and Novice pilots.
This comp is a foot launch comp flying off the premier site of Mt Borah Manilla
This comp is a AA rated comp.All details on the NGHC Website competitions page
Friday, July 28, 2017
Flying report from last Saturday (22 July)
Last weekend Saturday ended up as a nice morning before being blown out after lunch, similar to the pattern possibly repeating this weekend. A few experienced pilots turned up early and got in an hour and a half of thermic soaring in the sun on the north face at Blackheath. Climbs were not high, capped by the early start and the strong inversion at 1300 M. As sun and wind came around to the West, Ado and Owain were able to top land.
The rest of us were just getting ready, and waited for the wind to come on. There was only a short window to launch before the wind increased and the thermals started making it gusty on launch. In the air it was easy out front and rough over takeoff, with the strong inversion at 1300 M not budging. it was soon blown out for paragliders, but half a dozen hang glider pilots still launched and were playing in the thermic windy conditions. Very buoyant conditions made it possible to fly quite far out front of takeoff over the valley without really loosing much height.
An hour or so later, The three paragliders in the air soon called it quits and landed down in the bomout. There was a very strong wind gradient making setting up for landing challenging. The first of the hang glider pilots also landed soon after, making use of the large landing area to full effect as they hit a cycle when on final, drawing out the ground effect run and messing with their flair.
Later in the evening conditions mellowed for a while after 4:30. With no thermals, but still a strong wind, Julian launched in his mini-paraglider to enjoy the glassoff. Ado came back out and gave us some fun ground handling with his mini wing, before he also launched to join Julian. It backed off rapidly and I launched my paraglider to enjoy the soaring until sunset. We were all able to top land, with the wind backing right off at sunset.
Soon after sunset the wind started building again and kept up for the rest of the weekend. In all we had four days in one; early morning thermalling in light wind, strong ridge soaring with some thermals, hang-glider only strong ridge soaring and thermals and a sunset glassoff ridge soaring.
Alex.
The rest of us were just getting ready, and waited for the wind to come on. There was only a short window to launch before the wind increased and the thermals started making it gusty on launch. In the air it was easy out front and rough over takeoff, with the strong inversion at 1300 M not budging. it was soon blown out for paragliders, but half a dozen hang glider pilots still launched and were playing in the thermic windy conditions. Very buoyant conditions made it possible to fly quite far out front of takeoff over the valley without really loosing much height.
An hour or so later, The three paragliders in the air soon called it quits and landed down in the bomout. There was a very strong wind gradient making setting up for landing challenging. The first of the hang glider pilots also landed soon after, making use of the large landing area to full effect as they hit a cycle when on final, drawing out the ground effect run and messing with their flair.
Later in the evening conditions mellowed for a while after 4:30. With no thermals, but still a strong wind, Julian launched in his mini-paraglider to enjoy the glassoff. Ado came back out and gave us some fun ground handling with his mini wing, before he also launched to join Julian. It backed off rapidly and I launched my paraglider to enjoy the soaring until sunset. We were all able to top land, with the wind backing right off at sunset.
Soon after sunset the wind started building again and kept up for the rest of the weekend. In all we had four days in one; early morning thermalling in light wind, strong ridge soaring with some thermals, hang-glider only strong ridge soaring and thermals and a sunset glassoff ridge soaring.
New blipmap forecast, but too windy this weekend (29/30 July)
The early birds had a chance for a flight this morning, but judging from the BOM central tablelands forecast, and the new Camden blipmap forecast, It will be blown out for the rest of the weekend later this morning.
lets hope the windy August weather is not early.
Alex.
lets hope the windy August weather is not early.
Alex.
Friday, May 26, 2017
Weather Forecast is all over the place this weekend (27 - 28 May)
From yesterdays forecast I would have called this weekend flyable all weekend long. What a difference another 12 hours makes. I am not sure now.
For Today, from the BOM, today looks more possible over tomorrow. The Blipmap is now calling the winds to be from the NE and light early (which is what we are seeing on the Mt Boyce current readings) but later the wind will swing round to the NW and increase to >10Kts. Windity is also forecasting this to happen after the low cloud clears after 9:00AM. So Today could be flyable, depending on how well the wind comes around in the afternoon. Advanced pilots may be able to take advantage of the NW and lighter conditions to soar the North cliffs early, but should be careful (as always) that the wind doesn't come too far around to the West and make the North face trashy.
Like last Sunday (which I think i got wrong), it is defiantly a call from the hill by some experienced pilots.
For Sunday, the forecast now looks trash from BOM, with showers developing and the wind increasing throughout the day. Windity is not forecasting any rain, but does agree with the increasing winds, which may get too strong for flying from midday. If you are out early it may be a nice morning, but beware of the wind mixing down from high as the morning progresses. It is a classic trap that has caught out a lot of (experienced) pilots, where it is a lovely soaring morning, but as soon as some thermals start it gets blown out and before you know it your stuck up behind launch getting trashed. But if you are keen, early is key.
With the forecast being a little unreliable lately, I cant stress how important it is to have one of the BMHGC SOs present to make a call on the weather before you launch.
Good flying
Alex.
For Today, from the BOM, today looks more possible over tomorrow. The Blipmap is now calling the winds to be from the NE and light early (which is what we are seeing on the Mt Boyce current readings) but later the wind will swing round to the NW and increase to >10Kts. Windity is also forecasting this to happen after the low cloud clears after 9:00AM. So Today could be flyable, depending on how well the wind comes around in the afternoon. Advanced pilots may be able to take advantage of the NW and lighter conditions to soar the North cliffs early, but should be careful (as always) that the wind doesn't come too far around to the West and make the North face trashy.
Like last Sunday (which I think i got wrong), it is defiantly a call from the hill by some experienced pilots.
For Sunday, the forecast now looks trash from BOM, with showers developing and the wind increasing throughout the day. Windity is not forecasting any rain, but does agree with the increasing winds, which may get too strong for flying from midday. If you are out early it may be a nice morning, but beware of the wind mixing down from high as the morning progresses. It is a classic trap that has caught out a lot of (experienced) pilots, where it is a lovely soaring morning, but as soon as some thermals start it gets blown out and before you know it your stuck up behind launch getting trashed. But if you are keen, early is key.
With the forecast being a little unreliable lately, I cant stress how important it is to have one of the BMHGC SOs present to make a call on the weather before you launch.
Good flying
Alex.
Friday, May 19, 2017
Flying today and tomorrow (20-21) if you can avoid the rain
I didn't post here yesterday because of the hype and noise about the rain coming out of the news all week. Waking up this morning in Sydney, it is not as wet as I expected, so some of us may be tempted to go for a flight.
The wind forecast (check blipmap and windity) doesn't have anything dangerous forecast at the current time, with conditions improving throughout the weekend. Rain and cloud wise, today is forecast to be wet this morning and then again later this afternoon, which I would expect to be related to the thunderstorms forecast by the BOM. Windity, (aerogram) has 0.2mm this morning and 0.3mm this afternoon, so probably better to give it a miss.
Tomorrow, again has light rain early, with low clod hanging around until lunch time when it clears. This corresponds to the change in wind (blipmap) so I would expect Sunday afternoon to be quite nice. The rain today and tonight will keep things subdued thermal wise, so it may be quite a pleasant ridge soaring opportunity.
Having said all that, remember Blackheath is wedged between two forecast zones. So in reality, and especially this weekend, we will have to be there and observe.
Fingers crossed.
The wind forecast (check blipmap and windity) doesn't have anything dangerous forecast at the current time, with conditions improving throughout the weekend. Rain and cloud wise, today is forecast to be wet this morning and then again later this afternoon, which I would expect to be related to the thunderstorms forecast by the BOM. Windity, (aerogram) has 0.2mm this morning and 0.3mm this afternoon, so probably better to give it a miss.
Tomorrow, again has light rain early, with low clod hanging around until lunch time when it clears. This corresponds to the change in wind (blipmap) so I would expect Sunday afternoon to be quite nice. The rain today and tonight will keep things subdued thermal wise, so it may be quite a pleasant ridge soaring opportunity.
Having said all that, remember Blackheath is wedged between two forecast zones. So in reality, and especially this weekend, we will have to be there and observe.
Fingers crossed.
Friday, May 5, 2017
Windy forecast 6 and 7 May
The forecast for this weekend looks like it will be a bit too windy for flying. Saturdays forecast is missing from the Blipmap. The BOM has the wind as being on the strong side. Normally anything over 15 to 20 km/h means the day will be too strong. This is backed up by the Winidity forecast. Dragging the altitude scale up, the wind soon gets very strong. the forecast for the wind is to increase throughout Saturday and Sunday morning before easing in the afternoon on Sunday.
If we are lucky there is a slight chance of a glass off very late on Sunday afternoon, but that is a fair way off for the forecast and the direction is predicted to be very south in the current forecast...
Starting to get a bit tired of writing up bad forecasts. Where is the good flying weather?
Alex.
If we are lucky there is a slight chance of a glass off very late on Sunday afternoon, but that is a fair way off for the forecast and the direction is predicted to be very south in the current forecast...
Starting to get a bit tired of writing up bad forecasts. Where is the good flying weather?
Alex.
Friday, April 28, 2017
flying today and tomorrow. 28-29 April
Again I have missed the Friday post with the forecast. Sorry about that. Today looks like it is already on at Blackheath, so grab your gear and head out already! It should be on all day until sunset. The wind may be a bit crossed to the south and expect thermal activity off the cliffs during the day with the sun beaming down unhindered. Hopefully today's forecast was obvious enough so you didn't miss out.
Tomorrow (Sunday) looks like a nice day, but unfortunatly over the back at Blackheath. Check the updated forecast in the morning, experienced pilots may find something to push them along if they can launch. Better bet will be on the coast, Stanwell, Longreef etc...
Alex.
Tomorrow (Sunday) looks like a nice day, but unfortunatly over the back at Blackheath. Check the updated forecast in the morning, experienced pilots may find something to push them along if they can launch. Better bet will be on the coast, Stanwell, Longreef etc...
Alex.
Friday, April 21, 2017
Flying this weekend - Forecast 22-23 April
Sorry for the late post. I wasn't near a computer today.
This weekend weather doesn't look that stellar for flying in the Blue Mountains. At first glance the BOM forecast paints a wet weekend. Looking at the Airgram on Windity, the rain is forecast to only happen early in the mornings or overnight, but the low cloud will hang around nearly on the ground most of the Morning. So back to the Blipmap animation and the wind is forecast to be suitable on Saturday afternoon. This is also when the cloud is lightest. Sunday has the wind swinging to the east early on in the day so no good.
So If we are lucky with the rain forecast, then Saturday afternoon may give us a window for some nice ridge soaring. But, this forecast is pretty difficult, so really needs a human observation from takeoff.
Good luck.
Alex.
P.S. If anyone is around, can they message me with the conditions so I can write a follow up with how the weekend was and gauge the accuracy of the forecast.
This weekend weather doesn't look that stellar for flying in the Blue Mountains. At first glance the BOM forecast paints a wet weekend. Looking at the Airgram on Windity, the rain is forecast to only happen early in the mornings or overnight, but the low cloud will hang around nearly on the ground most of the Morning. So back to the Blipmap animation and the wind is forecast to be suitable on Saturday afternoon. This is also when the cloud is lightest. Sunday has the wind swinging to the east early on in the day so no good.
So If we are lucky with the rain forecast, then Saturday afternoon may give us a window for some nice ridge soaring. But, this forecast is pretty difficult, so really needs a human observation from takeoff.
Good luck.
Alex.
P.S. If anyone is around, can they message me with the conditions so I can write a follow up with how the weekend was and gauge the accuracy of the forecast.
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Weather forecast for the long weekend
The forecast is for sunny skies with light winds, which is a nice outlook for the long weekend.
For Friday, the winds will be very light and crossed from the south, so later in the day after the sun has come around to the west face will make for some nice conditions. We may even be lucky to have enough energy for a glassoff. However, with the prevailing winds crossed from the south the lift may be light and it may be hard to stay up. It will likely be a mix of thermals or bunched up ridge soaring/thermaling at the northern end of the Mt Blackheath cliffs. Blue skies all day, but the forecast trace says it is unlikely to be inverted, just doesn't get quite hot enough to reach cloud base and climbs will be slow.
Saturday looks like the winds will mix down from late morning with the wind right on the face from the West. This could make it easy to stay up all afternoon. There should be a nice cloud-base of around 8000 - 9000 feet during the middle of the day. I would expect a nice glassoff in the evening.
Sunday is still a bit far off, but looks to be a repeat of Saturday.
Monday is too far off for now, but BOM is forecasting more unstable weather. Might end up being the best day of all four. But that is me daydreaming a bit...
So for me Saturday and Sunday afternoons are the best pick for most likely chance of flying for all, I just I hope i can be a part of it too. Low chance of being blown out but still possible if the thermals are strong.
I will try and post an update over the weekend. The forecast is really only good for tomorrow and the day after.
Alex.
For Friday, the winds will be very light and crossed from the south, so later in the day after the sun has come around to the west face will make for some nice conditions. We may even be lucky to have enough energy for a glassoff. However, with the prevailing winds crossed from the south the lift may be light and it may be hard to stay up. It will likely be a mix of thermals or bunched up ridge soaring/thermaling at the northern end of the Mt Blackheath cliffs. Blue skies all day, but the forecast trace says it is unlikely to be inverted, just doesn't get quite hot enough to reach cloud base and climbs will be slow.
Saturday looks like the winds will mix down from late morning with the wind right on the face from the West. This could make it easy to stay up all afternoon. There should be a nice cloud-base of around 8000 - 9000 feet during the middle of the day. I would expect a nice glassoff in the evening.
Sunday is still a bit far off, but looks to be a repeat of Saturday.
Monday is too far off for now, but BOM is forecasting more unstable weather. Might end up being the best day of all four. But that is me daydreaming a bit...
So for me Saturday and Sunday afternoons are the best pick for most likely chance of flying for all, I just I hope i can be a part of it too. Low chance of being blown out but still possible if the thermals are strong.
I will try and post an update over the weekend. The forecast is really only good for tomorrow and the day after.
Alex.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Lots of new interest in flying at Blackheath
It is that time of year again, when the seabreeze at the coast is unreliable and many new pilots are looking for a new place to fly.
I have fielded a lot of emails from new pilots asking about the weather this weekend or another time. The BMHGC uses a private message group for discussing flying, which is available to current BMHGC members. For all the visiting pilots and new pilots asking about club activities and weather forecasts I will be posting a weekly update here for the next few weeks, with a consensus from the club members, safety officers etc... So come back and have a look here before firing off an email. Don’t forget the weather forecast resources here. You will get a much friendlier response if you put in the effort to check the forecast before you send a message or ring someone local.
For this weekend, I will give my opinion to start with and make another post if there any different opinions. Please note this is just a prediction, so don't blame me if you drive up and find it is raining or decide to stay home and miss out. For the Mt Blackheath site, unless you have aPG5/HG5 rating, you need the OK from a BMHGC SO or SSO, on the day, on the ground, before you fly.
Saturday: The wind is from the North most of the day and light high cloud is forecast. You may have a flight if you are a topgun, but it wont be much fun. Takeoff will be impossible from Blackheath and there wont be any ridge soaring potential. At least it wont be raining so you can go for a bushwalk.
Sunday: Clear morning but raining in the afternoon. As soon as the sun comes out the wind will mix down and it will be blown out. Dangerous if you are tempted for a dawn/early morning flight.
Monday: At this stage the longer range forecast says dont get excited it will be raining. Come back and have a look for a chance over the long weekend if we are lucky.
Next forecast will be on the Thursday before the long weekend.
Thanks for your cooperation,
Alex Drew.
I have fielded a lot of emails from new pilots asking about the weather this weekend or another time. The BMHGC uses a private message group for discussing flying, which is available to current BMHGC members. For all the visiting pilots and new pilots asking about club activities and weather forecasts I will be posting a weekly update here for the next few weeks, with a consensus from the club members, safety officers etc... So come back and have a look here before firing off an email. Don’t forget the weather forecast resources here. You will get a much friendlier response if you put in the effort to check the forecast before you send a message or ring someone local.
For this weekend, I will give my opinion to start with and make another post if there any different opinions. Please note this is just a prediction, so don't blame me if you drive up and find it is raining or decide to stay home and miss out. For the Mt Blackheath site, unless you have aPG5/HG5 rating, you need the OK from a BMHGC SO or SSO, on the day, on the ground, before you fly.
Saturday: The wind is from the North most of the day and light high cloud is forecast. You may have a flight if you are a topgun, but it wont be much fun. Takeoff will be impossible from Blackheath and there wont be any ridge soaring potential. At least it wont be raining so you can go for a bushwalk.
Sunday: Clear morning but raining in the afternoon. As soon as the sun comes out the wind will mix down and it will be blown out. Dangerous if you are tempted for a dawn/early morning flight.
Monday: At this stage the longer range forecast says dont get excited it will be raining. Come back and have a look for a chance over the long weekend if we are lucky.
Next forecast will be on the Thursday before the long weekend.
Thanks for your cooperation,
Alex Drew.
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