Friday 2nd October

 If you're hoping to fly at Blackheath this long weekend, I suspect Friday will be your only chance.

At present, it looks like a cracking day, although spring punch in the air.

Light westerly winds all day. Base at about 2600, 3+ m/s climbs (probably peaks of 6). Not ridge soarable, you'll need the thermals.

I reckon it'll be on properly by 11am. If you're a lower airtime pilot, plan to fly early (why not start with a sleddie at 9, then a second flight, landing by noon), then flying again at 3.30 - 4pm when it mellows out again. The early afternoon promises to be strong.

Minimal chance of seabreeze coming through before 6pm.

I'll update closer to the day as the forecast resolves.

Weather 29th August

 Weather.

Looks like you'll get a fly tomorrow (saturday), assuming that the reality of the wind is not too northerly. Given the northerly component, maybe plan to launch after noon, so that the sun helps pull cycles round onto the west side.

Base around 2000m, so a bit chilly. Bring warm things.

Spring is knocking at the door, so there are likely to be some rowdier thermals at times.

It is getting to the time of year for lower airtime pilots to take care, and really listen to what your SOs have to offer.

Have fun. Hope your hands don't hurt too much as they rewarm.

Sunday. Do something else.

Weather 1st and 2nd August

Looks like a flying day on Saturday for PG and HG.

Not super high, maybe 1500m base, 1.5 m/s climbs, winds westerly all day, increasing to 20kmh thru afternoon. Blue sky.

Sunday. Maybe, maybe not. Some models showing a better day than Saturday, others hinting that it'll be an easterly flow from mid morning onwards. Higher base 1700m, lighter wind, some high cloud slowing climbs down. Maybe a "check forecast again on Saturday to see what the updated wind forecast says" sort of day.

Be prepared to be accommodating on launch with other free flyers. Work efficiently to get off the hill, and not block up launch areas or runways. If there are PGs and HGs, please take the time to get an alternating launch sequence up and running. Remember that everyone is there to have fun, not argue about which type of free flight you currently prefer.

Thanks.

Weather 18 and 19 July

Brief weekend weather. Not super promising.

Saturday maybe, but will not be straight so tricky to get off, and light winds so not soarable, you'll need to find a thermal to stay up. Probable high cloud will slow thermal activity, tops at 1400m.

Sunday, blown out for PGs.

Weather 11 and 12 July

Flying forecast for the weekend 11 and 12 July.

Just no.

Go fix the leaky bits on your house in preparation for Monday and Tuesday.

See you the week after.

Weather 26th to 28th June

Weather outlook for 26th to 28th June.

Mixed weather. Likely cloud cover for Friday and Saturday might dampen things down somewhat. Friday and Sunday probably most promising if you can get off the hill. Sunday looks like the most sun potential. Likely mild OD on saturday.

Thermal strength and height for the weekend slightly below average for this time of year.

Looks likely that there'll be a shallow SE wind layer below the westerly over the next few days. Unsure if Blackheath will poke up thru it and give flying for us.

Sorry, not a very excited ramble this week. I think it'll be very much a look and see if you are in the area this weekend.

Weekend 13 and 14 June

No flying this weekend.

But if you are lucky to have an extended weekend, Monday looks promising.

Weather, weekend 6th and 7th June

Looking at continuing the weekend weather blurb, now that finally it looks like some more consistent flying conditions. Will aim to post here on wednesday or thursday evenings, regarding the weekend's potential.

This weekend, (Friday and) Saturday look like decent conditions for a fly around. Sunday may prove good for more experienced pilots

Friday, base around 1700, 2.5 m/s climbs, blue, 10 to 15kmh westerly winds.

Saturday, base around 1900, 3+ m/s climbs, blue at first then high cloud in arvo slowing things down, 10 to 20kmh westerly winds.

Sunday, base around 2100, 4 m/s climbs, cus in the arvo, less than 10kmh southerly. Hard to get off, but might have some good flying if you are ready for the rough leeside climbs.

Remember if you are a lower airtime pilot and / or haven't flown Blackheath for a while, get an induction from an SO, chat about conditions, and plan to fly before 11am or after 3pm. It is still thermic air. Last week, pilots were reporting strong 5 m/s punchy climbs.

There may not be many SOs available in the middle of the day on this Saturday, just a heads up. If you plan ahead, an SO should be able to help before 11am on Saturday.

And a reminder, we are encouraging effective social distancing. More than half the pilots will be hiking up (30 to 60+ minutes beautiful stroll) and the rest hopefully will be doing socially distanced and  responsible car pooling.

Thank you, and remember your warm woolies.

Mount Blackheath flying advice

The Blue Mountains Hang Gliding Club executive requests, that with the efforts to manage COVID-19 requiring a collective community response,  all pilots consider the appropriateness of flying from the Mount Blackheath launch for the coming months.

The Blackheath launch, and resulting free flight activity conducted, is in a relatively remote location. The pick up or LZ retrievals required would be difficult to conduct in light of current health social contact guidelines and emergency management expectations.

While at present the land manager of the site has kept the site open this situation could change in the future resulting in formal site closure.

Please be a considerate and responsible pilot and seriously assess your need to fly at Blackheath during this current community threat.

BMHGC Committee

Blackheath flying site OPEN again

Blackheath flying site OPEN for flying activities again.

Thanks for your patience.

The rain over the past week has eased conditions, and correspondingly the level of fire related air traffic in the region. If you plan to fly at the site, please check on this page or on our website that there are no new alerts.

On hotter days, be aware that there will be increased air activity monitoring for potential flare-ups.

Currently, we strongly advise that pilots avoid flying south of Katoomba / Wentworth Falls due to the most recent active fire front in that direction



* On another note, a reminder for pilots intending to fly Blackheath, that you must be a current SAFA member in order to fly there. Failure to do so might place the site in jeopardy. Thanks *

Marangaroo Airspace update for 2020

This is a post to update the information for flying over the Marangaroo Military Restricted area. This is just north of Lithgow over the hills behind the tip.

The previous post, with outdated information is here

The Identifier code for this airspace is now R522, not R520.


Details are:

• Identifier code R522.

• Status: Conditional Status RA3: Pilots must not flight plan through the Restricted Area and clearances will not be available.

• LATERAL LIMITS: A circle of 1.1 NM radius centered on 33,25,39S 150,09,23E

• Heights: SFC - 6500 feet

• Time Limits: by NOTAM

• Contact for more detail: Army RCO Holsworthy 02 8782 1288

You can check the NOTAM for R522. You want to see... 

" 

THE FOLLOWING REQUESTED LOCATIONS HAVE NO CURRENT NOTAM: 

R520 MARRANGAROO (R520)

"