Status: SEW Club Members Only - Weekend flying only during May |
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| Site Latitude: NW N52.022646 / NNE N52.024457 | Height ASL Meters: 677m |
| Site Longitude:NW W003.103181 / NNE W003.101768 | Height ASL Feet: 2200ft |
| Wind Direction: WNW-NNW & N-NE | Height Top to Bottom Meters: 200m |
| Best Direction: NW & NNE | Height Top to Bottom Feet: 660ft |
| Minimum BHPA Rating Hang Gliding: BHPA CP rating | Member status: Members Only |
| Minimum BHPA Rating Paragliding: BHPA CP rating | OS Grid Reference and Prefix: SO 244 366 |
Latitude: N52.029184
Longitude: W003.109184
Latitude: N52.008740
Longitude: W003.114387
From Hay-on-Wye along minor roads. The road from Abergavenny, via the Llanthony Valley, is a single track and should not be used.
Park in the main car park at the foot of the Bluff. Hang glider pilots may also park in the car park at Gospel Pass. Do not park on the roads or passing places.
Take-off
Gospel Pass NW Take-off (A). This take-off is for hang gliders only. In stronger winds, it is possible to take-off from the mound (E) at the foot of the hill and climb up onto the main ridge. In lighter winds, or for less experienced pilots it is recommended to carry up to the top of the hill, a hard carry up. The top take-off is steep but friendly.
The Bluff NW Take-off (B). A long hard carry up. Hang gliders and paragliders should take-off from the area between the top of the main path up the hill and the trig point.
The Bluff NE Take-off (C). A long hard carry up. Hang gliders and paragliders should take-off from the obvious grassy saucer shaped area immediately adjacent to the trig point.
No launching from below the top of the hill. Always use the agreed top take-off areas at the Bluff and at Gospel Pass or the lower take-off area at Gospel Pass. Paragliders may experience dead air and rotor just behind take offs, making it a tricky site in strong winds.
Update 2018 – Lord Hereford’s Knob has been officially negotiated as a take-off ONLY for pilots who have flown XC TO there (the land just to the west of Gospel Pass). It is not an option for initial take-off.
Landing
The top landing area is large but the ground is quite rough. Always top land away from gliders taking off. Bottom landing is only permitted on rough ground (D) at the foot of the Bluff. Do not land in the car park! Hang gliders need a careful approach as the ground slopes gently towards the road and the gorse can all too easily catch the base bar, with unpleasant results. Hang glider pilots may also land on the lower take-off (E) at Gospel Pass.
Alistair Andrews (local pilot and previous X-Pyr pilot) enjoying some smooth airat the end of the day. Photo courtesy of Steven Mackintosh.
Top Landing General
South East Wales sites often have very large, undefined take off and top landing areas, which may change position according to conditions. To avoid the potential for collision, pilots making a top landing should keep well away from gliders taking off, who may in some cases have limited visibility.
Looking west towards the Central Beacons from the Black Mountains. Photo courtesy of Steven Mackintosh.
Flying
There can be a large lift band which extends out beyond the road in good conditions. This site has a very pronounced venturi and can be far windier on the top than in front of the ridge, so check before top landing.
A pilot flying in the lift band of Hay Bluff at the end of September. Photo courtesy of Steven Mackintosh. 
Hazards
Beware of sailplanes from the nearby club at Talgarth. Beware of rotor behind the NE cliffs and rotor on the NW ridge in strong winds.
A view of Lord Hereford’s Knob. Photo courtesy of Steven Mackintosh.
This is a sensitive site. Please show consideration towards other users of the common and help reduce pressure on car parks by sharing transport wherever possible. This is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), please treat it with respect.
The site is closed Monday – Friday from the 1st – 31st May each year for lambing. (ie. During May, the site may only be flown on Saturdays and Sundays).
Pilots are reminded that any flights that cannot be considered to be “ridge soaring”, or during the take-off and landing phases must be carried out at more than 1,000 ft over a built-up area or otherwise more than 500ft from people, vehicles, vessels and structures. This rule applies to paragliders, hang gliders and speed wings
Members only. This site may only be flown by current members of the SEWHGPGC
TBC.
Site record
PG – Mark Watts and Hugh Miller had a great flight on the 17th April 2016 flying 204.5km.
http://www.xcleague.com/xc/flights/2016887.html
All rights belong to Google Inc. SEWHGPGC is a nonprofit making organisation.
If you require further advice about a particular SEWHGPGC site please contact a Club Coach. Please report all accidents to The Club Safety & Training Officer Steve Millson and the BHPA. Please visit the BHPA for the most current Incident Report Form.
This document is a guide only.
We advise that anyone Hang Gliding and Paragliding conduct a dynamic risk assessment prior to flying any site. This should be continuously re-assessed due to the changeable conditions of the outdoor environment.
All individuals are advised to take the following into account when making their dynamic risk assessment:
Paragliding and Hang Gliding are dangerous sports that can cause serious injury including bodily harm, paralysis and death. Flying SEW sites is undertaken with the full knowledge that Paragliding and Hang Gliding involves such risks. As the pilot you take exclusive responsibility for all risks associated with your part taking in the sport.
Any liability claims towards the club are excluded.
If you are not sure. DO NOT FLY.
In the Mountains/Rivers/Lakes
Dial 999/112 and ask for the Police and then Mountain Rescue. If you are away from the road side then dial 999/112 and ask for the Police and then Mountain Rescue explaining your circumstances. If you cannot make voice calls, you can now contact the 999 Emergency Services by SMS. NB you must register this prior to an emergency.
In an emergency 999 need to know:
Who is Calling?
Your name and mobile number.
What?
Briefly, what is the problem, including the state of the casualty. Ensure you use the buzzword Fall From Height
and Remote Location.
Where?
Hay Bluff Mountain, Brecon Beacons National Park. 6.1km SSE of Hay-on-Wye.
