Gelligaer

Gelligaer
Status: Open
Site Latitude:N51.701142 Height ASL Meters:400m
Site Longitude:W003.284243 Height ASL Feet:1500ft
Wind Direction:All Height Top to Bottom Meters:Various
Best Direction: N Height Top to Bottom Feet:N/A
Minimum BHPA Rating Hang Gliding: N/A Member status:Members Only
Minimum BHPA Rating Paragliding:Powered paragliding rating OS Grid Reference and Prefix:S0 113 009

Road Access

Via the minor roads via Deri from the south. If from A375 (heads of the valley’s road), follow directions for Fochriw, carry
on
past Fochriw PG site (on your right). At the junction go right, then immediately right at the fork past a cemetery on your
right
. Bedlinog PPG take off is the next right, but carry straight on instead, take a right at the next fork and follow the road
up the hill until it flattens out. Park by the side of the road.

Parking

By the side of the road, out of the way.

Take-off

Paramotors only
–
anywhere along Gelligaer common (the track runs alongside the road in a NW
–
SE direction).

Landing

Usually back where you took off on the track. It is sometimes safer to land in the common area on the other side of the
track instead
if your landing approach is perpendicular to the direction of the track

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.

Flying

The pit pony is to the south (Penallta Country Park), the Brecon Beacons are to the north (see Bedlinog
description).

Hazards

Observe the airspace rules as for Bedlinog (please familiarise yourself with this site guide too).
Also,
do not fly over the farm
just to the north east of Gelligaer
common take off
–
racing stables are here. Note the other famer to avoid just east of
Bedlinog take
–
off too.
Horses and illegal bikers drive up and down the track so be careful especially when taking off, landing or flying low along t
he
track.
The road is
another obvious hazard.

Other rules

A recognised Paramotor Take-off and Landing area (see paramotoring noted below).
Paramotor:
This is commonly used take-off for paramotoring. Great trips include: to the Brecon Beacons, along the mountain railway, to Pontsticill reservoir to the north or a visit to the Pit Pony (great to see from the sky) to the south.
Park in the car park and take off on the flat area just in front (it slopes slightly downhill to the south). Do not drive onto the grass.
Take off is possible in most directions, but if it is a northerly (the take-off is slightly up hill) or easterly (take-off limited by boggy overgrown ground), you are much better off moving to Gelligaer Common. If it has been raining Gelligaer common may be a better bet too. It is common to find sheep and horses on the top. They tend to move away once the motor starts up, but be careful. If it’s your first time here, you should familiarise yourself with where any rocks are. Expect many passersby to get out and video you on their phone – if you would prefer to avoid this then go to Gelligaer Common where you can be more out of sight.
Paramotoring rules:
Do not overfly the farm to the east of Bedlinog. Do not use the trig point as a launch point.
Do not fly low over urban areas.

Site status

Open site – This site may be flown by suitably insured visiting hang glider & paraglider pilots.

Site XC Potential

Not known if any XC flights have left from here but can be used as a top up if at height.

Mapping/Imagery

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General notes

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.

Who to call in an emergency in the UK:

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?

Gelligaer Common 1.6km WSW of Deri village near Bargoed Cae
rphilly.