Status: Members Only |
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|---|---|
| Site Latitude: S - N51.888208 SW - N51.895686 | Height ASL Meters: 605 & 640m |
| Site Longitude: S - W003.131727 SW - W003.147033 | Height ASL Feet: 1990 & 2100ft |
| Wind Direction: SSE-SSW & SSW-WSW | Height Top to Bottom Meters: 550m |
| Best Direction: South & South West | Height Top to Bottom Feet: 1800ft |
| Minimum BHPA Rating Hang Gliding: BHPA Pilot rating | Member status: Members only Site |
| Minimum BHPA Rating Paragliding: BHPA Pilot rating | OS Grid Reference and Prefix: SO 220 216 & SO 211 227 |
From the A40 in Crickhowell take the turning to Llanbedr either by the fire station when approaching from the East or via Llanbedr Road if approaching from the West.
From the fire station, as you leave the town turn left up Great Oak Rd towards ‘Grwynefechan 4’, after 1.5 miles continue past the right hand turn to Llanbedr with a sign ‘Llanbedr ½’ for a further 0.3 miles and Ty Mawr farm is on the right and the entrance to Porth Y Pia is the next entrance on the Left.
The route from Llanbedr Road joins the Great Oak Road as you leave the town.
Pilots are instructed to avoid parking in the small layby and in any of the gateways near the entrance to Perth Y Pia. Space on the roadside is limited and will cause issues with other local road users.
The Club has therefore agreed a parking arrangement with the Jones family at Ty Mawr farm who own the Porth Y Pia bunkhouse. There are 3 locations available to leave a car. You are allowed to drive up to the bunkhouse and if it is mid week or obvious that the bunkhouse is not rented out during weekend, you are able to park at the bunkhouse. Alternatively, drop your flying equipment off at the bunkhouse and drive back down the track and park in the bottom field just inside the gate. The third option and quickest is to park in the campsite field just past the farm buildings on the right, kindly do not block the entrance to the campsite. Pilots are asked to pay £2.00 per car, please take this to the farm house before parking and if nobody is home then leave the money inside the porch.
An alternative to parking at Ty Mawr is to park in Crickhowell either in a pay and display or on the side of the road and then use one of the footpaths up to take off or car share to Ty Mawr Farm.
Latitude: N51.879551
Longitude: W003.113623
Take-off
Access to take-off is via the footpath starting at the gate to Porth Y Pia. There are many footpaths up the hill, but this is the recommended one for both take-offs.
From the road take-off A is about 2km and take-off B a further 1.5km.
Landing
All top landings are relatively easy with a gentle slope to hill edge. Any paragliders slope landing need to be aware of the uneven ground and isolated rocks hidden within the bracken and grass. If slope landing do so within the hill enclosure as no permission has been granted within the enclosed fields below take-off.
From take-off A, use the bottom landing field C. This is a meadow used as a public amenity area. This landing area has a couple of trees and rubbish bins within the meadow. In stronger valley winds from the West the trees to along the Western side can create rotor and therefore in this instance aim to land within the Eastern side of the meadow.
From take-off B, use the landing field D. This field slopes gently away to the South. Pack the glider away near the gate to avoid trampling grass that may be cut for silage
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 site is best suited for use as a XC site on light wind days. The gentle slope on take-off away from the top of the mountain does however permit an easy take-off in moderate winds.
Thermals will move up the mountain from the take-off before releasing from the peak.
Both landing fields can be reached on a glide from the take-off height, but pilots need to ensure they make the decision to leave the hill with sufficient height.
Hazards
The main hazards of the site are the large rocks on the slopes below take-off. Some of these are clear as areas of scree but many are hidden with the bracken, this hazard is particularly relevant to the SW take-off and extreme care is required if attempting to slope land.
The cliffs on the southerly spur (The Darren) between the two take-offs will produce some rotor in stronger winds.
None currently.
SEW Members Only Site. You must have in date membership subscription to SEWHGPGC and be BHPA pilot rated. SEW helmet sticker to be stuck on your helmet at all times.
Brecon Beacons National Park.
Site record
PG – Richard Carter flew 210.7 km on his Ozone Zeno in May 2019 .
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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?
Pandy ridge on Offa’s Dyke trail East side of The Black Mountains (Brecon Beacons National Park) near Pandy town on the A465.
