New South Wales > Hunter Valley

SE Heaton Lookout

Site photo
Type Hill launch, Inland Site
Conditions SE at 150° • Can take SSE • 4-6 knots is ideal
Height 407m asl, 354m above landing
Rating PG 5 rating • (There is no view of landing area) • HG Intermediate
Overview map Site map

• Access from North via Sandy Creek Road: not suitable for 2wd • Access from South via Mt Faulk Road: suitable for 2wd

Landowners - ?

Contact/Responsible

NHGC , NPC Newcastle, NSW

Description

  • When plenty of rain and grass is green thermals will not be so active so the drier the area around the better thermals producing.
  • Remember winter months the warmest part of day is between 2-4 pm not 1-3 pm like summer. During winter this launch does not see many good hours of sunlight.
  • Great phone reception on launch is 4 to 5 bars. (Optus/Telstra)
  • While on any sites in the Hunter Valley be very mindful of horses and livestock.
  • Please remember to walk the landing area Carmel’s so you can see where you must glide to.
  • This site requires a retrieval driver, and the round trip could take between 40-50 mins to landing area (Carmel’s) depending on direction taken.
  • Longest XC distance from launch was done by Hang glider to Dubbo over 300km.
Etiquette
  • Take only pictures and leave only footprints.
  • If heading to this site, it’s always a good idea to take a tree saw or cutters to prune back leaves and bushes so the glider does not snag.
  • If going to fly SE Heaton’s please make your intentions known on the Fly Hunter (WhatsApp) Group.
Weather Stations

Map

Looking back after launching

Looking back after launching

Looking right as you are launching

Looking right as you are launching

Looking left from launch

Looking left from launch

Takeoff

  • 407m-53m = 354m height difference.
  • 2700/354 = 7.6 to 1 Glide Ratio.
  • Great ground handling skills are a must as this launch is very steep to a large drop off into some very large trees.

Landing

  • Carmel’s LZ is open to us – See above image of where it is.
  • Other farms do not approve of us landing on their land
  • Distance from launch: 2.7km
  • Elevation: 173 feet or 53m.

Glide map

Flight

Airspace
  • Class Q – Williamtown airport over launch is Surface to 8500ft.
  • If venturing to the west, you will enter Class RMZ – Radio Mandatory Zone –
  • Carmel’s LZ has a 4,500′ airspace height limit.
  • Cessnock airport has surface to unlimited.
  • Check Aviation maps and heights of flight paths.
  • Review all airspace here - Aircheck | Australian Airspace & Flight Display - (xcaustralia.org)

Hazards / Comments

  • EN B paraglider and above because of the long glide to landing zone.
  • Worst case is light winds 2 knots and below, insufficient to stay up ridge soaring but enough to make flying to the bomb out difficult.
  • If it’s too strong (~6knots) you will be in a head wind and face extreme turbulence due to sheer cliff in front of launch.
  • If it’s too light, you must head straight for landing area.
  • This site has large trees and a medium/advanced glide to landing making a tree landing very possible in bad conditions, ropes, spot-GPS and even some dental floss to enable rope to be raised or lowered if caught in a tree.
Emergency Contacts

Incidents might include fire, livestock, vehicle stuck or accident, launching accident, flying near miss with aircraft, a reserve or flying incident or injury landing or other.

Map information

map