© 2024 Malvern Hang Gliding Club.
© 2024 Malvern Hang Gliding Club.
Blue: Take-off
Green: Landing
Yellow: Take-off/landing access paths
Orange: No landing
Purple: No overflying lower than 3300’
Malvern Hills General Site Rules apply to this site
Helmet sticker, and BHPA Pilot Rated (or foreign equivalent)
Worcestershire Beacon SO769451
WSW - WNW ( 240° - 300°) best W
425m (1395′ ) 803′ TTB
Around 4.5 miles along the ridge to the south. Flying north below 2000’ AGL is severely limited - see map.
The Malverns are in an intense military low flying area. Pilots must notify the Military Airspace Management Cell if flying midweek. See the CANP section on the Safety page.
The Malverns Hills are a “Spineback” ridge so beware of flying your glider in strong winds; getting blown back could be fatal.
NEVER GO OVER THE BACK AT LESS THAN 500 ft ABOVE TAKEOFF, IN ANY WIND, DUE TO ROTOR.
On days with unstable air, strong lee side thermals develop early and pull in air from the windward side. The thermals on the windward side can then be broken and the air can be very rough. This can also lead to sinking on the windward side demanding a quick decision to make a slope landings.
On days with strong winds, which can lead to climbs drifting over the back low, there can be an early connection with a lee side thermal. The turbulence experienced can be extremely violent and beyond the best active flyer. Later in the day these effects are not so noticeable.
Many of the paths are bridle-ways so pilots must be extra vigilant to avoid spooking horses.
6 - 8 on a ridge soaring day will feel crowded.
For the first thermal when leaving the hill
The aim is to create a pattern for traffic close to the ridge to improve safety especially on busy days.
Via West Malvern Rd or Beacon Rd. Take path (See map)
West of England Quarry pay & display car park WR14 4DG. Beacon Rd pay & display car park. WR14 4EH
The area south of the Beacon trig point just blow to hill crest.
It is possible to land in the field shown in green on the map. It is in the lee of a hill and can be challenging to get into due to turbulent air.
The whole area is very sensitive: it is important not to land in any field that is marked in red (except in an emergency).
Pack up on footpaths and make as little “foot print” as possible.
The farmer managing the group of fields marked in red has made it clear we are NOT welcome to land there in any circumstances, even if there are no livestock or crops.