MHGC site guide, Worcestershire Beacon

The Worcestershire Beacon site is particularly sensitive.  The Malvern Hills Conservators have imposed restrictions on the site use.  As a result, the club have imposed special rules for the use of this members only site.  Please don't lose the site through ignorance of the rules.

GRID REF

SO768453 (Click to show map or aerial photo. )

WIND DIRECTION

225° to 300°, best direction West

HEIGHT

425 metres (1395 feet) 750 feet TTB

GRADE OF FLYER

Hang-glider and Paraglider pilots must be "Club Pilot" or higher, must have at least 15 hours experience since gaining CP, be a competent pilot, and must be a full member of  the Malvern Hang Gliding Club.

HAZARDS

1. The Malverns are in an intense military low flying area. If flying midweek then pilots must notify Military Air Traffic on 0800 515544, preferably the previous evening.

2. 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 BELOW 500 ft ABOVE THE RIDGE IN ANY WIND, DUE TO ROTOR.

3. Note that the site rules do not permit landings on the top of the ridge. Reasons for this are A). Safety: you may get blown back or rotored in on approach, and B). Safety: members of the public generally walk, cycle or ride horses on or near the ridge and you must give them a wide berth in case of pilot error or dragging after touching down.

4. Horses can be ridden on many of the footpaths over the Worcestershire Beacon (and Kettle Sings) as some of them are also bridle-ways. This potential hazard is brought to the attention of all pilots as horses are easily spooked. All pilots must be extra vigilant when flying there as the paths are not all visible when on the ground.

4. Until 3pm, strong lee side thermals develop and pull in air from the windward side. The thermals on the windward side become broken and the air can be very rough. This can lead to sinking air on the windward side necessitating quick slope landings. Late in the day this effect is not so noticeable.

CAPACITY

Several, in good ridge-lift conditions. If wind off to South, only 1 glider!

ACCESS

From either carpark (below). Paths lead from carparks to highest point. Walkup time approx 15mins unladen.

PARKING

"West of England Quarry" carpark or "Beacon Rd" carpark - Fee payable at meter.

LANDING AREAS

Get a briefing from a committee member on the hill BEFORE you fly.

XC POTENTIAL

Very good in due West wind.

OTHER INFORMATION

TELEPHONE

Opposite the Wyche Hotel

Site Restrictions

• All flyers must be fully paid up annual members of the Malvern Hang Gliding Club. Any person launching from the Beacon who is not a member will be breaking the local bylaw and is open to prosecution. It is vital that no pilot attempts to fly there unless they are authorised to do so.

• Be very helpful and considerate to members of the general public. Remember that we are very visible on this site

• We need to keep good records of all days flown as part of our agreement with the Conservators. If you fly you must notify a committee member.

• There must be no unauthorised launching from the beacon by any pilots.

• No car must proceed beyond the Wych cutting car park. All equipment must be transported by man-power only.

• There are no ideal bottom landing fields, but we have several fields that we have permission to land in.

• ALL PILOTS MUST BE FULL ANNUAL PAID UP CLUB MEMBERS, CP AND HAVE 15 HOURS MINIMUM. They must display the new design helmet sticker indicating their eligibility to fly the Beacon.  

• N.B PILOTS WHO HAVE A MALVERN SITE AWARENESS HELMET STICKER BUT ARE NOT CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE CLUB MAY NOT FLY THIS SITE.

Follow this link for the full site rules. The Helmet sticker link is to be found on the linked page