SLOPE SOARING
HDMAC is fortunate, being on the eastern edge of the Pennines, to have the use of several local slope sites for soaring. This is by kind permission of the various land owners and it is important that we respect that generosity by ensuring we take care and have respect while flying from their land. A good rule of thumb is always to leave things exactly like they were when you arrived.
Rules for flying on all HDMAC Slope Sites
R S1 Always close gates behind you.
R S2 On Hullock Bank and Whitley Edge always walk around the edge of the fields to minimise any potential damage to crops.
At Hullock Bank it is often easier to walk along tractor tracks between tall crops.
R S3 Always minimise any damage to crops when retrieving a model after landing.
R S4 It is the responsibility of the individual flier to be sure it is safe to fly before launching.
R S5 Models must be launched and landed a safe distance from other fliers and spectators. The flier intending to launch or land should shout “launching” or “landing” allowing time for other fliers to respond and take appropriate action.
R S6 Models must not be deliberately flown close to or over other fliers, spectators, or members of the public. Particular attention should be paid to members of the public using the track in front of the slope at Hullock Bank.
R S7 Fliers must announce their intention to enter the landing area, and announce when they have retrieved their model and cleared the area.
R S8 On windy days particular care should be taken to avoid models blowing back and hitting other fliers and spectators. Consideration should be given to launching from down the slope or delaying the launch to allow other fliers to land first.
R S9 A model’s maiden flight (or first flight following significant changes) should be undertaken with no other models flying to allow all persons present to react accordingly to any unexpected flying characteristics.
R S10 Members’ cars at Royd Moor should be parked safely taking into account the landing approach being used for flying in that particular wind direction
R S11 Electric models must not be flown on Club slope sites.
R S12 Fliers using 35 MHz MUST ONLY USE EVEN FREQUENCIES at Hullock Bank or Royd Moor – Only 2.4GHz can be used at Whitley Edge
Hullock Bank
Hullock Bank is the main club soaring site that HDMAC has exclusive permission to use with kind permission of the farmer who owns the fields around the top edge of the slope.
Parking is along the bridleway as shown on the map. It's probably best to park on the left hand side. Alternatively you can park along the verge on Hirst Lane.
Entry to the fields is through the steel gate (G). Please ensure it is closed at all times.
Follow the wall around the edge of the ridge trying not to walk on any of the planted crops.
The area shown in the blue box should not be overflown as there are sensitive livestock in the fields below.
Please try and land not too far into the fields on the top, especially when crops are growing. Also try to walk along the tractor tracks, when the crops are high, while retrieving models.
Hullock Bank is suitable for wind directions WNW, W, WSW, SW, SSW, S.
Please note that retrieval access for models cannot be guaranteed as they are likely to overfly other landowners land.
You can see however that some of the land we fly over is classed as 'Open Access'
Frequencies - 2.4GHz and 35MHz on 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82
Members are responsible for all frequency control
NO ELECTRIC MODELS - GLIDERS ONLY
Article 16 and Accident Reporting
Club members who use Hullock Bank must be compliant with the requirements of Article16 and the general club flying rules as well as respecting the wishes of the landowners and abide by the accepted local rules for parking, access, flying and frequency control. Also the accident incident reporting procedures must be observed and any incident, accident, or occurrence involving or potentially involving, injury to the public, damage to property & aircraft landing out of sight these events must be reported to the relevant authority as required in the reporting requirements and also committee within a maximum of 24 hours.
Information on how to report an Accident can be found HERE
In case of an emergency what3words for the area we fly are legend.masterful.bend
Below are images of Hullock Bank as well as OS and Google Maps showing the location.
