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.
Royd Moor
The Club has exclusive use of a slope site at Royd Moor that is suitable for SW winds. Park either on the lane or the road. Enter by using the steel gate where the arrow is pointing. There may be sheep in the field so it is important that the gate is kept closed at all times.
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
Article 16 and Accident Reporting
Club members who use Royd Moor 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
NO ELECTRIC MODELS - GLIDERS ONLY
Images and location maps below
Whitley Edge
The Club has the exclusive right to fly gliders (NO ELECTRIC MODELS) on Whitley Edge which is located close to the Whams. Whitley Edge provides a gentle slope that is ideal for beginners and also for test flying new models. It is suitable for wind directions from NW to SSW. Flying should take place on the slope side of the walls in the area coloured BLUE on the map below.
Please be aware that the slopes are on a busy farm and the land owner Ian suggests for our own safety that we give the cattle (a bull and many cows with calves) a wide birth.
Members are asked to show consideration in using this site. Park your car on Whitley Road but please do not park too close to the entrance gate G as this can cause obstructions to the farmer who needs constant access. Close all gates after passing through and no climbing over fences or walls.
Frequencies - 2.4GHz ONLY
Article 16 and Accident Reporting
Club members who use Whitley Edge 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
NO ELECTRIC MODELS - GLIDERS ONLY
Images and location maps below.
Holme Moss
This is privately owned land however it has been used for slope soaring for well over 40 years by both fliers this side of the Pennines and from the dark side in Lancashire.
Holme Moss accommodates wind directions from North to East and when the conditions are right the lift can be great and very smooth.
Greater care needs to be taken when flying from Holme Moss though as it is very much a public site with many tourists stopping there to take in the great views. The other thing to be careful about is the use of Holme Moss by Paragliders and Hang Gliders.
It is essential that good communications exist between the different participants so that each know which airspace they will be flying in.
All frequencies can be used at Holme Moss but please check with other fliers to stop any clashes.
Article 16 and Accident Reporting
Club members who use Holme Moss must be compliant with the requirements of Article16 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
Images and location maps below.
Marsden Moor Soaring Association
HDMAC is proud to have been a founding member of the MMSA which allows members of the Club as well as other affiliated clubs the right to fly on land owned by the National Trust on Marsden Moor.
More details on the Marsden Moor Soaring Association can be found by Clicking Here
Important
It is advisable for fliers to be aware of the local rules for the Nont Sarah's site especially as it is often shared with Hang Gliders and Paragliders
Further Information can be found by Clicking Here
Article 16 and Accident Reporting
Club members who use MMSA and other slope sites in the district 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