Bald Hill Lookout

 General Site Rules   

Public and Pilot safety is of primary concern. Conduct all operations with this in mind.     

The following rules have been put in place to provide for this concern. Local advice in respect to flight operations and conditions of the day can help you fly safely and comply with these rules. If you would like advice on any matter relating to Club or flight procedures on the hill, please speak to either the onsite Duty Pilot, Safety Officers and or local Flight Schools.    

  1. Requirement for a Duty Pilot    

A Safety Officer or one of the experienced pilots present should be appointed as Duty Pilot whenever:   

    • it is a weekend or public holiday, or   
    • pilots preparing to launch have requested one, or   
    • Supervised Pilot Licence holders are operating, or   
    • there are pilots launching down slope in strong winds – “Spotter is Required”   

   The Duty Pilot shall undertake to:    

    • oversee operations at Launch – First-Aid Kit in lock-box / Defibrillator at the Café/toilet block   
    • if necessary, appoint a deputy duty pilot to oversee the landing area/s   
    • regularly monitor conditions and consult with local pilots to assess the continuance of operations.   
  1. All pilots that fly at Bald Hill Stanwell Park must be able to provide on request evidence of current SAFA membership AND be either a financial member of FlyStanwell or of another NSWHPA affiliated club.  
  1. Bald Hill Stanwell Park is an INTERMEDIATE/PG4 rated site – (refer table below).   
    • Supervised Pilots may only fly if a Duty Pilot or advanced pilot is appointed to oversee their operations and sign their logbook.    
    • Student pilots may only fly if under the direct supervision of their instructor.   
  1. First time flyers at Bald Hill Stanwell Park are required to undergo an induction to the site. Such an induction should be sought from a local on-site Club officer or flight school.   
  1. Official Launch and Landing zones have been designated for this site. These zones must be used whenever launching from Bald Hill or landing on the Stanwell Park Beach or Top Landing areas. Please familiarise yourself with these zones before you fly.   
  1. The official Launch and Landing areas should be clearly defined to the public prior to launch, for all flight operations.   
  1. SAFA regulations for flight operations must be observed at all times.   
  2. All pilots must wear helmets – this is a requirement of our licence.  
  1. All Paragliders must be fitted with a connected and operating speed system.   
  2. All pilots are recommended to have UHF radio when flying away from the immediate launch area.   
  3. All pilots (members and Visitors) must post their intended launch time on the clubs’ ‘FlyStanwell – Ready2Fly’ WhatsApp group prior to flying.  
  4. There is a NO FLY ZONE, which covers the Car Park and grass area to the Point, (the area known as The Saddle), and over the East Launch.   
  1. Tandem flights are NOT allowed to top-land and must land in the beach landing zone.    

Please familiarise yourself with the names and zones on the site maps before take-off.   

                         

Procedures of Operations   

Pre-Flight Requirements  

Civil Aviation Order 95.8 requires all pilots to maintain separation distances of 100 feet vertically and 25 metres horizontally from a public road, persons other than those persons directly associated with the flight operation at the launch and landing sites, or a dwelling except with the permission of the occupier. Only CASA is able to vary this, and special conditions will apply to any area where a variation has been authorised. The conditions for the use of landing areas detailed in this procedures manual form the basis of such a variation.   

The variation to CAO 95.8 provides for hang gliders and paragliders, which are landing in the designated areas at Stanwell Park Beach to operate closer than 25 metres from public roads and the public so long as those operations are conducted in accordance with this local procedures document. Both the Sports Aviation Federation of Australia (SAFA) and FlyStanwell will encourage pilots to comply with, and actively enforce these conditions as part of our licence agreement.   

    

Pre-Flight Requirements                                                  NSWHPA affiliated club. Pilots may be

All pilots flying from this site must be members of prevented from launching if on request, they fail both the SAFA and FlyStanwell, or of another to provide evidence of these memberships.   

All pilots should be encouraged to familiarise themselves with the zones depicted in the photos and diagrams within this manual and on signs around the site before taking to the air.

Requirement for a Duty Pilot :

A Safety Officer or one of the experienced pilots present should be appointed as Duty Pilot whenever:   

  • it is a weekend or public holiday or   
  • whenever pilots preparing to launch request one or   
  • Supervised Pilot Licence holders are operating or   
  • There are pilots launching down slope in strong winds with a Spotter   

The Duty Pilot shall undertake to:   

  • oversee operations at Launch.   
  • if necessary, appoint deputy duty pilots to oversee the landing area(s).   
  • regularly monitor conditions and consult with local pilots to assess the continuance of flying operations.

Equipment   

  • All pilots must wear a helmet.   
  • All Paragliders must be fitted with a speed system.   

Training or Tandem Operations Launch and landing areas must be clearly marked before the commencement of operations. No top landings for tandem flights.   

Supervised Pilots are required to:   

  • fly with a coloured streamer.   
  • identify themselves to the Duty Pilot prior to launching.   

Student Pilots:   

  • must fly under the direct supervision of an instructor.