Winton Hill - Brighton

PG2/HG-S

Winton is a 5km long curved ridge, covered in grass, pasture, scrub and trees. The ridge faces SE at the western end, passing through S and then to SW at the eastern end. It is a good site to build up hours with easy ridge soaring and thermic conditions. In the right conditions, it is also a good starting point for cross-country flights. In a gentle sea breeze, combined with non-thermic conditions, this site is safe for pilots fresh out of flying school. There are two big open landing areas below launch. T/O is ~130m above LZ. Please don't fly above the houses.

Hazards

<p>1. A nesting pair of Wedgetailed Eagles live in a tree to the right of the red line in the LZ picture, half- way down the slope.</p> <p>2. The sea breeze can hit here very quickly and very hard in a matter of a minute or two, jumping from below 10 knots to 20+ almost instantaneously, and will last for several hours, making landings fraught with peril. Know your launch and landing limits and if not prepared to stay aloft for considerable time before you feel comfortable to land, do NOT launch.</p> <p>3. The Winton wall: people have been caught many times in the &#39;Winton wall&#39;. This is a large compression&nbsp;area situated between the Lz at the bottom of the hill and the car park Lz. Pay attention to your ground speed and sink when crossing this area and turn back to the bottom Lz if there is any doubt about reaching the other Lz. (This is &nbsp;caused at certain wind speeds (upper end of flyable)&nbsp;by a &quot;bolster-eddy&quot; forming in front of the hill, pushing the lift zone out from the hill, but also setting up a compression area of stronger wind with little lift component in front of that, pretty much over the house. FYI It can also occur in a similar fashion at any hill).</p>