Taylor's Mistake
UPDATES ON HOW WE FLY AT TAYLOR'S MISTAKE
When schools are operating during weekends, public holidays, and after 5pm on weekdays:
Takeoff
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A loud call of "Launching" required from all pilots when about to take off.
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School pilots will set up and launch from the Left side of the launch area. Schools will alternate takeoffs among themselves.
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Club pilots can launch from wherever they want, but if they don’t want to wait in line behind student pilots the schools will not undertake activities on the right of the launch area so that area will be free.
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Club pilots to set up on upper 10 - 20m below fence and keep the Right side of the launch area for pilots just about to take off. Spectators/parawaiters and unused gear to locate here also.
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The area between the launch area and the top landing area to be kept clear when tandem pilots are operating.
Bottom Landing area
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Once landed move quickly off to the L side of the bottom landing area to pack your glider
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No ground handling in the bottom landing area.
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Schools to practice launches on the R side of the bottom landing area.
GPS Coordinates: -43.585, 172.766
Wind Direction: ENE
Minimum Pilot Rating: PG2 / HG Advanced
Access: From Evans pass, travelling towards Godley Head on the Summit road, there is a cattle stop and obvious layby.
Take-off: The main take-off (TO1) is the large, grassed and gently sloping area right next to the carpark.
Taylor’s Mistake saddle (the gut) take-off (TO2) is located 1 km down the hill and above Summit Road. This is used when there is not enough wind to soar from TO1.
Landing: Top Landing is fairly straight forward for PG’s at TO1 & TO2. For HG’s it is still possible but more technical due to the sloping ground. Some HG’s land above the road behind TO1.
The main bottom landing is LZ1 and located in the grassy paddocks behind the beach carpark. You can also land on the beach (PG’s only) away from the crowds. Sumner beach LZ3 is reached by first soaring Scarborough cliffs.
Flying: Taylor’s mistake is the club’s most heavily used site. It is generally flyable year round in the NE sea breeze. In the summer, thermic air mixes with the sea breeze and causes some turbulence that you would not normally expect at a coastal site.
At first appearances, the site looks small but with the use of the gut and Scarborough cliffs it can accommodate many gliders. If the winds are light you can head to the gut for a better chance of staying up.
Be very careful to avoid the telephone wires and poles that run adjacent to the Summit Road (especially the side wires that support the poles). As TM is the club’s most used site, there is a high potential to incidents happening.
It is highly recommended to fly with radio tuned in to channel 40 (477.400MHz). So that pilots can communicate in case of emergency or be given advice from more experienced pilots around if “trapped” in the air. If the wind is off to the north, you can expect turbulence behind the small spurs (especially just before the quarry).
If the wind is more from the east you should notice much better lift and you can also get wave. Avoid flying too far into the gut if the wind is off to the east.
The main hazard for Taylor’s is the wind speed. There is a wind station giving live wind readings which is best accessed via the Holfuy app. There is also a Holfuy station at Allandale. The ocean is also a great indicator. Wind lines and anchored boats on the sea will give you a good idea about the true wind direction and speed.
You will learn through experience that you can fly when there are some white caps on the sea (but not too many).
If you feel the winds are very strong whilst flying, it is still better to land at the main top landing (LZ2=TO1). Avoid the compression in the gut and the bottom landing LZ1 as it will be even stronger and more turbulent there. In stronger winds you will find the biggest challenge of top landing is getting down. Competent use of descent techniques is required
Please take care when it is NW in Canterbury. This is an unpredictable wind, and while it may show as NE at Taylors Mistake we have had serious accidents at this site with people being caught out by rapid changes to wind speed and direction. Please refer to the weather briefing site for further information about the NW.
Sharing the air with Model RC Planes:
Taylors Mistake operates in uncontrolled airspace up to 3500ft AGL and GAA853 on ATC Approval up to 5500 ft AGL. The airspace is enjoyed by many other aviation participants from light aircraft, parachutist and model aircraft. All aviators have a right to use this uncontrolled airspace, it is not exclusive. A good pilot mitigates risk by remaining vigilant at all times, has good spatial awareness and follows CAA Visual Flight Rules (VFR) to keep a safe distance from other aircraft and avoid any potential conflict. In recent years there has been an uptake in free flight and model aircraft flying. This guide has been developed to help both HG/PG and model aircraft operators coexist when flying the Taylors Mistake area from Godley Head Road. This guide in no way overrules CAA rules 91, 101, 102, 106 and NZHGPA OPM (https://www.aviation.govt.nz/rules/ ). - Before you launch make yourself aware of any model flying activities already in progress at the Quarry area. - Model aircraft tend to take off and land via the gully in front of and immediately behind the quarry area. If you can keep clear of this area, particularly around road level, it will aid in separating model aircraft from paragliders/hang gliders. Note that this area can be turbulent for paragliders in strong winds and/or when the wind is off to the north. - The model aircraft will tend to fly out into the valley in order to keep clear of paragliders. They are trying to meet their obligations to give way to, and remain clear of, all manned aircraft on the ground and in flight. If so please give them the opportunity to do so. Remember, the only potential loss of life will be to the manned aircraft. - When launching your HG/PG or flying out from above the Quarry be aware that any model aircraft operators will be below you and looking out towards the valley. You will be behind their line of sight. You can help with separation by giving the model aircraft operators an opportunity to be aware of your presence, for example: - If launching above the Quarry, talk to any model aircraft operators on your way up to launch and discuss your intentions. - If model aircraft are flying, try and plan your flight to give space around the quarry area. - When flying out after launching, take a line above or right of the windsock until you are sufficiently forward to be in the model aircraft operators line of sight. - If the band of lift is small and it necessitates crossing in front of the quarry, try and make sure the model aircraft operators have had the opportunity to see you before you cross. - When model aircraft or other pilots are in close proximity to you, avoid sudden rapid changes of direction and dynamic manoeuvres. Model aircraft are required to keep clear, but they need to be given the opportunity to do so. - If you feel you have had a near miss or have had to take action to avoid collision with a model aircraft or any other pilot, please file an incident report (found on the NZHGPA Website under Safety). For filing an incident report, please gather as much information as possible at the time of the incident, including names and contact details of individuals involved, time and location, Car Registration, photos, contact details for any witnesses. - In the event of an accident, contact the Rescue Coordination Centre (0508 ACCIDENT) stating the location and “Fall from height” Issues and concerns should be raised by email to the following: Local - CHGPC airspace@chgpc.org.nz pgsites@chgpc.org.nz hgsites@chgpc.org.nz National - NZHGPA admin@nzhgpa.org.nz
