Middle Brother SW, Middle Brother National Park | |
|---|---|
| MSL | 1700 ft |
| AGL | 1700 ft |
| Glide to LZ | 7:1 |
| Rating/Skills | Strong Intermediate |
| Wind Directions | SW |
| Season | Winter and early spring |
| Restrictions | No Domestic Animals allowed in national parks |
| Radio Frequencies | Local club requests all pilots carry radio tuned to HGFA frequency. |
| Site Type | Public |
| Fees | None |
| Contact | None |
| Links | http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParks/parkHome.aspx?id=N0128 |
| <googlemap lat="-31.71" lon="152.69" zoom="13">
41.685861, -74.40465, Training Hill http://www.evilleoutfitters.com/hg/index.html </googlemap> | |
Overview
Overlooking Stewarts River, this is the middle of three isolated small mountains. Independently named after brothers by both the Aboriginal and White Australians. The take off was carved out from a state forest with a ramp installed by local pilots. The area was handed to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, now known as the Department of Environment Climate Change and Water. They have a policy of removing ramps and replacing them with more natural surfaces, grass or crushed rock. This site has recently had a major upgrade by the owners. Made from crushed rock, it features a large setup area, long wide "ramp" that gradually steepens till vertical. Absolutely first class and a credit both to the Parks service who created it and Lee Scott who advised them on the design.
History
Hang gliding has been going on here since the 1980s. Like the nearby SE launch it nearly fell into complete disuse however since the upgrade by the owners it's a very common winter training site for the local paragliding school.
Geography/Meteorology
Mountain site with the normal attendant risks. The ramp is a little slippery with gravel that moves slightly underfoot. Care should be taken as one would near any cliff.
As expected from the name this is a SW launch. It is reached by taking the Middle Brother turn off the Pacific Highway and following the Middle Brother Road. A Tee intersection will be reached, take the left hand turn onto TV Road. (named for the Television transmission tower at the end of the road). There will be a small track off to the right. It's really 4 wheel drive from that point on but you might be ok with a rugged 2wd in dry weather. There's a fork a little way in, take the right fork. Follow the road to a turning bay, there will be a strong metal gate on the left. Walk around the gate and about 150 m down hill to the take off. If you find yourself somewhere with buildings you've taken the wrong turn. Go back down TV road and try again. Also infested with leeches so bring salt. Ticks are also picked up occasionally so bring a magnifiying glass and tweezers. Like most Australian takeoffs, it's alive with snakes. All reptiles are protected by law, do not harm any, the owners will take a very dim view of any such activity and this will further endanger the site.
Landing is not visible from the launch. Areas outlined in pink in the photo. The landing on the left is as advised by Central Coast HG pilots, the one on the right is as advised on the HighAdventure marketplace website, information since removed.
Clubs/Owners/Manager
Take off is on Parks land, owners require HGFA membership. Landing is on private land and depends on the goodwill of the owners. Gates as you find them, no driving on paddocks, polite to landowners (and everyone else), thank them for use of land, no rubbish left including toilet paper windsocks etc, no fires, no smoking. Normal inland rules really.
Site Records
Flex wing Distance/Duration Unknown
Rigid wing Distance/Duration Unknown