10

Rifle Range (Mere)

Avon Site - Currently Available

ST 811 344

51.108581

-2.271348

BA12 6HX

2.037

SE, SSE, S

750

300

Timothy Bishop (07943 880505)

Any rated pilot. No training.

Open Site

Park on the main track, without blocking it or the gates into the surrounding fields. Do not drive into any of the fields.

Hang gliders can rig just inside the field by the track and carry the rigged glider forward to take-off, or rig just behind take-off in front of the fence.

Anywhere in the bowl. Some local hang glider pilots will be seen taking off from behind the fence; this is not recommended for the beginner. if the wind is light and from the ESE, experienced pilots may choose to launch along the spur to the south of the main launch, between the Rifle Range and Cowards Bowl. Paragliders should not launch directly in front of hang glider pilots who may be about to take off from the field behind the fence.

If the wind direction is not S-SE the bowl can be turbulent due to rotor caused by the spurs on either side. These conditions can lead to rapid height losses and canopy deflations, so you should always be aware of the true wind direction before flying. The bowl effect can make it look like the wind is smack on when it is coming more from the west or east. Don't hog the area in front of take-off making it difficult for others to launch.

This has proved to be a very potent XC site. If you lose the lift, you can fly to Long Knoll (2.5km)) and try to get up there. Beware of the wild-life park at Longleat, 4 miles to the N.

In the field that you walked through to get to take-off. Beware of rotor from the mounds. Beware of landing too far to the south and overshooting into the fence. Do not fly back as far north as the track as it may be difficult to penetrate forward again into the landing area. Beware of the cable that runs along the north end of the field. Do not leave your glider in a place where it becomes an obstruction to others trying to land. Do not disturb any farm animals that may be in the field. Paragliders can land in the bowl area but should be aware that they may get dragged back into the barbed wire fence. Do not land in any other top field.

With the closure of the rifle range there may not always be a bottom landing area available. If the fields to the east and west of the track are in crop, any forced bottom landing should be made on the track itself. To collect a hang glider, go back to the main road and turn left. When you reach Mere, turn left by the Lloyd's Bank and look for the gated track on the right, just after the bridge over the A303. There is a path back up to take-off for paraglider pilots, who have plenty of room to side land but should be careful of the numerous bushes and small trees.

NA

Frome or Bath.

On the B3095 between Kingston Deverill and Mere, look for the layby near a radio mast and follow the metalled track. The track across the top of the hill towards Spencers is being renewed.

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