Also known as Wether Down

Grid Ref SU 675 197 Sheet 185
Height ASL 225m (764ft) Top to Bottom 300ft
Wind Direction 045 - 100 deg Best 90 deg
Pilot Grade CP    
Contact Mr George Atkinson, Lower Farm, East Meon. Bottom Landing B1 and B2: Mr M. Atkinson, South Farm
Nearest Phone East Meon village
Clanfield village

Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller
of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, © Crown Copyright MC100033808


An east facing ridge of approximately 1.25 kilometres with a bowl at the south end, shallowing to the north but soarable for its full length. An excellent thermal site but potential dulled by the proximity of restricted air space (Soton CTA) only 2 miles downwind. Farm buildings to the north generate the house thermals. Good thermal days can be overcome by sea-breeze in mid afternoon.

Thanks to Don (Shippo) for all site photos

ACCESS From A3(M), turn off west to Clanfield. At 1 mile, turn right past Rising Sun Pub. Follow signs to East Meon, approx. 3 miles, turn left at sign post to Warnford. Immediately past the Ecology Centre, turn right into farm track, follow for 500 metre to gate ( past twin radio masts).
PARKING

Through last gate (beyond masts), in top field to left (north) of gate and up against fence.

On occasions and only at the convenience of the Farmer, parking may be changed to the yard area immediately adjacent to the barns alongside the radio masts and accessed through that gate.

RIGGING Hang-Gliders may rig near but well forward of cars ( not obstructing access), then carry to launch. Paragliders may rig at shoulder of hill near to take off but staying 200 metres clear of southern fence to give take-off clearance to hang gliders.
TAKE OFF From shoulder of slope over the fence. Hang-Gliders from alongside the southern fence, Paragliders a minimum 200 metres from the southern fence, to give separation from the Hang Gliders launch area.
LANDING

When available, the main bottom landing fields are B1 and B2 immediately below take-off do not assume these to be available but check first. In B1 a lump just before the road can create difficulty during the final glide for the unwary Hang-Glider pilot, leaving him stalled over the road.

In an emergency when bottom landing fields B1 and B2 are not available, BE can be used by Hang-Gliders but, is probably too far for Paragliders who will be then restricted to slope landing at the front of the take off hill in which case, beware of rotor from the tree line.

Top landing; is straight forward and clean for paragliders, Hang-Gliders should normally set up approach from the south to avoid the aeromodellers circuit at the north end of the ridge.

HAZARDS The slope will take only a little southerly wind component. Can be turbulent in strong winds
partly due to the tree line immediately below the ridge and a funnel effect in the bowl.
RULES
  1. Daily, and by personal appearance (rather than a phone call), the first person on site must gain permission from Lower Farm to fly and from South Farm to determine whether a lower landing field is available.
  2. A site fee of £1 per car is payable by everyone (including spectators) is to be deposited into the collection box by the entry gate.
  3. Site reverts to soaring only (CP+10hours) when no bottom landing available.
CONSIDER

The bottom landing fields are subject to arable farming and may only be used when cut or ploughed and with the farmers express permission. Whitewool and Chalton offer good alternative sites for Paragliders.

Site is usually closed during the shooting season, October to Febuary.

Consideration to the Modellers. The following agreement exists between the Meon Valley Soaring Association and the Sky Surfing Club to minimise points of conflict between the users of the hill, and to minimise the risks of mid-air collision with models when we are flying.

  1. A corridor of priority airspace for models, is designated by;
  1. a Yellow /Orange disc mounted on top of a fence post (this is only clearly visible from the air) . This position is between our Southerly end of the ridge and the modellers launch point.

  2. The Northern boundary of this airspace is marked by the fence line beyond the modellers which is the Northern boundary of the field. Hang/paragliders, must not fly in this region.

  1. Exceptions to this rule are :-
  1. Hang/paragliders can transit the region to fly the ridge to the North, but this must be done in a clean, clear pass and at a height of not less than 150ft. ATO.

  2. Hang gliders can return below this height to avoid bottom landing in difficult circumstances. The condition being that the pilot must exercise the utmost caution and airmanship, in order to avoid collision between him/herself and models, or cause mid-airs between models.

  3. Climbing out in a thermal will not need to be terminated across this region if, the climb rate is good and the drift rate ensures a quick transit and clearance of the region. Thermalling in light airs, with slow drift is not acceptable in the region. The position of the markers is provisional and they may be repositioned if necessary, dependant on mutual agreement.

Please abide by the rules and do not fly in front of the modellers.
If you see other pilots doing so, please remind them not to do so.
It is the responsibility of everyone to ensure we all do the right thing to maintain good relations with the other hill users and landowners.


Thanks to Don (Shippo) for all site photos