Collision & courtesy
Our sites are among the busiest in the country. With several hundred members and relatively small sites, always consider your usage in relation to others.
The danger of collision
Only take off when there is clear airspace for you and you can do so without disturbing any pilot already flying. If you are not sure, do not fly. Hang gliders and paragliders fly at different speeds and handle very differently — be sympathetic to other pilots.
Collision with a model aircraft can be as dangerous as any other: keep clear of areas where aeromodels fly, and shout “hello” as you approach a ridge where models are flying. Our sites are also frequented by large birds (raptors, ravens, seabirds) — a birdstrike can be fatal, so fly with caution near them and don’t expect them to move.
Respecting others
Horses are easily spooked — never over-fly them, and don’t ground-handle, launch or land in their vicinity. We often have spectators (especially at the Dyke and Beachy Head); give them room and don’t launch or land close to them. If you’re taking a break, don’t obstruct the launch or landing areas.
Site assessment
Every site has its own character. Read the site guide thoroughly and seek advice on the hill from a club coach or experienced pilot. Never fly a site for the first time without a briefing.
General rules & ratings
Our sites are available only through years of patient negotiation with landowners and tenant farmers, subject to stipulations on parking, take-offs and landings. Careless or ill-mannered behaviour could jeopardise the use of a site — and your personal future in free flying.
The novice pilot should treat each site with care and note the hazards listed in each guide. Before flying a site for the first few times, read the guide, ask an experienced pilot on the hill, and never fly by yourself. Never climb over any fences or gates.
Protecting our sites
Our ongoing use of these sites depends on demonstrating that members comply with the conditions agreed with landowners. Take responsibility for the actions of others — if something looks wrong, it probably is.
- Park only in agreed areas. Don’t park on grass verges or obstruct other users.
- Use only recognised gates and paths — never climb fences, gates or walls, or push through hedges. Always close gates behind you.
- Dogs only with the landowner’s permission, kept under control, never chasing livestock or pilots.
- Take no litter, and pick up any you find — we’ll be blamed whoever dropped it.
- Avoid livestock. Never leave a glider unattended (cows trample and eat them). Don’t take off, land or ground-handle near horses.
- Report any damage, however small, to the Sites Officer, a Club Coach, or the landowner.
If you out-land, avoid fields with crops or livestock; if forced into a crop, land in the tramlines and carry your glider out. If a landowner claims damage, do not admit liability — you are insured for third-party claims through the BHPA. Give your name, address and BHPA details, stay polite, and refer them to your insurers.
Airspace & cross-country
SHGC sites sit in some of the most congested airspace in Europe — two London airports, the Shoreham ATZ, heavy commercial, private and military traffic, and occasional displays. The main features are broadly 2,500 ft QNH to the north and 5,500 ft QNH to the south; each site guide lists its own specific airspace.
Maps are for reference only — NOT FOR NAVIGATION. (Base maps reproduced from Ordnance Survey; digital-display permission to be confirmed.)
Flying cross-country
Fly with an up-to-date 1:500,000 air chart, a compass, and an altimeter set to read height above mean sea level (QNH) — amsl take-off heights are given in each site guide. BHPA insurance only covers Pilot-rated (and above) pilots to fly cross-country without supervision.
CANP — notify your flying
For mid-week flying, submit your intentions through the online CANP system at canp.logans.me.uk (credited to Chris Williams), or use the Freephone 0800 515544 service. Using OS grid references makes this simpler.
Site grid references & SatNav postcodes
| Site | OS grid ref | SatNav postcode |
|---|---|---|
| Beachy Head | TV 591 958 | BN20 7YA |
| Bo Peep | TQ 500 043 | BN26 6UW |
| Devil's Dyke | TQ 258 111 | BN1 8YL |
| Ditchling | TQ 325 132 | BN6 8RJ |
| Firle | TQ 468 059 | BN8 6NA |
| High and Over | TQ 510 011 | BN25 3AB |
| Mount Caburn | TQ 443 088 | BN8 6RP |
| Newhaven Cliffs | TQ 446 000 | BN9 9DK |
Live NOTAMs near our sites
Check active NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions) before you fly — temporary restrictions, air displays and hazards show up here. The map is centred on the SHGC area; pan and zoom for detail, and scroll within it for the full list.
NOTAM data via notaminfo.com — for situational awareness only, NOT FOR NAVIGATION. Always confirm against the official pre-flight briefing.
Safety & the Rules of the Air
Take responsibility for the actions of others — if something looks wrong, it probably is; don’t be afraid to shout. Use clear body language and make your intentions obvious in good time.
- A protective helmet is a BHPA mandatory safety requirement — always wear one.
- Keep take-off and landing areas clear of spectators, pilots and rigged or de-rigged gliders.
- Make sure your parked glider can’t be blown away — into spectators, cars or others.
SHGC safety frequency — 143.950. Fly with a radio tuned to it where you can.
The Rules of the Air
- Avoid a collision at all costs.
- Gliders approaching head-on: both break right.
- Approaching head-on while ridge-soaring: the pilot with the ridge on their right has right of way; the pilot with the ridge on their left must move further right.
- Gliders converging: the glider on the right has priority.
- Overtaking: pass on either side, but the aircraft being passed has right of way.
- Landing: a lower aircraft has right of way if it is landing.
- Thermalling: unless above 1,000 ft ATO, only circle to the right when within 1 km of any SHGC site.
It is your responsibility to avoid collision. If the air is too crowded, don’t take off; if it becomes crowded, land. Give erratically-flown aircraft a wide berth and talk to the pilot on the ground later.