| Comments |
36 pilots registered for round of which 6 are CP rated. With non BCC locals it is likely that around 50 pilots will be flying the site during the day.
Captains please make sure your team members carry out all admin tasks ahead of the briefing |
| Windspeed & Direction |
Light NW breeze of around 4-6mph with moderate gusts before lunch, expected to increase as the afternoon goes on to reach 8 -10 mph by late afternoon whilst remaining NW. No sea breeze forecast to reach the hill. Thermal heights of 6000 feet may be possible with strongest thermal activity between 14:00 and 16:00 No significant increase in wind speed or direction with height inland Some cumulus expected to form from around midday but probably becoming blue later Synoptic is flat with no frontal activity A sea breeze front is likely to form from late morning and strengthen during the day Likely to reach Wareham or possibly Bere Regis areas. Due to the extended dry spell with extreme heating thermals may be turbulent early afternoon with areas of broken sharp edged lift. Pilots should consider that taking off within this period may not suit their level of flying. Forecasts suggest that XC flights will be possible until later in the day and it may be prudent to remain on the ground duting the peak heating part of the day. |
| Direction Of Flight |
The lighter winds early in the day will allow pilots the freedom to explore in most directions and it may be possible to execute circuit flights before the stronger afternoon NW flow sets in. This should present no issues to CP pilots given that the May Not Exceed lines are well away from the hill in all directions. Some pilots may choose to try a Westerly track behind the hill towards Salisbury if the wind is light enough. For CPs there is airspace that the Do Not Exceed lines will keep them clear of Once the stronger NW flow sets in then the direction of flight will be on the traditional XC route SE towards the coast following a rough line of - Bere Regis - Wareham - Corfe Castle - Swanage. A sea breeze is forecast that makes it unlikely that pilots will reach the coast and the limit may be Wareham or Bere Regis depending on the time of day. |
| Expected Landing Area |
Slope landing on the hill is relativly easy and should be the first option. Any field without crop or animals can be bottom landed - options will be pointed out at the briefing. Once away from the hill there are numerous fields available especially as most crop has now been cut. For those following the route to the coast a careful assessment of the wind direction needs to be made especially once past Wareham. The Corfe ridge is spine backed and relatively high. If getting low around that area then do not land close to it in the lee of the wind - detail will be briefed on the hill |
| Airspace and Hazards |
There are a number of airspace around the SE XC route most notably Bournemouth CTR and Solent CTA which mostly merge together on the Eastern side of the route. To the Western side Danger area D026 - Lulworth and Eyrees Field sailplane site form a boundary to the XC route. The Danger area will not be active on the day of the competition.
To the NE is Compton Abbas ATZ although this is not usually an issue from Bell Hill.
A diagram has been posted on the BCC Telegram groups showing the airspace and further briefing will take place on the day
If flying to the coast then the sea breeze front may present an issue especially if pilots are at significant height where the wind direction will remain NW. When dropping through this layer into the lower sea breeze winds the direction will suddenly change to SW. Careful consideration needs to be given to landing direction and location due to this effect. Care also needed that the NW flow at height does not force pilots out to sea. Landing decission needed early. CP limit set well back from coast to avoid being blown out to sea |
| NOTAMs |
The competition has a NOTAM of radius 2nm from SFC to 4000 feet
There are no NOTAMs in place within the likely area of flight that are applicable to the competition |
| 'May Not Exceed' Line Description |
The CP may not exceed line has been communicated visually through the BCC Telegram Channels and airspace files prepared to allow CPs to get an instrument warning if they are straying too close. The lines sit on the safe side of all the known hazards and airspaces that can be encountered once away from the hill. The exact boundary is shown in the photo.
For CPs who do not wish to attempt the longer flight to the Corfe ridge the cut off should be the red line which is approximately drawn between Blandford Forum and Bere Regis. For those pushing down towards the coast then you must not exceed the most Southerly boundary of the CP zone which has been placed just South of Corfe Castle. This ensures there is no possibility of being pushed out to sea by the prevailing wind. |
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