Chinnor is a paragliding site in the UK, primarily used by members of the Dunstable Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club. The site is occasionally used and offers soaring and mini cross-country (XC) possibilities. It is a members-only site, so adherence to the club's rules is mandatory.
The site has a height top to bottom of 410 feet and is situated at 790 feet above sea level. The best wind direction for flying here is from the West-Northwest to North-Northwest (300˚-340˚), with the optimal direction being a straight Northwest (320˚).
Parking is available at the Hill Top Lane car park. Be cautious and avoid leaving valuables in your car as this area is known for theft.
Directions to Chinnor:
Chinnor is located between Thame and High Wycombe, 3 miles northeast of junction 6 on the M40, on the B4009. From Dunstable, take the B489 Tring Road and follow signs to Wendover. Drive through the town on the B4010 to Little Kimble. Turn right at the road junction, then left under the railway bridge onto the B4009 to Chinnor. In Chinnor village, turn left, go straight over the roundabout, and head up the hill. Halfway up, turn sharp left to Bledlow Ridge, and at the brow on a bend, turn left into Hill Top Lane. The car park is at the end of this lane. A footpath heading north through the trees leads to the launch point.
Site Rules:
- Strictly no visitors; the site is for Dunstable members only.
- BHPA Pilot Rating: Pilot (P).
- Due to the difficult launch and top landing, this site is not recommended for inexperienced pilots.
- Speak to a Club Coach or an experienced Chinnor pilot before flying if you haven't flown here before.
- The height limit is 4500ft QNH due to LTMA, decreasing to 3500ft QNH half a mile northeast.
- Watch out for sailplanes on the ridge.
Launch Area:
The launch area is surrounded by trees, making it difficult to assess wind strength and direction. The wind at launch often seems light but can be perfectly soarable. If the ground wind is 10-12 mph, the true wind could be 25 mph. Watch the trees behind takeoff to gauge wind speed. Hang glider pilots should treat this as a nil wind launch and maintain plenty of speed. Paraglider pilots must maintain good airspeed and be prepared for turbulence from the trees to the north. Avoid being blown back as there are no safe landing options behind launch.
Bottom Landing (Not Official):
Currently, there is no official landing field. Unofficial bottom landing sites include the sports field next to the road (for paragliders only) and the footpath in front of the hill. The sports field is small and tricky, so new pilots should assess its suitability before flying. If forced to land in a farmer's field, pick up your glider immediately and walk it along a tram line to the edge before packing it up. Do not fold your glider in the field.
Top Landing (Not Official):
Top landing back on the launch area is possible under favorable conditions but should only be attempted after gaining experience by flying the site multiple times. Attempting to top land is at your own risk due to rotor from the trees in front. The DHPC does not recommend top landing this site.
Flying:
If the wind is off to the north, the bowl to the right of launch can work well. When flying southwest along the ridge, do not cross the road up the hill from Chinnor without plenty of height as the air can be rough over Oakley Hill due to quarry works. Have plenty of height if attempting to fly further southwest across the quarry. In thermic conditions, strong sink could result in a rapid descent. Landing in the turbulence of the quarry or the deep cold water at the bottom could be fatal.
Cross-country flights downwind are limited due to the proximity to London LTMA, which quickly reduces from 4500ft over the site to 2500ft at High Wycombe, and the proximity of Wycombe Airpark/Booker ATZ. It is more enjoyable to stay on the ridge and explore it as far as the M40.
For more information, visit the Dunstable Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club's site guide: [Dunstable HPC Site Guide](http://dunstablehpc.co.uk/site-guides/chinnor/)
Flight records and videos:
- [Flight Record 1](https://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/2593450)
- [Flight Record 2](https://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/1724865)
- [Flight Record 3](https://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/1724862)
- [Flight Record 4](https://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/564188)
- [Video 1](
Click to watch video
)
- [Video 2](
Click to watch video
)
- [Video 3](
Click to watch video
)
