Portland East is a rugged and technical coastal soaring site, suitable for experienced paragliding pilots. The site is known for its challenging launch and landing conditions, making it essential for pilots to have a minimum of 25 hours of flying experience. Before flying, it is mandatory to contact the Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club for a briefing. You can find more information and contact details on their website: http://www.wessexhgpg.org.uk. Additionally, you must notify the Portland Coastguard Helicopter at (01305) 760 439 for safety reasons, as they occasionally fly low in this area. The site features a vertical cliff with scrub and large boulders beneath, followed by deep water. The cliff generates significant lift in good conditions, and sea thermals can be experienced. However, weather changes can dramatically affect landing options, so pilots must be vigilant. Directions: From Weymouth, follow signs to Portland. Once on the island, follow signs towards “The Bill” until you see a left turn signposted “Young Offenders Institute” and “The Grove.” Follow this road past the YOI until the end, then turn right into the car park with a radio aerial. Access: In the southeast corner of the car park, there is a footpath leading south. Follow this path beside a wall until it broadens onto the cliff to the left and a quarry to the right. This is the first of two possible take-off points. The second take-off is 50 meters further down the cliff and has a larger area behind it. Hazards: Immediately behind the first take-off is a large quarry. Ground handling can be dangerous, so use assistance if necessary. Bottom landings require skill and luck, as options are limited to dense scrub or the sea. Normal precautions apply regarding rotor during launch, and weather conditions can change rapidly. Launching: All launch areas are from a flat cliff top. Your wing will be in rotor until inflated over your head. Inflating the wing can be difficult, and you will be pushing out directly over a vertical drop. Ensure the wing is fully inflated and flying correctly before pushing forward. Assistance may be necessary. Top Landing: Works well if the wind has any north in it. If the wind is due east or south of east, treat it with caution and land well forward. The first take-off area does not have much room if the wind is anything but light. To the south, there is more room, but be aware of potential rotor and boulders. Bottom Landing: Below take-off is a long track, a disused tramway providing a halfway down landing option. Below this track, safe landing options are very limited. If you are descending, set up early for the tramway. There is no bottom landing to the south of take-off. Other Rules: The take-off area is also a pathway used by horse riders. Do not obstruct the path and be courteous to everyone. Between 1st March and 30th July, the area south of the Cheyne Weare car park is out of bounds due to nesting birds. Avoid the radio mast area during this period as it is a sensitive peregrine nesting site. Do not fly near the YOI walls or the prison walls at the north end of the island. Before flying, report to the Young Offenders Institute Gatehouse. Only one pilot needs to call in per day. Notify them when flying is finished for the day. XC: There are no cross-country options, so enjoy the cliff flying. For more detailed information, refer to the site guide: http://www.wessexhgpg.org.uk/Sites/Siteguide/PortlandEast.pdf Watch videos of the site: - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KunbZR7B6lo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etKz2ScTZP4 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00K9yIaLhPQ