Paragliding Fort Takapuna

Fort Takapuna, also known as Fort Cautley, is situated between Narrow Neck Beach and Cheltenham Beach, with access from Vauxhall Rd. This site offers easier launch and landing conditions compared to Takapuna Grammar and features a longer cliff for soaring than North Head. There are three launch points within 150 meters, with the most commonly used one located beside the concrete pill box. The launch height is approximately 40 feet. Landing options include Narrow Neck Beach or top landing. However, beach landings are only feasible during low tide. The site is suitable for coastal soaring and top landing. The wind direction should be from the North East for optimal flying conditions. There are no mandatory notices or access conditions for this site. The designated site radio channel is Channel 20 at 476.900MHz. Restrictions for flying include: - Hang Gliding: Intermediate level required. - Paragliding: PG2 certification plus 30 hours of flight time. Caution is advised when flying close to the Pohutukawa trees, and landing options below the launch are limited when the tide is full. The site is within a VFR Common Frequency Zone (CFZ) with a VFR ceiling of 2,500 feet above sea level. Pilots should check NOTAMS for any restrictions during major events in the Hauraki Gulf, which may involve helicopter activity. John Walton is the site monitor and can be contacted at 021 473 656. On a good day, it is possible to fly to Takapuna Beach and back. There is also a challenge to be the first to transition from Fort Takapuna to North Head. For more detailed information, visit: [Fort Takapuna Flying Site Guide](https://www.cloudbase.org.nz/site-guide/flying-site-fort-takapuna).