Parapente Mt William

Mt William, located at Bombay, south of Auckland, is a challenging paragliding site with limited use. The access road is approximately 5km southeast of the Bombay off-ramp on State Highway 2. The top of Mt William is steep and rocky, making it unsuitable for paragliding launches. The recommended takeoff spot is about 200m south of the trig point, on a flat grassed outcrop over the fence to the east of the walkway. The site is part of a scenic reserve operated as a farm, and access is via walking tracks from either Puketutu Road at the top or McMillan Road at the bottom. The trig point is at 1,240 ft ASL, while the paragliding takeoff is approximately 1,056 ft ASL. Please note that this site is rarely flown, has no site monitor, and conditions may have changed. It is advisable to consult with other club members before planning a flight here. The landing area consists of paddocks, but recent reports indicate that olive trees have been planted, further limiting landing options. This site is suitable only for skilled advanced pilots. The recommended wind direction for flying is from the southeast to south. Mt William is a working farm and is usually closed during lambing season. For more information, refer to the [Mount William Walkway](https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/auckland/places/mount-william-area/tracks/mount-william-walkway/). The site radio channel is Channel 20 - 476.900MHz. Paragliding is restricted to PG3 level pilots. The area below the takeoff is mostly bush, so ensure conditions are favorable and that you have the competency to reach clear ground. Mt William is located in GAA G275 with a height restriction of 4,500 ft ASL. The area just north of Puketutu is GAA G276 with a height restriction of 3,500 ft ASL, which can be opened to 4,500 ft ASL by notifying ATC. For more details, refer to the Airspace page. Access conditions may vary, and the site is usually closed during lambing. Check the Auckland Council site for updates. Since this site is rarely flown and has no site monitor, it is recommended to post on the Auckland club WhatsApp list if you are considering flying here. Legend has it that in the past, at least one hang glider flew from Mt William across the harbor, landing at Narrow Neck beach.