Paragliding Newport Avalon

Newport is a small coastal cliff and high coastal hill located at the north end of Newport Beach. The site features a south to southeast facing cliff with a grassy park above the beach. For hang gliders, takeoff is on the grass in the park. On most days, you will need to fly in close to gain altitude. Allow pilots who launched before you to get up to the tanks before you launch. Be cautious of large sink holes behind the houses below 100 feet. Do not cross over to the next bowl until you have 100 feet above the water tanks. In east-southeast conditions, there is rotor behind the ridge. Watch the trees in the bowl for lift indicators. For paragliders, the launch area is very small with nearby trees, requiring good ground handling skills. There are two launches 15 meters apart; use the one most suitable for the wind direction. The hill behind can create a wind shadow. If there are white caps inside Newport reef, the wind is too strong for paragliders. Do not cross over the road until you have 100 feet above it. The only safe landing option is the beach. Avoid the southern bowl as the ridge is not steep enough, making it difficult to penetrate out. Landing is on the beach. Top landing is not recommended for paragliders due to the grown-up trees around the site. The football field is not an option because of power lines and rotor. The site is divided into two sections: below the road and the larger hill above. Hang gliders need an east-southeast breeze to run up the coast. Lower Level Airspace is at 2500 feet, with a 100-foot clearance required to fly over the road and houses. Hazards include a sewer vent pipe below launch and power lines on the eastern side of Barrenjoey road. The beach is popular in summer, so ensure you have a landing spot. When the breeze is too far south for safe soaring, 'darkies' appear on the water behind Bungan Headland. Parking is limited on the ocean side of Barrenjoey road next to the park entrance. Check signs for restrictions. Metered parking is available in Newport Beach car park. For more information, visit: [Fly Sydney](http://www.flysydney.com.au/pages/flying-sites-list) [Newport Paraglider PDF](http://files.groupspaces.com.s3.amazonaws.com/files/33483/84038/newportParaglider.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=0A8Z1WYDADBF2DZEBCG2&Expires=1448760630&Signature=aLXbqEnnYC6luaQsi33HAi7AaOE%3D) [Newport Paraglider HTML](http://www.hgfa.asn.au/~nbflyers/newportParaglider.html) Contact: Sydney Paragliding & Hang Gliding Club SPHGC Safety Officers