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Visiting pilots should contact HKPA for a free site briefing. We want you to fly safely. Repeat: No cost involved, just making sure you fly safe. We also want you fill out a form for insurance purpose as part of an agreement we have have with local authorities. Be nice. Give us a call. It's all free.
Brief for visiting pilots - Shek O site Cindy (Wind reading for Shek O) – 28094190. Anything above average wind speed of 24 kph is too strong. Also top reading above 30 kph is too strong. Near these limits always speed-bar away from the ridge until you get a feel for the air, the lift and any drift back. If you feel the winds picking up stay away from ridge. Wind Direction – NE, ENE, E, ESE and SE are OK. There are plenty of flags in the area that give the wind direction. Use these to check. With NE and SE get a supplementary reading from the Observatory on 29268473 asking for wind speed and direction at Waglan Island. If direction is 030 or lower (i.e. more north) then don't fly. If direction is 160 or higher it is too south. You may still be able to fly if wind is SSE, but stay at the south end of the ridge. If conditions are right you can cross to the mountain to the south called D'Aguilar. This has some of the smoothest lift you will find anywhere. The danger is you may sink out on the crossing so be careful. For your first crossing I suggest you accompany another pilot. If you do sink out then the main beach is an option but watch out for the kites and their lines. The landing can be tricky. You can either bleed off height over the sea or the golf course. Watch out for the sinking air behind the small hill. It is best to get in close to the fence cross it with some height (30 ft or so) and then line up on the beach. A few minor s-turns will bleed off the remains height if needed. Always wear helmet and fly with a reserve. Helicopters occasionally fly through the zone. These guys know we are present and should avoid us. Just be alert to the fact. Radio frequency is 145.9875Mhz.You will hear various languages being used.
Extract from Operations Manual Dragon's Back Ridge (Shek 0) Pilot Rating : Club pilot and above Landing Site : Rocky Bay Beach - Shek 0. Do not land on the main beach save in an emergency. The Golf Course is not a landing site. Entrance : Shek 0 Road Maximum height : 1,300' Status : Permanently NOTAMED Notes : This site has two take-offs. The northern take-off is near the point where the walk up path joins the ridgeline. From this position the landing site cannot be seen and in certain conditions it may not be possible to reach the landing. The southern take-off is located at the ridge high point near the Trig Marker stone. The landing is visible from here and is reachable in most conditions. Wind speeds of between 14 kph and 25 kph provide the best soaring conditions at Shek O. Winds above 30kph are too strong and flights should not be attempted under such conditions. Wind directions between NE and SE are flyable, although the best is ENE or E. When flying in NNE conditions pilots may experience dramatic sink and therefore caution should be exercised. The Rocky Bay landing site must be visited before your first flight at this site has an approach that is demanding. It is best to set up close to the landing site just east of the fence. Bleed off your height, and then come in over the fence to touchdown. If you still have height then turn right and run this off on the beach. Beware the sink can be dramatic when crossing the golf course therefore always leave plenty of height. |
