Beechmont Launch, known as Rosin's Lookout, over-looks the stunning Numinbah Valley. The area has remained largely undeveloped in recent decades. To the east is the Springbrook plateau. On the eastern side of the valley is the Natural Bridge in Springbrook National Park and to the west lies the Lamington Plateau and the Lamington National Park. To the south is the Tweed Valley.
The Launch is adjacent to a peaceful picnic area, with dedicated electric BBQ facilities, toilets and undercover seating area. Open to all pilots, as well as the public, it is often an area families come to enjoy a picnic while watching the hang gliders and paragliders fly above them.
Beechmont is of the friendlier sites, in that it is suitable for novices to ridge soar safely with a clear view of the bottom landing area. It has three top landing areas (one dedicated to emergency landings only), and is often the site that pilots will have their first XC flight from. Taking Easterly wind directions, once high enough, you can head towards the West for tens and even hundreds of kilometers.
It is a popular site, and there are times when the sky is very busy, yet times when you may have the whole sky to yourself. Even though located on a public road, it is not as busy with spectators as the Tamborine Launch.
Rating: Paragliding PG2, PG2, (PG2 or PG3, if under supervision of Instructor or Club Safety Officer.) Hang Gliding-Supervised (formerly called Restricted pilot)
Required Wind Direction: SSE through to NE
Altitude: 1738ft / 530m ASL
CTA: Above 6500ft
Windstation: Beechmont has it's own dedicated weather station. It can be accessed on the Windstation page of this site.
Coordinates: Take off Beechmont -28.1192 S, 153.2010E 530 m ASL.
With regards Beechmont.
Face Landing
The face landing area encompasses the entire area across Beechmont Launch including the small shelf below launch!
Face-landing is only permitted for PG4 and PG5 (Intermediate and Advanced) HGFA rated pilots only.
PG2 and PG3 Pilots only under supervision of Instructor as serious injuries have occurred.
Pilots are to land either before or in very close proximity to the orange cone placed infront of the wind sock.
Any pilot that puts their wing on the road is putting themselves and the public at grave risk. If this occurs, then it must be reported to a SSO within 24 hours or you will have to pay a $50 fine. You may use the Report an Incident form on this website to contact a SSO. This also applies for Tandem pilots.
If you see any members not adhering to Club protocols, please direct them to this email, the Club Website, or your local, friendly neighbourhood SSO.
The weekends are often very busy on the spectator, and road traffic front. For that reason, on weekends, where there is a marked increase in both pilot and public presence on the hill, that we adhere to the club site rules. Please remember that
1/. LAUNCHING PARAGLIDER. If the main windsock on launch is anywhere near horizontal, all inflations must be done in front of the privet trees (to the south of the windsock). This is to prevent the possibility of a glider being dragged onto the road and causing a catastrophe by being collected by a passing car or motorcycle.
2/. FACE LANDNG PARAGLIDERS. , All face landings are to be done to the south of the windsock (right hand side when looking in the direction of a glider launching). This is irrespective of whether you choose to approach flying to the North or the South. This is particularly important when there are people (especially young children) playing on launch.
Thanks again for your help and understanding with this.
The following google earth image shows the area (outlined in white) of no paraglider landing please.
Regards
Phil Hystek.
Image updated with cross for no landing. Lofty
Safety Officers may close launch where flying congestion becomes a safety issue!
· If landing in the bombout paddock in the valley, be aware that there is an up-slope landing from SE-NE.
· First-Aid kit in the main bombout in the valley. It is located under near the road, under the stile.
· There is a sea breeze influence most afternoons in Spring and Summer. This can be great to soar but be aware that it can come roaring in.
· In northerly winds, the windsock may indicate a more easterly airflow, as if coming up the face of launch. Check the wind station for a more accurate reading.
· In southerly winds, potential for rotor on northern side of the southern ridge.
· Be aware of valley wind effect in bombout when coming into land. Can be quite North or even NW.
· Be aware of power line north of launch running down into the valley.
· Be aware of power line to the north of the bombout paddock.
· In southerly winds, be aware of your glide back to the bombout, if in the northern bowl. Perform little passes back towards launch to ascertain the strength of the wind, before venturing further towards the northern bowl.
· There is commonly a wind gradient on landing, which can be severe in the last 50 feet.
· If going XC from Beechmont, in moderate winds there is no safe landing until Hinchcliffe bombout,
· The Prison Farm land on the southern side of the spur is a more suitable landing area for those pilots wishing to land short and walk back up. However, do not land there with the intention of walking down to the bombout.
· The Model Airfield is a suitable alternative landing area in southerly winds when pilots struggle low at the northern end of Beechmont ridge. Instead of trying to reach the official bombout, pilots can just fly easterly down the spur and land there.
· Munsters is an emergency landing area on the top that can be used in southerly winds only. Dangerous in E and NE winds because of rotor from hills on the E and NE side. There is a fence at Munsters dividing the paddock in two (running E-W), and there's a power pole near the gate.
· Face landings on Launch is for PG4 and PG5 rated pilots only. All face landings are to be in the vicinity of the Orange cone. No landing near the setup area.
· NO ground handling of gliders on the launch area at ANY time! (Ground handling is permitted at the Top landing area)
Launching Area
If it is windy, pilots must launch from in front of the trees near the Orange cone.
Face Landing
The face landing area encompasses the entire area across Beechmont Launch including the small shelf below launch!
Face-landing is only permitted for PG4 and PG5 (Intermediate and Advanced) HGFA rated pilots only.
PG2 and PG3 Pilots only under supervision of Instructor as serious injuries have occurred.
Pilots are to land either before or in very close proximity to the orange cone placed infront of the wind sock.
Any pilot that puts their wing on the road is putting themselves and the public at grave risk. If this occurs, then it must be reported to a SSO within 24 hours or you will have to pay a $50 fine. You may use the Report an Incident form on this website to contact a SSO. This also applies for Tandem pilots.
If you see any members not adhering to Club protocols, please direct them to this email, the Club Website, or your local, friendly neighbourhood SSO.
Landings in the Setup Area.
There is to be no landings in the set up area. Pilots who do so are completely responsible for their actions and the committee will fully cooperate with any authority investigating pilots who break HGFA regulations. For those new to flying Beechmont, you need to be aware that even the smallest change in wind direction can make the world of difference to whether you can make any particular landing area.
Flying in Southerly Winds
Southerly winds on Beechmont are probably the worst in regards to getting to a landing area. Even though Beechmont is quite soarable when the wind is SSE, you won't get as high compared to wind of the same strength but coming from the E or NE. The reason for this is that when the wind comes from the SSE it runs along the ridge rather than up it, and there is nothing at the end of the ridge to turn the wind up the face.
When the wind comes from the NE, it gets pushed up the bowl to the right of launch and makes the hill much more soarable. Making the bomobout when the wind is from the NE is easiest done by soaring the bowl to the right of launch and then heading out to the B/O from the spur. But if the wind is from the South, the bowl is not going to produce any lift at all and if the wind is quite south, you may well be flying into rotor if heading out via the bowl.
If you are trying to make the B/O from launch in a Southerly wind, the best is to head directly out from launch. And if you are any lower than launch height, you probably won't make it. Remember that when you leave the ridge in a southerly, you'll be pushing a headwind all the way to the B/O. The land owners at the bottom of Beechmont don't want pilots landing short around their houses so make sure you leave ample height to get to the bombout. Don't wait till you are half the height of the hill to head out. For top landing in a South wind, be aware that if you are trying to fly to the school, it will be cross wind from launch, and if the wind is really south, then the school is almost headwind.;
You need a LOT more height to get to any top landing area in a southerly than in a NE when the landing areas are basically downwind. There are times when Munsters is almost impossible to get to in a Southerly even if you are 150m above launch. If you can't guarantee that you have enough height to easily make the approved top landing area, then you MUST go to the bombout.
Access to Launch
Beechmont Launch is easy to get to. There is a sealed road to the site from Canungra along Beechmont Rd, this is a public road. The launch area is adjacent to Rosin's Lookout. The site is open to club members and visiting pilots. It's a great prime spectator spot with friendly facilities, but please park in the designated areas.
Driving from Launch to Bombout
Drive down the hill on Beechmont Road towards Nerang (with your back to Launch area, turn right), until you get to the bottom of the hill. Turn right at the intersection on to the Nerang - Murwillumbah Rd. Turn right, on to Pocket Rd. Drive till you reach the Bombout area on the right. All together about 35-45 minutes to get down by car.
Pocket Road Zoomed In
Below is a close up map of Pocket Rd.
Walking Up
It is possible to walk up the mountain spur ridge line from the Bombout to the Launch area. Navigate simply by going up the steepest slope ridge line. Choose any path less steep and you will go the long way round or the long way down. Time: a fit person with nothing carried, can stomp up in under 40minutes race walking. Allow at least 45-50minutes for reasonable walk for most young fit individuals without luggage. Which is about the same as driving one way. Allow up to 1.5hours if you are carrying a paraglider backpack, or stop for a rest along the way. Be mindful you have to cross private land, which is heavily frowned upon. This is not recommended, and is to be avoided. It is best not to attempt this walk up until you have been briefed by someone who has already done this. It is easy to get lost. Some of the route is marked by red ribbon. There is a GPS track of this route that can be downloaded from the Downloads page on this website.
Walk up the far side (west side) of the spur until you encounter the track then follow it. There is one tricky spot halfway up where there is a sort of crossroads in a grassy area and the correct path is not apparent in the grass. The correct route all the way is always GO UP THE STEEPEST SLOPE straight up the ridge spur. After 20 metres in grassy area that appears half way, the track becomes visible again. At the crossroads the obvious track leading to the right is the wrong way. If you get lost backtrack, it is not worth trying to forge through lantana. Very muddy after rain. Note, you won't actually come out back at the Launch area, but on to the Beechmont Rd a few hundred metres away.
Monorail from Bombout to Launch - Buy shares now with donation to bank reference: monorail. $30 and get free T shirt.
Benefits to you; free use for life. Why walk up that damn hill ever again, when you can sit on a lazy fat seat. [refer to comedy TV show: The Simpsons, to see likely outcome of donation investment] Construction not yet commenced. Land not yet acquired. Only a few years away. Expect as soon as the ill conceived design promises of everyone having jet packs and flying cars. Maybe with a jet pack, or self driving electric cars, won't need a monorail? Some best designs are thinking outside the box, and supersede the need. For now learn to fly better. Flying is better than walking.
There is one main dedicated Bombout at Beechmont, but with additional acceptable landing areas adjacent to the Bombout. One being the "Pizza Paddock" (a triangular patch) and Prison Farm on the other side of the Southern ridge. There is a definite no landing area (marked in red below), please avoid this area at all times.
Pilots can also land at the bottom of the Southern ridge and walk up the mountain to Launch but not back down towards the Bombout (see Downloads page of this website to download the GPS track to walk up).
There are numerous landing areas at the top, including the "Top Landing" area directly behind launch (on the other side of the road), "the school" which is infact a paddock on the other side of the school community hall, and Munsters which can be used in an emergency. All these areas are drawn and labelled in the Online Maps page of this website.
Main Bombout Aerial View
Main bombout straight out from launch dissected by a fence running east-west. Upslope landing from SE-NE. Note power lines to the north of the Bombout paddock.
Main Bombout (click image to enalarge)
Various Top Landing Areas (click image to enlarge)
Behind Launch (Top Landing Area)
Michael Jackson Top landing after 80km out and return flight with Jonny Durand. (photographed by Damian)
Members are requested sign the book on using the top landing area, for landing and even for ground handling training.
School / Graceleigh Park
Refer to instructors. Rotor turbulence areas near creek, Not Available when crowded with sports events.
Munsters (Emergency only)
Refer to instructors.
Face Landing
The face landing area encompasses the entire area across Beechmont Launch including the small shelf below launch!
Face-landing is only permitted for PG4 and PG5 (Intermediate and Advanced) HGFA rated pilots only.
PG2 and PG3 Pilots only under supervision of Instructor as serious injuries have occurred.
Pilots are to land either before or in very close proximity to the orange cone placed infront of the wind sock.
Any pilot that puts their wing on the road is putting themselves and the public at grave risk. If this occurs, then it must be reported to a SSO within 24 hours or you will have to pay a $50 fine. You may use the Report an Incident form on this website to contact a SSO. This also applies for Tandem pilots.
If you see any members not adhering to Club protocols, please direct them to this email, the Club Website, or your local, friendly neighbourhood SSO.
paddock historically known as prison farm within National Parks land - suitable for paragliders - less walk back, on the way to the bombout
At all times, position your flight path according to the weather conditions and according to the performance of your flying equipment and your experience so you always have glide to a safe landing option.
Traveling XC to NW, downwind on the south-easterly sea breeze steam train. First stop Hinchies. Safe landing option Hinchies bombout, East of Hinchies launch while you search for thermal lift. Hinchies launch is about 7.65km from Beechmont launch.
518kms Beechmont Mountain launch to Roma: Best distance flight in Australia - Jonny Durand
[Flight world wide with Aerotow launch: Jonny Durand best Distance 761km in Zapata, USA.]
In early march I had been watching the weather closely and had just returned home from manilla when a big high pressure system moved in. I could see the potential for a world record attempt from my local flying site Beechmont. On monday and tuesday morning I was up at launch early hoping for the winds to die down but seemed a little windy so I waited. Wednesday morning I knew the winds were not going to be to strong so I set up at 8am which was quite late, but seemed to be arly on this given day. I waited for awhile and then eventually launched just after 9am, 1 hour later than my previous 500km flight. I ridge soared for 20 minutes before getting to cloud base and heading on my way. The first 50kms was quite slow but I thought it might get better so I kept going towards Towoomba. I keep a pretty close eye on my time v;s distance and noticed I was increasing my average speed. The next 75kms I did in 1 hr 15 minutes and was soon crossing the range onto teh flats. It was all blue in front of me and I just took it slow trying to stay in the air. I had wind on my side today which is not always the case and the time was not to bad so I kept going. After some rough light thermals I was nearly at Dalby (220km) mark and it was 1pm. I was south of town and knew it was going to be hard to punch crosswind around the forest to take my normal path. Luckily I had been looking on Google earth planning my new route to Roma which is more of a straight line taking me through the forest. From a distance it looks bad but once you get closer there are landings and plenty of roads so this was nice to know for future flights. I will definately be coming this way again so that I can convert time into more distance. I still had not managed to get any of the wispy clouds which were only at 7500ft. I pretty much just kept flying getting light thermals and drifting with the wind untill the sun was getting lower. I had marty on the ground chasing me and still was not keeping up until just now when I could see him below me at the 430km mark. I knew with the wind on my side it was only a couple of thermals away from the 500km mark. I did some long glides then hit a light thermal about 10kms south of Roma and drifted in this one for over 1o kms before reaching my peak alttitude for the day of 6,500ft agl. I was now at 479kms and figured I had the 500kms so I went on glide into the glarring sun on the horizon. My glide was just amazing and marty was on the ground at the 510km mark telling me I had to make it at least to there. I tucked my arms in pushed on my toes and kept gliding into the sunset. I eventually made it back to the main road just near after the 500km mark and I gave out a big scream of joy. I know after my last flight when I landed at 498kms how painful that was and to know that I was still flying was such a great feeling. This was the best final glide I have ever done Knowing my car is waiting for me just up ahead and that I had just flown past my previous 3 long flights. I spotted Marty on the road and I flew past him and raced him down the straight road doing over 100kph before making a quick turn back into the wind and landing on the middle if the Highway. I touched down no more than 5 metres from the front of my car with a huge smile on my face. For some reason I think Marty had an even bigger smile Knowing that he was a big part in this as he kept me going the whole way even when I would have given up. Not to mention that he did not offer to drive for me I probably would have never even taken off. So big thanks Marty and also to Keith who helps pay for my fuel money on my record attemts. This is an act of kindness and is much appreciated in this small world of hang gliding. The flight took me just under 9 hours I averaged less than 300fpm climbs and never got that high. I am really looking forward to the day when I get everything to line up cause this will take me all the way past Charlevile another 200kms down the road.. Until then fly far fly safe fly moyes...