Description - Wind directions - Club - Take-off - Landing - Airspace - Hazards - Wind - Restrictions - Access - Parking - Landowner - Notam - XC Tips - XC Record- Other
For the full details on all free flight related airspace issues around Edinburgh click here.
Important notes
It is essential that the first pilot at the hill calls Edinburgh Air Traffic Control to seek permission to fly. The last pilot must also call to close the permission.
Call
0131 333 6234
and state you are a Paraglider or Hang-glider pilot requesting permission to fly Hillend Paragliding zone. You should be given a height clearance and asked for a contact mobile telephone number.
Occasionally permission is refused (poor visibility, special flight plans, G8! etc) please do not be tempted to fly anyway as you can be seen from the control tower. If you have any doubts, it is a good idea to seek permission from ATC before you walk up the hill.
Description
Situated on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, Hillend is arguably one of the country's most interesting sites to fly. The site sits in the middle of Edinburgh Air Traffic Control, in order to allow flying local pilots have negotiated with ATC special arrangements to allow access to this superb site. Small soaring site with magnificent views of the capital city when flown on the north side.
Back to TopWind directions
NNW-SE Ideal direction for the North side is between 0 to 20 degrees The North East nose needs something close to 60 degrees and the South East face has an ideal direction of about 110 degrees.
Controlling Club
SMPC - Scottish Mountain Paragliding Club
Back to TopTake off Information :-
Both take off areas are on large grassy hill sides but also have large areas of thick gorse which can (and do) easily catch your lines.
| Take-off | Latitude | Longitutde | OS Map Ref. | Altitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North | -3.214852 | 55.882085 | NT241 661. | 445m |
| South East | -3.213226 | 55.881162 | NT242 660. | 420m |
| Landing | -3.210198 | 55.886584 | NT244 666 | 244m |
Landing Information :-
The landing site is a flat, grassy area to the East of the chairlift (please have a look before you fly as it is not visible from either take off). This landing option can be turbulent in a strong SE wind. The ground to the west of the ski centre and south of the golf course offers a large but rough landing option best suited to lower airtime pilots.The golf course can be used in an emergency but beware of golfers, pack up quickly on the side of the fairway and offer your thanks and/or apologies to any golfers present.
Back to TopAirspace considerations :-
The site is within Edinburgh Air Traffic Controlled Class D Airspace (please see special note above and for full details.)
And here is a scanned copy of the oldletter of agreement
Hazards :-
Hazards are the ski-lift cables, lots of fir trees, a few fences, gorse as well as tourists at launch and landing!. Beware of rotor from the ridge running north east from the summit when flying in a strong south east wind.It can also be turbulent if there is any westerly component to the wind, probably best to avoid flying in this wind direction.
Back to TopWind comments :-
In the summer the site is frequently affected by a sea breeze.
Restricted areas or times :-
Try to avoid flying low over the ski tows and chair lift.
Access Directions :-
From the A702 just off the Edinburgh City by-pass. Travel south towards Penicuik then turn into the Hillend Ski Centre (sign posted).
Back to TopParking notes :-
Park at the Ski Centre car park.
Landowner information :-
Information not available at this time
NOTAM information
You must contact Edinburgh ATC before you fly this site therefore it is not necessary to NOTAM this site.
Back to TopXC tips / comments :-
This is not an XC site per se - however if there are excellent Northerly conditions and only with permission from Air Traffic control it is possible to open the "Pentlands Zone" as well and therefore allow XC.
Back to TopSite XC record :-
Sergey Kataev - on his Aeros Discus hang-glider on 13th April 09 - 12.65km - click this link for more details from pgcomps xc league and here you can download the igc file associated with this flight. It is also believed that Fraser Marwick did a similar or longer flight to Silverburn many years ago.
Longest Flight duration 3 hours 05 minutes Cliff Smith 16 October 2002 (unless you know of something longer!)
Other information :-
Current weather conditions at Edinburgh Airport may be heard on 131.3500 KHz - Do not transmit on this frequency.
Normal radio frequency of pilots - 143.6750 KHz or 143.750 KHz
Use of chair lift and tows.
Use of the chairlift and tows eases the ascent of this hill. When the chair is running buy a ticket from the ski centre (For best value buy a paragliding ticket which gives you 5 journeys for around 5.20 GBP). If the chair is off you may be able to use the poma tow (with permission from the lift attendants a cheery wave sometimes gets you on ( however recently the paragliding ticket has been required for this as well).
The technique for using the poma tow involves shoving the button between your legs and bouncing / yomping up the tow - be prepared to "run" at the jump near the top - perhaps it is best to watch someone else first before you make an a**e of yourself if you have any doubts.
Back to TopIf you notice any errors in this information or if you become aware of any new information then please let me know via the email link to the left.
Page originally created by Cliff Smith 11 October 2005, Page Last Updated by Bob Veitch 14th April 09
Back to TopA helmet cam video recording of a Top to bottom flight by Zeno Kerr
Ordnance Survey "Get a Map" Link