Beachy Head
| Description | Beachy Head is a coastal site, 2 miles SW of Eastbourne. There is a large SE bowl with a large bottom landing area and a 5 mile long 500 ft S to SSW cliff range with little dry bottom landing. The lower SE cliffs beyond the bottom landing area can also be soared as far as the Holywell Cafe on the outskirts of Eastbourne, and the main S to SSW cliffs past Birling Gap to Cuckmere Haven. |
| Coordinates | N50o44.3’ E000o15.3’ |
| Take-off height | 530 ft amsl (163 metres) |
| Height top-to-bottom | SE: 370 ft (113 metres) S: 530 ft (163 metres) |
| Site pilot rating | Bowl: CP+, Cliffs: Pilot+. No Training Permitted |
| Airspace restrictions | FL55 above Beachy Head |
Restrictions
The south-east bowl is open all year, but the cliffs must not be overflown below 200 ft (730 ft msl) from 1st February to 1st August. The area is used extensively by walkers and sightseers etc. To ensure that we fit in with other users, the local authority (Eastbourne BC) sets out certain procedures for us to follow (see Site Rules below).
Site Rules
Whenever the site is flown, the top landing area Marker Flags and the site Windsock must be used. They are kept in a tube marked 'SHGC Flags', located on the rear wall of the coastguard station to the side of the car park. The lock combination is listed here.
The first person to arrive must set out the Marker Flags and Windsock and, if Pilot rated, must also assume the duties of Site Marshall. The SHGC agreement with the Council is specific about public awareness of landing areas and the marker flags must always be displayed.
No more than a total of 30 paragliders and hang gliders should be in the air at any one time, and no rigged gliders should be left outside of the rigging area.
Do not overfly the Whitbread Hollow Bird Sanctuary which is in the next bowl along towards Eastbourne. And, do not soar the promenade.
Pictures taken at Beachy Head here
