The Devil's Dyke Safety and Marshalling System

Devils Dyke is one of the busiest Free Flying Sites in the UK. This is why we operate a safety system using Red, Amber and Green windsocks.

If you are the first to arrive and plan to fly, get the Windsocks out. The pictures below show where they are located. Whether you have 1 or 1000 hours, get the windsocks out; it is your job as a responsible member. If people are flying and you notice there are no Windsocks, get them out. No excuses please!

The Windsocks are stored behind the Dyke Pub, near to the Public Toilets The storage cupboard is located under the metal fire escape, as shown The door to the cupboard is made of slatted wood. Click here for the padlock combination.
The cupboard contains the windsocks and pole There are three windsocks; Red, Amber and Green (not pictured). The pole is in two sections. Slot the two pole sections together and position about 20 meters down the hill from the car-park in front of the pub.

The marshalling system is simple, can be operated by anyone and is based on three states:

Green: It is safe to launch

Amber: Launching only to the right of the Windsocks. The area to the left is for landing only.
Red: No launching - landing only

It is everyone's responsibility to make the marshalling system work and that means changing the windsock according to the conditions. If you are not sure on the day, find a coach and ask them, but the following should serve as a guide:

Green: Few People in the air, people are able to launch and land without giving way on the ground

Amber: A number of people in the air. Pilots are having to wait carefully for spaces before landing or launching

Red: Many pilots in the air. Pilots are being prevented from landing safely due to the number of people launching.

Note: The Marshalling System is not only intended to make landing and launching safe. It is also intended to keep the number of airborne pilots near to the hill at a safe level. If you believe that the number of pilots in the air near to the hill represents a hazardous situation, put the red Windsock up and ask your fellow pilots not to launch.