Australian National Site Guide - Perth Region

Western Australia - Perth Region

Avalon

A northwesterly coastal site south of Mandurah.

Flight

Quite a small site and rarely flown, may be washed away by storms occasionally, but the only NW option near perth.

Hazards/Comments

Although only low dunes there can be rotor behind, and the strong winds required to fly can lead to injuries if dragged. Any part of your glider landing in the ocean can be fatal - don't become complacent with regards to these sites.

Public road close behind launch at the northern end. Lots of radio controlled models here. This is a public beach so watch out for spectators.

Western Australia - Perth Region

Burns Beach

Good low beach site for a southwesterly wind.

Flight

Take off from beach. In a south south westerly only the biggest dune with the blow out is flyable. With a good wind strength and WSW to SW winds several kilometres of flying up to the Mindarie Keys and Quinns Rocks is possible, but it may be necessary to walk a few steps to cross the bigger gaps, especially upwind.

Council Rangers may deny you flying this site. This is a public beach so watch out for spectators. Take care not to damage dune vegetation.

Hazards/Comments

The alternate launching and landing beside the toilet block can be dangerous due to a complete lack of landing options if you don't stay up or overshoot a landing. Only experienced pilots in ideal conditions should attempt this site. Although only low dunes there can be rotor behind, and the strong winds required to fly can lead to injuries if dragged. Any part of your glider landing in the ocean can be fatal - don't become complacent with regards to these sites. The gullies can exhibit a strong venturi effect, stay well in front in stronger winds.

Western Australia - Perth Region

Cottesloe

Good beach site very close to Perth but hazardous due to proximity to the road and large numbers of bystanders.

Do not fly here until you have read the FlyWA site guide entry.

Western Australia - Perth Region

Gingin

Inland site north of Perth. One of few sites that works on the typical SSW summer sea breeze in Perth. In R155 military airspace.

Flight

This site is in military airspace - Restricted zone R155 - so absolutely no flying is permitted there till R155 is deactivated - usually after 5.00 pm on a weekday (except Fridays which is usually after around 3.00 pm) and usually all weekend and public holidays. (Need to check NOTAMS for area 60 Pearce PEX as sometimes special military airforce exercises are conducted after hours or on a weekend in which case R155 remains active.)

Very small ridge, works better than it looks like it should. Nice big grassy launch. If you get low you will be in rotor of the ridge in front, it's best to stay above take off if possible and top land. If you sink out land on the flat area immediately below takeoff. Can be flyable on the summer sea breeze, but generally only late in the day when the strength dies off.

Hazards/Comments

Potential for rotor if you get low in front. Low ridge, so flying is usually close to the ground, it is an inland site so potential for strong lift, sink and turbulence form thermal activity. The face is very rocky. It may look the size of a sand dune but it hurts more if you hit it, and the wind is not as dependable as on the coast, be cautious. Probably only safe to fly in smooth evening conditions or in winter, as there is insufficient height to cope with thermal induced turbulence safely.

Western Australia - Perth Region

Mullaloo Beach

A nice safe westerly facing dune near Perth.

Flight

Take off from beach. Take care not to damage dune vegetation. Flyable from the surf club to well south of the stairs, plenty of space behind the dunes before the road makes this a beach site suitable for novices. The ridge is only short, however and can become crowded especially in light conditions, be prepared to take turns flying.

Council Rangers may deny you flying this site.

Hazards/Comments

Although only low dunes there can be rotor behind, and the strong winds required to fly can lead to injuries if dragged. Any part of your glider landing in the ocean can be fatal - don't become complacent with regards to these sites. Lots of radio controlled models here. This is a public beach so watch out for spectators.

Western Australia - Perth Region

Quinns Rocks

Varied beach site in the north of Perth.

Flight

After over 30 years of use, in 2018 a licence was approved for a formal launch site. Takeoff is a clear astroturfed area at the top of the dunes. Take care not to damage the dune vegetation in the area. This is a public beach so watch out for spectators. There is potential for long flights to the north, possibly linking sites at Pippidinny road and Yanchep/Two Rocks in the right conditions. City of Wanneroo is to be informed before each days flying. Details are on the sign, on site.

Hazards/Comments

Although only low dunes there can be rotor behind, and the strong winds required to fly can lead to injuries if dragged. Any part of your glider landing in the ocean can be fatal - don't become complacent with regards to these sites. The northern part has many rocky outcrops and beach landing areas may be limited. Do not risk landing on rocks or water. If in any doubt stick to the southern parts of the face where there is a nice wide sandy beach. Some parts of the ridge have roads, houses and powerlines behind. Be very careful flying these parts and consider avoiding these areas altogether in stronger winds.

Western Australia - Perth Region

Seabird

Low coastal site with distance potential north of Perth.

Flight

Take off from beach or from cleared areas and tracks at the top of the dune. Take care not to damage dune vegetation. This is a public beach so watch out for spectators. The ridge run to Guilderton (the next town to the north) has been done before. Pleasant flying but possibly a long walk if conditions change.

Hazards/Comments

Although only low dunes there can be rotor behind, and the strong winds required to fly can lead to injuries if dragged. Any part of your glider landing in the ocean can be fatal - don't become complacent with regards to these sites. In Seabird itself parts of the ridge have roads, houses and powerlines close behind. Be very careful flying these parts. There is plenty of ridge without obstructions to the north and south of town, so there is no reason to take any risks, particularly in stronger winds.

Western Australia - Perth Region

Serpentine

Good site on the Darling Scarp at Keysbrook.

Flight

The site is situated on the main Darling Scarp. The take off is a large gently sloping grassy area below the summit. Wind streamer on the takeoff seem to indicate better wind direction than it really is, look at the windmills out front as well. In light conditions it is possible to launch near the top of the hill for extra height, although it can be rough until you get over the steep face. Because launch is a little below the top of the hill winds aloft may be a little stronger on takeoff.

The trees mean that flying low can be is nerve wracking on this site, and less experienced pilots have a tendency to fly too far out of the lift band and land. The site often exhibits strong thermal activity and rough air and sink. Be sure to allow enough height over the trees to cope with sink and collapses. Once a little height is gained the site is very enjoyable with great views. There appears to be good potential for cross country flights north or south along the scarp, but going over the back leads straight over extensive forest.

Supervised pilots should stay to the right of the gully to avoid being caught in the trees by sink.

Top landing is not recommended, although the cleared area is large, it is sloping and can have very rough air particularly if the wind is off to the south. Bottom landing is possible in any of the paddocks in front, but be aware of the powerlines. Low lying areas are very boggy in winter, spring and autumn.

Hazards/Comments

The site is flyable in a southerly wind, but the air can be quite turbulent if the wind is south of south west, particularly immediately on takeoff. DO NOT let go of the brakes (PG) or let your airspeed get low (HG) before getting over the steep slope and out of the turbulent area. Because of the shallow slope you may have to run again after launching if you start at the top.

If the wind is much north of west the take off area can be come very turbulent, and the gully to the right of launch even more so, suspect these conditions if you can't keep your glider inflated on launch.

The communication tower behind launch can be hazardous. Do not fly if there is a danger of being blown back because terrain behind is very unforgiving, the gully to the left of launch can create a venturi.

A high tension powerline runs down the gully to the right of launch and along the edge of the landing paddock, another runs parallel to the highway some distance inside the paddock, stay well away.

There are large areas of trees in front of the ridge in places, keep enough height to glide out even if heavy sink is encountered. This is an inland site, which means heavy sink is not unusual, it would be very easy to put yourself in a situation where you cannot avoid a tree landing.

The local wedgies are usually friendly but have been known to attack and tear gliders. Powerlines along one side, in between is a large area of tall trees. Away from the launch the trees extend further in front of the ridge, and right to the top.

Site records: PG: Open distance 24km Eric Metrot, December 02. Out and Return 12km Justin Post 2004. HG: ?

Western Australia - Perth Region

Two Rocks Beach

A pretty good beach flying site with a long and steep dune.

Flight

Take off from beach. Take care not to damage dune vegetation. Council Rangers may deny you flying this site. This is a public beach so watch out for spectators.

Hazards/Comments

Although only low dunes there can be rotor behind, and the strong winds required to fly can lead to injuries if dragged. Any part of your glider landing in the ocean can be fatal - don't become complacent with regards to these sites.

Western Australia - Perth Region

Warnbro

A nice southwest to westerly facing dune near Rockingham.

Flight

Take off from beach or from grassy park in the northern section (SW wind). Take care not to damage dune vegetation.

The northern part is very low, so a strong wind is needed to fly. In the southern part the dune is higher, but finding a good launch can be more difficult due to fences at top and bottom of the dune.

Council permission has been gained by HGAWA to fly on the northern part, flying from the park, but walking on the dunes is not permitted.

Hazards/Comments

Although only low dunes there can be rotor behind, and the strong winds required to fly can lead to injuries if dragged. Any part of your glider landing in the ocean can be fatal - don't become complacent with regards to these sites.

Public road close behind launch at the northern end. Lots of radio controlled models here. This is a public beach so watch out for spectators.