Kettlewell
Last edited on: 26 May 2023
Important information
Experienced pilots only. Can be very turbulent in anything other than light winds.
Status
Open
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Sites officer
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Location
Lat, long: 54.136182, -2.051237
OS grid reference: SD967711
Wind direction
ENE - E (060-100)
Height
1300ft (405m) AMSL, 600ft (200m) top to bottom.
Grade of pilot
Experienced pilots only. Not a good soaring site: mainly used as a trigger point for XC flights.
Parking
Parking is very limited where the path meets the road or in the layby opposite. Do not block the gate or cause an obstruction. Alternatively park in Kettlewell village.
Reference
Walk along the public footpath through the wooded area. Continue along the path through the disused quarry and over the stile onto the fell. Follow the path another 200m, then bear right to take off.
Capacity
Three in good conditions, but only one if it’s scratchy.
Hazards
Rotor behind the crags and the wooded area in front of take off. Buildings and the road near the bottom landing field.
The site can be VERY turbulent. There are a lot of obstacles to the airflow (trees, small cliff shelves).
When soaring you can easily fall out of dynamic lift into dead air, and then you need to make a very quick decision to slope land or fly out.
It's only flown in light to moderate winds/ thermic conditions. Expect it to be very unpleasant in strong winds.
Rules
Do not block the track. Keep the gate closed. The bottom landing field is some distance from take off. Always ensure you can make the landing field on a straight glide. If lift disappears land on flat area in front of take off.
Comments
You can also park in the bottom landing field at Windbank and walk up to Windbank then over the stile and down the footpath to take off.
Lots of places to get refreshments in Kettlewell.
Land owner
Contact via Sites Officer
Nearest landline/mobile phone coverage
No information