GENERAL SITE RULES - MUST READ
GENERAL SITE RULES
MEMBERSHIP RULES
- All pilots must hold a current SAFA (HGFA) membership.
- To fly Mystic, all pilots must hold a current NEVHGC membership as well (NEVHGC membership is not compulsory for all other NEVHGC sites)
- It is highly recommended that tandem passengers either be members of SAFA (HGFA) or of NEVHGC. SAFA passenger insurance is also available.
- All tandem passengers must have completed the SAFA tandem disclaimer form.
- Instructors must have a written agreement with the NEVHGC to instruct at ANY NEVHGC site
SITE ACCESS RULES
Please be considerate to our local community. We are heavily dependent on good relations with the locals, especially the farmers who own the land we fly from and/or land on. Here are some guidelines to help ensure you and other pilots will be able to continue to fly.
- HVP (the pine plantation owners) may close the main access track for Mystic on days of extreme fire danger or harvesting operations. This will be indicated via signage on Mystic Lane. Often these days represent sub-optimal flying anyway. Better off spending the day in a water hole.
Launch Sites
- No smoking on any of the launch sites. Most of our sites are in densely forested high fire risk areas.
- Leave no litter!
- Paragliders should bundle up if not intending to launch immediately to allow space for other pilots wanting to launch - especially commercial operators.
- Hang gliders should attempt to set up to the side of the launches where possible.
- Always check with locally based pilots before flying a site for the first time. This should always include a site briefing.
- Bright has a large local flying community that fly almost every day that is flyable. So if you get to launch and there are no other pilots there, there might be a reason for that!
- The access roads to our launch sites vary in quality. Drive an appropriate vehicle to conditions and within the speed limit at all times.
Landing Areas
- Please ensure you are familiar with the No Landing Zones in the area.
- Avoid any paddocks with stock in them – specifically do not fly low over horses.
- Leave gates as they are found. Gates may be closed to keep stock in or open giving them access to feed and water
- Do not climb over fences – use gates or stiles or roll underneath the fence.
- Do not smoke at ANY TIME in on private property or landing zones - not even vaping. From a distance it can look the same and impressions count.
- No smoking anywhere else in the open during times of high fire risk (smoke in your car if you have to and do not throw ashes or butts out the window)
- Leave no litter
- Be courteous to any landowners you meet
- For detailed information please see the NEVHGC Land Owner Policy.
One of the best flying sites in the country, Mystic is our busiest site, has the most infrastructure and is the most expensive to maintain. Because of this, NEVHGC membership is compulsory to fly this site.
Launch can be reached via 2WD-accessible unsealed roads through a working pine plantation. You must complete a driver induction to drive a vehicle to launch. Once inducted, you will receive access through an app to open the boomgate at the entry to the park. The NEVHGC committee runs inductions over Zoom regularly through the flying season. Join the Mystic telegram chat to get the details of the next induction.
If you like to earn your thermals (or your sleds), you can hike to launch from the landing zone via Emily spur. From the LZ, head towards town, cross Morses Creek, turn left up White Star Rd past the mountain bike shuttle stop, and hop on the Emily spur fire trail which runs up to launch.
A north-facing site, Mystic collects the sun and valley breeze most days so is the most consistently flyable site in the area. Popular with schools and tandem operations, it can get busy, but the huge astroturfed launch means it can also handle a lot of wings easily.
There are numerous cross country flying options to suit all levels of pilot.
Rating: PG4 - HG Intermediate
Direction : North (Valley Wind)
NEVHGC Assessed Supervision Requirements for current NEVHGC Sites as from 6 October 2020
PG2 must be supervised by PG4 or higher
PG3 must be supervised by PG4 or higher unless an exemption has been granted via this application form.
HG Sup must be supervised by HG Int or higher
TAWONGA GAP
This is a tree slot launch on a large inland ridge, located on the western side of the Kiewa Valley.
It is accessible from the main road via a sometimes rough dirt track which can usually be navigated by carefully driven 2WD vehicles.
Rating : PG4, HG Intermediate
Direction : North East
NEVHGC Assessed Supervision Requirements for current NEVHGC Sites as from 6 October 2020
PG2 must be supervised by FI/SSO/An NEVHGC approved PG5 pilot or higher
PG3 must be supervised by FI/SSO/An NEVHGC approved PG5 pilot or higher
HG Sup must be supervised by HG Adv or higher
HG Int must be supervised by HG Adv or higher
Gundowring is a large inland ridge on the eastern side of the Kiewa Valley. The access track from the Gundowring Road is passable only for 4WD vehicles (high or low clearance).
Rating: PG4 - HG supervised
Direction: North North West, South South West
NEVHGC Assessed Supervision Requirements for current NEVHGC Sites as from 6 October 2020
PG2 must be supervised by PG4
PG3 must be supervised by PG4
HG Sup must be supervised by HG Int
MT EMU
Mt Emu is a large mountain ridge overlooking Tawonga in the Kiewa Valley. It is the highest mountain launch in Victoria. The access track can be rough and is highly recommended for 4WD access only.
Rating : PG4, HG Intermediate
Direction : South West
PG2 must be supervised by FI/SSO or higher
PG3 must be supervised by PG5 or higher
HG Sup must be supervised by HG Int or higher
MANNY'S
Large, inland ridge with a southerly aspect and a medium size slot between small trees and shrubs. Easy glide to landable paddocks below. A very UNFRIENDLY local wedgetail eagle lives near this site and will attack.
Access track can be rough and 4WD vehicles highly recommended.
Rating: PG2, HG Supervised
Direction : South - South South West
PG2 must be supervised by PG4/SO or higher
HG Sup must be supervised by HG Int or higher
Reeds Lookout is suitable for paragliders. It is accessible via a 20-minute walk from the nearest car park.
It is a bare granite face so a large tarpaulin is required to prevent damage to paraglider lines.
Rating: PG5 - HG Advanced, HG Intermediate under supervision
Direction : North East
NEVHGC Assessed Supervision Requirements for current NEVHGC Sites as from 6 October 2020
GORGE RAMP LAUNCH
PG2 CLOSED
PG3 CLOSED
PG4 CLOSED
PG5 CLOSED
HG Sup CLOSED
HG Int must be supervised by HG Adv or above
REEDS LOOKOUT
PG2 CLOSED
PG3 CLOSED
PG4 must be supervised by FI/SSO or above
HG Sup CLOSED
MURMUNGEE
Ground ramp through a tree slot in a small gorge. Always check the weather station to ensure the wind direction as the wind coming up the front of the launch may not be indicative of true wind direction.
Very limited landing options in the valley below the site.
Rating: PG4, HG Intermediate (no bottom landing for HG)
Direction : South South West
PG2 must be supervised by FI/SSO or higher
PG3 must be supervised by FI/SSO or higher
HG Sup CLOSED
POREPUNKAH AIRFIELD
This site is an airstrip that may be used for landing, tow endorsements and ground handling.
VHF radio calls must be made when landing at the airstrip.
When undertaking towing or ground handling, strict rules must be followed to use this site
- VHF radios must be monitored and used to keep in contact with other aircraft in the area.
- When ground handling on the airstrip pilots must abide by the SAFA Ground Handling at Aerodromes manual.
Rating: PG2, HG Supervised
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