Rybury

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Rybury is a good cross-country  site in a westerly,  but it's a little more technical than Milk Hill because of the small ridge and steep slope.  This means it can get windier or lighter much quicker than the bigger Milk Hill behind it.  The short ridge can get very crowed with just a few gliders, so flying Milk may be easier. Rybury can be used for soaring, but it's more popular on XC days because of the cleaner air flow out front and the thermal sources and triggers.  Be very cautious about flying it in wind that's not due west until you're well used to the site. It used to have a bottom landing field, but this has now been turned to crop, so the site is suitable only for experienced CPs (CP+25 hours) and above.  In an emergency, pilots can of course land in the field and use the bridleway (not always visible) to exit to the gate.

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Status

You must not fly alone at this site. Check the sign on the gate before you fly as the farmer may have young livestock grazing. This site sometimes closes for lambing each April and May (exact closure day depends upon the date of Easter and the state of the ewes – normally about 10th April: opening always 1st June), ask via the Telegram groups if in doubt.

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Wind Direction / Details

SW-WNW

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Restrictions

The site is limited to Full TVHGC members only (see pilot experience below) 

You must not fly alone at this site.

 

Suitable for pilots with a CP Hill rating + 25 hours experience and completed slope landing tasks either as part of their CP or Pilot tasks.  This is due to the lack of a bottom landing field and tricky slope landing lower down.  There are other options for pilots with less experience (Milk Hill and Sugar Hill). Watch out for strong thermals on sunny spring days.

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Sensitivity

The club has recently experienced problems with Rybury and its overuse.
The farmer is very concerned about pilots flying unaccompanied and the possibility of a casualty lying untended on the hill.  There is a £50 penalty, payable to Oxfam via the farmer if you do.

All vehicles must pay £1.50 (to a different farmer) at the clearly sign posted toll box to use the track, this toll is payable even if you do not fly.

 

Location

OS Grid Ref SU 084 637 Landranger 173, Pathfinder 1185.

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Parking

Parking is approximately 1 mile along the track, approximately 200 yards before the lower barns (see the map below).  Park on the Rybury hill side pf the track keeping the track and access to the fields clear.

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Access

Rybury can be reached by walking westwards from the track through the gate and alongside the fence towards the hilltop.

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Take Off

Approximate elevation 230m/755’ AMSL.
Anywhere at the top of the hill.

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Landing

Slope land, or top land as appropriate, but see hazards.

There is no longer a bottom landing field as its been put to crop.

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Hazards

Landing in the col (the gap) at the top of the bowl may result in being blown back into dangerous rotor!  If the wind picks up it is generally safest to land on the shallow spur below Rybury hill fort.  Do not fly low and behind the ridge as its a spineback and there is rotor in a westerly wind.  Pilot's should be careful in flying the site in a wind direction north of west as the spur to the north (the southerly face) is in the lee and landing there in that wind direction would be dangerous.  In a WNW wind direction it may be possible to use the bottom southerly end of the escarpment but pilots must assess the conditions on the day.  Flying Rybury in a NW or NNW wind direction can be dangerous (max WNW).

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XC

Please study your Air-map carefully. Just try getting to Milk Hill! The best thermals break off from the top of Rybury enclosure so go there (in light winds) when you get high.