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PORTERVILLE
a preview from the Fresh Air Site Guide
Copyright © Greg Hamerton

GRADING : BASIC + 2 guided flights (Hang-gliders : S)
GPS : +- S34º54’18” E19º01’18”
ALTITUDE : 450m high (700m asl).
Airspace ceiling at 2900m (asl) and FAR45 military 5km W out in the valley (requires phone-in clearance).
DESCRIPTION : Porterville is Cape Town’s premier xc site. Hardy scrub covers the dry and rocky mountain range. In summer, the fields below are barren browns and blacks, having yielded their grains to the yearly harvest. Ground temperatures can soar well into the
thirties (ºC) causing good thermal activity and healthy height gains. The front ridge offers a good start to big Cross-country flying. The Cedarberg Range which towers behind the front ridge has only recently been explored by paragliders, and then only very tentatively. It is a dry and dusty environment on the ground, but once airborne you'll appreciate the beauty of the land.Wild, untamed mountains. Plains stretching out from the foothills to the western horizon. Hidden, inaccessible valleys (stay high!) Blue skies above. Unlimited landing
areas out in the flatlands.And thermals that leave you with no doubt that they are going UP.
You can almost be guaranteed flying here between November and March (averages at 4 good days in 7). If you are proficient at thermalling, 20km xc is an easy goal. In winter (June - Sept), just after a cold front has passed, some gentle thermic conditions are found over a much greener Porterville valley.
WIND : NW- SW, thermic SE days
LAUNCH : At the top of the Pass is a hangglider ramp and a cut-away for turning your vehicle. The launch is covered with shade-netting, and is just above the road.		 Porterville ridge looking south
LANDING : Turkey patch is directly below takeoff, around the Y junction at the base of the pass. The fields on the W and SE of the junction belong to Mr Du Bois, a friendly farmer who lives in the first farmhouse to the S. The triangular field to the NE is only to be used if there is no livestock in it. It is imperative that you close all gates that you open, and do not damage any of the fences. Please avoid livestock. The two farms to the north of the pass, against the ridge, used to be 'prohibited areas'. They have subsequently agreed to allow us onto their property, but please respect their right to privacy, and avoid livestock and the homesteads, as with any other farms in the valley. Don't bring your recovery vehicles onto their private land.
DIRECTIONS : refer to the Fresh Air Site Guide.
CAUTIONS : refer to the Fresh Air Site Guide.
RECORDS : 151.4km N (Simon Green (UK), Dec 99), 112km S (Hamerton, Oct 97), 73km NW (Ant Allen, Nov 99), 116km O&R to Voelvlei (Andrea Joubert, Dec 1995), Hang-glider 203km N (HughWilliams, Dec 84)
PERMISSION : Site fee payable to land owner Rob Manzoni (082 788 4398).
ACCOMMODATION : 'Mountain View' (082 320 8510) has upmarket accommodation for 20 people, with a pool and more. The Flyers' Lodge' (082 788 4398) has a pool, bunkbeds, and lots of space - third house on right as you enter Porterville from the north (see the display advert). 'Pampoenfontein' has 3 charming cottages on top of the ridge near takeoff, and a separate launch site which is better in a cross-wind than Dasklip. Contact Gemma Carlsson (082 564 5500) - gemmac@mweb.co.za. Also try Rockhaven (083 630 8217). If you prefer a cool retreat in the valley, try Laatson (022 931 2468), 4 or 6 beds chalets. Over the back to Beaver Lac (022 931 2945). Rock pools. Pine trees.
SOUTH AFRICA'S TOP FLYING SITES
LIONS HEAD paragliding siteLion's Head PORTERVILLE paragliding sitePorterville SIR LOWRY'S PASS flying siteSir Lowry's Pass HERMANUS flying siteHermanus
TABLE MOUNTAIN flying siteTable Mountain MAP OF AFRICA flying siteMap of Africa Paradise Ridge flying siteParadise Ridge Bulwer flying siteBulwer
The Dam flying site near JohannesburgThe Dam Barberton flying siteBarberton De Aar record flying site in South AfricaDe Aar Map of flying sites in the Western CapeSite map
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