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  2. Western Cape Province
  3. Sedgeview

Sedgeview

A surprisingly thermic site with a grassy launch and ample space for top-landing. The site has steep, forested slopes which drop off to the landing fields beside the little town of Sedgefield. Thermals tend to be narrow and rough, releasing off the line of tall trees half-way down the ridge.

Sedgeview is a Basic-rated site and is frequently used by local schools.

Requirements

Weather

  • South-South-East (SSE) to South-South-West (SSW)
  • Safe maximum wind-speed for take-off: 22km/h
  • Be continuously aware of changing wind direction and strength. Keep an eye on the windsocks at Turkey and the Bowling Club.
  • Extreme danger when wind direction turns side-on (East or West). If this occurs you can expect turbulence from trees. Do not attempt a top-landing, rather proceed to the landing area in the valley.
  • Never fly in a prevailing northerly wind, even if the wind appears to be coming up the face of the ridge.

Geography

  • GPS Coordinates: S34 00 21 / E22 47 39
  • Altitude: 130meters ASL
  • Airspace Ceiling: 457meters/1500feet ASL

Site Map

Sedgeview Site Map (source: Sedgeview website)

Directions

Take the last road that turns left off the N2 as you pass through Sedgefield (you’ll see a signboard pointing right to Egret Street, you turn left). Cross the railway line, bear left at any intersection, and drive slowly (to limit dust) up the hill. A huge windsock is clearly visible, and the site is sign-boarded with relevant contact details.

Site Rules

  • No ACRO flying is permitted in front of, or above, the take-off/landing area.
  • Pilots are permitted to fly as far towards the East as is safely possible.
  • No Fly Zone: A no fly zone to the west of the launch site is clearly indicated by a orange marker on the ground. No flying is permitted to the west of this marker – see map for further clarification, or ask a local senior/commercial pilot. The ONLY exception is during northerly approach to the Bottom Landing, and then only at altitudes well below the ridge-line.
  • ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING IS ALLOWED ON THIS OR ANY NEIGHBOURING PROPERTY OR ACCESS ROADS.
  • Any person failing to adhere to this rule is in violation of the rules and regulations of this site and will be required to leave the property immediately.
  • Parking behind the boom is reserved for valid commercial permit holders only.
  • No unauthorised motor vehicles allowed on the launching/landing area.
  • Turkey – bottom landing: Strictly no vehicles allowed onto the farm – pilots must walk out. (Any pilot associated with a trespassing vehicle, will have his/her Sedgeview permit revoked and will be barred from using the Sedgeview site.
  • Drive carefully and maintain a reasonable speed. (all surrounding land is privately owned)
  • No littering. That said, please help us pick up litter.
  • No camping or overnighting. (applies to Sedgeview and all surrounding land)
  • Spectators must remain clear of the launching/landing area during active pilot activity.
  • Dog Poop must be removed from the launching/landing area.
  • If there is any pilot activity / equipment on site, then dogs must be leashed. (damage to equipment can be extremely costly)

Cautionary Notes

  • A Sedgeview-specific permit is required to fly from Sedgeview.
  • No ACRO flying is permitted in front of, or above, the take-off/landing area.
  • Pilots are permitted to fly as far towards the East as is safely possible.
  • No Fly Zone: A no fly zone to the west of the launch site is clearly indicated by a orange marker on the ground. No flying is permitted to the west of this marker – see map for further clarification, or ask a local senior/commercial pilot. The ONLY exception is during northerly approach to the Bottom Landing, and then only at altitudes well below the ridge-line.
  • Avoid flying low over the trees (rotor and turbulence)
  • Top landing: Beware of approaching from too far back and getting into “sink”.
  • If flying at Sedgeview for the first time, please report to a local senior pilot for further briefing.
  • Some of the trees on properties surrounding the Sedgeview site are commercially harvested and damage to such trees is to be avoided. Should a pilot and his wing become entangled in a tree/trees, please immediately report the incident to Site Management (082 298 3554 / 072 5060 951) or failing this, a local senior/commercial pilot who will inform the relevant landowners and obtain consent for access to relevant property, as well as any action that may result in damage to trees or property in an attempt to extract the wing. Under guidance of Site Management or the local senior/commercial pilot, the pilot should be safely extracted as priority. Should the subsequent retrieval of the wing involve access to private property or damage to any trees, this should only be done upon prior consent of firstly, Site Management or secondly, the local senior/commercial pilot.
  • Note that: Any life-threatening situation takes precedence – in a case whereby the pilot’s life may be in danger, whatever needs to be done to extract the pilot from the situation safely, takes precedence. A “local” ER24 paramedic may also be available (if not on duty) – the emergency number is 072 5060 951.

Landing

  • Please respect the privacy of the land-owner.
  • Land to the west, near the Engine Garage (petrol station), only.
  • Do NOT land or walk anywhere near the farm house situated below takeoff.
  • Do NOT use the eastern farm-gate.
  • No motor vehicles are permitted to enter the farm – pilots must walk out.
  • Any pilot who tresspasses near the farmhouse or is associated with a vehicle that is driven onto the farm, will have his/her Sedgeview permit revoked and will be barred from using the Sedgeview site.

Caretakers

  • Sedgefield Tourism: 044 343 2658 or 044 343 2007
  • Management Email: fly@sedgeview.co.za
  • Sedgeview Site Management – Emergencies: 082 298 3554

Emergency Contacts

  • Sedgefield Fire Station: 044 349 2900
  • Sedgefield Police Station: 044 343 1321
  • Sea Rescue: 082 990 5955
  • ER24: 083 320 1199

Permission

Visit https://www.sedgeview.co.za/ to get your permit.

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IMPORTANT: The SAHPA Site Guide is not a substitute for a detailed site briefing from an instructor or experienced local pilot. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of information contained herein, pilots are reminded that the SAHPA Site Guide is based on a volunteer effort to make information freely available to the community and thus information may be out of date. Pilots are still required to use their discretion and common sense, and validate the information with each club.

Many of the sites described in the SAHPA Site Guide are privately owned. The landowner reserves the right to limit access to the site.