Taylor's Mistake

GPS Coordinates: -43.585, 172.766

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Wind Direction: ENE

 

Minimum Pilot Rating: PG2 / HG Advanced

 

Access: From Evans pass, travelling towards Godley Head on the Summit road, there is a cattle stop and obvious layby.

 

Take-off: The main take-off (TO1) is the large, grassed and gently sloping area right next to the carpark.

 

Taylor’s Mistake saddle (the gut) take-off (TO2) is located 1 km down the hill and above Summit Road. This is used when there is not enough wind to soar from TO1.

 

Landing: Top Landing is fairly straight forward for PG’s at TO1 & TO2. For HG’s it is still possible but more technical due to the sloping ground. Some HG’s land above the road behind TO1.

 

The main bottom landing is LZ1 and located in the grassy paddocks behind the beach carpark. You can also land on the beach (PG’s only) away from the crowds. Sumner beach LZ3 is reached by first soaring Scarborough cliffs.

 

Flying: Taylor’s mistake is the club’s most heavily used site. It is generally flyable year round in the NE sea breeze. In the summer, thermic air mixes with the sea breeze and causes some turbulence that you would not normally expect at a coastal site.

 

At first appearances, the site looks small but with the use of the gut and Scarborough cliffs it can accommodate many gliders. If the winds are light you can head to the gut for a better chance of staying up.

 

Be very careful to avoid the telephone wires and poles that run adjacent to the Summit Road (especially the side wires that support the poles). As TM is the club’s most used site, there is a high potential to incidents happening.​​​​
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It is highly recommended to fly with radio tuned in to channel 40 (477.400MHz). So that pilots can communicate in case of emergency or be given advice from more experienced pilots around if “trapped” in the air. If the wind is off to the north, you can expect turbulence behind the small spurs (especially just before the quarry).

 

If the wind is more from the east you should notice much better lift and you can also get wave. Avoid flying too far into the gut if the wind is off to the east.

 

The main hazard for Taylor’s is the wind speed. There is a wind station giving live wind readings which is best accessed via the Holfuy app. There is also a Holfuy station at Allandale. The ocean is also a great indicator. Wind lines and anchored boats on the sea will give you a good idea about the true wind direction and speed.

 

You will learn through experience that you can fly when there are some white caps on the sea (but not too many).

 

If you feel the winds are very strong whilst flying, it is still better to land at the main top landing (LZ2=TO1). Avoid the compression in the gut and the bottom landing LZ1 as it will be even stronger and more turbulent there. In stronger winds you will find the biggest challenge of top landing is getting down. Competent use of descent techniques is required

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Please take care when it is NW in Canterbury.  This is an unpredictable wind, and while it may show as NE at Taylors Mistake we have had serious accidents at this site with people being caught out by rapid changes to wind speed and direction.  Please refer to the weather briefing site for further information about the NW.

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Sharing the air with Model RC Planes:

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The Taylors Mistake Quarry (near TO2) is a registered Model Flying NZ flying site with CAA. Model RC planes have a right to fly at this location (refer CAR 101.207(b) 1&2).

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This discussion is intended as a guide for freeflight pilots about how model aircraft operators use the Taylors Mistake area from Godley Head Road, and how we can minimise conflict in usage of the site. This guide in no way overrules CAA rules 101, 102 and 106 (https://www.aviation.govt.nz/rules/ ). Among other things these rules require remotely operated planes to maintain a view of airspace and to give way to, and remain clear of, manned aircraft.

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Below is a summary of the recommendations for flying at Taylors Mistake with Model RC Planes:

• Focus on flying your wing, but keep note of your altitude and other aircraft in your area to prevent collision.

• Fly in a predictable manner and avoid sudden rapid changes in direction

• Take particular note around the Quarry area if there is already flying activity there. If crossing the Quarry, ensure Model RC Pilots have ample opportunity to see you

• Model RC Planes tend to take off and land in the gully in front and immediately behind. It would be appreciated if you kept this area clear when there are Model RC Plane Pilots around

• If Model RC Planes fly out into the valley, they are likely trying to give you space; please don't follow them out

• If launching above the Quarry, Model RC Plane Pilots are unlikely to know of your presence unless you:

  • Have a chat with them and give a head's up if you are walking up past the Quarry​

  • Take a line above and to the right of the road, so they have an opportunity to see you as you fly into their line of vision

• If you have a near miss or needed to take corrective action to avoid a collision with any aircraft, please file an incident report.​

• In the event of an accident, contact the Rescue Coordination Centre (0508 ACCIDENT) stating the location and “Fall from height”.

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​Full list of guidelines with reasoning available here: Click to Download

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Initial contact during flying should be in-person between model aircraft and free-flight pilots, as mentioned above.​

Issues and concerns should be raised by email to the following:
 

Local - CHGPC

airspace@chgpc.org.nz

pgsites@chgpc.org.nz

hgsites@chgpc.org.nz

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National - NZHGPA

admin@nzhgpa.org.nz