Black Combe (East)
South West Lakes - nr Millom
E - SE
Important!
Please go through the formality of asking permission first and checking that a landing field is available.
Do not fly south of the deep gully below Black Crags unless on approach to L3.
No training.
No dogs allowed onto the site or fellsides.
Local pilot rep: Keith Paterson: 07841056727
Access
Car park OS grid ref: SD152846
Getting There
The area is off to the north of the main A595 halfway between Whicham and the A5093 junction to Millom.
Approach from a lay-by on the left of the road (if heading west) near the entrance to Beckside farm.
Getting to takeoff
If permission has been granted (see below) then follow the approach marked on the site map,
Passing to the left of a small wood to the open fell.
Aim for and follow a track that runs diagonally across the hillside.
An alternative is to walk to just beyond Whicham Mill and then up onto the hillside before heading back south.
If the wind is light it is worth walking up to the right side of the bowl higher up.
Permission to use site
Hallbeck House; the farmer farms at Beck Side farm.
Field L3 can be used for bottom landing if preferred; check first at Parsonage Farm - usually a field in the valley out from take off will be suggested.
Flying
Hazards
There can be rotor along the summit above the crags.
The site is very prone to sea breeze in summer whereby the wind shifts rapidly to the south. Top landing areas are good although watch the wind gradient.
Check out the landing fields; some of them slope slightly.
Paragliding
Beware of the wind gradient and possible problems with pushing forward over the upper slopes. See HG information.
Hang Gliding
Quite a stiff carry up!
There are no known vices but the site is little flown.
The area is occasionally used by gliders aero-towed across from Walney.
A number of top landing areas are available at different heights from the summit down.
XC potential
The site lies at the very western edge of the Lake District area and so has the potential to produce tremendous cross country distances.
However, XC potential in an easterly is not brilliant as there is airspace downwind at both Eskmeals and at Sellafield. The Irish Sea might come into the equation as well.
To go XC it might help to try to head north as much as possible.
Flights to Whitehaven and Keswick have been done.
