PARAGLIDING
GRADE: BASIC (with airspace restrictions question answered) requires SAHPA Basic License or equivalent IPPI 4, with a minimum of 80 flights. Sign-off required by mentor
This site is renowned for cross country flying as well as the hospitality of the Harties Cableway and pre-flight pizza on top.
To get the most out of your experience, to remain safe, and to keep our site open, please kindly familiarise yourself with the airspace and landing restrictions below.
DAC Fee + Cableway Ticket required.
Present SAHPA license for ticket.
HANG GLIDING
GRADE: SPORT (Advanced,with airspace restrictions) requires SAHPA B-Licese or equivalent IPPI 5.
Sadly, like the Rhino, the Hang Gliding ‘ou’ is all but extinct. Should you be one of the last remaining few, we welcome your enthusiasm and strongly recommend you contact a senior hang gliding pilot prior to arriving on site.
Please familiarise yourself with airspace and landing restrictions.
DAC Fee + Cableway Ticket required.
Present SAHPA license for ticket.
TANDEMS
Standard Tandem Flights with friends and family are permitted PROVIDED NO FEE (including Pizza or beer) IS CHARGED TO THE PASSENGER!
Commercial Tandem Flights are APPROVED by the Adventure Centre and Cableway Management.
Non approved TFI flights are not permitted.
There is a zero tolerance for risk takers. Passengers are precious cargo. Fly with caution at all times.
DAC Fee + Cableway Ticket for pilot
Pax = R140 Day Pass only
Experience & Equipment
A one of a kind paragliding site an hour from Pretoria or Sandton and a cable car to the top.
Too easy and totally 5 star. Bring the family and enjoy all the Cableway has to offer!
This is where the learning begins. We invite all pilots with a minimum of 80 flights to join us and experience spectacular cross country flying, or south side ridge soaring over looking the Hartbeespoort dam – with pre flight pizza and post flight sundowners – bliss!
However, caution and care should be taken by all low airtime pilots. Please ensure that a mentor (senior pilot with local experience) is present and available to remain in contact via radio for the duration of your flight. Mentor may be airborne. We strongly recommend guidance be given for the first few months of flying from the cableway as this is a thermic site with varying degrees of difficulty depending on the weather. Landing is often in tight areas that are fenced in or contain game. Beware of the Crocodile farm on the North side.
Always respect airspace. All it takes is ONE infrigement for CAA to close the site down, remember, aircraft beats paraglider any day, so keep your eyes open for light aircraft on lower altitudes and remain out of Boeing territory which is only 700m above launch.
Radio, Reserve Parachute and Alti-Vario with downloadable track log is mandatory for all pilots!
CANOPY CONTROL
The launch sides, both North and South require very good canopy control and committed run for proper ground clearance and safe launch. Never sit in your harness before clear of the mountain, or the ramp.
The South facing side of the mountain is fitted with a ramp from which to launch and is only large enough for one wing to be launched at a time. Below the ramp is a rock wall and walkway for cableway guests. Do not jump off the ramp if the wing is not flying. Abort well in advance and remain on the ramp. Jumping off of the ramp will result in serious injury to self and spectators.
Pilots generally obey a 5 min launch window when on the ramp, please step aside to allow more experienced pilots an opportunity to launch if you are not comfortable with conditions. Never be pressured into launching, ask for help if nervous about conditions and a pilot will stand at the ramp to call when suitable. Remain within YOUR personal flying safety margin.
The North side launch is a shallow rocky slope which is very close to the glide angle of a wing. Pilots can expect a fair distance of ground skimming before been fully clear of the mountain.
NEW PILOTS
The committee will – upon request and evaluation only – grant a basic licensed pilot permission to fly under mentorship of a senior pilot, with site experience, for a period of 12 months.
The site has been graded as advanced by senior pilots in an attempt to keep low airtime pilots safe. All three parts of the flying process – launching, flying, landing – require good control, forward planning and decision making in flight, and excellent judgement of glide for tight landings.
This truly is one of the greatest learning grounds for new pilots to hone their thermic flying skills. Out and return flights are part of the day and new pilots are encouraged to follow the gaggle of experienced pilots to Brits and back, or beyond. Learning to keep up and make solid decisions in flight starts with simply trying to stay with your gaggle of friends.
Pilots under mentorship need to take extra care during change of season (August to November) as the area is renowned for rough thermals and big dusties. It is recommended to remain on the ground between 12 and 3pm and fly early morning or late afternoon only.
What is a DAC Fee?
DAM ACCESS CLEARANCE (DAC) has been around for over two decades and is vital to landing directly below launch on the North Side of the mountain.
It takes all of us to keep this option open. Every DAC cent goes into keeping this one single land owner happy. Without permission to land on his property, north side flying would become almost impossible for some, and a larger challenge than necessary for others. Even the best pilots pay a visit to north side landing.
No money from DAC goes to the Harties Cableway. Our rental agreement with land owner is R800 per month.
CABLEWAY, DAC FEES & BANKING DETAILS
Payment of the
DAC fee keeps landing open
Dam Access Card (DAC) fees:
In order to maintain the Cableway launch and landing sites, a yearly subscription fee of R500 is required from all pilots utilising the site.
The yearly fee is R500.
FOR DONATIONS AND EFT TO THE DAC FUND:
CAPITEC BANK
NAME: FlyHarties
BRANCH: BRITS MALL
ACC Number: 1430393724
FIVE VERY VERY SIMPLE
SITE RULES
1. DO NOT BREAK AIRSPACE. EVER!
2. PARAGLIDING RADIO, RESERVE, VARIO AT ALL TIMES.
3. FLY WITH A MENTOR IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE SITE. ALWAYS!
4. DO NOT FLY COMMERCIAL TANDEM UNLESS PRE-APPROVED.
5. PLEASE RESPECT PROPERTY OWNERS RULES.
The site is self governed, senior pilots who love and know the site will request a track-log from any pilot seen (or reported) breaking airspace. Pilots who are under investigation for airspace transgression will be denied access to the site pending the outcome of the investigation.
PARAGLIDING
The minimum requirement is a Sport License (IPPI 5). New or visiting pilots please seek advice from local senior pilots as both north and south side launch are technical and require a proper briefing.
North side LAUNCH is a shallow rocky slope dotted with thorn trees and shrubs, the slope angle is very close to the glide angle of a wing and pilots can expect a fair distance of ground skimming before been fully clear of the mountain. Do not sit too soon as last minute running or rock hopping could make the difference between flying or crashing. Take note of the scattered trees and shrubs and look past them, not at them.
North side LANDING is directly center below launch behind the plant tunnels. There is a wind sock on landing. The gate has a combination lock, the code available on request on Cableway WhatsApp Group.
South-Side LAUNCH is from a ramp that is directly in front of a beautifully manicured lawn. Exceptionally good wing handling is required as the area is small and often littered with tables, umbrellas and guests.
South Side LANDING is on the school fields to the right of launch and any open field not surrounded by fencing. There is no safe landing DIRECTLY below launch on the south side so make sure you have enough glide to make it to landing. Leave the ridge early to avoid landing in a tree. Be on the lookout for power lines and communication cable lines. There are plenty. Also make sure that the field you land in has an exit that is open, otherwise you could spend hours trying to exit.
RADIO FREQUENCIES:
141.600 and 141.625
For foreign visiting pilots please ensure that your Temporary Foreign Membership has been obtained from our organisation – SAHPA. www.sahpa.co.za
Retrieve Drivers:
1. Elaine Scholtz 083 749 6129
2. Jandre 066 212 3685
HANG GLIDING
The minimum requirement to fly from Harties is a C License. It is strongly advised that new or visiting pilots seek advice from local senior pilots as both north and south side launch are technical and require a proper briefing.
The cableway operator will load Hang Gliders once in the morning (8:30) and once in the evening (5pm) on the service car.
Access needs to be cleared with the Cableway the day before by contacting the General Manager.
(jackl @ hartiescableway.co.za)
Please read launch for south and north sides under paragliding tab on the left.
There is very limited space for a hang glider to land on either the north or south side directly below the mountain. Most hang gliding pilots land at Jasmyn (windmill) on the south side. Or open fields near Zanadu Eco Estate. On the North side be aware of open fields at big centre pivots on Zilkaats Private Estate. The gate requires resident security to open and very long walk out is guaranteed. We suggest picking an open field that is closer to Brits and the highway, watch out for overhead crop irrigation and power lines near the pub to the west of the road to Brits.
COMMERCIAL TANDEM
Commercial Tandem flights may only be flown by tandem pilots who are APPROVED by Harties Cableway Management and FlyHarties Committee. No more than 5 flights per day may be flown by one TFI pilot. The safety of guests at the Cableway is paramount. Launching in back wind or zero wind is not permitted.
TFI pilots wishing to fly commercially at the cableway MUST contact the FlyHarties committee for review and permission to be included on the Management list.
Any non registered Tandem Pilot found to be charging passengers for a flight will be heavily fined and their membership and access denied for three months. This rule includes launching from the North side or any of the Eastern, South Eastern launches. This is a club rule and not a site ownership rule.
FREE Private Tandem flights with family or friends are permitted. The Cableway and FlyHarties Club and its associates accept NO RESPONSIBILITY for pilots or their passengers.
ALL Tandems may only launch from North Side or South Side Ramp and not off of the Eastern launch areas. This is for passenger safety.
The FlyHarties Team have a zero-tolerance for tandem pilots who place their passengers at risk and warn pilots that they will be severely dealt with if any passenger sustains an injury due to negligence.
Conditions are not always suitable for tandem flying, take conditions into careful consideration and make the correct call for the day. Always put safety first!
Site Grading
PG: SPORT (Plus 10 guided flights)
HG: C License
GPS: 25°42’39” (25.7111)S; 27°53’6? (27.885)E
ELEVATION: 1592 m
ALTITUDE:
350m high (1600m ASL). Airspace ceiling is 700m ATO (2300m ASL), and rises to 1700m ATO (3300m ASL) 7km to the west. Be aware of Airspace.
DESCRIPTION:
Slight grassed rocky mountain offering enjoyable flying with great cross-country potential. Often valley release conditions prevail late afternoon offering spectacular views from high above the mountain.
WIND: NW – NE, S – SE
LAUNCH:
Purchase your cableway ticket at the ticket office. Take the cablecar up and follow the walkway up to the top. South side launch is off the ramp in front of the beautiful green lawn. The north side is accessed via a gate between the Pizza Restaurant and the Kiddies Zone. Ask at the Pizza place for the gate to be unlocked.
LANDING:
South side – School Rugby fields to the West of the Cableway. Or any open area of land directly in front of launch.
North side – Landing on private property at Hydroponic tunnels. To exit use large sliding gate with combination lock (1920). The landing area is flanked by a crocodile farm and predator game farm to the west and a private game farm to the East – access is tightly controlled with electric fencing. Do not land in these areas.
BASIC LICENSED PILOTS
Request to Fly
Approval to fly is not guaranteed and remains at the discretion of the committee. Please submit your request to be mentored via email to Admin@FlyHarties.co.za and please make sure you include the 3 requests below:
Logbook Review
Please supply a copy of logbook and a brief written history of your flying experience.
Airspace Question
Describe and illustrate airspace surrounding the Cableway, and how you would remain clear.
Senior Pilot
Provide the name of a senior pilot who has agreed to mentor you until Sport License.
BASIC LICENSED PILOTS
Minimum Requirements
Flying at the Cableway is complex, and it really does REQUIRE A SPORT LICENSE! Please remember it is YOUR responsibility to be working towards the correct license grade. Knowledge and experience helps you grow into the sport so upgrading to a Sport License not only makes you a safer pilot but it meets the pilot skill requirements as set out by Cableway Management.
Mentorship period is 12 months from approval.
Experience
Basic License minimum of 80 MOUNTAIN flights.
Preferably inland experience and not purely coastal flying.
Sign-offs
You will be required to have at least 10 signs offs per side by a senior pilot to confirm competency in skill level for safety.
Sports License
You will have to complete and pass the Sport License within at least 12 months for your own progress and growth
Instruments
It is MANDATORY to fly with an instrument that logs the flight. If the track log is called for, it has to be submitted, if not an immediate ban of 3 months will be enforced.
Airspace Restrictions
The information on this page is for information purposes only. The onus is on the pilot to always adhere to the most recent airspace limitations, as published periodically by ATNS.
It is MANDATORY to fly with an instrument that logs the flight. If the track log is called for, it has to be submitted to the committee. If not then an immediate ban of 3 months will be enforced. Repeated violation will not be tolerated and the pilot will be denied access to the site.
Instrument Settings
The airspace under the FAOR TMA starts at 7600 ft ALT and ends at FL110. Flight instruments need to be set to the QNH of FAOR prior to takeoff. Alternatively, the QNH on a flight instrument is to be set to reflect a pressure height of 1583m ASL if standing on the launch mat on the North side, or 1606m ASL if standing on South side launch.
The FAOR CTA starts at FL110 and ends at FL195. When flying under the TMA, QNE is used as instrument pressure setting (1013mB). Most flight instruments will have this as a fixed value called “ALT1” or “FL” but the onus is on the pilot to understand these concepts and set his/her instrument accordingly.
No exceptions will be made in airspace violation incidents with an incorrectly set up instrument.
Airspace File
The official airspace file can be downloaded here
This file includes the Orient Gliding Window.
It is strongly recommended to keep an additional 150ft (50m) separation to the relevant airspace due to possible local pressure differences.
Alternative Settings
Enter the following waypoint into your GPS ORT 26º08.35’S 27º14.76’E. At takeoff press GOTO OR, if distance is <65km your altitude must be <2300m, if distance >65km & <115km your altitude <3300m. This is for the NW quadrant (typical xc route).
40km out on the south side of the ridge a special concession area allows you <4400m.
PLEASE, DO NOT BREAK AIRSPACE.
CONNECT WITH US
Contact us
You can contact us through the Contact Form below,
we will respond as soon as possible.
Alternatively, call or WhatsApp the following pilots:
Attitude4Altitude Paragliding: Tracey King 083 450 8849 / Adam van Renssen 082 749 3518
Cloudbusters: Leon Viljoen 081 317 6443 / Kevin Collier 061 445 1465
1st Paragliding Club: Mark Human 081 317 6443 / Pierre Carter 083 344 8936
Skywalk Paragliding: Ronnie Beukes 082 322 1824
FlyTribe: Gary Du Plessis 082 574 6147
BASIC