Basic (+ 4 guided flights) Alt: 420 m asl, airspace ceiling 1200m asl Soaring and thermal. A regular site that offers soaring, thermalling and cross-country, with superb views. The long mountain chain extends in a fairly consistent ridge to the south. To the north of takeoff the ridge rises to become towering mountain peaks, then curves to form a semicircle. Thermals can be strong, taking you high up and away from the earth, into the blue.

Launch for competent pilots (very good ground-handling skills) from the grassed slope below the wall, where turbulence from the big rocks to the right or left can make it risky. If you misjudge the wind, you are likely to get blown back into the car park. For an easier launch, walk directly across the road from the entrance to the car park, and take the little footpath up the mountain, bearing left until you ascend the final steep crest (10 minutes). You will be high above the pass. There is a wind streamer tied to a tall pole, and some netting on the ground. Have a good look at the wind speed: you do not want to be blown over the back of this mountain! At the base of the pass, on the S side of the road, before the pine trees is a bald spot. Anywhere close by, in the low bushes is okay, but be careful not to damage the sensitive fynbos. Be careful of the big set of power lines on final approach on the far side of the landing spot, between it and the highway. Please do not land too close to the road, as you may cause an accident. More experienced pilots can land a little further on, at the second clearing where the retrieval road turns off the base of the pass. Top landing is not recommended when the car park is congested (weekends, holidays) or for Basic Pilots. If the air is thermal or the wind crossed, top landing is very risky. Sir Lowry's Pass on N2 Highway Hottentots-Holland Mountains Somerset West, Western Cape, ZA. N2 towards Caledon, at the top of the Sir Lowry's Pass, turn right into the viewsite. Beware of baboons (keep food out of sight and windows closed). No toplanding No toplanding

�Severe wind gradient in a NW. �If the wind swings S, conditions will get very turbulent, and top landing dangerous. �Sometimes it is flyable with a light SE, in lee- side wind-shadow conditions. Watch the wind on the water, and be very careful of the wind- line deteriorating.