Green Dragons Airsports Pilgrims Farm

A members-only site on the downs about 15 miles from central London, close to the M25/A22 junction. Take-off is a large, flat, open grassland area that suits pilots of all levels, and it is best flown in a south or south-south-east wind. The shallow slope means a steady wind works best — around 10 to 15 mph is what pilots here find ideal — and climbing out is easy. There are trees to the left, right and behind, so turbulence is to be expected when the wind is off.

Launch & conditions

Take off from the middle of the large open field. A public footpath runs along the back of take-off, so take care when launching or landing. Because of the local airspace both behind and in front of the site, a local site briefing from an experienced pilot is advisable before you fly.

Getting there & local rules

Park on Clarks Lane in the lay-bys; there is parking for ten or more cars. On the south side of the road a small footpath leads down to the gate and fence line of the site. The nearest landmarks are the local airport and Croydon.

Local rules & hazards

This is a members-only site. The landowner is himself a club member, lives at the bottom of the hill and checks that only members fly here, and members are briefed to confirm that pilots are both qualified and members before they fly. Membership is available on a daily or yearly basis, and the day fee is £5 — pilots without any membership will be asked to leave. The site is suitable for pilots holding a Club Pilot rating; if in doubt, seek out a club coach. Maximum height is 2,500 ft above sea level, with airport airspace 300 m behind take-off and further controlled airspace 1.5 miles out to the front, so fly with an up-to-date airspace map. Top-slope and bottom landings are both available: there are sometimes cattle in the bottom landing field and thin electric fences in the lower field, and the trees around the site cause the obvious turbulence. If you top land, watch for the public footpath along the tree line — the public do like to sit and watch, so be courteous.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Green Dragons Airsports Pilgrims Farm, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Green Dragons Airsports Pilgrims Farm with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.