Page 80 - Cross Country Travel Guide 2019
P. 80
INSIDER’S GUIDE TO… AUSTRALIA
odfrey Wenness established Mount Borah in Manilla, New What can the first-time visitor expect?
South Wales, Australia as an international flying destination A user-friendly, easy-to-fly, safe site, with a ride-to-launch service.
G20 years ago when he bought the site and set a world record. You can fly XC almost anywhere, in every direction, without airspace
It now sees 2,000 pilots a year, drawn by the promise of textbook or terrain restrictions. The XC region is easy with great roads and
flatland XC. We asked him for his insight on flying here and beyond. helpful farmers. It’s not remote. Mobile phone coverage is good too.
Godfrey, what makes Manilla so good? Who flies there?
The main attraction is the launch. Mount Borah is a very practical The Manilla Sky Sailors Club sees about 2,000 visitors a year. Half
mountain with four sides, so you can nearly always take off into the are from overseas: UK, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, USA, Japan,
main wind directions. Having large launches makes it less congested and China.
during peak times, and adds a safety factor. The landings are all easy
to reach, so rides from the bombout are only 10 minutes. What are conditions typically like?
Mount Borah is not too high either, so it doesn’t get blown out too From October to March base ranges from 2,000m to 3,500m, with
often. But it’s also high enough to give you a few chances to get up. occasional 4,000m days in November. Thermal strength varies due
80 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 AUSTRALIA
