Page 85 - Cross Country Travel Guide 2019

Jackie Cen invites us to fly Hong Kong from the famous Dragon’s Back

Shek O
Shek O East take-off is just off a famous
Hong Kong hiking trail called the Dragon’s

Back, “one of the top 10 urban hiking trails
in the world” according to numerous travel
magazines.
It’s a long ridge, perfect for soaring in
northeast to southeast wind, with occasional
thermal flying too: 15-20km/h wind is
perfect. With strong wind you will need good
groundhandling and will be up and away
quickly. In the air, the height limit is 425m
(1,300ft). If conditions allow you can fly over
the gap to Cape’ D’Aguilar – beware, it’s a
long glide! Get as high as possible before

setting off, and watch out for venturi effect.
Like all the sites here, the space is shared
with many other users. You must land at the
offical landing zone – landing on busy Main
Beach is not allowed. The HKPA website
has lots of site guide information, including
useful videos to show you the correct landing
approach and more.
Photo: Matt Leung

Long Ke Wan

Long Ke Wan is the third of the easterly
sites that can be flown during the northeast
monsoon. (The word “monsoon” does not
mean relentless rain as we often think – it
means a seasonal shift in the wind, which can
involve an increase in precipitation.)
Set in the Sai Kung Country Park to get
there take a metro from the city followed by
a taxi ride to the park. After being dropped

off it’s a 15-minute walk.
An easy site with reliable lift, it’s an east-
facing ridge looking out to sea, with another
ridge on the right that can be flown given the
right conditions. Top-landing is possible.
The height limit is 305m (1,000ft), and the
landing is on the large beach in front and
below take-off. The main hazard is losing

lift in light conditions and not being able
to make it back to the beach, resulting in a
water landing.
This easy site is suitable for all levels of
pilots, including students.
Photo: Wayne Cen

HONG KONG CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 85