E → S
Widgee Mountain
Overview   Safety Hazards   Launch & Landing  Site Rules   Permits & Exemptions
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Widgee Mountain is the jewel of our inland sites
Accessible by 4WD only, Widgee Mountain is located near Gympie and is home to the infamous Widgee Jerk: PG pilots be ready on your brakes or you’ll get jerked off your feet. Widgee features a relatively high launch, lots of XC options, and friendly locals.
Safety Hazards
1. The flat top on Widgee can produce a pronounced jerk when you inflate your paraglider. This can cause the wing to frontal on launch if not controlled.
2. If winds are strong and to the east, the bowl below launch can experience rotor produced from east facing ridge.
3. The bombout is a fair distance from launch and it can be easy to get caught low deep in the bowl to the south. If below launch height and losing lift, fly out toward the landing field sooner not later.
4. When flying south (right) of launch, be careful of being pinned – there is a lot of forest to get over behind the ridge to make it to the landing field
Launch
Landing Zone
Launch
Intermediate skills required for launch. Experienced pilots required on launch to assist with take offs.
Access to launch is via a 4WD track. Conditions can vary but generally you will need a proper 4WD if you don’t want to visit a mechanic.
The launch on Widgee is small and only allows for one pilot take off at a time. As mentioned, the wing can come up quickly and the launch is steep.
The official bombout is the large field with two mango trees. It is private property, which the owner kindly allows us to use. IMPORTANT: The owner wants to be informed of planned flying activity 24 hours prior, so please contact Susy Goldner on 0402 137 054 the day before or earlier to request flying.
There are emergency landing options in the two paddocks directly below launch. However, avoid landing there at request of owners. They have limited space and conditions can be a bit ugly.
Site Rules
The launch is located on private land but paragliding is permitted.
Camping on launch and destruction of trees is not permitted.
Pilots must be members of SAFA to fly this site. Carriage and use of UHF radio is mandatory.
The owner requires 24hrs notice before flying. Contact Susy Goldner at 0402 137 054 at least 24hrs in advance to request flying.