SSE → ESE
Point Cartwright
Overview Safety Hazards Launch & Landing Site Rules Permits & Exemptions
Carties is a reliable but very sensitive site
Carties is a rare and special coastal site – one of only two sites that face the prevailing SE winds in Winter, and the only Sunny Coast site which can be accessed by wheelchair – great for disabled passengers who wish to fly tandem.
Rated PG2, Carties is within controlled air space. SCFF members are permitted to fly here under strict conditions outlined in the site rules below. Negotiating use of this site has not been easy for the club, so please abide by the rules so we can continue to enjoy it.
Carties re-opened in 2025. Prior to your first flight since re-opening, you MUST
- Be a full member of SCFF (at this stage temporary members are not permitted to fly here)
- Undertake a procedures briefing from a member of our Carties Management Team or watch the video briefing
- Read the full site rules and information below.
- Complete the Carties Induction Quiz https://forms.gle/J89TfM6DDveAmRG38
Each and every time you intend to fly at Carties you MUST:
- Click here to check-in
- Ensure there is a trained Tower Contact Officer (TCO) in place to initiate and follow all the TCO Protocols
- A person other than a pilot can act as TCO if they are a club member, undertaken the procedures briefing and completed the Carties Induction Quiz
Safety Hazards
- Members of the public often wander near launch or recreate in the landing area. Fly considerately so as not to frighten or endanger them. Don’t swoop the launch when there are bystanders present
- Do not fly north beyond the water tower. There’s no landing options, no lift and it is not permitted under the agreements
- Foreshore rocks are slippery, uneven and hard – avoid
- Launch can create a strong venturi which could add 5 knots to prevailing wind and reduce lift. In strong conditions set up as far down the launch hill as possible
- Beware – scratching too low can result in a neurchi
Launch
Landing Zone
Launch
The launch site is located at the end of Pacific Boulevard, Buddina, near Point Cartwright Lighthouse.
The cliff top and beach are popular with the general public and they enjoy watching you. Be respectful of them during launch and landing. If you require someone to move off launch, ask politely If top landing wait for an opportunity to land when launch is clear or radio the Tower Contact Officer to clear launch.
Landing Zone
The landing zone is on the beach below launch. Click on the map to see the allowed landing area.
Site Rules
Carties in Class D Airspace within 10nm of Sunshine Coast Airport. CASA has issued SCFF with an exemption which enables members to fly paragliders and hang gliders at Carties under strict conditions detailed in the Federal Instrument.
Actions you must take before flying at Carties
- Read ALL the site rules fully
- Become a full club member
- Undertake induction with a Carties Management Team member
- Complete the Carties Induction Quiz
- Check in using the QR code on the sign, each time you visit the site to fly
Site Rules
A trained Tower Contact Officer must be appointed prior to operations commencing
Paragliders and hang gliders are to remain below 300 feet AMSL and within the agreed operational envelope – see diagram below
Pilots must fly with a UHF radio switched to Channel 14 (476.750) and tone squelch 97.4
Maximum of 3 pilots total in the air at any one time – if there are pilots waiting to fly, be courteous and give others a turn
Tower Contact Officer (TCO) Protocol
The SCFF TCO role is a vital condition of flying at Carties. It is every pilot’s responsibility to make sure that it is enacted. No TCO – no flying. Failure to do any of the below will lose the Tower’s faith in our club, and may jeopardise the future of flying at Carties. The SCFF TCO must:
✅ Be a member of SCFF, complete a Carties briefing and Induction Quiz
✅ Call the Tower and request to open flying operations. Give them your mobile contact number. TIP Be friendly – they are cool people. “Hi how are you going? This is <your name> from Sunshine Coast Free Flyers. I’m calling to ask if we can open flying operations at Point Cartwright”. When asked, give them your mobile phone number
✅ Have a functioning UHF radio set to Channel 14 (476.750) with tone squelch 97.4. Do a radio check to make sure you can hear others and they can hear you
✅ Stay on site with your mobile free to take calls.
✅ When flying is finished, you must call the tower and tell them flying is finished.
TCO “What ifs?”
❓ What if the Tower calls you and tell you to get pilots out of the sky?
📻 Immediately radio the pilots and tell them to land.
❓ What if your radio stops working or the pilots don’t respond to your radio calls to land?
🔘 Move to the middle of launch – wave your arms and yell “land now”
❓What if I want to go, but people are still flying?
🏁 You must stay until someone else is appointed to TCO role, and they call the Tower and advise their name and phone number. Otherwise, call the Tower and close flying operations. If you’ve been TCO and now it’s your turn to fly, you can hand your phone to the pilot taking over the TCO role
Be aware – Flying in breach of any of the conditions of the Instrument is a criminal offence and can result in prosecution, loss of your flying licence and the site being closed. Read and comply with all the site rules.