The WingBeat Pilot Code

The following code of conduct is a reminder about preferred behaviour when out and about in the hills.
It is based on both the Scottish Access Code and the Countryside Code.
We feel it may be particularly appropriate for those of you with a history of savage, wild animal type behaviour when out and about on the hills. It may also benefit those of you that have little or no consideration of the local community, farmers and others enjoying the outdoors.

Remember.. a green field may just be somewhere you can land but to the farmer that field could be his livelihood for the next 12 months.

Hopefully all the information and guidance is familiar to you and you understand why we are reminding you of it. If you want to discuss any aspects of this code please contact the club

Please Respect WingBeat Site Guide Advice

BEFORE you fly a WingBeat site, ALWAYS check the site status at: http://www.wingbeat-paragliding.co.uk/index.php/sites

If you take off, fly, or land NEAR a WingBeat flying site, then consider yourself to be FLYING AT THAT SITE and follow the Site Guide.
If there is stock in a potential landing field and you have no current permission to land there, then land on the hillside or fly well away from the site and do an XC landing.
If you fly XC to another WingBeat site, then please comply with the site guide when you arrive.
Please respect any rock outcrops or potential nesting sites during the spring since birds of prey may be nesting.

Respect Stock, Crops & Property.

When landing after an XC always attempt to land in a field without livestock, crops or long grass (hay/silage). Pregnant sheep or sheep with lambs in spring should be given extra space, ie do not land in fields with stock. Many of our sites are closed during the lambing season from late March to June, this includes both hill and landing fields.
Be especially cautious of horses, if they start galloping about then fly away immediately.
Park sensibly, do not block gates or restrict roadways. Remember agricultural machinery may require access to fields and hillside
NEVER climb a dry stone wall or fence, and always leave any field via a gate or stile.
Leave gates and property as you find them and follow paths, until you are on the open hill.
Leave no trace of your visit and take any litter home, this includes banana skins and orange peel!
Always report any incident to a WingBeat member, contact details are on the website.

Respect People

Always consider the local community, farmers and others enjoying the outdoors. Take time to say Hi to the landowner.
Always be courteous & polite whatever the circumstances or provocation.

Midweek flying

WingBeat sites lie in an area that is used extensively for low level exercises by military aircraft particularly along the valleys. If you intend to fly midweek it is ESSENTIAL that you CANP (NOTAM) the site(s) before use. Be aware that jets will often be below you when entering/exiting the valleys

Respect Wildlife

If you seem to be causing distress to animals or birds, leave the area immediately.
If you disturb nesting birds, be aware they are liable to abandon their eggs & young until you leave.

Safety

Safety is your priority, compliance with the Pilot Code or Site Guides is secondary.
If your Club Pilot skills are not 100%, do something about it BEFORE you hurt yourself!
Make sure you know and obey the anti-collision ‘Rules of the Air’.
Know what to do if there is an accident, how to get assistance and what to do/not do with the casualty.
If you fly alone consider briefing someone on where you’ll fly and what to do if you fail to return.
Always consider using the CANP (NOTAM) system and note this can be compulsory at certain sites.
Don’t leave your wing laid out on the hill - BALL IT UP - it stops anyone thinking you’ve had an accident.
Always report any safety related incidents using the BHPA incident page https://contact.bhpa.co.uk/incident.php.
Be aware that mobile phone signals are poor/non-existent in many areas of the Ettrick, Yarrow and upper Tweed Valleys and should not be relied upon for emergency calls or XC retrieves.

With thanks Steve Giles at CSC for allowing us to 'steal' his text. That is with the exception of the first three paragraphs which we added to hopefully get your attention so that you made it this far. Thanks for reading and we hope to see you on a hill soon to enjoy the Borders scenery and craic.