Invicta Club Site Rules – please take time to read and embrace
Invicta-Model-Flyers-Flying-Site-Rules-10-April-2017
Invicta Model Flyers Club Sites:
Site Description: This flying site is a slope site which is for the members of the IMF only.
Wind Direction: South
Location: Exedown Road, Nr. Wrotham, Kent
Map: Click here for map
To find the site go into Wrotham Village, turn right at the west end of the village and proceed about 1 mile to a crossroads. Turn right and follow the road up the hill, the slope(on your left) is then obvious once you reach the top of the hill
Note use of this slope soaring site is restricted to Invicta members and is the subject of a detailed licence between the club and St Clere Estates. If flying there membership cards MUST be left on the car dashboard in clear view of the farmer should he choose to check. No restrictions exist on the hours of flying. Do not park in front of the gate, the farmer may need access and approaches to land should be by left hand circuits as flyers MUST stay well away from the house to the West side of the slope
- Sutton Valence
- Wind Direction: N/A
Site Description: This flying site is for the members of the IMF only.
This location is the club’s flat field flying sites for flat field thermal soaring with gliders and/or electric powered models.This is the site of the “home” flat field for Invicta members. The flying privilages are as negotiated with Nick Bates the farmer and he has a number of large fields well suited to thermal flying with silent flight models. However, as stated below, the exact field available will vary dependant of crop rotation and grazing by the farm animals. Essentially the agreement with the farmer is that we can use any suitable field PROVIDED it does not have crops or animals in it. However, during the winter access to some fields may be difficult.
Location: Heniker Lane, or Forsham Lane, Sutton Valence, Kent
Map: click here for a map
To locate the Heniker Lane flying field, travel (south) from Sutton Valence on the A274 towards Headcorn. A short distance from Sutton Valence, turn left (east) into Heniker Lane and continue along this lane until a “T” junction is reached. At this junction, turn right (south/south east) and travel along this lane until a sharp “S” bend is reached. On the exit bend, there is a gate on the bend itself on the left (north east) and this is the entrance to the flying field*. The field itself, runs along side the lane. In mid-winter, this field may become very wet. The availability of this field depends on what crops are planted (and their growth status) and/or what livestock are in the field. Alternative fields are off Forsham Lane. To get to them after going down the hill at Sutton Valence turn right into Forsham lane, go past the farm house and on for about 1/4 mile, the fields* are on your left. The fields marked * are shown on the map accessed as below.
Alternatively one can go into the farm yard and turn left along a track, which does get muddy in the winter. Going down that track one passes a bungalow on the left, then go through a gate and there is a(smallish) field on your right – adjoining the farm, a bigger field on your left and, beyond these two fields a really big field on the left. In addition on the right, is the other end of the large field which is one of those mentioned in the paragraph above. Beyond this field on the right there is also another field on the right (with power lines) but this one is not generally accessible by carduring the winter. All these fields are part of the farm.
Finally on the other side of the main road (Sutton Valence to Headcorn) if one goes down
Henniker Lane and follows it to a Tee junction and following the lane round to the right for about 1/3 mile, past the field* as shown on the map, is another smaller field on the left (but no-where convenient to park). It too is part of the farm.Other flying sites:
- Bartletts Farm
- Bartletts Farm in Essex is a flat field thermal soaring site which is home to many electric soaring events as organised by Brian Austin. Coming from Kent take the A13 east then the A130 north towards Chelmsford. At the first major junction on the A130 exit, cross over the A130 and take the parallel (old) road going north. Go through Rettendon and about 2 miles further north after Rettendon Common turn right at a pub. Go another 1/2 mile, Bartletts Farm is on your left across the road from a garden centre.
Map: click here for a map
- Butts Brow
- Wind Direction: North to North East
Location: Butts Lane, Willingdon, Nr. Eastbourne, East Sussex
Map: Click here for map
Site Description: This is an excellent slope site for N to NE facing winds. There are two slope areas, basically two large bowls which over look Eastbourne, East Sussex. Advisable to checkout both areas before flying as there is a small ridge between them. There is plenty of parking in the car parking area at the end of Butts Lane. As you enter the car park, the flying areas are a short walk to the right.
- Canterbury Field
- This flat field suitable for thermal soaring is leased by the Canterbury Club. It is available to Invicta members for scheduled Kent Interclub events.
Go East on the M2 taking the A299 (Thanet Way) at the end of it. At the Dargate ‘Little Chef’ turn left off the dual carriageway, carry on around to cross over the A299 and at a crossroads T junction the flying field is in front of you.
Map: click here for a map
- Colley Hill
- Wind Direction: South
Location: Margery Lane, Nr. Reigate, Surrey
Map: Click here for map
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- Gravesend Field
- This field is leased by the Gravesend Club but on occasion may be available to Invicta member for Kent Interclub events. It is a flat field suitable for thermal soaring of power competitions.
Take the B2000 going North to Cliffe, off the ne A228 (which goes towards the Medway Tunnel). Follow it to Cliffe and go right at a mini roundabout shortly after you come into Cliffe. Follow the road until you are offered a road going to the left after a mile or so, take the road to the left for another mile and at a corner where the road swings left (going back towards the north end of Cliffe) go straight on into a lane. Turn right at the first gate into a field and go though that field (used for power flying) into a second field beyond as used for gliders.
- Medway Field
- This field is a huge and very open flat field site leased by the Medway Club but available to Invicta members for scheduled competitions. It represents one of the largest open areas in the South East but with certain wind directions thermal lift is marginal.
Directions: Cross onto the Isle of Sheppy on the A249, turn right on the B2231 towards Leysdown. About 2 miles before Leysdown turn right into the lane called Harty Ferry Road. The field is approx. three miles down that lane on the left hand side.
Map: click here for a map
- SADMAC
- This is a nice but isolated flat field which is suitable for power or thermal soaring events. It is leased by Sittingbourne Club but Invicta members have access for Kent Interclub events. However the field is a challenge to find!
Going East on the old A2 from Sittingbourne, turn left after appox. one mile from the north ring road around the town into a lane going to Tonge. Go through Tonge and take the next fork to the right (going in a NE direction) to Blacketts Farm. Go through the farm yard taking a lane (cycle path) off to the right and at the first junction take the path to the left. The field is at the end – a super field, albeit in the middle of nowhere.
Map: click here for a map
- Thurnham
- Wind Direction: West, West South West, South West (the best) & South South West.
Location: Castle Hill, Thurnham, Kent
Map: Click here for map
Site Description: This is a very good slope soaring site which caters for south west to southerly winds. There is plenty of area for landing, although it is advised to fly gliders that have a hardy underside, as the ground has a scattering of flint stones that can cause some possible damage. Parking is a bit tight near the entrance to the field (located opposite Thurnham Castle), but further up the road, there is plenty of parking areas with a little walk back to the field.
- Tonbridge Field (Leigh Park Farm)
- This is the field leased by the Tonbridge Club for Silent Flight (electric and pure glider) flying. It is a very large field and is used for a number of national competitions but is only accessible to Invicta members for such scheduled competitions.
Going from Tonbridge town centre, proceed NW on the B245 until you reach a church on the right hand side and war memorial on the left. Turn left at the war memorial. At the crossroads joggle left then right and carry on for about one mile after the point where the road comes in on your right hand side, then turn left into Leigh Park Farm. The field is approx. half a mile in on the right.
Map: click here for a map
