Signal Hill Bench

Sports-rated (advanced site) above city of Cape Town for sea-breeze saoraing with some thermals. Easy slope launch. Advanced because wind gradient can increase rapidly and no landing options if blown over. Also, landing if not on top can be difficult due to flying over buildings. DO NOT FLY unless suitably rated and accompanied by experienced local pilot.
'The Point': for NW winds, drive all the way to the end of the road, and park in the large tarred car park. The launch is on the grassed picnic area just to the left of the car park. Any suitable area below the chains just before the car park.
'The Bench' is 1km S along the ridge, and is more suited to W winds. It is accessible from the tar road via a little gravel turnoff and car park. The lay out area is behind the scenic bench.

The ideal Sunday afternoon soaring site. A long ridge that is the body of the animal that forms Lion's Head. Signal Hill forms a smoothly sloped obstruction to the north-westerly wind. The lift band is usually wide but not too high, peppered with the odd thermal. Hang gliders tap into the real magic of Signal Hill when the wind is really strong, soaring high in the laminar flow. If it's too light here, go to Sir Lowry's Pass. If it's too strong at Sir Lowry's, come back here.

Takeoff altitude: 295m