SAFA Skysailor Magazine

33 SUMMER 2025 | December-January-February SKY SAILOR Location Beechmont is located in the Scenic Rim, approximately 30km from the Gold Coast’s Surfers Paradise, and 95km from Brisbane. The lush Hinterland feels a world away with its green landscape, dense subtropical forest and farmlands, giving pilots the chance to enjoy tranquil mountain views and a calm atmosphere as they fly. Conditions Being about 30km from the east coast, pilots can experience sea-breezes that can intervene in the afternoon and produce some very buoyant conditions, particularly during spring and summer. While this can create good conditions to soar, be aware the sea-breeze can also come roaring in! During the dry summer months, Beech- mont launch can produce early thermals which can result in long cross-country flights, the current records being 376km on a paraglider and 519km on a hang glider. In northerly winds, the windsock may indicate a more easterly airflow, as if coming up the face of launch, with south- erly winds, there is potential for rotor on the northern side of the southern ridge. Look out for the possibility of valley wind effects in the bomb-out when coming in to land. Launch The Beechmont launch area is broad and steep, with a well-maintained grassy surface. Set up for launch in front of the privet trees to the south of the windsock to avoid being blown back onto the road, especially in windy conditions. The launch is easy to reach via a sealed public road from Canungra along Beech- mont Road. Photos: Supplied courtesy of Gavin Zahner