Information for Visiting Pilots
Landing fees are payable to the South Grafton Aerodrome Aircraft Hangar Owners Inc, the administrators of this facility. All fees collected are used to maintain this aerodrome for the benefit of all aviators. Please place the appropriate amount in a supplied envelope and insert into the slot in the honesty box at the front entrance of the clubhouse.
Grafton Radio Taxis Co-op Ph 13 1008 or 6642 3622
Free pickup and return is provided by the Jacaranda Motor Lodge should you require accommodation. Phone Tony or Angie Stackhouse on 6642 2833 or mobile 0412 962 6351.
Bunkhouse accommodation is available at the clubhouse. Cost is $25.00 per person per night. If unattended please phone one of the contacts listed in the club contacts page. A key to the bunkhouse will then be made available.
The nearest pub which also has food and accommodation is the Royal approximately 3 minutes walk. Turn left at the entry gate to the aerodrome and walk past the BMX track, around the corner and you will see the pub on your right on the corner of Abbot and Ryan Streets.
Mogas is available at Cookes Service Station in Ryan Street. Turn left when you get to the Royal Pub. It is approximately 25 metres from the corner. If club members are in attendance, loan jerry cans are usually available. Avgas is not available. Nearest Avgas is Lismore or Coffs Harbour.
The South Grafton Shopping Centre is in Skinner Street, approximately 6 minutes (650 metres) walk. Go straight up Cowan Street from the aerodrome entry gate, turn right at the next corner (Ryan Street) and turn left at the roundabout into Skinner Street.
There is a Coles Supermarket approximately 10-15 minutes walk (1100 metres) from the clubhouse. Turn right at the aerodrome entry gate and walk past the sports grounds and turn left into Bligh Street, cross Ryan Street and you will find the rear access to the supermarket and other shops on the right about 190 metres from the intersection of Ryan and Bligh streets.
AIRFIELD INFORMATION
ERSA……………………YSGRCo-ordinates………S 29 42.5 E 152 55.7
Elevation……………20 feet AMSL
CTAF……………………126.7
Brisbane Centre….122.6
Runway…………………08/26 – 1000 metres seal, Grass runways either side, 200 metres grass extension for 08, total length 1200m. Left hand circuit.
Airfield Google Earth
Amended Airfield Safety Management Plan
Select link to download the latest Amended Airfield Safety Management Plan.
Grafton Gliding Club YSGR Operations and Safety Protocols
Grafton Gliding Club (GGC) has been operating successfully at YSGR since 2018. The Club’s nominated flying days are the first and third Saturdays of the month, the first and third Tuesdays, and the second and fourth Sundays. The Club has a website www.graftongliding.com.au
The Club uses a drum-based winch launch system to get its gliders airborne. The winch is V8 powered and is placed at one end of the strip with the launch point at the other end and 1200m of rope between, usually laid just outside the southern runway markers. Gliders typically launch to 1200 feet with lows of 1000 feet and to almost 2000 feet on rare occasions.
The Launch point, winch and two retrieve vehicles are fitted with VHF and UHF radios. Both vehicles are fitted with orange roof-top flashing lights as does the winch.
The GGC holds an ACMA licence to operate ground-based VHF air-band radios at YSGR. All the Club’s gliders are equipped with VHF radios. Ground crew monitor the CTAF and the main taxiway.
When operating, the Club places a large white double cross symbol on the ground adjacent to the windsock and a sandwich board sign advising aircraft of glider operations. The sign is placed on the north-east edge of the main taxiway just before the northern side of the bridge over the main drain. The sign asks pilots intending to proceed to the runway to ensure they have given a CTAF call so as to alert the glider crew.
The glider base station and the gliders themselves always give a CTAF departure call and also give circuit joining calls.
The Club monitors the effect of crosswind drift on the fall of the rope after a launch. If drift is considered to be excessive by the duty pilot or instructor then operations are suspended.
Occasionally the winch rope will break during a launch. The glider will either land ahead or perform a modified circuit. A CTAF call will be made to alert traffic of the non-standard situation. The ground crew will remove the rope from the runway as first priority. The removal of the rope and glider from the runway may take a few minutes. Another CTAF call will inform traffic when the runway has been cleared.
Potential Hazards:
• Aircraft proceeding from the GGC warning sign at the main drain while a winch launch is in progress – impact with falling launch rope or with a glider could occur.
• Inbound aircraft failing to give 10 nm calls – gliders typically fly close to YSGR and may have to land at short notice.
• Aircraft attempting to land or entering the runway before a cable break incident has been finalised.
In conclusion the Gliding Club makes every effort to operate in a safe and professional manner. In the end safety is everyone’s responsibility and requires sound airmanship, good communication and situational awareness.
Bob King
Secretary/Public Officer
Grafton Gliding Club Inc
June 2024
