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Visitor info

The ISA welcomes visiting flyers and guests.

The ISA and the National Trust

The Ivinghoe hills are a public site managed by the National Trust, and the ISA holds a paid licence to fly there. The licence restricts us to flying unpowered models only, and in specific areas.

Safety is paramount for our continued use of these sites. In particular, the hills are often busy with walkers, and it's imperative to be aware of other users.

Rules for flying

All flyers are required to follow a few simple rules:

Carry your BMFA card

  • Please carry your BMFA membership card with you. You may be asked to produce it, as flying without BMFA insurance is strictly prohibited. You can join the BMFA directly

Gliders only

  • Only unpowered models may be flown. If you wish to fly a power model, it must be flown as a glider (the propeller must be removed, or secured to the sides of the fuselage).
  • Combat flying is strictly prohibited.

Frequency control

  • Pilots flying on 27/35 MHz are required to use a pegboard (ISA members must bring one with them). The 'peg-off' convention is used, i.e. the peg for your frequency should be removed from the board.
  • For frequency awareness reasons, pilots must always fly from the same slope. This applies also to pilots using 2.4 GHz. If there is a choice of slope, check to see if anyone has already arrived, and if so go and join them. For example, in a NNE wind there is a choice of either the North Face or Car Park slopes - see map.

General safety

  • If you are a novice, please seek advice from an experienced pilot before first switching on your transmitter.
  • Flyers must be mindful of other users, particularly when launching and landing.

Please make yourself known, and don't hesitate to ask any questions - we're a friendly bunch!

Permitted slopes

There are slopes for West, North, North East and South (see map below). The West slope is the best.

Note that flying is not permitted from Steps Hill - the area is reserved by the National Trust to encourage wild flora and fauna. There also a sign warning walkers not to wander from the paths due to the potential danger from live munitions.

Ivinghoe Beacon site map

How to get there

Google map of Ivinghoe Beacon

Before setting off, please check the home page for closure warnings.

Emergencies

The grid references for emergency services (999) are:

  • NT Main (Beacon) car park: SP 9635 1590
  • Trig point on top of west face: SP 9595 1685

You may wish to carry a whistle, in case of slips or falls on the slope.

Further information

If you have any questions regarding the use of Ivinghoe hills for slope flying, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the committee. If you fly regularly, then do join the ISA and enjoy the many benefits!