Mt Hollowback

[Andrew Crowe]

Can anyone tell me the status of flying at Mt Hollowback. It has been quite a few years since I have flown there and the latest I have heard is that the gate is no lnger locked and permission is not required, can anyone confirm this. If this is not the case what is the correct procedure for getting access?

[F3Joel]

You can still fly at Mt.Hollowback and the gate is unlocked...sometimes (not always).Reminder it is and always has been private land and VARMS as far as i know have a long term arrangement/permission with the landowner for members to fly there.Some people think because there is a sealed road to the top it is public land.This is not the case.The road(that passes through two gates) is there to allow service vehicles access to the comms towers at the top.I fly there on a regular basis and have been disappointed to find on many occasions rubbish and even empty stubbies and cigarette buts there recently which puts the use of the site in jeopardy.If the farmer finds rubbish,especially discarded buts it would be all to easy to say no to us flying there.There was even one guy on the weekend who just let his dog roam free.When warned that the farmer was about he simply didn't care and said"oh well".Dogs are a big NO on farms and expect the dog not to make it home if it is seen near stock.
The disrespect of flying sites is unfortunately becoming a little to common place recently.Remember we are guests of the landowner and need to respect the landowners wishes,local club rules and use common sense in general.Flying sites are being lost due to people not getting permission(Beverage is a good example) or are being put in jeopardy of being shut down because people are not using common sense.Remember sites are being lost at a much greater rate than we are finding and gaining access to new ones.....so please take a little care so we can continue to have the privilege to fly there.