Pampoenfontein
📍 Western Cape , West Coast District Municipality · Nearest city: Piketberg (26 km)
55 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 817 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
-32.92660, 19.03740Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-19 16:15 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Condiciones marginales, base de cúmulos ~1086 m, viento 11 km/h.
base ~1086m · wind 11 km/hCondiciones marginales, base de cúmulos ~1034 m, viento 10 km/h.
base ~1034m · wind 10 km/hCondiciones marginales, base de cúmulos ~1252 m, viento 12 km/h.
base ~1252m · wind 12 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-20⚠️ Marginal · peak 45 at 20h
- Cloud suck alto (94/100) — base bajo freezing con CU
⏰ Useful window: 10:00 – 10:00
| 08 35 | 09 35 | 10 35 ☁️⚠️ | 11 35 ☁️⚠️ | 12 35 ☁️⚠️ | 13 35 ☁️⚠️ | 14 35 ☁️⚠️ | 15 30 ☁️⚠️ | 16 35 ☁️⚠️ | 17 35 ☁️⚠️ | 18 40 | 19 35 | 20 45 |
Peak 20h: CAPE 10 J/kg · LI 10.4 · BL top 270 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 1254 m · 0°C at 2030 m · Pro score 40/100
2026-04-21❌ Not recommended · peak 35 at 19h
- Día muy estable (CAPE<50, LI>2) — sin térmicas
- Cobertura nubosa >85% — sin radiación para disparar
- Cloud suck alto (71/100) — base bajo freezing con CU
| 08 30 | 09 30 | 10 30 | 11 30 | 12 20 | 13 20 ☁️⚠️ | 14 30 ☁️⚠️ | 15 20 | 16 20 | 17 25 | 18 25 | 19 35 | 20 35 |
Peak 19h: CAPE 20 J/kg · LI 7.4 · BL top 170 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 1517 m · 0°C at 2440 m · Pro score 41/100
Hourly flyability (0–100). ⛈️ = storm risk · ☁️⚠️ = cloud suck · 🏔️ = active ridge lift. CAPE = convective energy, LI = stability, BL top = thermal ceiling, w* = estimated dry thermal velocity. Source: Open-Meteo (ECMWF/GFS/ICON blend model).
Estimated vertical profile (Sounding)
Reference time: 20:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 10.2°C · Td: 6.7°C
LCL (cloud base): 437 m
BL top: 270 m
0°C level: 2030 m
Approximate profile from surface variables + synoptic levels. Red lines = temperature, dashed blue = dew point. Orange bands = detected inversions.
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 16 | High |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.71 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.38 | Slope faces north in southern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
2 take off areas. Nets laid down makes a clean area to launch TO furthest South is a cliff launch. There is an honesty box: R35-00 per day.
Rules and notes
NO SMOKING AT THIS SITE! more info: http://www.eternitypress.com/freshair/porterville.htm
Pilot comments
Recovery can be an issue as the dirt roads see little traffic. Best months in terms of enjoyable flying are February and November. Competition and record months are December and January. Site record is 173.2km flown by Anthony Allen 07 Jan 2011.
Nearby sites
Dasklip Pass, Porterville (54) · Kardoesie SW (43) · Piketberg (49) · Piekernierskloof Pass (44) · Kardoesie NW (51) · Elandskloof (37)