The San Diego Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, SDHGPA, is a hang gliding and paragliding club dedicated to the promotion and preservation of foot launched soaring (non motorized "free flight") in San Diego County. SDHGPA is a local chapter of the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, USHPA. We work collaboratively with land owners and governing agencies at the local level to keep our primary flying sites open by maintaining, insuring, purchasing, regulating, and monitoring our launch sites and landing zones. Our guiding principle is that all foot launched pilots of hang gliders and paragliders alike share common goals and interests best served by a united effort to promote flying safety, education, and good community relations in San Diego County. We support hang gliding and paragliding at the national level through the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA) and concurrent membership in that organization is the one and only club membership requirement.
Our Flying Sites: Here in San Diego County, we enjoy year-round flying in varied rural terrain. Do's and don'ts for launch sites and landing zones change frequently. If you have not flown at a site lately, we encourage you to contact one of the site representatives on the site pages and and read the Site Guides to get current information. All of our flying sites are sensitive to abuse and subject to closure at any time. In many tempting areas, we are not permitted to land; please do not endanger our sites by landing in illegal areas, by flying in an unsafe manner or by being rude to other pilots or the public. In general, exercise caution and consideration with regard to the local population and property. Avoid landing near livestock. Do not climb on fences; instead, go under. Stay on roads. Never damage or destroy property. Be unobtrusive and leave quickly if landing out in undesignated areas.
History: The SDHGPA is the Oldest and Longest Running Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club and Organization in San Diego and Southern California originally organized in 1973.
For detailed Club History and History of motor-less Free Flight in San Diego that goes back to the 1930's, See: SDHGPA and San Diego Free Flight History.
For detailed Club History and History of motor-less Free Flight in San Diego that goes back to the 1930's, See: SDHGPA and San Diego Free Flight History.
Meetings: The club meets monthly to discuss issues related to our mission, discuss topics in general free flight and socialize. The meetings are held a variety of locations and all information can be found on the Club Calendar. For 2019 Default scheduled meeting date is Third Thursday of the month unless stated otherwise on the Calendar. Fly-ins are commonly scheduled in the Fall, Winter, and Spring.
Radio Information: Members of the SDHGPA use 2-meter ham radios for communication. For safety and convenience, it is strongly recommended that pilots obtain their "Technician Class" amateur radio operator license, and fly with a radio. It is also recommended that pilots join the East County Repeater Association ham radio club, which owns and operates the Laguna repeater. Our normal frequency is 144.950 Mhz.
Radio Information: Members of the SDHGPA use 2-meter ham radios for communication. For safety and convenience, it is strongly recommended that pilots obtain their "Technician Class" amateur radio operator license, and fly with a radio. It is also recommended that pilots join the East County Repeater Association ham radio club, which owns and operates the Laguna repeater. Our normal frequency is 144.950 Mhz.
SDHGPA Organization:
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SDHGPA operates as a 100% Volunteer Organization.
The SDHGPA is registered with the State of California as non-profit organization and Federally as a 501 (c) (7) Tax Exempt nonprofit organization. Club Officers 2020:
President: Steve Rohrbaugh 760-822-4007 VP: Jeff Brown 858-344-3846 Treasurer: Bill Helliwell 760-500-1265 Secretary: Nik Hawks 619-246-3868 Safety Officer: Chris Ottmar 917-886-3565 Co Safety Officer: Anthony Karnezis 480-287-2695 Our address:
SDHGPA, P.O. Box 420973, San Diego, CA. 92142-0973 |
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Appointed Non-Voting Extended Board Positions 2019:
- Social Committee: Josh Gelb (Lead), Angela Albota, Bill Davis, Christopher Smith, Heather DeCourcy,
- Website: Steve Rohrbaugh, Nik Hawks, Philip Wessinger, Christopher Smith
- XC Competition: Bill Helliwell / Jeff Brown / Eric Kolberg
Site and Advisery Board SDHGPA Representatives
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Pilots in Command:
If you need/ or have site information, please contact the following people: Palomar (PG) Jeff Brown (858) 344-3846 Palomar (HG) Chris Smith (805) 276-0598 Big Black Bill Helliwell (760) 500-1265 Horse Canyon Bill Helliwell (760) 500-1265 Laguna Bill Helliwell (760) 500-1265 Anza-Borrego SP Bill Helliwell (760) 500-1265 Little Black Dave Metzgar (858) 336-5391 Blossom Valley Nik Hawks (619) 246-3868 Otay Bill Helliwell (760) 500-1265 Tecate Peak Dave Metzgar (858) 336-5391 XC Competition Bill Helliwell (760) 500-1265 Torrey Pines Robin Marion (858) 452-9858 |
Advisory Board Representatives:
Black Mt Open Space Citizens Advisory Council:
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SDHGPA Authorized Representatives:
To Issue USHPA 30-Day Affiliate Memberships to International Pilots holding IPPI Rating Cards:
(listed in contact order preference with those in bold being the primary issuers with membership forms readily available)
(listed in contact order preference with those in bold being the primary issuers with membership forms readily available)
- Jeff Brown 858-344-3846
- Bill Helliwell 760-500-1265
- Dave Metzgar 858-336-5391
- Steve Rohrbaugh
