*2nd UPDATE * SDHGPA's Spring 2025 Fly-in May 24th 2025 @ Horse!

Come join the fun in the sky with the San Diego free flight crew.  Sandwich's & soft drinks will be provided by the club; Please bring an appetizer, side dish, salad, fruit, dessert, or drinks you'd like to share throughout the day (BYOB).

SDHGPA Membership is required to participate in the Fly-in Event and to Fly Horse.
Please take care of Memberships BEFORE driving out if not current.

​All memberships are available online, here.  Please make you're paid up before you arrive. Let's work together to keep these wonderful sites available to the free flight community!

Check Current Membership Status here.

Please RSVP below or this link

Been a while so let's make this a great event!!!

• Sandwich's & Potluck in LZ!
• Target ​Drop Contest w/ prizes!
• 2 Years of XC awards to handout!
• Midday flying not recommended for 1st year Pilots (P2 or P3)!* and should be targeting evening glass-off launch times . . .

  * First Year pilots/ P2 Pilots should be launching before 10:00 or later than 5:00pm with your higher rated sponsor/ mentor. . .

Rough Time Table:

• 9:30 - 10:00 - Check-in @ LZ (get your wrist bands, raffle tx, & Target Drop supplies)
• 10:00 - Drive to launch with early crew
• 10:00 - 1st round of Site intros on Main Launch
• 10:00-11:00 Early Flight window for 1st year P2 or P3 pilots Should land by 11:00.
• 12:00-4:30 Main time for experienced pilot Launching
• 4:30 - 6:00 Late Flight window for 1st year P2 or P3 pilots weather permitting.
• Check-out after flying at the Table
• ~ 3:00 Appetizers Potluck &  LZ festivities Start
• ~ 3:30-7:00 - Food in LZ
• 7:20  Sunset

Site: Horse​
Where: Horse Main LZ  
SDHGPA Horse Main LZ - Sheephead Mountain Rd., Pine Valley, CA   map

Please review and read the full Horse Site Guide for updates:

Key Points for the Fly-in

• Best to take care of memberships before, otherwise will be signing up on your phone with poor connections . . .
• Check In and Out at the LZ Table and get your wrist band for this event.
• Carpool to launch to minimized Cars on launch
• Active Launch Windows: Use mountain etiquette - Only enter the Launch Windows with your gear if and when you are ready and intending to launch hooked in and hang checked/ pre line checked  (set-up and prep including  clipping/ hooking in and hang check in non active window areas.) Be mindful that there will be a lot of pilots on launch. Do not wait for the perfect Cycle, but rather take the 1st good safe cycle.

Cost: 
SDHGPA Members: Free for SDHGPA Members (included as Membership benefit)
Non-flying guest:  $10 Sandwich/ donation is appreciated.

SDHGPA Membership is required to participate in the Fly-in at Horse and covers the Sandwich as a membership benefit. (Full Annual Membership, or Visiting Pilot membership is valid for this event. For non flying guests, $10/ person Sandwich donation is appreciated)

Please RSVP

Social committee would like some help from some volunteers to help coordinate food pickup, set up and break down. Also, if you have a Portable Table that you would be willing to bring, that would be great. Ideally, we can get these things coordinated by mid day on the Friday before the event so that everything runs as smooth as possible on Saturday.

RSVP Response table

​Site Pilots in Command 

• Palomar: HG: Jeff Brown;   PG: Ron Davis, Robb Milley, John Bartholomew, Dan Jackson
• Little Black: Jeff Brown,  David Arnouk
• Big Black: HG: Jeff Brown; PG: Jay Whiteaker
• Horse Canyon: John Bartholomew, Rob Eschbach
• Laguna: HG: Jeff Brown - Butch Peachy;  PG: Rob Eschbach
• Blossom: Jay Whiteaker, Josh Gelb 
• Whales V: Alex Gray
• ​Otay                         TBD (Open)
• Tecate Peak (Historic rarely flown)            TBD (Open)

​

Meeting Location Ideas:

• David Hunt:  https://www.scrippsranch.org/community-center/
• Florian Schweiger:  Any brewery 
• Scott Hatlen:  Kate Sessions Park
• Russ Gibfried:  I like Little Black
• Josh Gelb:  My Clubhouse in Mission Valley is available
• Alex Grey: Fiesta Island fire pits

If you have other ideas, Please let us know

Updated Radio Etiquette slide from 5-2023 talk and prior XC talks is a good reminder for Site Flying and XC pilots:

1. Site info Updates:
Reminder that all flying Palo need to be current members with the completed applications and waiver step. https://www.sdhgpa.com/join-sdhgpa.html

Also, all need to sign in and out using the Palomar sign in Page:
​https://www.sdhgpa.com/palomar-sign-in.html

The Palomar Gate Codes will be changing Feb19th at Palomar.  We will then also update the Laguna gate codes in the next month.  The Gate codes will be published to the 2024 Members info page: https://www.sdhgpa.com/2024-membership-info-gates-cards.html

Please do not share the gate codes with non-current members as this is why Pala Law enforcement is changing the codes. 

Palo gate codes changing is a direct result of Pala Tribal Law Enforcement seeing pilots accessing the Site without properly signing in using the current sign-in system.  (They have motion sensors and cameras all over and want to know if motion sensors tripped is someone that has permission to be there or not. )

This lead them to believe non-current SDHGPA pilots without current waivers on file have been accessing the Site. This information was supplied to the Pala Tribal council as this is an issue for them. They view non-current SDHGPA user access without a current years waiver on file as trespassing.

Please respect the Palomar agreed protocols for our use of the Roberts Ranch with the Pala Tribal Council. Note that we are guests of the ranch and Not following the protocols puts our use of the Site at risk.  Note that our use agreement is up for renewal and renegotiating this coming fall. Every issue logged unfortunately gets reviewed during this review process.

Please encourage all to help preserve the Site by helping to encourage all to follow the Site protocols.https://www.sdhgpa.com/current-membership-status.html

2.  New Club Treasurer
     We have a new Treasurer (yeh Ana!)  

3.  We have a new PO box address:  (now at the USPS near LB)
    SDHGPA
    PO Box 720895
    SAN DIEGO, CA 92172

4.  Palomar XC Point Series — No updates

5.  2024 Membership Status:
We have 171 current members for 2024 so far.  Nominal dues helps pay for site access/insurance, WX stations and other Site maint, etc.  Key things for Landowners and our agreements with them are the application membership waivers completed on an annual basis.

6.  USHPA Chapter Renewal Submitted — USHPA dues have increase to ~$3,706      For Insurance, the Chapter is covered at all Sites we have Site Guides for and we are covering the landowners at the following sites this year:

• Palomar
• Little Black
• Laguna
• Horse

            Big Black Landowner not renewed until we need to for new permits if required for access.
            Blossom Landowners not renewed this year since site expected to be graded for homes.
 

7.  Discussion on importance of using satellite tracker (eg. Garmin) when flying XC.  Look at USHPA magazine to sign-up at ExpertVoice for discounts. www.expertvoice.com

8  We just received our 2024 permit for Laguna.  If flying Laguna, print-out a copy and put in your harness.  Also print an extra copy for your driver.  Follow the site guide at https://www.sdhgpa.com/laguna.html and be sure to text the rangers as specified in the Site Guide.

Laguna is part of Anza-Borrego State Park; therefore, not all State Park Rangers are familiar with hang-gliders/paragliders in the park.  Having the Use Permit on you will ease issues.

9.  Palomar Outhouse  - No update.  Well crap!

​Meeting adjourned.

Those Nominated for Treasurer:

• Ana Krulec
• Todd Wiersum
• George Du (write-in)

Congratulations to Ana and a big thank you to those that offered to serve as Treasurer in this Special Election to fill this position Vacancy.  We will very likely tap into your offer to help in a support role.

Also, thank you to all that participated in the voting process!

SDHGPA's 50th Anniversary Fall Festival Fly-in November 18th 2023 @ Palomar!

(Date has been changed to the WX back up date November 18th)

Come on out and share the sky with the San Diego free flight crew.  Dinner & soft drinks will be provided by the club; Please bring a Fall Harvest worthy appetizer, side dish, salad, fruit, dessert, or drinks you'd like to share throughout the day (BYOB).

SDHGPA Membership is required to participate in the Fly-in Event and to Fly Palomar.
Please take care of Memberships and print parking passes BEFORE driving out if not current.

​All memberships are available online, here.  Please make you're paid up and print out your Parking Pass before you arrive. Let's work together to keep these wonderful sites available to the free flight community!

Check Current Membership Status here.

Those RSVPing before noon Friday Nov 16th get two extra Door Prize raffle Tickets)

This will be a great event!!!

Site: Palomar​
Where: Palomar Main LZ  
SDHGPA Palomar Main LZ - Roberts Ranch, 15482 CA-76, Pauma Valley, CA 92061  map

Cost: 
SDHGPA Members: Free for SDHGPA Members (included as Membership benefit)
Non-flying guest:  $10 BBQ/ donation is appreciated.

SDHGPA Membership is required to participate in the Fly-in at Palomar and covers the BBQ as a membership benefit. (Full Annual Membership, or Visiting Pilot membership is valid for this event. For non flying guests, $10/ person BBQ donation is appreciated)

Note that all Cars must have a parking pass in the LZ & Launch (& no parking or dropping off pilots out on the road).
Please take care of Memberships and print parking passes before driving out if not current.
All memberships are online and easier with a strong connection. . .​

Check Current Membership Status here

Please RSVP
The Social Committee would like some help from some volunteers to help coordinate, set up, and break down.

Enter each question scrolling down till submit

RSVP Response table

August 2023 monthly meeting was held at Little Black.  Light winds, pleasant temperatures and Jersey Mike sandwiches.

New faces attending:

1. Mohid P2 working on P3 at TP
2. Kiro P2 working on P3 at Marshal
3. John P2 working at P3 at TP
4. Andrea P2 works at TP w/ the falcons (Say 'hi' if you are at TP)

Site Info and Updates

• Palomar and Big Black now marked on aviation sectional maps w/ glider symbols.  15 year process, but Steve tried again 6 months ago and someone responded.  Good job Steve!
• Palomar Outhouse:  Diamond not servicing anymore so Steve and John Bartholomew are looking for alternatives since in our use agreement requires a facility at launch.
• Weather Stations:  Palomar has new firmware
• Laguna Reminder:  Read site guide, print out permit and make sure you call Norb Ruhmke (Supervising Ranger at Anza Borrego Desert State Park) to let him know you are flying.  https://www.sdhgpa.com/laguna.html 

Repack Clinic:  TDB

​Q&A From Telegram:

         Any recommendations for 1st Pod harness?

1. If you are testing one, make sure you sit in it for 20-30 minutes to determine pressure points
2. Lightweight hike and fly harness are appealing but consider difficulty getting into at launch and less protection.
3. Brands people liked:
   1. Advance (for dual density protectors)
   2. Woody Valley
   3. SupAir

        Where do people go for glider trimming and porosity testing?

1. SuperFly - Gin, Nova, Advance (Glider Trim & Full Service)
2. Eagle (Santa Barbara) (Glider Trim & Full Service)
3. Torrey Pines   ​From Milly, "At Torrey pines gliderport we do porosity, inspections, line repairs, fabric repairs, reserve repacks and misc gear repairs needed. We are with-in driving distance in San diego County."

       How to start XC flying?

• Baby steps - Read books.  Get comfortable thermalling and assessing weather conditions at several Sites and expanding your flight envelope.  You need to reliably thermal up then be able to read conditions and terrain for where to go outside of familiar terrain.
• Once topping off thermals, start to extend glides out front progressively to learn your gliders glide and performance into the wind, then back down wind. Build your confidence on knowing what terrain features to glide to and back to to get back up.
• Get comfortable flying the local triangles at sites like Palomar and Blossom along with building your flight duration stamina. 
• The more you come out and build your skills, more than likely you will meet others that will feel comfortable inviting you out with groups who are going XC and on days that might be appropriate for your skill set.
• Key thing: if advanced pilots are willing to take you out, you must respect their advice/ guidance. If they asses that you should stand down for the day or a period of time. They do not need the added stress if you don't follow their advice.

Photos from LB:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwGd23og6WX/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
​
​

SDHGPA Spring Fly-in Fiesta 2023
&
XC Awards Ceremony for 2022:  
April 22th @ Palomar!

(WX back up date April 29th)

Come on out and share the sky with the San Diego free flight crew.  Dinner & soft drinks will be provided by the club serving at 5pm. Please bring a Fiesta worthy appetizer, side dish, salad, fruit, dessert, or drinks you'd like to share throughout the day (BYOB).

​SDHGPA Membership is required to participate in the Fly-in Event and to Fly Palomar.
Please take care of Memberships and print parking passes BEFORE driving out if not current.

Check Current Membership Status here.

All memberships are available online, here.  Please make sure you're paid up and print out your Parking Pass before you arrive. Let's work together to keep these wonderful sites available to the free flight community!

Check back to this page for updates up to day of fly-in

This will be a great event!!!

Site: Palomar
Where: Palomar Main LZ  
SDHGPA Palomar Main LZ - Roberts Ranch, 15482 CA-76, Pauma Valley, CA 92061  map

Gear Swap:

Post Flying Fiesta & Awards Ceremony:
By popular demand, we will be having a Taco Cart in the LZ.

Main Course (Taco Cart) will be provided by the club but this is also a potluck event; therefore, plan to bring a Fiesta worthy appetizer, side dish, salad, fruit, dessert, or drinks you'd like to share throughout the day and post flying (BYOB).

Also Bring out your favorite Yard Games! for post flying fun & socializing: bocce ball, corn hole, ladder toss . . .

Cost: 
SDHGPA Members: Free for SDHGPA Members (included as Membership benefit)
Non-flying guest:  $10 BBQ/ donation for Taco Cart is appreciated.

SDHGPA Membership is required to participate in the Fly-in at Palomar and covers the taco cart as a membership benefit. (Full Annual Membership, or Visiting Pilot membership is valid for this event. For non flying guests, $10/ person BBQ donation for taco cart is appreciated)

Note that all Cars must have a parking pass in the LZ & Launch (& no parking out on the road).
Please take care of Memberships and print parking passes before driving out if not current.
All memberships are online and easier with a strong connection. . . 

Check Current Membership Status here

The Rich Matros Memorial X-C Contest
a rich history of XC free flight in Southern California

The Rich Matros Memorial X-C Contest is a chapter member XC competition based on open flight with non-specified tasks for pilots to make XC decisions on how to fly the day. There are both season long competitive and personal milestone Shirt Awards. The competition rules are different for HG & PG,  but the milestone shirt awards are the same for each class of wing.

Rich Matros Memorial X-C Contest History: The SDHGPA was originally known as the Ultralight Flier's Organization, or UFO. The UFO was formed in 1973 and changed names to SDHGA in 1987. In 1994 the name was changed once again to the San Diego Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association or SDHGPA to better represent our growing paraglider pilot membership.

Rich Matros was one of the earliest members of the UFO, and one of its strongest supporters for over 15 years before succumbing to cancer. The cross country contest was renamed the Rich Matros Cross Country Contest in 1988 to honor Rich and to recognize his years of contribution to our club and his passion for XC.

​For more information and how to participate in the XC comp as an SDHGPA membership benefit, see the Rich Matros Memorial X-C Contest page under the More navigation section.

Please RSVP
The Social Committee would like some help from some volunteers to help coordinate, set up, and break down.

Social committee would like some help from some volunteers to help coordinate food pickup, set up and break down. Also, if you have a Portable Table that you would be willing to bring, that would be great. Ideally, we can get these things coordinated by mid day on the Friday before the event so that everything runs as smooth as possible on Saturday.​

 1. Club Info and Updates

   a) Laguna Permit Status is in process.

   b) Laguna and Big Black Site Guides.
     Looking for site reps.  David Norgren to contact Paul Markham as possible site rep for Big Black.

   c) Weather Station Updates (Joseph)
        https://www.sdhgpa.com/weather-stations.html

• Palomar station battery dead.  Joseph working on fix.
• El Cap station needs firmware flashed to be more efficient w/ battery usage.
• Laguna Holfuy station should be considered unreliable and will be turned off.  Anemometer started to fail in January giving unreliable wind speed readings.  In the future this will be replaced by one of Joseph's stations. 

   d) Club USHPA renewal and safety review update (Steve/Rob)
  Deadline to renewal our USHPA chapter was Feb. 15th. Rob updating incidents and assessments. 

   e) Palomar point series update 
       https://www.sdhgpa.com/palomar-point-series.html 

• Brad and Katherine won the Serial and Fledgling classes respectively in January - congratulations!  The February tasks will remain the same as January -- no change.

      
    f) Reminder is renew you 2023 Membership.  Thank you to everyone that has renewed! Here's the link to renew:  
​       https://www.sdhgpa.com/store/p6/SDHGPA_Annual_Full_Membership_dues.html

   h) Call for future meeting presenter.  Looking for presenters on the following topics:
            Using Flyskyhy for Tasks (Palomar Point series)
            Using xctrack for Tasks(Palomar Point series)
            Using XC Soar  for Tasks(Palomar Point series)
            Techniques to build your flying skills

2. New Items / Roundtable / Stories from Mexico/Columbia

• Stan from Crestline Soaring said the Redlands Airport Advisory Board is meeting and considering banning launching and landing within Redlands city limits.  This would impact Hanger 24
• Fly-in still being targeted for March/April.

3. Rob talked about his recent trip to Columbia.  Conditions were fantastic w/ flights almost 100K every day.

• Getting to Columbia:   Rob flew SAN-MIAMI-CALI. Two hour cab ride to Roldanillo for $70. Cheaper bus options available.
• Where to Stay:  Rob booked an air bnb in town. There were lots of taxis in the town square every morning competing for your business to take you up to launch for $10.
• Where to Fly: Primary launch is Aguapanela that most use. We preferred to use the private Trevol launch which is a bit lower and out front. Aguapanela launches you a bit higher, but requires long glide to house thermal and you arrive only slightly higher than the Trevol launch. The Trevol launch puts you straight into the house thermal, has nice shade structure with tables and clean floors and bathrooms for setup. Costs $2 to use the launch. All launches in Roldanillo are behind high tension powerlines and I would probably recommend P4 skills for them. Conditions typically turned on between 930-1030 each morning. Run the ridge in the anabatic east flow in the morning. Once the sun gets high and clouds pop in the valley, push out and fly the flats. Expect the “Pacifico” to come in around 3pm each day, which is what they call the seabreeze. It will blow down hard on launch and everything on the east side of the valley will be in rotor. Land in Zarzal if the Pacifico is too strong to make it safely back to Roldanillo.
• Retrieves:  For retrieves, a $1 bus to get home from there. No matter where you land out, it is super easy to get retrieved. There are buses between every little town along the highways and they will stop in the middle of the route to pick up pilots. There are taxis in most towns. And if not, there are people on motos everywhere that want to give you a ride home for pesos. The people are very friendly and seem to like the pilots.