The Palomar Oct. 22nd Fly-in was a fun day with plenty of smooth lift to cloud-base all over the valley. The initial forecast predicted only a morning session since possible light precipitation would start in the evening, but the weather gods smiled on us and the sun came out and clouds lifted. The wind did start to pick-up around 2:30pm, and for those already on the ground sitting in lawn chairs enjoying tacos and beers, they got to watch the show as pilots maneuvered not to land short of the LZ in relatively strong winds. No orange trees were landed on!
0 Comments
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).
WX back-up Nov 5th
![]()
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 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
Post Flying Fall Fiesta:
By popular demand, we will be having a Taco Cart in the LZ.
Main Course (Taco Cart) will be provided by the club however it is also an potluck; so 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, a $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
Past Fall Fly-ins at Palomar:
SDHGPA Spring Fly-in Fiesta 2021
& XC Awards Ceremony for 2021: April 9th @ Palomar!
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 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.
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 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 however it is also an potluck; so 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, a $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. . .
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.
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 back to this page for updates up to day of fly-in
This will be a great event!!!
Rough Time Table:
Site: Palomar
Where: Palomar Main LZ SDHGPA Palomar Main LZ - Roberts Ranch, 15482 CA-76, Pauma Valley, CA 92061 map
Please RSVP
The Social Committee would like some help from some volunteers to help coordinate, set up, and break down.
RSVP Responses
SDHGPA Summer Fly-in Fiesta 2021
& XC Awards Ceremony for 2018, 2019, & 2020:
Aug 14th @ Palomar!
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 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 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 however it is also an potluck; so 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, a $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
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.
RSVP Responses
New Year Fly-in
& Annual Awards CEREMONY SATURDAY, March 2nd WX Canceled -Fly-in Canceled due to Rain - Stay tuned for next scheduled Fly-in
**pending WX - 3rd Back up weather date is March _____
Come on out and share the sky with the San Diego free flight crew. Food & soft drinks will be provided by the club; feel free to bring any appetizers or drinks you'd like to share (BYOB).
SDHGPA will be hosting the
USHPA 2018 Film Festival November 17th!
The San Diego Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association presents the 2018 USHPA Free Flight Film Festival, featuring five new films showcasing hang gliding, paragliding, and adventure travel in the US. The two-hour showing will be held at on November 17th at The Palomar Main LZ starting at 5:30pm with Fly-in & BBQ before. The amazing visuals and compelling stories are sure to appeal to all audiences – pilots and non-pilots alike.
“The USHPA Free Flight Film Festival showcases the best hang gliding and paragliding has to offer, from imagery captured utilizing a Cineflex camera stabilization system mounted to a helicopter, to a first-person GoPro masterpiece shot by professional pilots,” said Martin Palmaz, Executive Director of USHPA. “This festival highlights the heart of hang gliding and paragliding, from projects working with communities, to flying and camping over vast mountain ranges, to aerobatics, to a lone falconer and his pursuit of the perfect flight. There is something for everyone.”
Films included in the 2018 Film Festival showing:
Hang gliding and paragliding are a combination of adventure sport and aviation. Pilots fly light and non-motorized foot-launch aircraft both recreationally and competitively. Hang gliding pilots hang prone in a harness, suspended from the airframe, and exercise control by shifting their body weight. Most modern hang gliders are made of an aluminum alloy frame covered with synthetic sailcloth to form a wing. Paragliding pilots fly lightweight aircraft that have no rigid primary structure and resemble elliptical parachutes. The pilot sits in a harness suspended below a fabric wing that is comprised of a large number of interconnected baffled cells. Hang gliders and paragliders can travel hundreds of miles on rising columns of air, called thermals, soar for hours in the wind pushed upward by coastal terrain, or simply fly down from a mountain in calm, still, air.
Event & Site Location : Palomar Main LZ
(SDHGPA Palomar Main LZ - Roberts Ranch, 15482 CA-76, Pauma Valley, CA 92061) (map) When: Rough Schedule 9:00am - Start Meeting in Main LZ for BBQ set-up and dropping off supplies. 10:30 - 3pm Carpooling to launch: Many will be coming out later in the day. Please try to wait for others and carpool up to launch from the LZ to minimize number of cars on launch. We expect it to be flyable until dusk. See forecast to be updated below. 11:30 - Peak Heating BBQ will start as people start to land. 4:46 - Sunset ~5:00 November General Club Meeting 5:30 ~ Film Festival Start
For detailed Site info, see the Palomar Site Guide
If you haven't flown Palomar before or checked out the site guide this month for updates, please read the site guide prior to arrival. It may save you from landing in a burial ground or from wandering into rotor, or it may even help make your flight epic!
Cost:
Free to SDHGPA Members & $5/ non flying guest BBQ donation is appreciated SDHGPA Membership is required to participate in the Fly-in at Palomar and covers the BBQ. Any new (late) Annual Memberships joining for the Fly-in will be rolled over into a 2019 Annual Membership as an added bonus. (Full Annual Membership, or Visiting Pilot membership is valid for this event. For non flying guests, a $5/ person BBQ donation 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 on line and easier with a strong connection. . . To Check Current Membership Status
Please RSVP
RSVP Responses
ABOUT USHPA
The United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA) is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to support sport flying in foot-launchable, unpowered soaring aircraft. USHPA develops, standardizes, and administers programs that foster and promote practices for safe flying. USHPA maintains a working relationship with the FAA and other regulatory organizations to ensure continued access to airspace. The organization also maintains relationships with public and private entities to promote the procurement and maintenance of flying sites. USHPA is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. For more information on hang gliding and paragliding, go to www.ushpa.org.
ABOUT SDHGPA
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.
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. Palomar de Halloween ICARNAVAL :
|
Contest of costumed hang glider and paraglider pilots: exciting, hilarious, original, fantastically creative and daring… ***
Other Contests:
- Spot Landing - Bomb Drop - Time Aloft - Fastest Sled
*** Costumes must not restrict vision and or flying in any manor nor unnecessarily impede running. Masks will not be permitted during takeoff or flight.
Site: Palomar
Where: Palomar Main LZ SDHGPA Palomar Main LZ - Roberts Ranch, 15482 CA-76, Pauma Valley, CA 92061 map
When: Meeting in Main LZ around 11 for set-up and dropping off supplies. We'll start driving to launch around 12:00. The late afternoon flights have also been fantastic, and many pilots will be showing up later in the day.
Rough Time Table:
12:00 - General Meeting Time & Set-up in LZ 1:00 - Drive to launch 1:30 - Site intros on Main Launch 1 - 5:30 - Launching ~4:30 BBQ Set-up & Start Cooking ~ 5pm - BBQ starts ~7:00 - Contest Awards Ceremony |
2017 Costume Award Winners:
Grand Prize: Kim Fyi-UN Missile Test Launch: Kim McJong-un Most Daring: Tigger 80s Crop Top gone bad: Ira Hayes Most Original: Fake News Newsy: Moises Bada Scariest / disturbingly creepy: Tux Morph - Aaron Price Most Creative: Speed Racer & the Mach 5 : Steve Rohrbaugh |
Any new (late) Annual Memberships joining for the Fly-in (after October 20th), will be rolled over into a 2019 Annual Membership as an added bonus treat. Late membership Roll-over normally starts in November.
(Full Annual Membership, or Visiting Pilot membership is valid for this event. For non flying guests, a $5/ person BBQ donation is appreciated)
Please take care of Memberships and print parking passes before driving out if not current.
All memberships are on line and easier with a strong connection. . .
To Check Current Membership Status
Weekend Mountain Flying Forecast
On Saturday SDHGPA is putting on a fly-in and BBQ at Palomar. The flying conditions look pretty good. It will be sunny and quite warm. Wind will be West at 8 mph. Lift at 400 fpm will get over 6,000'. With those thermals there should be nice cycles for hang glider pilots to take off. Sunday will have some clouds. At Laguna it looks like it will be light East, 6 mph, all day. Lift at 400 fpm will get to 8,000'. At Horse wind will be 9 mph from the West. Lift will get to 7,000'. Bill H. |
Current Conditions on Launch
|
SDHGPA Membership is required to participate in the Fly-in.
Please RSVP & take care of Memberships and print parking passes BEFORE driving out if not current.
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! (Temp or Annual membership including guests is to help cover all you can eat Taco Cart & have site access).
Site: Palomar
Where: Palomar Main LZ SDHGPA Palomar Main LZ - Roberts Ranch, 15482 CA-76, Pauma Valley, CA 92061 map When: June 2nd Meeting in Main LZ around 1:00 for set-up and dropping off supplies. We'll start driving to launch around 1:45. The late afternoon flights have also been fantastic, and many pilots will be showing up later in the day. |
1:00 - Set-up & General Meeting Time / Check in at LZ opens
1:45 - Carpooling to launch starts
2:30 - Site intro on Main Launch
2:30 - 7:00 - Launching (H1-H2 & P1-P2 should be launching later . . .)
~ 6:00 Appetizers (potluck) & LZ festivities Start
~ 6:30 - 8:30 Taco Cart Serving: chicken, beef, & pork tacos along with cheese quesadillas
For detailed Site info, see the Palomar Site Guide
If you haven't flown here before or checked out the site guide this past few months for updates, please read the site guide prior to arrival. It may save you from landing in a burial ground or from wandering into rotor, or it may even help make your flight epic! |
Need not to say any more than what can be expressed in photos & video of the day.
2018 SDHGPA Fly-In from STEVE LAMOUREUX on Vimeo.
A brief collection of drone shots from fly-in event at Palomar Mountain, later in the day.
SDHGPA
The San Diego Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association
Categories
All
Articles
Equipment
FAQ
Flight History
Flight Report
Flying Site News And Updates
Fly Ins
Meeting Minutes
News
Press Release
Safety & Accident Reports
SDHGPA Weather Stations
Telegram SDHGPA Communication
Travel
Weather
XC Clinic
Archives
February 2023
January 2023
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
June 2022
April 2022
January 2022
November 2021
July 2021
June 2021
April 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
September 2020
July 2020
April 2020
March 2020
January 2020
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
July 2018
May 2018
April 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
November 2016
October 2016
June 2016
May 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
January 2014
November 2013
July 2013