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.
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Was a great success! All had great flights & a great time!
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.
Day of the Triangle
2017 XC Competition Awards:
Lost & Found:
There was quite a big list of items left behind & found at the Fly-in. A key thing for Palomar, especially after fly-ins, is that we leave no trace. Items collected at the end: Heavy gloves, Camp Chair, small Cooler, Radio in the HG set-up area. They will be at the next meeting or can be picked up from Steve R in Carlsbad. Also lost by Gary Oddou but not found was a Galaxy Note 4 lost possibly on launch west of the windsock.
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LET'S KICK OFF 2018 WITH SOME FLYIN'!SATURDAY, FEBruary 3RD at Palomar
Come on out and share the the sky with the San Diego free flight crew. Food & drinks will be provided by the club; feel free to bring booze and any appetizers you'd like to share (BYOB).
SDHGPA Membership is required to participate in the Fly-in. 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!
To Check Current Membership Status
For detailed Site info, see the Palomar Site Guide
If you haven't flown here before or checked out the site guide this past year 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!
The Social Committee would like some help from some volunteers to help coordinate, set up, BBQ and break down. Also, if you have a portable Fire Ring that would be great!
Palomar October 28th Fly-in Report
The SDHGPA Fall Halloween ICARNAVAL Fly-in's location was changed from Horse to Palomar due to all weather models forecasting NE winds out at Horse. This set in place some late logistic gymnastics for the large Fly-in. We are super thankful to all those involved to make this switch possible including the Pala Tribal Counsel for squeezing the approval in to their agenda the day of their meeting.
It turned out to be a beautiful day at Palomar on Saturday, the day of the fly-in. About 60 PG pilots along with two HG pilots (Erick and Rich) flew. Scott set up but had an aileron problem and ended up tearing down.
A few pilots struggled up and down a bit. However, most everyone had multi hour flights, getting between 2,000' and 3,000' above take off. Landing conditions were very nice, maybe 7 mph and parallel with the highway from the NorthWesterly direction. That makes for a long and level usable runway.
Winds on launch were light with mostly pure thermal conditions cycling in. This made launching conditions at times quite challenging due to the light base wind being overpowered by prevailing thermal activity creating thermal blocking on launch.
- the Masquerade Flights -
Some Great Costumes on the Ground & in Flight
Costume Award Winners:
Other Contest Winners:
All in All a Great time:
Gary Earl was at the Pauma Casino for the afternoon and came over to shot some great photos after seeing us in the air by chance and has been kind enough to share.
Steve R also uploaded over 150 additional photos to those shot by Gary to following Gallery for viewing & download: https://photos.app.goo.gl/I3Gsl4IPMvrViD8d2
Again, A Big Thank You to all those that helped out to make this Fly-in possible including the Pala Tribe & Roberts Ranch for allowing us to enjoy their great site especially with that late notice of our site change.
Palomar de Halloween ICARNAVAL :
- the Masquerade Flights -
Saturday October 28th!! at Palomar
(Location Changed to Palomar)
A Halloween Costume Themed SDHGPA Fall Fly-in
And the Flying is always great in October!
2016 Fly-in Best Time Aloft (2:50) : Josef de Beer - Highest Flight (9.2K) : Phil Weffinger
SDHGPA Membership is required to participate in the Fly-in.
Any new late Annual Memberships joining for the Fly-in (after October 26th), will be rolled over into a 2018 Annual Membership. Late membership Roll-over normally starts in November. (Full Annual Membership or Visiting Pilot membership is valid for this event.) 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
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 1 for set-up and dropping off supplies. Then driving to launch around 2:00. However, we do not feel like there is a rush to get into the air unless you are an XC hound trying to go someplace. The late afternoon flights have been fantastic! Also many will be showing up later in the day.
For detailed Site info, see the Palomar Site Guide
The Social Committee would like some help from some volunteers to help coordinate set up and break down. Also, if you have a portable Fire Ring that would be great!
Summer Flying Mexican Fiesta Fly-in 2017:
July 22nd @ Palomar!
Please RSVP below
Check back to this page for updates up to day of fly-in
This will be a great event!!!
Post Flying Mexican Fiesta:
Please also bring any drinks you might want to stay hydrated during the day & BYOB for post flying fiesta.
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.
We will need help with some to bring the following:
Please Comment below and or contact Wild Bill, Angela, Anto, or Josh G to help and coordinate on the event planning side.
Full Annual Membership or Visiting Pilot membership is valid for this event. However Visiting Pilots will not receive gate codes & must fly with Full Annual Members for access. Membership Applications (second step after payment) must be completed and submitted. Completed Memberships once submitted are updated to the current status within 5 min.
RSVP Responses
Add your RSVP:
Fly-in Rescheduled for July 22nd @ Palomar!
The Summer Fly-in will be Rescheduled from July 8th to the Alternate weather back-up date: July 22nd due to heat health advisories. Per XC-Skies, Temps will be about the same as today on July 8th: 99 on launch & 105-107 in the LZ. .. It does look flyable and the better pilots should be able to break through the inversion. But we fear our newer pilots will be landing out in the 105+ heat. With many people out for the fly-in, we might have some heat-related problems. Also hanging out in 100 deg heat trying to BBQ will not be all that fun. If flying this weekend, All should be prepared for the heat and carry at least 1 gal of water for the day. Bob B & Steve R worked to clear the Palomar launch out there today/ Friday. Both Bob & Steve went through a gallon of water each and worked in shifts. One pushing the mower and the other cooling down in the car AC 10 min per shift before it started to cloud over. Let’s hope for cooler weather on the 22nd. Check back to this page for updates Annual New-Year Fly-in & Awards Ceremony @ Palomar
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Site: Palomar
New Date: Feb 4th 2017 Where: Palomar Main LZ - Robert’s Ranch (Pala) 15450 California 76, Pauma Valley CA 92061
SDHGPA 2017 Membership is required to fly Palomar & this event + BBQ.
Please Take Care of Memberships and Print Card/ Parking Pass before heading out. (This will save time at the fly-in with a better connection) (Full Annual Membership or Visiting Pilot membership is valid for this event. However Visiting Pilots will not receive gate codes & must fly with Full Annual Members for access) |
Please review and read Full Palomar Site Gide:
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Key Points for the Fly-in
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NOAA Pauma Valley: Today
Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 62. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
NOAA Boucher Hill : Today
A 20 percent chance of showers before 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
NOAA Discussion Clip: A weak low pressure continues to move inland through the southwestern states early this morning. Isolated light showers will continue into this morning...mainly along and west of the mountains. Dry for tonight and Sunday and a little warmer Sunday under weak high pressure aloft. For Sunday night and Monday...another low pressure system moving inland through Southern California will bring greater chances for precipitation.
accu weather is forecasting the same as NOAA
http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/pauma-valley-ca/92061/hourly-weather-forecast/2178442?hour=33 |
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 - Taco Cart in LZ serving from 4:30-6:30
*** Costumes must not restrict vision and or flying in any manor nor unnecessarily impede running. Masks will not be permitted during takeoff or flight.
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When: Meeting in Main LZ around 11 for BBQ set-up and dropping off supplies. Then driving to launch around 12:00-1. However, we do not feel like there is a rush to get into the air unless you are an XC hound trying to go someplace. The late afternoon flights have been fantastic! Also many will be showing up later in the day.
SDHGPA Membership is required for Palomar Site access, to fly Palomar, and for this event BBQ.
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. . .
(Full Annual Membership or Visiting Pilot membership is valid for this event. However Visiting Pilots will not receive gate codes & must fly with Full Annual Members for access)
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Photos from last Palomar Fly-in
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Park in Designated Pilot Parking areas per the Site Guide. Do not park in front of or block the Roberts Ranch Building Roll-Up Doors, Shade Structure or road/ drive way.
Try to Ride share to minimize the # of cars on launch. Maximize each and every vehicle load to Launch as parking is limited. Keep top landing approach path free of cars up on launch. At the same time, do not force top landings mid day and or when the launch is busy. Realize that when you are flying though or trying to set up to top land, you are effectively and selfishly closing launch to those wanting to launch on a busy day.
Active Launch Windows: Use mountain etiquette and do not setup in the Active Launch Windows. Only enter the Launch Windows with your gear if and when you are ready and intending to launch.
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Prime Launching times for Palomar recently have been from 1-5 with flights extending till dusk. (Please choose suitable launching times and conditions to your skill level) (Some P2 & H2s have been heading out and getting in early flights around 9am before conditions ramp up then having great evening flights) Peak heating will be ~ at 2:30. If you launch early, you should be prepared to stay in the air until some time after 3:30 or 4. Expect the LZs to be thermic and turbulent until after 3:30 or 4.
More and Complete Site Info: (Last Update: 6-7-16)
SDHGPA Site Guide: http://www.sdhgpa.com/sites-guide.html Palomar Site guide: http://www.sdhgpa.com/palomar.html |
NOAA - Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
NOAA Discussion: - a low pressure trough slowly moves through California. Our half-hearted coastal eddy will get a boost and help spread the coastal clouds to fill the coastal basin. Some drizzle might result from this marine layer growth. The trough moves right through our region Sunday morning
Steve's assessment (Friday AM): Models are in fairly close agreement as of Friday AM. Using carnac prediction methods - Expect lift to be to 4-6k in Launch vicinity and up to 7k back near the towers might be possible. Peak heating & max alt potential will be ~ 3pm. Expect there to be a typical June lower inversion that will break down into the afternoon. A softer inversion will persist between 4-6k. Expect flights will be possible till sunset
Bill H's Mt Forecast (Friday PM): Saturday the club is holding a fly-in at Palomar. Wind looks good, it might be a little strong for some paraglider pilots. But it seems that the wind forecast for the valley is often overestimated by a few mph. The wind will be SouthWest at 11 mph. Lift at 700 fpm will get over 5,000'. Conditions at Palomar will decrease slightly on Sunday.
Steve's Sat AM Update: Heaver Marine layer and rising cloud layer will reduce heating and max altitudes to 5-6k and peak heating time to ~ 2pm. Per NOAA: Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. NAM model is in agreement. However Global and RAP are showing higher surface winds to 15 possible. although the 2k & 4k levels are showing 10. I think we will be OK.
For detailed current Weather information and tools, see the SDHGPA So Cal WX Dashboard under What's Happening.
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As an added Bonus, the The SoCal XC League Sprint Class event will coincide with our Palomar Fly-in.
This is a great way to get your feet wet flying GPS comp style tasks in a low stress environment.
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Sprint League Rules (sub set)
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Main Course will be provided by the club however it is primarily a potluck; so plan to bring an appraiser, side dish, salad, or dessert to share. Please also bring any drinks you might want. BYOB
Wild Bill & Angela A. would like some help from some volunteers to help coordinate food pickup, set up and break down. Also, if you have a charcoal grill that you would be willing to bring and or Tables, that would be great. Ideally, we can get these things coordinated by mid day on Friday before the Fly-in so that everything runs as smooth as possible on Saturday.
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Fly-in Update:
Based on the WX forecast Friday AM, there was a general consensus that it would not be a good day to have a fly-in on Sat May 21st.
Although some HG and Advanced PG pilots will be heading out to Palomar to check out the conditions and maybe hang out.
Most felt that it would be better to push that date out to the next available date of June 11th so that there would be a greater possibility of good air and more pleasant conditions in the LZ for a wider audience of pilots.
Follow the Fly-in Updates and Information on the SDHGPA Spring Fly-in Page:
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Forecasts & Models As Friday AM Update:
NOAA Forecast: (based on GSF / Global)
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of rain before 11am. Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Light southwest wind becoming west 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. West wind 10 to 15 mph becoming light northwest in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Models via XCskies :
Global: 11am surface @10, 2K @10, 4K @5, 6K @10, 8K @20 Global: 2pm surface @10, 2K @15, 4K @10, 6K @10, 8K @15 NAM: 11am surface @15, 2K @10, 4K @15, 6K @15, 8K @15 with Surface gust 15-20 NAM: 2pm surface @20, 2K @15, 4K @20, 6K @20, 8K @15 with Surface gust 15-20 I would lean toward believing the XCskies NAM Model . . . |
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