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.

1. Club Info and Updates
   1.  2023 Membership Renewal is now open to not have a gap in your membership if you have not already renewed for the 2023 annual year.  Current status: https://www.sdhgpa.com/current-membership-status.html
   2. USHPA is rolling out new Chapter Renewal & Insurance rate changes.  Details coming

   2.   Site info Updates:
           Reminder that 2023 parking passes are needed at Palomar.

​    3.  WX Station updates:
    Laguna station having sporadic on/off issues, similar with Little Black, where batteries run   
    down.  Discussed a couple possible solutions:

1. Put one of Josef's new stations at Laguna
2. Move Holfuy station from Palomar  to Laguna
3. Plan is to upgrade current stations to have 2-3 battery cells vs 1. The current Holfuy stations have 3 cells in them.
4. Joseph also has  updated FW that should help reduce battery drain when the station loses signal an spends a lot of power trying to frequently reconnect. The new FW will have reconnect timeouts with progressively longer pauses between reconnect attempts. 
5. The logistics for Upgrading and fixing the El Cap Station will be a Challenge due to the remote location. We will likely need to build another and then swap it out. The question is if we have enough confidence in our prototypes to keep sending them out to this location until they are proven to be robustly stable.
6. Next steps to work on WX data Network feeds.   Joseph could use some help programming the data feed.  Specifically, help w/ Typescript from back-end Google Firebase.  During the meeting, we had an awesome volunteer from Kevin Sweeney to help out.  Thank you Kevin!!!!

    4.  Windsocks - Ordering some more windsocks

    5.  Chapter renewal and Annual Safety Review is due to USHPA Feb 15th to not have a gap in coverage at our Sites.

•         Round up of Accident Reports
•         Start of Risk Assessment & Site Guide Review.  Steve updated site guide for Palomar
•        Are our Safety Officers going to come back to ground & SD in time to work on renewal tasks?

    6. Calendar for the Year:
        2023 Fly-Ins Dates:

•             Tentative March/April 2023 for Fly-in and awards
•             Fall Fly-in ~October 2023 or early November

       
     7.  Palomar point series registration and scoring page is up!
          https://www.sdhgpa.com/palomar-point-series.html

The SDHGPA Palomar XC Point Series is an educational, task based, out and back style race-to-goal held at the Palomar Mountain paragliding site. The inaugural season will be held from January through April of 2023. It will run in two more seasons each (May-August and September-October) if there is continued interest in a year round contest. The series is free to enter for all SDHGPA Members as a membership benefit. Launch is the standard Palomar Mountain launch.

Scroll to the bottom of the page above and give it a test if you fly one of the tasks this month.

Kudos to Cam, Ana and Robb Milly for putting this together!  Awesome job!

    8.  For future meetings, we are looking for awesome topic presenters who would like to share their knowledge/lessons learned/tips.  Possible topics areas are listed below.  If you would like to share some knowledge, please email the board. 

•             Using Flyskyhy for Tasks (Palomar Point series)
•             Using xctrack for Tasks(Palomar Point series)
•             Using XC Soar  for Tasks(Palomar Point series)
•             Other instruments?  (Flytech . . .)
•         Things to work on to build your flying skills
•         The Classic SD XC routes:
•          SD Thermaling Clinic topics

​​

SDHGPA Club Meeting Meeting Minutes
Thursday, Aug. 19th 2022   5:30 – 9:00pm
Little Black - Black Mountain Gliderport
15198-15442 Black Mountain Rd, San Diego, CA 92129, USA


Agenda:
5:30 - 6:30 After Work Flights (experienced pilots)
6:30 - 7:30+?  Glass off Flights
7:00 LZ Social Mixer & Pizza in the LZ (BYO_)
7:30 General Meeting:


Site Updates:

1. No updates on Blossom or other sites.
2. ​Discussion about adding Sites / Site Pioneering: Whales V near SD Skydiving DZ and the old Escape Country - Robinson Ranch in Rancho Santa Margarita / Orange county were used as examples of Sites pilots might want to make more legitimate for Site preservation. When is it a good idea to add in Sites and what is required. One key thing is to check for Landowner / Agency requirements of the Site and establish permision for use as a Part 103 requirement.

Weather Station Updates:

• Awesome work by Joseph getting his weather sensor prototype working and communicating through cell service back to Google Firebase to aggregate data.   To see prototype, go to Weather Station page under "More Coming Soon".  https://www.sdhgpa.com/weather-stations.html  ​
• Next Steps:  A motion was made to approved Club funds ($2000) to reimburse Joseph for development materials to date and to build 3 to 4 more Weather Stations. The Motion passed by a large majority of Club Members at the meeting. There where no objections.

 

San Diego Paragliding (Private) Facebook Group (www.facebook.com/groups/297854983577956)

• Discussion if this site is still relevant or should be removed. Right now  Steve is the only moderator.  Club decided to leave site 'as-is' with the same membership requirements of being active USHPA pilots and act as a landing spot, then direct to Club website (https://www.sdhgpa.com/).  Rob E will be added as a Group Admin for member adds.

Meme Chat:
Rob discussed meme chat… see his Telegram post for details. Meme Chat info has been added to the current Member Information page.















​Palomar Safety Update (Rob/Steve)

• Discussion on a couple recent incidents where pilots landing at Chickens and other les than desirable locations.  Reiterated that Chicken LZs should not be considered an intended landing zone and pilots need to assess if they are at or Below the proximity of house thermal knob to start glide to LZ. See the Blue time to glide to LZ line in the Site Guide.
• All Approaches to the Main LZ should be over the Air Strip LZ and not over the Orchards. Pilots should be targeting to land in the Center of the Main LZ then run long if needed. The Main LZ is very large and into the wind. It is very unlikely that even a high performance HG will use up the entire length of the LZ.
• Landing in one of the Orchards could put the Site at risk.
• Link to Palomar site guide:  https://www.sdhgpa.com/palomar.html

SDHGPA Club Meeting Meeting Minutes
Thursday, July 21 2022   5:30 – 9:00pm
Little Black - Black Mountain Gliderport
15198-15442 Black Mountain Rd, San Diego, CA 92129, USA

Agenda:
5:30 - 6:30 After Work Flights (experienced pilots)
6:30 - 7:30+?  Glass off Flights
7:00 LZ Social Mixer & Pizza or Subway in the LZ (BYO_)
7:30 General Meeting:
1. Club Info & Updates:

• Site info Updates: 
• 2022 Election Results: Welcome new 2022 SDHGPA Board.
  • President:             Steve Rohrbaugh
  • VP:                          Jeff Brown   
  • Secretary:              Russ Gibfried 
  • Treasurer/
    Acting Secretary:  Josh Gelb
  • Safety Officer:       Rob Eschbach
  • Safety Officer:        Alex Gray 
  • Member at Large:     Josef De Beer
  • Member at Large:     Robb Milley​
  • Member at Large:     Ron Davis​ 
• Weather Station 3G sunset activity updates - Jeff Brown
• SD PG FB Group policies? - USHPA Pilots only or more open? - Prior Policy concerns of prior Admins.  Need need Moderators/ Admins
• What the ___ is going on at CSS? Not sure but current status

 
Other Election and survey results:
Meeting Location responses:

• I like the idea of having it at a flying site. Either little black or Palomar
• We can meet at my place in Fallbrook (Greg Hunter). It is probably too far for most people during the week though.
• Marshall Crestline
• little black
• Mission bay!
• Balboa park?
• LB LZ

Reminder: All 2021 Annual (calendar year) memberships expired on Dec 31st. 
​
​For 2022 Site & Gate access: Join or Renew SDHGPA Membership if you have not already done so for the 2022 calendar year.

• Site Gate Codes are only provided to Annual Members after Membership Verification and may take several weeks to process. If you desire immediate site gate access, Please Fly with current local active Annual Member Pilots for site access and site briefings. ​Visiting pilots can only gain gate access with a Full Member guide present.
• Annual Members will receive a separate email after verification on how to access the Member Only section of the website and receive current gate codes. ​

6-17-2021 update
​For Palomar Palomar Main LZ gate, we have been asked to return the gate to the state if was in when passing through for the next few months:

• If the Main LZ gate is Locked when you arrive or leave: open and lock the gate behind us as we pass through the gate like we do at Launch  .
  
• If the Main LZ gate is Open when you arrive or leave: leave the gate open.

Great News!  The Laguna Upper Launch in the Anza Borrego State Park is back open, with our Permit for launching and landing within the State Park being renewed for 2021!

The Laguna Site Guide and Permits pages have been updated with the latest protocols and Permit information. Please read through the complete site guide before heading out to Laguna, as things have changed in the past year. Also, be sure to print out the Permit and COVID-19 Safe Reopening Plan along with your Membership cards to have on hand for the rangers. 

What we know as of today/ the above post date. . .

All SD Sites are back OPEN but roads up Horse & Big Black may closed before & after storms this time of year.
​ 
Flying Site Status with all of the COVID-19 and Fire Closures. We will try to update this list as we receive updates, but no guarantees and always check the referencing links.
​
If you have or know of any updates, please let us know and we will update this list.

Sites that we know are Closed :​

• All open, but check road status and if the Site has restrictions.

Some Sites are listed as OPEN; However, the County stay-at-home and social distancing orders except for essential needs are still in effect. ​Also the status of these sites may change to to Fire Hazards. Keep an eye on Sky-vector for TFRs & the Cal Fire maps this time of year. Also, flying XC from many sites could put you over CNF closed access terrain.

​Sites we know are open (if following City & County mandates):

• Palomar -OPEN watch out for new well pipe in near the road in the LZ & other Hazards, look for new parking lot area, walk Palomar before you fly the site.: via Bill H: well pipe, about a 1’ in diameter and 4’ high in / near original Approach path. The Ranch is requesting that we land to the NW side of the building where HG typically land. 
• Horse: OPEN again after Fire hazard closure for drive up and hike in uses. Check for Road closure status: : Sheephead Mountain Road (15S18) , see the SDHGPA CNF Road Closure article and check the CNF Road closure page. 
• Laguna: Upper Launch & Earthquake Valley LZ: OPEN (The SDHGPA ABSP permit has been renewed for 2021 but has restrictions due to COVID-19 Safe reopening.) There is a Limit to gatherings of 10 on launch. We also need to let Bill H know ahead of time that we will be flying the Site so that he can text the rangers. See the Laguna Site Guide, Permit, and Safe Reopening plan for details.
• Laguna (Lower Cliff Launch): Open (only if flying the HG Cliff Launch and Kwaaymii Point road is open to traffic. ) (Kwaaymii Point road is BLM, but may be gated or restricted by S1 access thorough CNF & ABSP)
• Big Black: OPEN again after Fire hazard closure for drive up and hike in uses. Check for Road closure status: Black Mountain Road (11S04), see the SDHGPA CNF Road Closure article and check the CNF Road closure page. 
• Little Black - Black Mountain Open Space  : OPEN
• Blossom - keep it Chill & Keep an eye on Fire TFR and other possible fire related air support ops pulling water out of the local reservoirs. If the water drop spotters see HG, PG, RCs, or drones in the air, they will flag off air drop water support aircraft operations and may impact fire fighting efforts. 
• Otay is probably open weekends. Closed mid week due to construction activity on road.
• Elsinore: OPEN again after Fire Hazard closure: Technically both launches are in the CNF. South Main Divide (6S07) check the CNF Road closure page.  Open to local residence only? Parking along or off the road for recreational use may lead to vehicles being ticketed.
• Torrey Pines Glider Port: OPEN - Check in with the TPGP office for TPGP status updates.

Status of SD City Parks/ Flying & Kitting Locations: as of 4-20-2020
Be sure to check the PDF List at the Above link as some of this may change. Note that larger/ higher use areas and trails remain closed. The following areas are open or closed for Passive Use only (walking, jogging, or hiking​). We have no formal interpretation if this included passive Free Flight)

• Black Mountain Open Space (Little Black) : OPEN
• Torrey Pines City Park, Shoreline Parks (also known as Glider Port): as a Park is OPEN, including pilots
• Black Mountain Ranch Community Park (Ball Fields / Kitting Location): OPEN
• Hilltop Community Park (Kitting Location): OPEN
• Hilltop Recreation Center: CLOSED
• Kate O. Sessions Neighborhood Park (Kitting Location if south): OPEN
• Mission Bay Park (Kitting Locations):  Tecolote Shores and Most locations:  OPEN

In San Diego, the situation for impacted hospitals and service workers is just starting to ramp up and we can expect hospitals to be triaging similar to what was experienced in Colorado this past weekend.

There was an incident in Colorado this past weekend where a snowboarder ended up with a broken clavicle (collarbone) and at the ER, he was turned away from treatment at triage with the explanation that collarbone surgery is elective. They were an impacted hospital and not doing any elective procedures . . . that are not life-threatening. At Tiger (WA Site), there were also two separate incidents requiring ER and hospitalization in an impacted area this past week. 

Hoping we get through this and back in the air without complex social health concerns.

Regards and Safe Flights!

Steve Rohrbaugh  (SDHGPA President) and the SDHGPA Board

Horse Road Rain and Fire Closures:
The road up to the launch at Horse Canyon, Sheephead Mountain Road  (15S18), may closed before and after periods of heavy rain or severe fire danger. If that is the case, the gate just past the postage stamp lz will be locked.

The reason if and when the Gate is locked for rain, is that the road is wet and they don't want vehicles tearing up the road. The plan is typically that closures would be for just a few days until the dirt dries out a bit. With periods of heavy or extended rain this it will likely be a few more days. 

Border Patrol activity during an active pursuit might other reason that the Gate could be locked. In this case, closure would be for a very short term and not show up in the following tables.

The road to Horse is the Sheephead Mountain Road  (15S18).
When the road is open it will not appear on the table. I have been told that the table is updated right away whenever there is change to a road status. So you can check each morning to see if a road is closed or not.

Big Black Road Rain and Fire Closures:
Also on the table is the Black Mountain Road (11S04), the road we use to get to Big Black. Road closure due to wet ground is rare at Horse, and more common at Big Black. A few years ago when there was an unusually wet winter the road to Big Black was periodically closed throughout the rainy season. It was closed just after a rain when it was wet and the wind was West. Then it would be open for a few days when a Santa Ana wind dried things out. Such is life.