SDHGPA Meeting Minutes, News & Articles Blog - San Diego Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association

Palomar Main LZ Closed for Water Project Starting 7-25-19

7/25/2019

Effective 7-25-19 The Palomar Main LZ is Closed for a Roberts Ranch Project until further notice.

We are trying to see if we can keep the site open using the other LZs and Bailout. Until we have confirmation on that, The Entire Palomar site should be considered closed.

From the Pala EC:
“The Executive Committee is currently working on a project at Robert’s Ranch, and are storing equipment and water linings and etc., on the LZ Landing Area.

This project is going to last 4-6 weeks, maybe longer. Chairman Smith asked me to notify you to cease using the LZ Landing Area until further notice.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding during the time we are having projects done on our property. Please notify all your members immediately. “

Palomar reopened for Weekday flying

7/17/2019

Palomar has been reopened for Weekday flying starting 7-16-19.

However, there are new Protocols worked out with the Pala Roberts Ranch for checking in and out with the Ranch office and Tribal Security along with a few other protocol updates.

Make SURE all Pilots read the full updated Palomar site guide!

Key updates and those not followed 100% in the past few months:

All SDHGPA Membership Status must be checked for complete application and waiver submission.
Weekdays Monday – Friday (now reopened): Each person accessing the Site must log-in and log-out with the Ranch Office. Check in with the Ranch Office Manager (Clarissa). If the Ranch Office is closed when checking in or out, call Pala Tribal Security Dispatch (760) 742-0548 with names, USHPA #, and license plates of each vehicle.
Weekends: Each person accessing the Site must be logged-in and logged-out through the Pala Tribal Security Dispatch by calling (760) 742-0548 prior to accessing and leaving the site. (Carpooling or groups of pilots can call in with names, USHPA #, and license plates of each vehicle, but each pilot is responsible for making sure that they have been checked-in and out). On Saturdays if ranch hands are present, introduce yourself.
All Vehicles must display current SDHGPA vehicle ID/ gate pass. This includes All Vehicles accessing the site: driving through, parked, or unloading / shuttling pilots from LZs to Launch. This also helps to account for all pilots at the end of the day.
Parking in Main LZ: All vehicles must park south/west of building. Click on adjoining image for a visual guide. Do NOT park in front of roll-up doors, shade structure, any gates, or driveways. (Vehicles can load HGs from the LZ tear-down area but cannot be left unattended.)
All Pilot trash should be packed out - Do Not use the Ranch dumpsters.
If leaving a cooler or other equipment in LZ, tape a spare membership card to the items so that it can be identified as having a reason to be there. Otherwise, nothing can be left in the LZ unattended.

Park South/ West of the Office Building in the Main LZ even if just pulling up for a short time.

NEW LAGUNA PROTOCOL - JUNE 2019

6/7/2019

Flying Laguna? There's a new protocol. More to follow, but the short version is this:

We need to Text Bill Helliwell with the number of pilots launching from the Upper launch as soon as it is known.
Also need to Text Bill Helliwell with the number of pilots landing at the Earthquake Valley LZ, the number could be zero.

As soon as it is known how many are going to take off from the upper launch, send a text to Bill Helliwell (his area code is 760, then dial 500 followed by 1265) with the number of pilots. Sorry for the robot avoidance attempt.

Bill will text the park ranger Point of Contact. Also As soon as it is known how many pilots are landing at the Earthquake Valley LZ (the number could be zero) send another text to Bill Helliwell.

For all Site Protocols and information, see the full Laguna Site Guide.

Gate Codes change May 2019

5/9/2019

Notice: Palomar Gate Codes have changed to the 2019 Combo & The Laguna Codes will change by the end of May.

All Gate Codes are available in the Member Only Section

2019 Gate code for Laguna and Palomar gates is: XXXX

Palomar reopened for Weekend flying

4/27/2019

Palomar has been reopened for Weekend flying starting 4-27-19.

However, there are new Protocols worked out with the Pala Roberts Ranch for checking in and out with Tribal Security and a few other protocol updates. Make SURE you read this!

PALOMAR, XC, AND THE RULES

4/22/2019

MEETING MINUTES FROM CLUB MEETING 4/18

What's going on with Palomar? Is it really closing for good? What can we do about it? Also, XC for new pilots, Q&A with salty dogs.

Palomar LZ HAZARD

4/21/2019

San Diego Sky People!

UPDATE: Palomar closed to pilots on week days M-F until further notice. This is due to the power pole project and recent site issues with pilots & non-pilots not following rules. We'll keep you updated regarding when this site will re-open for free flight.

SDG&E is using the Palomar LZ as a staging area for its power pole replacement project. This project will be staging massive pilot-impaling ankle-rolling leg-snapping wing 'n line catching telephone poles in the Palomar Main LZ through May 8th.

Annual 2019 SDHGPA Membership Renewal is now open

12/10/2018

SDHGPA Annual 2019 Membership Renewal is open for the 2019 Calendar Year!

Now is the Time to renew as All 2018 memberships expire on Dec 31st.

If you have not renewed for the 2019 calendar year, please renew at:
https://www.sdhgpa.com/join-sdhgpa.html to continue all of your great membership benefits without a gap into the new year.

GATE CODES CHANGING - 2019

12/10/2018

Notice: Palomar & Laguna Gate Codes will be changing to the 2019 Combo by the end of January.

All Gate Codes are available in the Member Only Section

2019 Gate code for Laguna and Palomar gates is: XXXX (will be updated mid Jan)

Reminder: All 2018 Annual (calendar year) memberships expire on Dec 31st.

For 2019 Site & Gate access: Join or Renew SDHGPA Membership if you have not already done so for the 2019 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.

Plus you get all the other great SDHGPA membership benefits:

Site & gate access to the following sites:
- Palomar
- Laguna
- Big Black
- Little Black
- Horse
Site Guide & News Updates
SDHGPA Weather Stations with accurate current conditions at your favorite sites (more being added each year)
Quarterly Fly-ins

Great Meeting Topics & clinics throughout the year

Access to the Member Only section of the Website
- Local Pilot Roster & Contact Directory
- XC maps & way point files
- Master SDHGPA Google Earth Site Guide file
- Meeting notes & presentation materials
- Membership Card & Parking Pass re-printing
Helping to protect The Sites & Landowners by carrying Site Landowners as Additional Insured to the USHPA policies for the following sites: Palomar, Laguna, Big Black, Little Black, Horse, Blossom.
Site Maintenance for all of the above sites (depending on permissions negotiated) that includes Windsocks, Outhouses at Palomar Launch & LZ, Mowing, & other launch & LZ surface maintenance from erosion & other.

You can check Current Membership Status under the Membership menu.

Palomar Site Guide Update

11/8/2018

The Palomar Site Guide has been updated to highlight some Protocols that are being overlooked.

Specifically to: Check in with the Ranch Office Manager (Clarissa) Monday - Friday (& Saturday if ranch hands are present) and introduce your self.

Also, Please pack up before dark: SDHGPA access has been granted for Day Use only. Do not linger in the LZ past dark unless we have specific permission to do so for an event. If the security flood lights trigger on, that is the time to be heading out. (after dusk, head over to El Rey for post flight socializing)