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

Palomar WX Station Wind & Heat damage

9/10/2017

Wind values are under reporting until repairs can be made

Due to record setting high heat and strong NE wings this past few weeks, The Palomar Weather Station mast was bent and up rooted.

The mast is sitting at a 45 degree angle and wind values are under reporting as a result reading due to the station mast being at a from strong NE winds and high heat. Repairs will be made in the next few weeks. Wind direction is representative of true direction.

We will call a work party for the Palomar Launch in the next few weeks to work on the weather station & finish mowing areas of launch & the LZs.

Learning along the way. . . Will be planting the mast deeper and going to a metal mast as we were planning for the next installations. Big thank you to Chris Cote and Wild Bill Davis for volunteering to do the pre work-party mast metal work.

Palomar WX Station rev2

8/20/2017

Palomar Launch Weather Station Stands Tall Dressed in Blue

The Palomar Launch weather station mast has been raised by 10ft to now stand at ~ 23ft tall. The wind sensor is now orientated to the west for less potential mast turbulence. With these modifications, the station should now have a more true wind speed and direction readings. As a finishing touch, the mast has been painted to a sky blue color to blend in a bit better.

For More detailed information on the station, see Related Post: http://www.sdhgpa.com/minutes-news--articles/sdhgpa-weather-stations-update

Before - White Saguaro Cactus proof of concept mast

After - Taller blue mast with sensor oriented into prevailing wind direction

SDHGPA Weather Stations Update

8/8/2017

The Great White Saguaro Cactus on Palomar Launch

The 1st SDHGPA weather station of several that we have have planned was installed yesterday at the Palomar Main Launch and is up and running!

Installation was after a period of testing at Jeff's House so that we could work out the details of set-up and plan for what would be required for installation. We also took this time to layout out Web module interfaces.

What is that white saguaro cactus doing at the Main Palomar Launch?

Over the next several months we will be fine tuning this prototype installation design and raising the station mast to get cleaner air flow. Once we are comfortable with the overall System, we will be using our lessons learned to install one to two additional stations at other sites this year.

Data from the Palomar Launch station is live and is working well sofar.

Palomar Launch
(Live - updates every 2 min)

About the Palomar Launch Station

The station is solar powered with an appropriately sized battery pack and sends data over a cellular network connection. For this 1st station, we chose an ultrasonic wind sensor that has no moving parts. Data is then sent to the Holfuy Data hosting site and WEB based data visualization.

The Weather Station data can be viewed in several ways:

On our SDHGPA Weather Station page under Whats Happening menu.
On the Palomar Site Guide Page
On Several Holfuy.com Station interface pages : SDHGPA Station Data Page, Map Page . . .
Using the Holfuy App that is available for iOS & Android

Solar powered cell based system with ultrasonic wind sensor

Some features of this installation include: Ultrasonic wind sensor (offering higher accuracy with no moving parts calling less attention to it along with requiring less service); Lightning Strike Grounding protection; low impact & semi portable installation for relocation if required; easy serviceability without ladders or mast climbing; Ability to lower mast and have mast break away if a glider gets tangled up in it.

A big thank you goes out to Jeff Brown & Bob Barry for taking the time out getting all this work done on the station!

Enjoy!

P.S. Don't mess with it !! If you think it needs adjustment or gets hit by a glider, please contact Jeff Brown or Steve Rohrbaugh.

Thanks.

SDHGPA Meeting Notes - June 2017

6/22/2017

June 15th 2017 Meeting Agenda & Notes:

Was a small meeting mostly attended by Board Members.

Site Information and Updates - Reminder for all on Site Protocols:

Bill Helliwell noted that essentially the entire San Felipe Valley, including the usual Banner landing area, is closed for the summer to all use, including foot traffic, and is being actively monitored. The Laguna Site Guide was updated and Notice Published regarding San Felipe Valley Summer Month Closure on June 21st.
Reminder that Use of Palomar Launched or LZs and other listed Sites as Instruction sites that includes Tandem Flight (by definition) by any commercial operator, even from Robin's or other alternate launches, is only permitted by instructors that have registered with SDHGPA and meet all SOPs. http://www.sdhgpa.com/instruction-policies---protocol.html. A reminder and Notice was sent to Air California Adventure and its instructors on 5-2-2017 after violations of site protocols. As an USHPA Chapter, SDHGPA Flight SOPs are based on and include all USHPA SOPs, and are considered USHPA SOPs by extension. Noncompliance with those SOPs could put ratings and appointments at risk.
In the April meeting, the Board voted and passed a motion to add Blossom back in as an additional insured site covering the Landowners and Chapter. Primary reasons are for site preservation and to cover the % of pilots the are USHPA members. This brings the Chapter to covering 6 Additional Insured Sites in addition to 62 specific managed Launch and LZ locations.

Palomar Main LZ Gate Update:
Main LZ access on Sunday is now available to SDHGPA Club Members along with all other days.

Lock with SDHGPA Gate Code has been added the Main LZ Gate
Use is to be treated as we do with all other gates: open and close behind on Sundays.
If Gate is open when we arrive any other day of the week, we may leave the gate open and unlocked.
Last person out should lock the gate on all days.

Call for SDHGPA Weather Station Proposals: - Approved

Elsinore and several in AZ sites have installed "Holfuy" Weather Stations that look to be a fairly good Weather Station turn key solution. Holfuy includes web data hosting backbone, website modules, and phone Apps with their stations that are autonomous running on 3G / GSM network and solar power. http://holfuy.com/en/shop.php Station Specs: http://holfuy.com/en/about.php
Jeff Brown volunteered to work on Proposal investigations and System Designs

Proposal to include:

Weather Station Design Alternatives
Initial costs and reoccurring costs per station and other alternatives to Holfuy stations. http://holfuy.com/en/

- Holfuy Standard 450€ ~ $500 (Controls Hub & Solar Power box)
- Davis 6410 sensor. 110€ ~$125 (Wind anemometer & vane)
- or Ultrasonic sensor 490€ ~ $500
- Humidity sensor 110€ ~ $125 (if want cloud base predictions)
- Camera 300€ ~ $340
System Sub total for Simple Anemometer Wind only: $768.34
System Sub total for All up with higher end options ~ $1564.72 per station
Other costs:

1. Pole & Installation costs
2. SIM card & Data Plan

Finalize Station Designs

The Board voted unanimously to spend up to $2K per weather station and associated data plans and installation for two initial trail stations. The first trial stations are proposed to be at the Palomar Main Launch and Little Black.

Dave M will ask LB Rangers if we can put one up behind launch or below the 500 on LB, otherwise we'll investigate other alternatives for a true site ind reading.
For Palomar, we will scout placement locations at or before the July fly-in.
Steve will seek permission for installation from the Pala Tribal Council .

Aug Update: After initial proof of concept install at Palomar, the Board decided to approve a 3rd station for installation this year under the 2017 budget and the first 3 Stations would be installed at Palomar, Horse, & Laguna as being sites that are undeserved by current weather stations and being lease susceptible to being vandalized.

Example Holfuy stations and web module samples:

Elsinore Holfuy anemometer style station

Holfuy Ultrasonic style with web cam station

Holfuy Ultrasonic style with web cam station

Accident Awareness & Prime Season is here.
Reminder to follow USHPA Pilot Proficiency SOPs for flight condition parameters per rating level. - Midday flying should be reserved for advanced pilots only at all Mt sites off of the coast.

Recent Accident reports were also reviewed. Without getting into details for two recent accidents at our San Diego and other US sites, some things all pilots should be reminded of when flying home sites or abroad in another country:

Flying mid-day during peak heating should be reserved for advanced pilots at inland sites.
Fly within recommended operating parameters in Site Guides/ Protocols and USHPA Pilot Proficiency System Pilot Proficiency Ratings.
Always fly with local pilots. If they are not flying, there might be a reason.
Seek the advice of local pilots for weather and site introductions for each day based on weather conditions.
Seek out and join Local Clubs and utilize those clubs resources for site guides and other information available regarding sites.
When traveling as well as at your home sites, make sure you have insurance that covers you when and where you are.

Fly-in Planning:

Summer fly-in 2017:

Summer SDHGPA Fly-in will be July 8th at Palomar, targeting evening glass-off.
Midday flying not recommended!
Alternate WX fall back date of July 22nd
Steve will work on Pala Tribal Council Approval

Fall Halloween fly-in at Horse Canyon is Tentatively scheduled for October 28th

Summer Fly-in & Palomar 2015

Traditionally there is no scheduled SDHGPA Meeting in July. The Aug Meeting time slot has too many conflicts for Board Members and will be canceled. The Next Scheduled SDHGPA meeting will be in September on the 21st. Follow the SDHGPA Calendar for updates.

Laguna - San Felipe Valley Summer CLOSURE

6/21/2017

The entire San Felipe Valley, including the usual Banner Emergency landing areas, are closed for the summer to all use, including foot traffic, and is being actively monitored effective June 1st 2017 through Aug 31st.

Almost all of the San Felipe Valley comprises the “ San Felipe Valley Wildlife Area”, which is controlled by the California Department of Fish and Game. Some of the Area is closed to public entry all of the time. During the summer months, June, July, August, the entire Area is closed to all public entry. See the map at this website: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=87881&inline

Clearly there is an exception for the highways. But the Area is on both sides of the highways. If you land on BLM property at the San Felipe Hills you are not allowed to walk to the highway. The North end of the San Felipe Valley has some privately owned property. Some quite level and almost like a meadow. The North end is also where the Sheriff station is located. It is at the small gray triangle next to highway S2.

If you are forced or choose to land in the San Felipe Valley you risk getting a trespassing ticket from the Sheriff, or some kind of ticket from a Fish and Game Ranger.

For more information on the Wildlife area: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/San-Felipe-Valley-WA

Note that Laguna is listed as a Sensitive Site. For this and all the Latest Laguna Site Protocols, Be sure to check the Laguna Site Guide for updates each and every time you fly.

Time to Review Updated Site Guides

4/29/2017

What to do on a windy Blown out Day?

And before heading out to fly any other day?

Please take the time to review All the SDHGPA Site Guides. This year most Site Guides were updated based on our Annual Risk Assessment Review. Many of the sites have had their Site Ratings changed in addition to site safe flight operating perimeters being updated.

For instance, Palomar is now listed as: Minimum Ratings: H3 / P3 - (M1 to Bail out LZ; M2 to Main LZ); or H2 / P2 with other higher rated pilots present, site briefing for the day, and instructor sign off.

Also as a Reminder:

If you are an Instructor or School, please also review all Site and Instruction Protocols that include all Tandem Flight at all SDHGPA Sites. Note that any and all Instruction or Tandem Flights from or to any SDHGPA Launch or Landing Zones / LZs must comply with our Site Protocols. By not doing so puts the Site, Land Owners, SDHGPA, Students, and yourself at risk and violates SDHGPA flight SOPs.

Palomar Launch Maintenance Update - 2

1/18/2017

The Palomar Launch Maintenance and Purple Star-Thistle round up work party on 1-8-17 and Portable Prep on 1-15-17 to installation were a huge success!!!

The 1st weekend, we were able to effectively pull out and remove a large portion of the Star-Thistle seed heads that developed late last season before they were able to break off to germinate and spread on launch and set-up areas. This was another big step in getting the Star-Thistle invasion under control.

Other Work accomplished:

Replaced Gate Lock & Chain that was vandalized last week
Mowed and Groomed all launch areas and HG Launch keys
Main Launch window choke points and launch window keys were widened out by ~ 15 ft to increase launch safety for both PGs and HGs
Filled larger erosion runts in the launch access road from gate
Removal of recent vandal trash and shooting cartridges

A big thank you goes out to All the Pilots that came out to help!

After the hard work, all that came out were justly rewarded with nice gentle lift with many getting to 6K on this amazing 100+ mile visibility day ! From launch the view reached down and beyond the Coronado Islands off of Mexico, out to San Clemente Island, and up to Catalina Island.

The 2nd weekend 1-15-17, we focused in on creating a level pad and access trails to a new long term portable head to be placed on Launch. The Location is just off the Access Road but sub grade and out of line site from the gate. All that came out did a great job and even threw in some fine details like stone steps.

The West and SW HG Keys were also detailed out and widened a bit more to minimize tip strikes.

Flying Sunday was great and most all that came out had fun flights taking thermals from sun patches to cloud base at ~ 5k. By the end of the day, CB drooped to Launch level.

Then Tuesday, a crew meet out at Palomar to take delivery of the outhouse. Delivery when smooth other then Driver showing up early from announced time forcing driving up without carpooling to launch enough. We ended up not needing to carry in. The delivery guy drooped it down the embankment himself as it only had a few gallons in it. The Delivery Guy advised that we will need to make the longer access trail brush clearance a bit wider to 4ft for service access. (another day)
Bill H & Steve R then spent most of the morning getting first base coats of Plasti-dip Camouflaging onto the unit.

Palomar Launch Use Areas update post Jan 2017 Work Partys

All GATE CODES Now Updated - 2016

5/17/2016

Notice: Laguna Gate Codes Changed to the 2016 Combo

All Gate Codes are available in the Member Only Section

2016 Gate code for Laguna and Palomar gates is: XXXX

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

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.

You can check Current Membership Status under the Membership menu.

Purple Star-Thistle Round up in the clouds

5/14/2016

The Palomar Purple Star-Thistle round up work party on 5-14-16 was a huge success!

We were able to dig out and clear or able to effectively cut and remove a large portion of the seed heads before they were able to germinate and spread on launch. This was a big step in getting the Star-Thistle invasion under control.

A big thank you goes out to the 15 pilots that came out to help today!

After filling Wild Bill's truck with Star-Thistle till it could take no more, all that came out were able to get into the air to play with the low cloud base & mixing air.

Palomar Purple Star-thistle Control

5/7/2016

Purple Star-Thistle has taken over the Palomar launch and we will be working to eradicate this non native invasive plant. This will likely be a several year project and take diligence to stay on top of until we get it in control.

Next Palomar Work Party: Sat 5-14-16 9am-noon

Purple Star-Thistle (Centaurea calcitrapa L.) is a noxious, invasive weed that severely competes with our native grasses and wild flowers. It also has a nasty spiked seed pod head. Simpy mowing this weed will actually help spread it and is not an option. For more information, see the following Technical Bulletin from the Marin County Department of Agriculture:

Purple Star-thistle Control Info