2019 Election Results
2019 Voting (Board) positions were ratified by each receiving 100% of votes cast:
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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.
All Gate Codes are available in the Member Only Section
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.
Plus you get all the other great SDHGPA membership benefits:
You can check Current Membership Status under the Membership menu. Dave’s Unabridged Meeting Notes: 10-18-18 Site Updates: Little Black Weather Station: Jeff Brown - weather station for LB is in hand, next need to finalize location - suggest we put station on top or on cow hill. Ask Ranger Ed. Prefer top. Otherwise maybe in shrubbery near the top (between towers and switchback launch, etc). Somebody suggested better lower, on north side (ie cow hill) so it represents launch better. Steve R and Jeff to give Dave coordinates to run by Ranger Ed for approval See New WX Station post for more details Blossom Site Update: Asking for everyone’s support to help counter the proposed sand mining project in the valley. Nik is leading the current efforts and has written a October Update post about what is needed to Help Counter the Sand Mining Project. Event Planning: 10/27 Halloween fly in: Need help with stuff for fly-in Bill has some stuff but needs pickups to transport - Joseph, Luke, etc... Steve to put up sign up sheet – See Sign-up Genius link on Halloween Fly-in info page USHPA Film Fest 2018 at UCSD 11/17? Or at Palomar with a fly in 11/17/18
Other Club Business: Memberships: Dues the same for next year, approved by board unanimously Lots of people not renewing but still flying: Ask em to join if u see em. Best tactic in my experience - present it as an essentially voluntary and supportive action, of little cost - a way of protecting and maintaining our sites and doing right by your fellow pilots. SDHGPA 2019 Elections SDHGPA Board Nominations & appointed committee positions for 2019 will open at the next scheduled meeting in November. Please think about how you would like to be support your flying community in this next year. Elections will be in Dec - Jan via mail in ballots. LiveTrack24 SDHGPA Group Steve R- everybody should use LiveTrack24 and sign up for the SDHGPA tracking group, so we can find em. Any tacking device dealio from satellite Spot or Garmin inReach type to cell phone app can be linked and combined in LiveTrack24. Our Livetrack24 Group is a good way for us to merge all of the different tracking devices and methods into one location for our SDHGPA group to quickly and easy access pilot locations for retrieve or emergency purposes. A good practice is to use both Satellite and phone app for tracking for redundancy and that the cell apps can fill in more data points between the 5 or 10 min satellite tracker data send intervals. (If using phone for tracking, it is a good idea to also use a back-up battery supply) Bill D. - everybody that doesn’t have a dedicated SOS-sending satellite tracking dealio is basically committing suicide. But if they want to go with wimpy-ass LiveTrack, whatever. Maybe we’ll come find em, maybe not. And off we go into the abyss . . . Topic Discussion: Weather Tools Great talk by Chris Cote on weather-casting tools and how he uses them to crush the rest of us in XC-land. If you missed it, it’s your loss. Or gain - if you or I tried to fly in some of the crazy conditions he calls “awesome”, we would just be scared out of our minds and likely give up paragliding for golf. Cheers, Dave Metzgar 2018 Election Results The Following 2018 Voting (Board) positions were ratified by each receiving 100% of votes cast: Appointed Non-voting positions for 2018:
Survey Results Thank you to all that responded to the Survey! It helps to direct what we as Club Members want the Club to be and set some direction. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns about the SDHGPA & its direction, please let us know. by talking with one of the Bard Members or come to the meetings. If you offered to help or are willing to help, please reach out and we will try to get you involved. Help is always appreciated. We will try to incorporate the higher requested meeting topics into this calendar year meetings
SDHGPA General Meeting Notes 1/18/18 Quorum of Directors present Site Brief - Bill Helliwell Laguna - all new State Park folks, Bill talked to a temporary ranger about existing permit, sent to Heidi, got form letter on how to apply for a permit instead of info on existing permit, tried to clarify. We have heard nothing. Assuming permit is still valid. Chief Ranger position appears to be open. SDHGPA Calendar & Upcoming Events: Activities & Calendar was discussed and set for the Next 3 months: SDHGPA New Year Fly-in & Awards @ Palomar - Saturday, February 3: SDHGPA XC Clinic - The old Triple XC - Will be back in action this year
April 19: SDHGPA Club Meeting & BBQ Mixer - Topic: TBD Spring Fly-in : Tentative Dates: May 5th or June 2nd Other items in planning to be added soon:
*** SDHGPA XC Clinic Fly Day @ Laguna - WX dependent Date.
Other SDHGPA News & General Board Business Minutes: Motions and Club Business discussions: 1. Annual Windsock Flag Replacements per usual plan and two Masts to be placed on order in the next few weeks for windsocks at Palomar, Little Black and Horse. (motion Passed) 2. Increase Temp Membership Dues to at least cover costs of Fly-ins and keep the no excuses low Annual Membership of $40. Proposed Membership structure: Week $10, Month $20, Annual $40. After review of other clubs in CA and surrounding states. SDHGPA remains one of the least expensive while including the most sites. (Motion Passed) Dues adjustment discussion: We’re low for clubs with actively maintained sites. Maintained sites with outhouses, groomed launches, etc, are usually much more. Suggestions to have daily fees for visiting pilots floated, but detractors pointed out that daily fees are unlikely to be paid daily without site monitors to collect. Noted that primary purpose should be compliance rather than income, to decrease risk of uninsured accidents. Steve R proposed week should be $10, month $20, year $40. Round-up of other Club Dues for comparison:
4. Improve Palomar Launch surface to minimize line snags from exposed sharp rocks and weed snags. Motion was modified to put together a proposal looking at several alternatives from Heavy Erosion Control Matting typically used in Road Bed construction, Road Base Aggregate infill, Native GD infill. Anything installed will need to blend in with natural surroundings the majority of the year. (Motion Passed) Discussion Notes: Palomar needs a DG fill on launch, to cover stubs and rocks. AstroTurf from worn football field was suggested (However, would need to be a natural color and blend in with the surroundings so recycled field turf wold likely not meet the pre approved criteria) Or Landscape Fabric (in beige/ light brown color) Or 3/4 in gravel. No carpet. All options have good examples of effective use at launches here or elsewhere, but must be acceptable to the tribe. In our Palomar Use Agreement , Artificial turf is pre-approved in concept, but would need to be in a “natural color.” James Goodpasture (Pala Tribe Program Manager that worked on the original launch improvement project) might have leftover DG or gravel from a nearby site. Steve R will call to check on cost and delivery options/cost. Seems like using a tribal source and DG/gravel rather than artificial material like AstroTurf, carpet, or landscape fabric would decrease potential rejection by the tribe? Note: Additional Improvement project proposals beyond Site Maintenance need to be cleared through the Tribal Council. 5. Laguna Site Intro as we have done in years past in conjunction with an XC clinic. (Motion Passed) and added to the Calendar
7. Chapter Renewal and related application & activities need to be completed by the end of Jan to assure no gap in coverage: Risk Management / Risk Assessment for club insurance renewal. New forms required to streamline USHPA processing. Bill and Phil are going to do it. Giant cut n paste adventure, with some new items to cover. Mar 1st Insurance renewal Date, but there is a potentially long processing time upstream and Chapters are proceed on a 1st in 1st out queue so trying to complete by end of January so that we do not have a laps in coverage. 2017 SDHGPA Annual Income & Expense Report: In 2017 largest reoccurring expense increase and expense overall was adding in the 2nd Portable and maintaining the 2 at Palomar. This year we also invested in 3 weather stations that are non reoccurring cost. There are about $500-$600 outstanding expenses incurred in 2017 that not hit the books and will be rolled into 2018. As a result the Chapter ended out the year with a net negative cash flow of -$138.62. Reserves remain at ~ 12k approximately 12 months of annual operating budget and appropriate for a 501 (c) (7) non profit organization of our size. 2018 Budget: Expect 2018 to be similar with larger improvement projects slated (less being allocated to weather station expenses, and more for Palomar launch upgrade). Although, may need to do a fundraiser or apply for a Foundation for Free Flight grant to cover part of the Palomar project depending on project scope defined in the discovery process/ proposal. Note that expenses and improvement projects at Palomar, Horse, Little Black, Laguna, and Big Black are scaled to balance the budget each year. Annual and Temporary Memberships overall have been declining over the past 3 years. Nov 16, 2017 Meeting Agenda & Notes: Was a small meeting with 12 Club members + 4 Board Members. Nominations for 2018 Board Members opened and the following nominations were slated:
SDHGPA Board Election Voting opens on Jan 2nd and closes Jan 14th. Member votes will be collected by mailer e-mail Ballot Form responses to nominations slated during the Nov 16th General Meeting. Write in nominations will be accepted. Election Ballot Forms will be sent to SDHGPA 2017 Full Members and 2018 Full Members as of Jan 2nd. Each current Full Member may make one Ballot submission. All Ballot Forms must be submitted before 12 midnight Jan 14th to be counted. Need to find a new Meeting Location. Greg will be moving and we will need to find a new meeting location. A big thank you goes out to Greg for Hosting our Club Meeting Location for the past several years! Some good ideas for new locations include newish breweries in Mira Mesa with meeting rooms, veterans support orgs (VFW, AL, etc), Elks, Masons, etc. Ideal Location would be central to majority of members with trying to keep travel time in rush hour in mind. Actions:
Revising XC rules for 2018: - in 2017, we eliminated Otay unofficially for a variety of safety, permission, and other reasons. A motion was made and the Club voted unanimously to make this official. Otay will not be part of our XC contests in 2018 and going forward unless the environment changes significantly. Website SDHGPA Site Category Classifications In the SDHGPA Site Guide and listing of SDHGPA managed sites, we have sites listed under the following categories:
Blossom Status: Club voted to keep Blossom Valley in the “secondary” site category owing to lack of direct control over activities there. The Club will continue to do do site risk assessment, interface with landowner and agencies and carry Blossom as an insured site for the % of Club & USHPA members that Fly the site. Accident Reporting & Safety Records Club determined that we need a better way to retain our own safety records. Both Chapter and USHPA Accident reporting and investigations are required per USHPA. The Chapter Accident reports and investigation information is used to update Site Guides and Chapter Site Risk Assessments required by chapters on an annual basis at a minimum. Since the inception of the USHPA ARS System, there has been confusion to what is required and our own paper accident reporting has not always been used and stored.
Kiosk at LB - Update & Sign Repair Actions remain open
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:
Palomar Main LZ Gate Update:
Main LZ access on Sunday is now available to SDHGPA Club Members along with all other days.
Call for SDHGPA Weather Station Proposals: - Approved
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.
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:
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:
Fly-in Planning:
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.
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.
What to do on a windy Blown out Day? And before heading out to fly any other day?
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.
The Following 2017 Voting (Board) positions were ratified by receiving the following % of votes cast:
Appointed Non-voting positions:
Survey Results
Other SDHGPA News & Board Meeting Minutes:
2016 SDHGPA Annual Income & Expense Report:
In 2016 we planed on burning down the reserves with our Free Flight Forever donation matching campaign. As a result the Chapter ended out the year with a net negative cash flow of $6.2k.
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