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Meeting Minutes, News, & Articles

Palomar reopened for Weekday flying

7/17/2019

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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:
  1. All SDHGPA Membership Status must be checked for complete application and waiver submission.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.  
  4. 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.
  5. 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.)
  6. All Pilot trash should be packed out - Do Not use the Ranch dumpsters. 
  7. 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.
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Park South/ West of the Office Building in the Main LZ even if just pulling up for a short time.
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Gate Codes change May 2019

5/9/2019

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Notice: Palomar Gate Codes have changed to the 2019 Combo & The Laguna Codes will change by the end of May.
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All Gate Codes are available in the  Member Only Section 
  • 2019 Gate code for Laguna and Palomar gates is: XXXX ​ 
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Palomar reopened for Weekend flying

4/27/2019

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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!

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EL CAP WEATHER STATION

4/25/2019

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Many of us who fly the San Diego area could use a weather station at "The Cap".  The Cap sticks up higher into the airflow than launch at Blossom, and a weather station there would help us make better calls on XC days as well as safety calls on those North-y days.  Here's what you can do to help make an El Cap Weather Station a reality...
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SDHGPA - Announcements Telegram Channel

1/31/2019

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** New for 2019 **
Follow the SDHGPA - Announcements Telegram Channel for updates and information broadcasts: New News Articles, Fly-ins, Meetings, TFRs and other important updates and reminders from SDHGPA.
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  • ​1st Join Telegram
  • 2nd Follow SDHGPA - Announcements Telegram Channel 
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SDHGPA Telegram Flight Planning Group

1/14/2019

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​Join the New SDHGPA Telegram Flight Planning Group to find out who is flying where.
​There are a few different ways and Apps you can use to interface with the SDHGPA Telegram group. Each App & Interface has slightly different features. Try a few different ones to see what you like. See the Telegram page for Apps & interfaces.
The Telegram chat group is posted to the Who's Flying Where page page under "What's Happening" for ease of access when a Telegram app is not available and to allow Visiting pilots visibility to information prior to joining.  ​The Group is also embedded on the What's Happening page.
The SDHGPA Telegram group is limited to Annual Members & Visiting Temporary Member Pilots or past member Pilots that had a membership starting in 2019 forward. ​
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To join the Telegram Group, There is a group invite link on the Members Only main info page.
  1. First Install & Join Telegram
  2. Then Join the SDHGPA Group
Invite links are also now provided with the Membership Card / Parking pass email that is sent after completing and submitting the SDHGPA Membership Application & Waiver. This is how Visiting pilots may join the group.

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Annual 2019 SDHGPA Membership Renewal is now open

12/10/2018

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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.  
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.
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GATE CODES CHANGING - 2019

12/10/2018

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Notice: Palomar & Laguna Gate Codes will be changing to the 2019 Combo by the end of January.
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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.
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USHPA Film Festival - San Diego

11/16/2018

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SDHGPA will be hosting the
​USHPA 2018 Film Festival November 17th!
Location: Palomar Main LZ
Please RSVP
Film Fest & Fly-in RSVP
The San Diego Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association presents the 2018 USHPA Free Flight Film Festival, featuring five new films showcasing hang gliding, paragliding, and adventure travel in the US. The two-hour showing will be held at on November 17th at The Palomar Main LZ starting at 5:30pm with Fly-in & BBQ before. The amazing visuals and compelling stories are sure to appeal to all audiences – pilots and non-pilots alike.
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​“The USHPA Free Flight Film Festival showcases the best hang gliding and paragliding has to offer, from imagery captured utilizing a Cineflex camera stabilization system mounted to a helicopter, to a first-person GoPro masterpiece shot by professional pilots,” said Martin Palmaz, Executive Director of USHPA. “This festival highlights the heart of hang gliding and paragliding, from projects working with communities, to flying and camping over vast mountain ranges, to aerobatics, to a lone falconer and his pursuit of the perfect flight. There is something for everyone.”
 
Films included in the 2018 Film Festival showing:
  1. Building Dreams
  2. Inspired
  3. Maters, Misfits of Moab
  4. The Perfect Flight
  5. North Of Known
Hang gliding and paragliding are a combination of adventure sport and aviation. Pilots fly light and non-motorized foot-launch aircraft both recreationally and competitively. Hang gliding pilots hang prone in a harness, suspended from the airframe, and exercise control by shifting their body weight. Most modern hang gliders are made of an aluminum alloy frame covered with synthetic sailcloth to form a wing. Paragliding pilots fly lightweight aircraft that have no rigid primary structure and resemble elliptical parachutes. The pilot sits in a harness suspended below a fabric wing that is comprised of a large number of interconnected baffled cells. Hang gliders and paragliders can travel hundreds of miles on rising columns of air, called thermals, soar for hours in the wind pushed upward by coastal terrain, or simply fly down from a mountain in calm, still, air.
​
Event & Site Location :  Palomar Main LZ
(SDHGPA Palomar Main LZ - Roberts Ranch, 15482 CA-76, Pauma Valley, CA 92061)  (map)

​When: Rough Schedule
9:00am - Start Meeting in Main LZ  for BBQ set-up and dropping off supplies.
10:30 - 3pm Carpooling to launch: Many will be coming out later in the day. Please try to wait for others and carpool up to launch from the LZ to minimize number of cars on launch.
We expect it to be flyable until dusk. See forecast to be updated below.
11:30 - Peak Heating
BBQ will start as people start to land.
4:46 - Sunset
~5:00 November General Club Meeting 
5:30 ~ Film Festival Start 
  • SDHGPA Membership is Required to fly Palomar.
  • This event is Free to SDHGPA Annual Members, & SDHGPA Visiting Pilot Members
  • + side dish Potluck item & BYOB: so plan to bring an appetizer,  side dish, salad, or dessert to share.
  • Non Flying Guests: $5 Donation for the BBQ main course.
  • Remember to bring a beach chair for the film
For detailed Site info, see the Palomar Site Guide
​If you haven't flown Palomar before or checked out the site guide this month 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!
Cost: 
Free to SDHGPA Members & $5/ non flying guest BBQ donation is appreciated
SDHGPA Membership is required to participate in the Fly-in at Palomar and covers the BBQ.

Any new (late) Annual Memberships joining for the Fly-in will be rolled over into a 2019 Annual Membership as an added bonus.  
(Full Annual Membership, or Visiting Pilot membership is valid for this event. For non flying guests, a $5/ person BBQ donation is appreciated)

Note that all Cars must have a parking pass in the LZ & Launch (& no parking out on the road).
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
Weekend Mountain Flying Forecast

The forecast looks pretty good. It will be mostly sunny and comfortably warm, at least until the sun goes down. Wind will be out of the West at 7 mph. That is fine for PG pilots, but a little light for HG pilots to take off. I like at least 10 mph at the Palomar launch. However the thermal forecast is good, 450 fpm. Thermals will add to the general wind and will make for good take off cycles. Just be patient. Wind will be Westerly all over the county, so the wind aloft will be light Westerly. It should be possible to get to 5,000' around launch, and to 7,000' back at the towers.

On Sunday the wind goes East again. At Laguna wind will be moderate, 12 mph gusting to 18. The upper launch may be ok. Lift at 500 fpm will get to 7,000'. At Horse wind will be East all day. At the Palomar launch wind will be 6 mph from the WestSouthWest. But watch out, at ridge top the wind will be from the East, at least 10 mph.

Bill H.

from NOAA: 
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Light west wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.​
Current Conditions on Launch
Please RSVP
RSVP Responses
​ABOUT USHPA
The United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA) is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to support sport flying in foot-launchable, unpowered soaring aircraft. USHPA develops, standardizes, and administers programs that foster and promote practices for safe flying. USHPA maintains a working relationship with the FAA and other regulatory organizations to ensure continued access to airspace. The organization also maintains relationships with public and private entities to promote the procurement and maintenance of flying sites.
 
USHPA is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. For more information on hang gliding and paragliding, go to www.ushpa.org.
​
ABOUT SDHGPA
​The San Diego Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (SDHGPA) is a hang gliding and paragliding club dedicated to the promotion and preservation of foot launched soaring (non motorized "free flight") in San Diego County. SDHGPA is a local chapter of the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, USHPA. We work collaboratively with land owners and governing agencies at the local level to keep our primary flying sites open by maintaining, insuring, purchasing, regulating, and monitoring our launch sites and landing zones. Our guiding principle is that all foot launched pilots of hang gliders and paragliders alike share common goals and interests best served by a united effort to promote flying safety, education, and good community relations in San Diego County. We support hang gliding and paragliding at the national level through the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA) and concurrent membership in that organization is the one and only club membership requirement.
History: The SDHGPA is the Oldest and Longest Running Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club and Organization in San Diego and Southern California originally organized in 1973.

For detailed Club History and History of motor-less Free Flight in San Diego that goes back to the 1930's, See: SDHGPA and San Diego Free Flight History.  

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SDHGPA Fall Halloween ICARNAVAL 2018

10/21/2018

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Palomar de Halloween ICARNAVAL :
​- the Masquerade Flights -

Saturday October 27th!!  2018 at Palomar
Fly-in RSVP
A Halloween Costume Themed SDHGPA Fall Fly-in
Come on out and share the sky with the San Diego free flight crew.  BBQ main course & soft drinks will be provided by the club after flying - feel free to bring any appetizers or side dishes you'd like to share & BYOB.
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
​*** Costumes must not restrict vision and or flying in any manor nor unnecessarily impede running. Masks will not be permitted during takeoff or flight.
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 11 for set-up and dropping off supplies. We'll start driving to launch around 12:00.   The late afternoon flights have also been fantastic, and many pilots will be showing up later in the day.
Rough Time Table:
12:00 - General Meeting Time & Set-up in LZ
1:00 - Drive to launch
1:30 - Site intros on Main Launch
1 - 5:30 - Launching 
​~4:30 BBQ Set-up & Start Cooking
~ 5pm - BBQ starts          
~7:00 - Contest Awards Ceremony
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2017 Costume Award Winners:​
Grand Prize:  Kim Fyi-UN Missile Test Launch: Kim McJong-un 
Most Daring: Tigger 80s Crop Top gone bad: Ira Hayes
Most Original: Fake News Newsy: Moises Bada
Scariest / disturbingly creepy: Tux Morph - Aaron Price
Most Creative: Speed Racer & the Mach 5 : Steve Rohrbaugh
For detailed Site info, see the Palomar Site Guide
​If you haven't flown Palomar before or checked out the site guide this 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!
Cost: 
Free to SDHGPA Members & $5/ non flying guest BBQ donation is appreciated
SDHGPA Membership is required to participate in the Fly-in at Palomar and covers the BBQ.

Any new (late) Annual Memberships joining for the Fly-in (after October 20th), will be rolled over into a 2019 Annual Membership as an added bonus treat.  Late membership Roll-over normally starts in November.
(Full Annual Membership, or Visiting Pilot membership is valid for this event. For non flying guests, a $5/ person BBQ donation is appreciated)

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
Weekend Mountain Flying Forecast
On Saturday SDHGPA is putting on a fly-in and BBQ at Palomar. The flying conditions look pretty good. It will be sunny and quite warm. Wind will be West at 8 mph. Lift at 400 fpm will get over 6,000'. With those thermals there should be nice cycles for hang glider pilots to take off.

​Sunday will have some clouds. At Laguna it looks like it will be light East, 6 mph, all day. Lift at 400 fpm will get to 8,000'. At Horse wind will be 9 mph from the West. Lift will get to 7,000'.
Bill H.
Current Conditions on Launch
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!
Please use Sign-Up Genius for signing up for the remaining needed Volunteer positions, and other Items like tables, BBQs & other that we will be needing to bring out for this fly-in.
Volunteer 
Sign Up!
Please also RSVP via the Club Calendar invites or RSVP form below.
RSVP Responses
Last years PALOMAR DE HALLOWEEN ICARNAVAL was a great time,  Looking forward to this years!
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SDHGPA is a local chapter of 
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USHPA 
(United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association)
SDHGPA, P.O. Box 420973, San Diego, CA. 92142-0973