Category: News

SDHGPA MEETING MEETING MINUTES August 18 2022

8/19/2022

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:

No updates on Blossom or other sites.
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

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SDHGPA Meeting Meeting Minutes July 21 2022

8/16/2022

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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
- Treasurer: Josh Gelb
- Secretary: Russ Gibfried
- 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

Comments responses:

Small group break out sessions.
Thank you for your years of service to our local
more fly-ins
Keep up the great work!
Great flying club.
Thank you for all your work ... just thank you.

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2022 SDHGPA Officer Nominations Extended into June

6/16/2022

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Due to recent events, the SDHGPA elections have been slightly delayed into June so that we can fill Bill Helliwell's positions. Bill is willing to stay on at an advisory level but feels that it is time for others to pick up his roles. We would like to thank Bill for his years of contributions and recent roles as Treasurer, Landowner and Agency Relations, and Site Rep for the following Sites: Anza Borrego State Park, Laguna, Horse, Big Black, and Otay along with managing the SDHGPA XC competitions.

Nominations will remain open until election in June. Ballots will go out after the SDHGPA June 16th Meeting. This nomination list and posting date will be updated as we receive nominations with seconds.

If interested in a Nomination or volunteering for a position, please email SDHGPA@gmail.com

Club Officers 2022 Nominations with seconds to date:

President:   Steve Rohrbaugh (Incumbent)
VP:   Jeff Brown    (Incumbent)
Treasurer: Josh Gelb (Nominated and seconded)
Secretary: Russ Gibfried (Nominated and seconded)
Safety Officer: Rob Eschbach (Appointed as replacement Mid Year)
Safety Officer: Alex Gray (Nominated and seconded)
Member at Large: Josef De Beer (Appointed as replacement Mid Year)
Member at Large: Robb Milley (Appointed as replacement Mid Year)
Member at Large: Ron Davis (Appointed as replacement Mid Year)

Also need help in the following Appointed / Committee Chair positions:

Appointed Non-Voting Extended Board Positions (could be part of a Board position):

Social Committee: _____Open______ (Lead), Josh Gelb, Sharon Tang?,
Website: Steve Rohrbaugh, Georden Grabuskie, Russ Gibfried,
Blog Article - Newsletter Content creators: Russ Gibfried, ____________
Meeting and other Video post editing & content creators: Neil Karstetter & Jeremy Graham ???
XC Competition: Jeff Brown / _____________
(New) Palomar Point Series Competition: Robb Milley, _________

Pilots in Command:
Coordination point for site information, Site Intro, and stewardship of Sites (need two per Site)

Palomar Jeff Brown, Ron Davis, Robb Milley
Big Black ____________ , Paul Markham ???
Horse Canyon Kris Souther, ______________
Laguna Butch Peachy, _____________
Anza-Borrego SP Jeff Brown
Little Black Jeff Brown , James Acres
Blossom Valley Nik Hawks , Josh Gelb, Art ???
Otay Rob Eschbach, ______________
Elsinore Liaison: Amber Carney, Bill Soderquist ???

Advisory Board Representatives:
Black Mt Open Space Citizens Advisory Council:

Jeff Brown
James Acres
Dave Metzgar
Anto Metzgar

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GATE CODES CHANGING - 2022

1/12/2022

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Notice: Palomar & Laguna Gate Codes will be changing to the 2022 Combo by the end of January.

All Gate Codes are available in the Member Only Section

2022 Gate code for Laguna and Palomar gates is: XXXX (will be updated mid Jan)

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.

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

Telegram Groups
LiveTrack24 groups
Year long SDHGPA XC Competition
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
- Gear Swap Listings
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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SDHGPA Summer 2021 Fly-in & Awards CerEmony

7/30/2021

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SDHGPA Summer Fly-in Fiesta 2021
&
XC Awards Ceremony for 2018, 2019, & 2020:

Aug 14th @ Palomar!

Come on out and share the sky with the San Diego free flight crew. Dinner & soft drinks will be provided by the club; Please bring a Fiesta worthy appetizer, side dish, salad, fruit, dessert, or drinks you'd like to share throughout the day (BYOB).

SDHGPA Membership is required to participate in the Fly-in Event and to Fly Palomar.
Please take care of Memberships and print parking passes BEFORE driving out if not current.

Check Current Membership Status here.

All memberships are available online, here. Please make you're paid up and print out your Parking Pass before you arrive. Let's work together to keep these wonderful sites available to the free flight community!

Please RSVP below or this link

Fly-in RSVP

Check back to this page for updates up to day of fly-in

This will be a great event!!!

Summer Fiesta in LZ with Taco Cart!
Targeting evening glass-off . . .
Midday flying not recommended!
SDHGPA XC Awards presentation for the past 3 years!
+ Special USHPA Award Presentation
Gear Swap

Rough Tentative Time Table:
2:00 - Set-up & General Meeting Time / Check in at LZ opens
2:45 - Carpooling to launch starts
3:30 - Site intro on Main Launch
4:00 - 7:00 - Launching (H1-H2 & P1-P2 should be launching later than 5pm with your higher rated sponsor/ mentor. . .)

~ 5:45 Appetizers Potluck & LZ festivities Start
~ 6:00-7:30 - Taco Cart serving in LZ
~ 7:00 pm - Awards Ceremony
7:36 - Sunset

Site: Palomar
Where: Palomar Main LZ
SDHGPA Palomar Main LZ - Roberts Ranch, 15482 CA-76, Pauma Valley, CA 92061 map

Please review and read Full Palomar Site Gide for updates:

Palomar Site Guide

Key Points for the Fly-in

All Vehicles must display Current 2021 SDHGPA Vehicle ID/ Gate Pass
Best to take care of memberships before, otherwise will be signing up on your phone with poor connections . . .
Check In and Out at the LZ Table and or Launch for this event vs calling individually into Tribal Security.
Carpool to launch to minimized Cars on launch
Main Launch is preferred for this event
Keep all access gates locked and closed behind. (2021 Gate Codes)
Active Launch Windows: Use mountain etiquette - Only enter the Launch Windows with your gear if and when you are ready and intending to launch hooked in and hang checked/ pre line checked (set-up and prep including hooking in and hang check in non active window areas.) Be mindful that there will be a lot of pilots on launch. Do not wait for the perfect Cycle, but rather take the 1st good safe cycle.
No top-landing or fly-troughs before 5pm
Right turn day in front of launch and up the main spine to Robbin's. However, normal thermaling rules take precedence.

Palomar Main Launch Use Zones

If in Launch Windows or Top landing Approach areas, be cautious and aware of flight activities in all directions.
Do not enter Orchards . . . non-authorized Picking of Fruit is strictly forbidden and illegal.
COVID Guidance: Based on updated County & CDC guidance, Masks will be required when carpooling for all. If not fully vaccinated or uncomfortable in crowds, please feel free to wear a mask at other times & socializing. If not feeling well, please refrain from attending. (This may Change based on local CDC guidelines)

Gear Swap

We are giving gear swap a try at the fly in! Enter the gear you are selling in the Google sheet link below, include your contact info. If you are interested in a piece of gear reach out directly to the seller. If there are any issues Cameron Eibl (contact on telegram) will do his best to help you coordinate.

Gear Swap List

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HBvOSVivWNJ6jK9J_kNxx7l5Nt-MLUIrzWHK16vnBSY/edit?usp=drivesdk

Post Flying Fiesta & Awards Ceremony:
By popular demand, we will be having a Taco Cart in the LZ.

Main Course (Taco Cart) will be provided by the club however it is also an potluck; so plan to bring a Fiesta worthy appetizer, side dish, salad, fruit, dessert, or drinks you'd like to share throughout the day and post flying (BYOB).

Also Bring out your favorite Yard Games! for post flying fun & socializing: bocce ball, corn hole, ladder toss . . .

Cost:
SDHGPA Members: Free for SDHGPA Members (included as Membership benefit)
Non-flying guest: $10 BBQ/ donation for Taco Cart is appreciated.

SDHGPA Membership is required to participate in the Fly-in at Palomar and covers the taco cart as a membership benefit. (Full Annual Membership, or Visiting Pilot membership is valid for this event. For non flying guests, a $10/ person BBQ donation for taco cart 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 online and easier with a strong connection. . .

Check Current Membership Status here.

The Rich Matros Memorial X-C Contest - a rich history of XC free flight in Southern California

The Rich Matros Memorial X-C Contest is a chapter member XC competition based on open flight with non-specified tasks for pilots to make XC decisions on how to fly the day. There are both season long competitive and personal milestone Shirt Awards. The competition rules are different for HG & PG, but the milestone shirt awards are the same for each class of wing.

Rich Matros Memorial X-C Contest History: The SDHGPA was originally known as the Ultralight Flier's Organization, or UFO. The UFO was formed in 1973 and changed names to SDHGA in 1987. In 1994 the name was changed once again to the San Diego Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association or SDHGPA to better represent our growing paraglider pilot membership.

Rich Matros was one of the earliest members of the UFO, and one of its strongest supporters for over 15 years before succumbing to cancer. The cross country contest was renamed the Rich Matros Cross Country Contest in 1988 to honor Rich and to recognize his years of contribution to our club and his passion for XC.

For more information and how to participate in the XC comp as an SDHGPA membership benefit, see the Rich Matros Memorial X-C Contest page under the More navigation section.

Summer Fly-in @ Palomar 2015

Please RSVP
The Social Committee would like some help from some volunteers to help coordinate, set up, and break down.

Social committee would like some help from some volunteers to help coordinate food pickup, set up and break down. Also, if you have a Portable Table that you would be willing to bring, that would be great. Ideally, we can get these things coordinated by mid day on the Friday before the event so that everything runs as smooth as possible on Saturday.

RSVP Responses

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SDHGPA & Flight in San Diego County amid COVID-19

3/30/2020

2 Comments

We are expecting a statement from USHPA in the next day or so as they are trying to formulate a position on free flight amid COVID-19. However, COVID-19 and conditions seem to be changing daily . . .

I do know that USHPA has been asked to put out a statement from an impacted hospital in Colorado and a few others. I do know that France, Switzerland, and several others are shut down from flying right now. Britain is putting out a high caution statement with calls for social responsibility. I have a feeling that the USHPA statements and position will be very close to the BHPA March 23rd statement:

https://www.bhpa.co.uk/sport/news/index.php?category=2020#news2020308

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.

If you have not listened to Gavin McClurg’s podcast “The Corona Virus- Critical Choices in a Critical Time”, I urge you to do so prior to deciding to continue to fly:

https://www.cloudbasemayhem.com/corona-virus-critical-choices-in-a-critical-time/

If you still want and need to get out into the great outdoors, the Outdoor Alliance has put together some good guidance on How to Get Outside (during a pandemic) and is worth the time to read as it covers a lot of points relating to our outside activities.

Keeping it chill is one of the best takeaways: https://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2020/3/24/how-to-get-outside-during-a-pandemic

If you do decide to continue to fly:

Please keep it chill: do so ultra-conservatively and realize that your actions could put a site that may already be sensitive further at risk.
Review and keep up with current site closures by following SDHGPA Announcements on Telegram and other public COVID-19 guidance
Realize that medical services may not be there for you and you may be on your own.

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

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2020 Election Results

1/30/2020

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Well, the ballots have been counted up and we have a new board! 37 ballots were cast and all non submitted ballots were determined to be abstentions.

Here's the line up for 2020, with the first four officers returning for another round:

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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:

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.

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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.

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

1 Comment

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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Meeting Minutes, News, & Articles

SDHGPA MEETING MEETING MINUTES August 18 2022

SDHGPA Meeting Meeting Minutes July 21 2022

2022 SDHGPA Officer Nominations Extended into June

GATE CODES CHANGING - 2022

SDHGPA Summer 2021 Fly-in & Awards CerEmony

SDHGPA & Flight in San Diego County amid COVID-19

2020 Election Results

Palomar reopened for Weekday flying

Gate Codes change May 2019

Palomar reopened for Weekend flying

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