1. Club Info and Updates
   1.  2023 Membership Renewal is now open to not have a gap in your membership if you have not already renewed for the 2023 annual year.  Current status: https://www.sdhgpa.com/current-membership-status.html
   2. USHPA is rolling out new Chapter Renewal & Insurance rate changes.  Details coming

   2.   Site info Updates:
           Reminder that 2023 parking passes are needed at Palomar.

​    3.  WX Station updates:
    Laguna station having sporadic on/off issues, similar with Little Black, where batteries run   
    down.  Discussed a couple possible solutions:

1. Put one of Josef's new stations at Laguna
2. Move Holfuy station from Palomar  to Laguna

Next steps to work on WX data Network feeds.   Joseph could use some help programming the data feed.  Specifically, help w/ Typescript from back-end Google Firebase.  During the meeting, we had an awesome volunteer from Kevin Sweeney to help out.  Thank you Kevin!!!!

    4.  Windsocks - Ordering some more windsocks

    5.  Chapter renewal and Annual Safety Review is due to USHPA Feb 15th.

•         Round up of Accident Reports
•         Start of Risk Assessment & Site Guide Review.  Steve updated site guide for Palomar

    6. Calendar for the Year:
        2023 Fly-Ins Dates:

•             Tentative March/April 2023 for Fly-in and awards
•             Fall Fly-in ~October 2023 or early November

       
     7.  Palomar point series registration and scoring page is up!
          https://www.sdhgpa.com/palomar-point-series.html

The SDHGPA Palomar XC Point Series is an educational, task based, out and back style race-to-goal held at the Palomar Mountain paragliding site. The inaugural season will be held from January through April of 2023. It will run in two more seasons each (May-August and September-October) if there is continued interest in a year round contest. The series is free to enter for all SDHGPA Members as a membership benefit. Launch is the standard Palomar Mountain launch.

Scroll to the bottom of the page above and give it a test if you fly one of the tasks this month.

Kudos to Cam, Ana and Robb Milly for putting this together!  Awesome job!

    8.  For future meetings, we are looking for awesome topic presenters who would like to share their knowledge/lessons learned/tips.  Possible topics areas are listed below.  If you would like to share some knowledge, please email the board. 

•             Using Flyskyhy for Tasks (Palomar Point series)
•             Using xctrack for Tasks(Palomar Point series)
•             Using XC Soar  for Tasks(Palomar Point series)
•             Other instruments?  (Flytech . . .)
•         Things to work on to build your flying skills
•         The Classic SD XC routes:
•          SD Thermaling Clinic topics

​​

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:

1. No updates on Blossom or other sites.
2. ​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

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   
  • Secretary:              Russ Gibfried 
  • Treasurer/
    Acting Secretary:  Josh Gelb
  • 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

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 

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. ​

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!

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

​This will be a great event!!!

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

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

​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

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. 

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

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!
​