7:30 General Meeting:
Club Info & Updates:

• 2023 Membership Renewal is now open.  Don't let your membership lapse!   

​                 Current status: https://www.sdhgpa.com/current-membership-status.html

• Site info Updates: 
  1. Palomar:  Reminder from Steve to always have your parking pass displayed.
  2. Blossom:  No new updates from Brad on the development.  Map finalization still in process but development seems to be a 'done-deal'
• WX Station updates
  1. Holfuy stations  - Horse, Laguna and Little Black all working.   El Cap and Palomar seems to have intermittent connectivity issues w/ 2G.  Per Jeff, TMobile will sunset 2G  at end of the year but not 100% sure.  For example, AT&T 3G sunset didn't happen until ~6 weeks after their end date.
  2. Two Prototype stations are up and running at Palomar and Little Black.  LB had a small glitch but reset itself.  Palomar station seems to read high on high winds days.  Overall the stations are working fine.  Josef needs to contact Nik to install 3rd station at El Cap.  Holding off on 4th prototype station until after January to see what happens with 2G end-of-life.

                                 SDHGPA WX station page: https://www.sdhgpa.com/weather-stations.html 

             Next steps:  

1. We want to develop a mobile app (similar to Holfuy app) so you can pull up favorite weather stations and view individual readings without having to navigate the SDHGPA web page.
2. We also need help getting the data feeds to other networks (eg. Mesa West, Weather Underground, etc).  With Holfuy, we are feeding about 5 different networks.  Want to feed Josef's information to 3 main networks.
3. Volunteer Coding Opportunity in Typescript:  Josef needs data feed help w/ Typescript from backend Google Firebase.  Anyone with a development background want to help out?

 

• USHPA Chapter Renews open December 1st.
  1. Time of year that USHPA needs clubs to gather-up of Accident Reports  (Refer to Members Only section on website for Accident/Incident Reports).  These get fed into annual review and reporting, and also help update Site Guides. 
  2. The due date for USHPA renewal is late January to mid-February; therefore, we want to submit early and not wait to until last minute
  3. We are looking for member feedback on site guides to keep these current and relevant.  Any feedback?
• Setting Calendar for 2023 Meeting Topics  to dates 
  1. Greg Hunter suggested that someone from local Ham radio club come out and talk about legal use of Ham radio and how to license. Steve said that a long time ago, Mark Weber did a "Ham and Eggs" series to prep  people to get Ham radio licenses.  Greg volunteered to take lead on this with Club
  2. 2023 Fly-Ins Dates:
     • Tentative March/April 2023 for Fly-in and awards
     • Fall Fly-in ~October 2023

 

• Awards and Contest Rules  Refer to  https://www.sdhgpa.com/xc-contest---sdhgpa.html

 Jeff  said there were two contest - 1 for Hang Gliding ad 1 for paragliding.  9 sites to fly from.  Best flight counts as longs as you don't break airspace.  (Leaves out Otay)

1. Contest Nov. 1st to Oct. 31st from Leonardo.  30 Days after Oct. 31st to get your flights in.
2. Shirt awards for
   1. 25 miles - From one of the 9 sites
   2. 50 miles  - From one of the 9 sites
   3. 75 miles     (anywhere on earth counts)
   4. 100 miles  (anywhere on earth counts)
   5. First XC flight of 10 miles you get a flight (one time one).  Based on Maximum straight line distance in Leonardo.

2. Topics: - with Open Q&A: 

1. Travel and Fly Safety Information:   Working on a refresh of the 2019 "Travel to Fly" safety information and what insurance and services are available for rescue, transport of medical attention.  More to come but excellent links to information and context:
   1. https://www.sdhgpa.com/minutes-news--articles/travel-to-fly-march-meeting 
   2. https://www.cloudbasemayhem.com/unscrambling-insurance-are-you-covered/

 

• Telegram Question:  Why we don't fly in Santa Anas?
• Palomar and Elsinore can be an option for 'mild' Santa Ana if gust factors within .  Gust factors should not be more than 2x base winds.  Anything with an East component, the base winds should be less than 5 mph.  Hazard is the upper sheer winds
• Ex) 5mph West meets 5 mph from East = 10 mph sheer.  This is doable.
• 5 mph West meets a 15 mph from East = 20 mph and will turn your wing inside out.  

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 Fall Harvest worthy appetizer, side dish, salad, fruit, dessert, or drinks you'd like to share throughout the day (BYOB).

WX back-up Nov 5th

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 Fall Fiesta:
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

Please RSVP ​

Past Fall Fly-ins at Palomar:

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 [email protected]

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 

March SDHGPA Club Meeting - Zoom (Thursday, March 17⋅7:30 – 9:00pm)
​April SDHGPA meeting was during the Fly-in (April 9th 2022) (58 Annual members present/ signed in for the day. 62 total pilots with 10 non flying guests)

The following notes have been updated with info from both meetings.​

 March General Meeting & Meeting content at the Fly-in:
1. Club Info & Updates:

• 2022 Membership reminder if you have not already renewed for the 2022 annual year.  Current status: https://www.sdhgpa.com/current-membership-status.html
• Site info Updates:
• WX Station updates - What are we doing about the 3G sunset. Lots of activity and testing of alt solutions
• Laguna WX station Mast Rebuild post wind/ Vandalism damage
• Fly-in Planning: April 9th @ Palomar    See: Fly-in Info Page
• 2022-2023 Election Nominations Opened and updated at the Fly-in​
• 2021 XC Awards Presented at the Fly-in

Club Officers 2022 Nominations Opened and Updated at the Fly-in:
​(Nominations will remain open until election in May. If interested in a Nomination or volunteering for a position, please email [email protected])

Current nominations with seconds:

President:             Steve Rohrbaugh    (Incumbent)
VP:                          Jeff Brown                (Incumbent)
Treasurer:             Bill Helliwell              (Incumbent)
Secretary:              Russ Gibfried          (Nominated and seconded)  
Safety Officer:       Rob Eschbach         (Appointed replacement  Mid Year)
Safety Officer:        Alex Gray                (Nominated and seconded)
Member at Large:     Josef De Beer     (Appointed replacement Mid Year)
Member at Large:     Robb Milley​        (Appointed replacement Mid Year)
Member at Large:     Ron Davis​           (Appointed 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: ___________ (Lead), Josh Gelb, Sharon Tang?, 
• Website:  Steve Rohrbaugh, ____________, ____________, 
• Blog Article Content creators: _____________, ____________
• Meeting and other Video post editing & content creators: Neil Karstetter & Jeremy Graham ???
• XC Competition:      Bill Helliwell / 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  (PG)         Jeff Brown, Ron Davis, _______
• Big Black                  Bill Helliwell , Paul Markham ???
• Horse Canyon        Bill Helliwell , ______________
• Laguna                     Bill Helliwell , _____________
• Anza-Borrego SP   Bill Helliwell 
• Little Black              Jeff Brown , James Acres
• Blossom Valley       Nik Hawks , Josh Gelb, Art ???
• Otay                          Bill Helliwell , ______________
• Elsinore Liaison: Bill Soderquist ???,  _____________

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

• Jeff Brown
• James Acres
• Dave Metzgar
• Anto Metzgar  

2. March Meeting Topics: - with Open Q&A:

• Open Q&A
• Palomar Flight XC Route to the South Reviews from this past Saturday March 12th flights
  • Pilot Tails - Viewpoint Perspectives from those that flew
  • Know the deep Long Hike out zones:
  •     Guejito
  •     Sections of Mesa Grande

• Tips - for each level of pilot - 

1. Aggressive launches in typical thermal blocked light winds
2. Wait for cycle with windsocks to be in ~agreement
3. Where to go & when (what altitude required (how much gas in the tank is needed) / What to try next)
4. Keeping landable options in reach
5. Staying out of Rotor zones: Fly effective faces & stay out of canyons / veturi locations (these all change based on prevalent winds & thermal activity)
6. Typical Micro climate winds for Palomar South to Santa Ysabel/ Julian 

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

Gear Swap

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.

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. 

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. ​