SDHGPA Meeting Minutes 3-26-2015

David Metzgar, SDHGPA Secretary 

Open SDHGPA General Meeting Minutes 3-26-2015

SDHGPA Business:  

SDHGPA is now officially registered and listed as a 501 (c) (7) Tax Exempt nonprofit; thank you Mr. Helliwell for all your efforts.

Site Reports

Blossom: Don't land in the valley below Blossom. Period. It is trespassing, and it will guarantee that we never regain permission to use the old LZ. If you sink out, side hill land on the face of the mountain. If you land in the old LZ, everyone else in the club will hate you, and eventually we will kick you out of the club and you won't be able to launch there either. Please don't be clueless and stupid. Read the site rules before you fly any site (ours or elsewhere), and follow them. http://www.sdhgpa.com/blossom-valley.html

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Palomar has lots of Site Rules as requested by our Land Owners. They are clearly described in the site guide, and continued use of the site is dependent on everyone following them. As with Blossom, Palomar is on private property and it is a hard-won privilege to fly there. The owners have asked us to only allow pilots to fly there if they demonstrate that they are smart enough to read. Carry your membership cards, display your placard, lock the gate, call Pala security and John Smiley every time before you go launch. Land only in designated LZs and for sure do not land in areas designated as being close. Pala security and other Land Owners are watching you, and they are calling us.
http://www.sdhgpa.com/palomar.html

Safety Report:

We have already experienced two injury accidents at Little Black this spring. Recent conditions have been more summer-like than spring-like, and awareness of both conditions and your own capabilities is critical to your survival and continued ability to enjoy this sport.

Contributing factors in both incidences: these pilots were flying in inappropriate locations to prevailing conditions. We are continuing to see this with many pilots at our more complex non simple ridge sites like Little Black and Palomar to name a few.

It is never a bad time to step back to a slightly more conservative flying style, a safer wing, or more mellow hours of the day. Review your training books; read "Understanding the Sky" and "Speed to Fly". For a quick review and practical example of evaluating Palomar's and Little Black's sensitivity to wind shifts see: http://www.sdhgpa.com/minutes-news--articles/effective-ridge-lift-flying-mountain-sites

Again. Remember that paragliding and hang gliding are really dangerous, and your family and friends want you to be safe more than they want you to fly high and go far. Remember no one cares how long you stayed up, if you set XC records, or do cool acro. No one. Really. You are the pilot in command of your glider, or your wheelchair, and of your life.

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Spring Fly-in

Spring fly-in will be in May, likely at Palomar May 2nd, or possibly on Memorial Day Weekend. Experiencing some difficulties coordinating with mothers, XC leagues, etc. Any suggestions are welcome!  

Doug P and Jody L offered to help with planning and coordination in addition to the social committee.

Keep an eye out for an upcoming Spring Fly-in Flier/ blog post.

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