2-6-2023 Update
SDHGPA sites are sensitive: These sites have taken years of effort to acquire and require compliance with all procedures. Please read site protocols BEFORE going to the site and always get a site briefing from a Local Pilot. If you have questions, contact the site manager.
Caution: Big Air Sites
All SDHGPA sites and Southern California off of the coast sites can have very powerful sharp thermals in the middle of the day, requiring very advanced big air active flying skills to fly safely. If you don’t have big air mountain experience, only fly SDHGPA sites at the end of the day, when conditions are calming down.
Also, if you don’t know EXACTLY what "big air" means, then you DEFINITELY don’t have big air experience. If you are a low air time pilot (under 100 hrs or under a full year in San Diego) and are not sure which sites and conditions are appropriate, consult with your instructor. Advice on social media such as Telegram or YouTube is a poor substitute for proper instruction.
Caution: Big Air Sites
All SDHGPA sites and Southern California off of the coast sites can have very powerful sharp thermals in the middle of the day, requiring very advanced big air active flying skills to fly safely. If you don’t have big air mountain experience, only fly SDHGPA sites at the end of the day, when conditions are calming down.
Also, if you don’t know EXACTLY what "big air" means, then you DEFINITELY don’t have big air experience. If you are a low air time pilot (under 100 hrs or under a full year in San Diego) and are not sure which sites and conditions are appropriate, consult with your instructor. Advice on social media such as Telegram or YouTube is a poor substitute for proper instruction.
A decision to launch is always that of the individual pilot. When deciding whether or not to fly, a pilot may wish to take into account the descriptions in this site guide but must also consider numerous other factors including the pilot's training and experience, familiarity with the site, equipment, physical and mental condition and the specific weather conditions in existence at the time of the decision along with what the conditions may change to.
Always fly within the USHPA recommended operating limitations for your rating as specified in the USHPA Pilot Proficiency System. Pilots of relatively little experience or who are new to the site are urged to consult with other local pilots at the site in order to obtain their assessment of the conditions. Always get a site briefing from a local pilot. Do not fly sites alone or without a local pilot present. If locals are not flying, there is likely a reason.
WARNING: The descriptions of typical flying conditions listed in this Site Guide reflect the experience of the authors of the guide. The conditions that you encounter at the site may differ, sometimes substantially, from those encountered by the authors. The descriptions of their experiences may not be relevant to the likely experience of any other pilot, particularly one who is relatively inexperienced or new to the Site.
Always fly within the USHPA recommended operating limitations for your rating as specified in the USHPA Pilot Proficiency System. Pilots of relatively little experience or who are new to the site are urged to consult with other local pilots at the site in order to obtain their assessment of the conditions. Always get a site briefing from a local pilot. Do not fly sites alone or without a local pilot present. If locals are not flying, there is likely a reason.
WARNING: The descriptions of typical flying conditions listed in this Site Guide reflect the experience of the authors of the guide. The conditions that you encounter at the site may differ, sometimes substantially, from those encountered by the authors. The descriptions of their experiences may not be relevant to the likely experience of any other pilot, particularly one who is relatively inexperienced or new to the Site.
SDHGPA Site Guide
The SDHGPA works with Landowners and Agencies to maintain, and regulate to Landowner requirements several flying sites to allow and preserve free flight of those in the San Diego area. Most Sites are considered sensitive and flying at our sites requires adhering to specific requirements and procedures if we have them listed if we want to keep them open for all to enjoy.
This information and the applicable, current site protocols change VERY OFTEN and you must contact a local, active pilot for a briefing on the current protocols. The best way for even local pilots to be and stay informed about our sites is to come to the SDHGPA site meetings, contact the Site Rep/ pilot in command, or contact your board members. Every effort will be made to keep the site information and protocols up to date in this guide however it should not be relied upon as a single source of information. Always get a site briefing from a local pilot. Do not fly sites alone or without a local pilot present. If locals are not flying, there is likely a reason.
The rating listed for a given launch or landing zone does not mean that if you have that rating you will necessarily be able to safely launch or safely land. The rating means you must have knowledge at that level to decide whether it is safe for you to launch or land in the existing conditions.
Always Fly within the recommended operating limitations for your rating; pay attention to changing conditions and weather forecasts. Flying into mid day and peak heating conditions should be reserved for Advanced pilots. Reference USHPA recommended operating limitations for your rating in the USHPA Pilot Proficiency System.
Cross-country flights from all of our sites fly over private property and/ or State Park land. You should familiarize yourself with the locations of legal landing zones and strict no landing areas before venturing XC.
Some sites have an LZ designated "Emergency". This really means emergency, as in something breaks or goes terribly wrong. Only a couple of landings per year (that's total landings, not per pilot) at those sites might classify as emergency and would be tolerated. Lack of lift is not an emergency, rather that is pilot error. You must fly in such a way that you are always very sure that you can make it to a legal LZ.
If landing out, it is very important that you treat the landowners with the utmost respect. If you are flying cross country and you have to land out please be as courteous as possible. You are an uninvited guest on someone else’s property. Your actions may only mean one bad day for you but can impact the flying of local pilots if we lose a landing field for years to come. Before you fly have a look at this site that shows the known landing and “no landing” fields.
Pilots flying cross country often are forced to land in farm or horse pasture fields. Some general rules when you land away from one of the marked landing fields:
Pilots flying cross country often are forced to land in farm or horse pasture fields. Some general rules when you land away from one of the marked landing fields:
- When you land, sincerely apologize for landing on the property. Pack up and leave as expeditiously as possible.
- Do not land near animals (especially horses) except in an extreme emergency
- Do not land on crops. Offer to pay for damage if you do.
- Do not climb over fences
- Exit fields at gates. If gates are locked climb over at the hinge end.
Power assisted flight is non recommended or prohibited at most of our foot launch soaring sites due to conditions and/ or use agreements.
Radio Information: Members of the SDHGPA use 2-meter ham radios for communication. For safety and convenience, it is strongly recommended that pilots obtain their "Technician Class" amateur radio operator license, and fly with a radio. It is also recommended that pilots join the East County Repeater Association ham radio club, which owns and operates the Laguna repeater. Our new normal frequency is 145.525 Mhz.
XC Flying & Trackers: If you plan on flying XC from any SDHGPA Site: (or even if just site flying)
- Use a Personal Tracker! (Satellite & or GSM enabled flight instrument/ Cell device app)
- Week Before: Join the SDHGPA LiveTrack24 Group ( both Satellite & or GSM enabled flight instrument/ Cell device)
- Week Before: Join XC Find California Tracking Group (if using Spot or InReach) : Email David Wheeler at the email listed on the bottom left of the XC Find page.
The information, rules, and guidelines contained in the links below take precedence over conflicting information that may be found on the web for the following sites:
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SDHGPA Primary Sites*:
Secondary SDHGPA Sites:
Other San Diego Sites:
Infrequently Flown and not maintained or recommended:
Closed Private Sites - do Not Fly these sites that require specific “by invitation only” permission:
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* Only Local or Visiting Schools and Instructors that have Registered with SDHGPA and been Verified by SDHGPA as meeting each SDHGPA Landowner/ Agency Requirements may conduct "For-hire (commercial) activity" at SDHGPA Primary Sites, or Secondary Sites if * indicated. (Definition of a Site includes all associated Launches and and Landing Zones / LZs listed in each Site Guide and SDHGPA Landowner/ Agency list.) (By definition, Tandem Flight is for instruction and commercial if student is enrolled in a certification program or other for consideration compensation)
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Requirement Verification is required for each Flight School and Instructor/ Tandem Pilot at Each of the following sites individually:
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Each School and Instructor must clearly display the SDHGPA Verified School Vehicle Pass in all vehicles at all SDHGPA Primary and Secondary Site indicated needing Requirements Verification.
To be listed as a School or Instructor and more information: See Schools & Instruction Policies -Protocal
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**The Torrey Pines Glider Port is operated as a commercial for profit concession on City Park Lands and is not under the guidance or provisions of SDHGPA.
** The Saboba Flight Park is operated as a commercial for profit flight park on private lands and is not under the guidance or provisions of SDHGPA.
** CSS (Crestline Soaring Society) is another USHPA Chapter and is not under the guidance or provisions of SDHGPA.
** The Saboba Flight Park is operated as a commercial for profit flight park on private lands and is not under the guidance or provisions of SDHGPA.
** CSS (Crestline Soaring Society) is another USHPA Chapter and is not under the guidance or provisions of SDHGPA.
Pilots in Command:
If you need/ or have site information, please contact the following people: |
Palomar HG: Jeff Brown 858-344-3846
PG: Ron Davis 360-731-1987 / Robb Milley 805-990-5598 Big Black TBD Horse Canyon Kris Souther 619-300-2966 Laguna Jeff Brown 858-344-3846 Anza-Borrego SP Jeff Brown 858-344-3846 Little Black Jeff Brown 858-344-3846 , James Acres 541-760-7503 Blossom Valley Josh Gelb 760-803-9440 Brad Stevenson Otay Rob Eschbach 847-347-3667 Tecate Peak Rob Eschbach 847-347-3667 XC Competition Jeff Brown 858-344-3846 Torrey Pines Robin Marion (858) 452-9858 |
