Crestline Soaring Society

Hello Alan,
It will be more easy if you can prepare mail template, which we can print, sign and send. As I understand the count of mails is important, right?

Thanks,
Alex

Done !

hey alan,
i'm printing up a bunch of SHGA form letters (with room for individual signatures) using the text and maps you provided. will bring them to the kagel l/z, get a bunch signed, and send them in come september. hope it helps!

Hi Guys,

I am happy to write to the City. I took your sample letter and added to it significantly. I am having a little bit of trouble with recommendation 4 in my letter. Why are we recommending that the Department of Water Resources manage the airspace? If you can give me some feedback on that, I will finish my letter and send it off. I have included a copy in case any one else would like to use it. I am trying to recommend a solution that would be attractive to the city as well as the developer. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Subject: Draft Environmental Impact Report University Hills Specific Plan (UHSP)

Dear Mr. Oquendo:

I am a pilot who frequents the Andy Jackson Airpark. It has come to my attention that a new development called University Hills encroaches on the landing approach for the airpark. I understand that you are currently soliciting input on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the University Hills Specific Plan. I would like to propose a compromise that would hopefully be acceptable to all parties concerned and enhance the value of the project. Here are my recommendations for additional requirements to the project.

1. Preserve the current landing approach to the airpark to protect the safety of the pilots.
2. Require a disclosure of the flight park operations and the air space use for all future homeowners of the project as part of the sales process.
3. Require the planned open space of the project to accommodate the landing approach to minimize the impact on the future homeowners.
4. Dedicate the airspace to the Department of Water Resources.

Recommendation 1 - A small part of the proposed project lies under the landing approach. Please keep this area clear for the safety of pilots in the air, and people on the ground. The attached maps show the significant potential for accident. The current DEIR failed to compare the altitudes of incoming gliders with the proposed homes. Comparing the two diagrams, the altitude near the “3” on Figure 2 would be at about 100 feet on a perfect approach, 50 feet when landing at the 50’ altitude marker and zero for a landing at the 100’ altitude marker. There would be ‘close calls’ every few days to few weeks; and collisions every one to two years. This is clearly not safe.

Further, I am concerned that the proposed flight path (low over homes) may conflict with the Federal regulations for the operation of ultralight aircraft which control the operation of hang gliders in US airspace.

Recommendation 2 – A required disclosure would help protect the city from future complaints from homeowners. Flight operations for any airport, whether foot launched or powered aircraft, generates some conflict between the homeowners and the flying community. Requiring a disclosure of the flight operations to the future homeowner protects the City from future complaints. It would protect the flying community because the homeowner could not claim they were unaware of flight operations as it relates to their new home. It would protect the homeowner as they would know what to expect with the purchase of their new home.

Recommendation 3 – As mentioned before, the potential for conflict exists for those homeowners on the border of the landing approach and flight park. By my unexpert opinion it looks like 20 potential homes are impacted by this required setback. Moving the setback on the houses under the flight path will improve homeowner experience as well as the pilot experience. I do not wish to interfere with the developers plan, nor do I wish to limit the number of houses built. I am hoping that the developer can shift more of the planned open space of the project towards the flight park to enhance the harmony between the future homeowners and the flying community.

Recommendation 4 – The Department of Water Resources has done an excellent job of managing the area surrounding this project. By dedicating the airspace to WDR, we can continue to let them do the excellent job they have done.

I go to the Andy Jackson Airpark regularly and enjoy its world-class facilities. Hundreds of local pilots enjoy the use of this site. We attract thousands of pilots from across the state, nation and other countries because of the great flying site and conditions we offer. The hotels, gas stations, restaurants, shops and other local businesses all benefit greatly. Please work with the developer to create a project which preserves and protects the future of hang gliding and paragliding in San Bernardino, but also minimizes the impact to the developer.

Warm Regards,

Joe Popper

Greetings All,

I updated recommendation 4 in my letter above. Thanks Alan. Here is the additional copy. Rather than repost the entire letter again, simply copy recommendation 4 below into the letter above. (If you want to use my letter.) I sent the letter this morning.

Recommendation 4 – The Department of Water Resources is the property owner of the Airpark and leases the land back to the Crestline Soaring Society (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization) which operates the Airpark. DWR has a federal operating permit for the Devil’s Canyon Power Station and the Airpark is part of that permit. DWR has done an excellent job of managing the area surrounding this project. Since they are responsible for the airspace over the Airpark, they should also be responsible for the airspace in the flight approach. By dedicating the airspace to WDR, we can continue to let them do the excellent job they have done.

Warm Regards,

Joe Popper

Greetings All,

Another question for the group, does DWR know that we want them to control the airspace for the hang glider approach? Do they aprove of this recommendation? Have we discussed the issue with them? Should we also be copying them on any letters we send to the City? I would think we want them to understand how many people support this as well.

Warm Regards,

Joe Popper

Greetings All,

As part of our public relations campaign, we should be inviting the City Counsel and the planning commission people to our events. Are we planning a fly in for September? If so, we should make sure to invite all the above folks so they can see what we do. I would be happy to volunteer tandem rides to any of the City people so they can experience what we do and have a positive impression. I would be willing to bet that the other tandem pilots would be happy to do the same.

Warm Regards,

Joe Popper

Joe:

We've kept DWR in the loop every step of the way. They wrote the City at the Notice of Preparation stage (as did we) to express their concerns and I'm sure will respond to the DEIR.

We have invited the Planning Commission, members of City staff working on the project, and the Developer's planning team to come out and observe landings; or view the approach from the air as a tandem flight. Rob and High Adventure have volunteered ('Thank you' Rob) so thank you Joe for stepping up and adding to our squadron of potential pilots.

Good idea on the Fly-in. We could put out formal invites.

- Alan

Regarding Public Relations, with the City of San Bernardino. Joe, you have the right idea can i also suggest that you also invite The commissioners of the San Bernardino Parks and Recreation Dept. and Staff. Understand that these people also have influence with their City Council members, The people who will be voting on this project. Joe if and when you decide to send an invitation to this group, I would personaly like to be involved and can follow up at our next Parks and Recreation meeting which is held on the 3rd Thursday on every month. I will inform them of this very inportant issue that can affect one of our local sports Organizations. Just for your information Joe, i have been flying paragliders at A.J. park since 1997 (Student of the McKenzies) and i am also at this time the senior member of the San Bernardino Parks and Recreation commission(Since 1993)
My Email address is
Phone # (909)884-6018