Crestline Soaring Society

Friday will be the Amgen Tour of California bike race Stage 6 which is expected to reach Crestline between 2 and 2:45 PM and continue on to Big Bear. http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/Route/stages/stage6.html
I was told by a helicopter pilot in Modesto that there were between 6 and 8 aircraft following the race on Wednesday. He suggested flying with an aviation band transceiver set to 123.45MHz if flying near the air traffic.

I just read this morning that our dear friend and fellow pilot, Haim Amir died from a crash of his Doodlebug powered harness on Saturday. http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=15765

Haim was a really pleasant and upbeat pilot who I always looked forward to seeing in the McBus and watching him float around his Sport 2 135 with his 110# bare weight.

My sympathies go out to Haim's family and friends. If anyone has any stories they'd like to share please post them here.

... some bad news, "I think Dennis only has a broken arm, 3 broken ribs and a very black eye". Glad it wasn't worse than it is. Does anyone have more to add?

Just got done taking Betty phifers (I think that's how you spell it) more than just a repack clinic. Man I tell ya It was way more than a repack. First thing was a continental breakfast followed by class room instruction, then lunch after wards I actually got to throw my chute Twice under two different emergency scenarios, I got to egress from my knee hanger harness while hanging five feet of the floor simulating rescuing myself from a tree landing.

"If ya can't lick 'em..."

Over the years it's been noticed that our PG community rarely uses the right-hand approach pattern that someone(s)chose as the pattern they should use.
I admit that I know nothing about the thinking that went into the choice of patterns for HG and PG. I hope to be enlightened soon, and I'm sure I will be.

Meanwhile, I'd like to suggest that maybe we should try switching the patterns for a trial period. At best, we might find a solution to what some believe is a problem. At worst, we learn something.

Hello CSS Members
Our club needs a volunteer to oversee site safety. This would entail helping all members to encourage the safe actions of all pilots at Crestline, Marshall, and AJ Flightpark.
The responsibilities include helping everyone be aware of the site protocols - wear helmets, have back up 'chutes, know the landing patterns, fly sober, have a USHPA membership and CSS membership, or pay day use fees, etc.

Full details here: http://www.shga.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1398

For giving us this:

Yesterday, I had the privilege of launching over this placard placed at Towers Launch in Sylmar and climbed 2,000' in 2:16 then flew 35-miles to Glendora. It must have been a blessed sign. NOte the landing: http://imageevent.com/aero92/glendora

SATERN - Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network - is hosting a free
6-hour licensing class followed by the license test for the Technician Class license. From an article in the Press-Enterprise :

Amateur Radio Licensing class

When: Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the class starts at 8:30 a.m. Testing begins at 4 p.m. Feb. 28

SBD Airspace - Effective 20 Nov., 2008

Extends from surface to 3,200 MSL

In effect daily from 7 AM to 9 PM (local time).

Note that the NE corner is cut off at the base of Harrison Mtn.,
so XC flights should only be over the hills/mountains in this area.

SBD Airport (San Bernardino) Class D Airspace, November, 2008: Extends from surface to 3,200 MSL

I got a SPOT satellite messenger recently. I only have a couple of tests with it but a friend has flown with one for years and likes it.

By pressing different buttons you can get the SPOT to send three kinds of messages. All include your GPS coordinates and a link to your location on google maps.

Messages:

1. I’m ok.
You can prewrite the exact text. Goes to whatever email addresses and SMS text enabled cell phones you have set up on the website.

spotted another sign of spring while leaving the AJLZ this evening. low rider

Seeking member input. Should this be a red dot? Pilot launches without legs in the leg loops. Is hanging low but is able to get into harness ok and hangs low for the landing but is able to run out the landing without problem. Possible reason for inclusion... potential for severe accident. So whaddayallthink?

This is the PG version of the "Old But Still Bold" video.
PG or HG which is more fun?=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71uDhNVyYLY

SDHGPA Laundry Skills
Time to Freshen-up . . . with Betty Pfeiffer

4th Annual Safety & Reserve Clinic

Two staggered Sessions:
April 21th & 22nd (split Sat/ Sun)
or April 22nd (full Sun)

Clinic Agenda Activities will include:
• Up to four situational practice deployments, with
your own harness and chute
• Preflight Error Launch Simulations un-hooked / no
Leg straps
• Bridle Hang Check (PG)

Because some of us know Gunter...

More info here on his accident yesterday:
http://www.paraglidingforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=8057