Flying in the Camp 9 corridor
Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2015 8:37 am
Everyone needs to be aware of the need to keep the helicopter launch corridor in front of Camp 9 open and clear of gliders. We received a call from them during the Dahlsten Cup complaining about gliders thermaling in front of the helicopter launch area. Remember, we are required to only be in this area when we are transitioning to the east or west and we cannot linger there. Joe G is planning a presentation to give to the pilots and new director there to familiarize them with our flying and to get feedback from their pilots. Here is a letter that Joe received:
Hello Joe,
I was able to get more information from the pilot on duty at Camp 9 on the 26th. He stated that there were 4-5 gliders operating directly S (May Canyon) of Camp 9 that day. They were not transitioning the area but were “flying� or “thermaling� as he put it to me. He described their altitude as “even� with the Camp elevation. He also said that he called the phone number for the LZ and was told that there was a “big party� going on at the time and that some of the members might not have been briefed about the “no fly� area S of the camp. With that information, I am definitely concerned that there might be a problem with some of the operators in your organization.
I want to assure our pilots that it is safe for us to deploy from Camp 9’s two pads for emergency responses but I need to be able to tell them that the SHGA is also committed to making sure that all of the operators are briefed on the Association’s Guidelines and Rules. Let me know when you are available for a visit to the Barton facility for an update to all of us.
I am cc’ing my boss, Battalion Chief Joel Harrison, so that he can stay in the loop on our discussions.
Thanks,
Tom
THOMAS SHORT, Senior Pilot
County of Los Angeles Fire Department