Sylmar Hang Gliding Association

Thanks for posting the video Richard. I think many pilots in the club may prefer this landing area over the one we've been using for years, but time will tell. I like the fact that his has ample parking, dirt instead of rocks, and further from horse property. I'm sure Jonesy will be glad that there'...

Ted Boyse and I did the flying from the 1500 and I flew into the prop power lines. The sparks were added in post production. Famous director, Tom Kuntz, was hired to make a whole series of comedy spots like this one, taking sparks of truth to absurdity. Many of them are shown on his website at kuntz...

I've been asked to contribute to this topic by providing my opinions on how to make safe landings in turbulent flying conditions. There are a half a dozen topics in hang gliding that rank very high in importance and this subject is one of them. I believe, every pilot will get his/her share of surpri...

but they do reduce the risk of unintentional climbing during the flare. Jim's climbing flare was followed by his tail sliding back to earth with a 75 lb. glider above him. Drag chutes also reduce the amount of time spent in ground effect, waiting for the time to flare. And most importantly, they all...

President Obama has canceled his plans to come to LA this week.
Good news for those who wish to fly Mon and Tuesday.

As of Saturday night, a brand new 8" diameter, upright steel locking post has been installed and cemented into place by the Forest Service. They still have a little work to do on it, namely finishing the openings for the locks and installing a new gate tongue. It seems to me that they are right...

The District Ranger has rushed the launch gate repair and work begins this morning, lasting about 1 week. The gate needs to remain closed while the concrete dries so no one will be allowed in or out that gate. They've arranged temporary use for club members up the front side through private property...

Marcus,

Check the back of the Windsports Suburban.

joe

two weeks ago we drove up to find the locked gate (locked open) and found the evidence of a big party with broken beer bottles and LOTS of cigarette butts.I don't think any hang glider pilots smoke on launch or leave trash(maybe a water bottle or two).So best thing is to try and clean up after the b...

Toaster is a smart dog!!!

I found your pocked wind meter in the wash just before the grassy strip and put it in the windsports office in front of Joe's desk.Any questions see Andy Beem

Geez,
Let's not forget pilots, William Russ (Rusty), Granville Beals, Robb Derringer, and Fred Waugh (aka Spiderman). Just for fun, a few may even remember Mickey Dolenz (of the Monkee's) flying solo over Sylmar.

Mike, The Sport is significantly higher in performance and considered harder to fly and land than either the Sonic or Mark IV. The sport appropriately carried an H3 requirement while the Sonic and Mk4 carried a Novice rating requirement. If you choose the Mark IV, I expect you will have a very easy ...

Thanks guys for all the help. There has been some consistent feedback that has enabled us to make some changes we hope will make the ramp much better. The top has been rounded off a lot, the slope on the left was decreased and a lot of dirt was added to the low spot on bottom right. Please keep the ...

Flying sites can't save themselves and most often there are too few hang glider enthusiasts in any one area to make the political process work for them. But together, with hang glider pilots, families and friends across the country, we can save and have saved flying sites like this one. I urge all p...

What an incredible contribution from Smitty, Rob, Chris Armenta, Greg Jones, and whomever else I missed. They banged out the entire project in a day. Thanks also to Phil Bloom and his employee for the electrical fixes they made out there. I'm told that Chippy and Phil are very close to having WiFi i...

There are a number of pilots that have been contributing to the design of the new launch ramp and we feel we don't yet have it designed the way that most pilots will like it. After rounding the top last weekend, we received a lot of positive responses. Today in relatively windy and gusty conditions,...

The county of Los Angeles has control over Erwin's belongings. If Erwin had something of yours when he passed away, there is a mechanism for getting it back. I've picked up the forms to be presented by anyone seeking a return of their personal property. The forms are available from me, or Jim Heaton...

Please keep an eye out for a black batten bag (lightweight) on launch.
It's marked with the words "gray bag F4 145"
Thanks,
Joe

FOUND!!!!! Thanks for your help.
Joe