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Sylmar Hang Gliding Association Rules

Click here to download a PDF version of our rules and guidelines, as well as landing zone maps. (Requires Adobe Acrobat.)

Click here for the SHGA Rules Enforcement Policy.

1.  Membership - Flying privileges are available only to those who hold current USHPA and SHGA membership.
2.  Safety Equipment - All pilots must wear a helmet and emergency reserve parachute.
3.  Flight Rules - All flights must be in accordance with FAR Part 103.
4.  Restricted Areas - Flying is PROHIBITED:
a. In Burbank Class C Airspace (south of Gavina Avenue, between 3,000 and 4,800 MSL),
b. In the Whiteman Airport Class D Airspace,
c. In the Heliport Corridor in May Canyon, except for a direct transit, without soaring,
d. Over the houses west of Pacoima wash, or within 200 feet horizontally of those houses, and
e. Over the baseball fields south of the LZ during games or gatherings of people.
5.  Helicopter Operations - Flying is prohibited in the event of a helicopter rescue or aerial fire fighting operation, within three miles of the rescue or fire fighting operation. In case of a rescue or fire fighting operation within three miles of the Kagel launch ramp, all pilots must land immediately, and no further launches are permitted until rescue or fire fighting operations are terminated.
6.  Kagel Mountain Launch - (Saddle and Main Ramp) Intermediate or higher rating is required. Novice pilots may fly under the direct supervision of, or if signed off by an SHGA designated instructor. Proof of sign-off must be carried by the pilot. Sign-off may be revoked at the discretion of the Association.
7.  All Launch Sites Within 5 miles of Kagel Mountain - Advanced rating is required. Intermediate pilots may fly under the direct supervision of, or if signed off by an SHGA-designated instructor. Proof of sign-off must be carried by the pilot. Sign-off may be revoked at the discretion of the Association.
8.  SHGA Flight Park Landing Area - No part of any landing approach may cross the 200-foot buffer zone markers. Novice and Intermediate hang glider pilots, and novice paraglider pilots must land in the wash adjacent to the flight park.
9.  Tandem Flights - Pilots and passengers must have the appropriate USHPA ratings. The pilot is responsible for ensuring that the passenger has signed the USHPA form Assumption of Risk and Liability Waiver.
10.  Aerobatics - Aerobatics are spins and maneuvers that involve bank angles greater than 90 degrees from horizontal or pitch angles greater than 60 degrees. No aerobatics are permitted south of the Gavina Avenue bridge. All aerobatic maneuvers must be performed in clear airspace, at a safe distance from other aircraft, and must be completed no less than 750 feet above ground level.
11.  Powered Ultralights - No SHGA member may fly an ultralight with a motor onboard south of the ridgeline between the radio antennas at West Towers and the Little Tujunga Road, whether or not the motor is operating. Powered harnesses fall within the scope of this rule. An ultralight with neither a fuel tank nor a propeller is exempt from this rule.
12.  Dogs - Any dog on SHGA property must be kept on a leash, in the presence of its owner, and under control. Any dog that creates an annoyance, in the judgement of the board, may be excluded from the property.


Sylmar Hang Gliding Association Guidelines

1.  Speed limit on residential streets is 30 mph.
2.  Park inside the flight park fence in designated areas. Keep driveways near entrance clear at all times.
3.  No camping is allowed.
4.  Pick up all litter. No yelling or loud music.
5.  At takeoff, pick up litter and bury TP. Drive carefully on mountain roads.
6.  Make approaches along the east side of the wash, preferably in a left-hand aircraft approach. Do not make final turns near houses.
7.  There is an emergency landing zone at the base of the dam. Refer to map for details. A right-hand aircraft approach is suggested.
8.  There are numerous high-voltage power lines crossing the wash. They are elevated above the ground and are very difficult to see as there are no support towers in the wash to indicate their location. If you find yourself making a low straight-in approach, do not continue to the landing area. Turn around and land in the wash near the base of the dam.
9.  Pilots must be aware of the heavy air traffic in the area. Always be alert for all air traffic.
10.  Aerobatic maneuvers are considered to be bank angles exceeding 90 degrees and pitch angles exceeding +/- 60 degrees. Spins are also acrobatic maneuvers. Clear your airspace before starting acrobatic maneuvers. Buzzing launch is discouraged.
11.  The houses east of the wash are elevated. Please exercise proper caution when approaching the LZ.


Right of Way Rules

1.  Hang gliders and paragliders (unpowered ultralight vehicles) must yield right of way to all other aircraft except powered ultralights. This is the law (FAA Federal Aviation Regulations Part 103).
2.  As you approach another aircraft head on, you should steer to your right of the approaching aircraft. (Like a car on the road.)
3.  When thermalling, the first pilot to enter a thermal establishes the required turning direction in that thermal.
4.  When ridge soaring, the glider closest to the ridge has right of way.
5.  The lower aircraft has the right of way.
6.  When ridge soaring, a glider overtaking another glider that is flying in the same direction should pass between the ridge and the glider being overtaken.


R/C Guidelines

1.  Before flying, go to the R/C park and put a note on their frequency board indicating the frequency and times that you will be flying.
2.  Except for launching and landing, all R/C flight should be over the wash.
3.  All R/C flight should be south of the H4 "Runaway Glider" Ramp.
4.  Launching and landing should be done as far south and east in the LZ as is possible, consistent with safety.
5.  Throttle down for landing in the LZ.
6.  Under no circumstances, should you fly any R/C near the houses on the West side of the LZ.
7.  No internal combustion engines on R/Cs at all.
8.  If your fellow R/C pilots are flying outside of these guidelines, please remind them that you really don’t want new rules, or an R/C ban, and you would appreciate it if they followed the guidelines.


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