Sylmar Hang Gliding Association

The last of the hand rails was installed today on the garden steps. The whole set of guardrails and hand rails is definitely not perfect, but if the place gets leveled by a nuke, I know I could do it better the next time. I learned a lot, and it was fun to do. I believe it meets all the code requirements I was given, but we'll see when it gets inspected. I never designed or built anything quite like it before. I just used materials and methods I happen to know, and took a shot at it. The good side of that is at least it's unique - one of a kind.

We started this project almost 11 months ago with the first section as a test! It's amazing how fast a year goes, and in that short time, the place has really changed.

In less than a year: The rails, the massive roof, the concrete patio extensions, the electrical work, the electric gate and new telephone, the new parking lot surface, the entire garden/ ramp construction and landscaping, the new lush grass, new glider storage, the indestructible picnic tables, the stucco, the paint, extensive clean-up of the whole place, and a bunch of other stuff I don't know about or forgot. It's just incredible progress.

I took a few minutes today to stand back and look at the complex that sits where there once was only a patch of gravel with a few tables under some wisteria that was holding it all together.

A lot of people have thanked me effusively for my work, and I deeply appreciate your appreciation more than you know. It was a chance for me to build something relatively permanent that people could enjoy. That's satisfying.

I would like to thank all the other people who have done all this varied and difficult work over the last year. Back then, there was only the foundation. What a difference a year makes. Every time I returned after a week or two, there was a bunch of improvements, and sometimes it was striking. Well done you guys, and thanks. Now I can do some of that flying stuff people talk about. I think I remember it.

Only few will ever understand the level of volunteer that you rose up to both labor & cost from your own pocket. THANK YOU! Now your allowed to fly again. Post some pics if you took some.

On a side note I think the harness hook in contraption on top of the Pavilion looks like crap up there, takes up to much room blocks access to Glens awesome hang glider sculpture & railings, ruins the aesthetics that so many worked very hard to maintain during the building process. As a major contributor seeing it up there is discouraging. It needs to be moved.

What about putting it between the containers?

I agree about the hang check thing. It takes up a lot of space, and is not a good use of the limited space under the roof where it looks out of place.

We should have a safe permanent hang point somewhere though, even if it's just hanging from a tree.

Whoever dislikes the hang check thing the most is welcome to step up and move it elsewhere. Personally, I like having it around because it works much better than hanging from a tree.

Some spectators have hooked into a harness and had their pictures taken on the harness rack. Now if we hang a green screen behind it for video overlay effects, then that will look bad. I remember hooking into that contraption September 1999 at the Windsports location in Van Nuys and flew the pilotwings64.

The guard rails look great and solid.

We could modify it so that it could be removed from the base and mounted to a single strong post sunk into the ground under a tree. Then the mower could go around it without issue and it wouldn't be in the way. It could also be moved to the gazebo east corner patio level as is, or again, remove the bottom and mount it to the gazebo upright. I could weld bolts to the roof support where it could be mounted. It could even swivel around the corner, and without the base it would be much less of an obstruction. It could then be painted gray to match the gazebo.

I'm just looking to make room for the stripper pole. You can't beat that for enjoyment per square foot.

i just used it last week. it's handy ,usefull,unobtrusive,. don't move it to the barrio.how about misters before summers over?. THE SILENT MAJORITY.

Rome if it were up to you we would have a hang loop on each antler of a giant stuffed Elk. After the massive BBQ of course.

Why are people complaining about the rig when no one seems to use the gazebo anyways???

I think it should be on the grass somewhere. I've seen little kids hanging from the base bar upside down about two inches from cracking their heads on the concrete, liability I believe,it's not a jungle gym.

If you brought home a swing set, would you put it inside your new $200K home? The gazebo is designed to be a space for people to view the LZ activities (whacks) with a good angle and protection from the sun and rain. The space is limited, and I don't think the hang device cares if it has a good view or is protected from the sun. Besides, I don't see a down side to moving it, opening up that space and still having use of the device. It's a win/win. I'm willing to help move it the next time I'm out. As I said, I can make it work somewhere else. It just seems like a poor way to use that expensive real estate in the gazebo, and it's not very attractive there, front and center. In other words, why not move it?

Problem solved its back at the Windsports house. Thanks Joe for letting us use it.
Glen I thought of a design that will function both as a art piece and as a place to hang from cemented into the grass area. I will discuss next time I see you.

Sounds good, Seabastian. I was thinking that too. Should be easy.