Gosh. I wonder if anybody's criticized the safety protocols at Torrey Pines, lately?

I wonder if anybody's listening.

The news report say that somebody indicated that a hang glider had gone down. Obviously she's wearing a paragliding harness but where's her collapsed canopy. It's not laying on the ground nearby.

Perhaps she just fell off the cliff? Maybe she was "kiting" without being connected to the canopy? Hey maybe that's Air California Adventure Inc.s new way of avoiding having to put a helmet on. You don't need a helmet if your not "hooked in"!

There's also mention about it being a two place (tandem) flight. So, where's the other occupant? Maybe they weren't injured and "went to get help". If it was a tandem flight it would probably have been with an Air California Adventure Inc. tandem instructor. Anybody know if "civilian" (non ACA Inc. pilot in command) tandems are allowed at Torrey Pines?

That happens a lot in San Diego. I suspect most reporters will make their first call to the Gliderport when doing a story, and ... well I'll leave the rest to your imagination.


I suspect the paraglider itself was quickly balled up to keep it from catching a breeze and inflating.


I don't know the story behind this yet. If it was a tandem, it wouldn't surprise me that they're trying to cover it up. According to the lease, they're supposed to allow "Outside tandems" for a $25 fee. But I know personally that they tried to charge Dave Beardslee $100 per tandem that he wanted to fly. On the other hand, if you're one of their buddies, then it's fine to do it without paying anything. That's partly how they "bribe" local pilots to put on "happy faces" when anyone starts looking into what they're doing.

Bob,

What I'm wondering is, do they allow "recreational" PG tandems - where both parties are (let's say) Intermediate rated and not really doing an "instructional" flight?

In know basically how their PG tandem instructional system works. Just wondering if there is a difference.

Time to be in the air without paying the concessionaire a dime.
The concessionaire does not own or control what happens in the air
except by pressure on use of their leased land spot for launch,
which itself is a public park. Comprehensive discovery of ways
to get in the air without that postage-stamp spot of grass????
... while we continue to win back public-park status
without any concessionaire over-stepping its public trust.

Maybe split the grass area: part for a concession and professional launches
AND part for public-park recreation launches. Actually, the launch
could be the same, but just notice that there are professional launches
and recreational public-park launches being mix; keep the concessionaire
with it professional thingies and keep open and free the public-park
recreational launches. Declare it. Do it. San Diego, see how easy it
could be to MIX recreation with professional profit push.
No concession over recreational launch.
Only concession over professional launch.
Take turns: Pro, Rec, Pro, Rec, Pro, Rec, Pro, Rec.
And be faithful to the fact that radios are not required while in the air,
per FAA Class G airspace. Concessionaire, no more overlordship on rec free-flight!.

It looks like it was after 5pm when conditions are usually smoother and glassy (at least at Sylmar). This is when I usually feel it is safer to get in close to the terrain. Maybe a jet thermal was waiting?

Doug