Robin Marien (current Torrey Pines Concessionaire?) decided to shut down hang gliding on Saturday July 20th, 2013 in order to rent out our Landing Zone (LZ) to a private business ... for their summer picnic!!     

The company wasn't even related to flying in any way. It's not about flying for Robin. It's about the money. Robin just rents out our LZ (Torrey Pines City Park!!) to anyone willing to pay him whatever it is he's charging them. Disgusting.

Here's what our "LZ" looked like for most of the day on Saturday, July 20th, 2013:



As you can see from this photo, paragliders were able to fly, but the hang gliding landing zone was full of tables, picket fences, parked cars, temporary buildings, porta-potties, a live band, and lots of people.

I personally asked Robin how much he was charging to rent the hang gliding LZ and he told me it was none of my "f___ing" business.

You can bet I'll be posting more on this story as I gather the facts ...

W T F ?

What about the pilots who fly for him? Can his own hang glider pilots land on the apron instead?

Did the local USHPA group agree to this? Do they even know? What kind of action can be taken?

Margie

How lame.....

Someone should have landed right in the middle of all that and let the media

put it all over the headlines. Then the question would have been obvious, What is that doing in a glider port LZ?

I’m trying to remember but don’t the FAR’s make obstructing an aircrafts landing area a capital offense? (May carry the death penalty?)
Was there a notice to airman put up at the nearest FSS?

The concessionaire at Torrey seems to be able to get away with murder (read the waiver they make you sign, I think they could literally kill you - via negligence or intention - and not be liable!!). The City of San Diego hasn't done a thing for years, but I've been raising the visibility (see the topic on the City Council).

It''s really crazy how long they've gotten away with whatever they want!!!