USHPA sells us out ... again

Bob Kuczewski · **Posted:** Mon Sep 15, 2014 11:17 am

USHPA sells us out ... again

I just got a copy of the July minutes of the Torrey Pines Soaring Council meeting (attached below). It appears that Robin Marien has asked the Soaring Council to back his new radio requirement and USHPA's representative on the Council (Ken Baier) has rubber stamped it for him.

How many other sites in the country require a radio to fly? Crestline? No. Sylmar? No. Fort Funston? No. Point of the Mountain? No. Hensen's Gap? No.

This is what we get by trusting our flying rights at Torrey Pines (or anywhere else) to USHPA.

Quote:

======= Soaring Council Minutes from July 2014 =======

Torrey Pines Soaring Council
Minutes of July7, 2014

Meeting held at Torrey Pines Gliderport Administration Building

Attendance:

Members: Martin Dine (TPSC/TPG), Angelo Orona (AMA), Mark Foster (TPSS), David Metzgar (SDHGPA), Byron Lowry (AGCSC/SSA), Ken Baier (USHPA)

Guests: Robin Marien (TPGP)

Meeting called to order by Chairman Martin Dine at 6:06 PM.

Prior Minutes: Accepted no changes.

Current Business

Treasurer's Report - Ken Baier reported the amount remains the same at $160.00.

Upcoming events - No events scheduled.

New Business

Radio Rule - A discussion was held regarding the new radio rule. Robin stated that the rule started as the result of a discussion with the life guards.

  During discussion the following points were made:
    There are other sites with similar rules.
    The main reason for the rule is to improve safety during helicopter rescues.
    The Flight Director will call down pilots violating the rules.
    Flags and markers donʼt work.
    Pilots without a radio will be loaned or rented one.
    The rule will be helpful when sailplane launches return to Torrey.

Motion - A motion was made and seconded for the Council to support the Radio rule. The motion passed unanimously.

Incident Report - There was a situation between a paraglider instructor with a student pilot, and an RC pilot, the issue was amicably resolved and there have been no further problems.

RFP - Robin reported that the city is still talking about a RFP, but there is not a date.

Sailplanes - No progress to report.
Next Meeting - September 15, 2014
Adjourn - 6:55 PM

Related discussion at: http://ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1552

Bob Kuczewski · **Posted:** Mon Sep 15, 2014 12:22 pm

EMail message to Ken Baier and others, sent September 15th, 2014 at 11:05am wrote:

Ken Baier (cc/bcc others),

Can you tell me what other HG/PG sites require a radio to fly?

This is a perfect example of your failure to stand up for pilots at Torrey Pines. Of course the sailplane and RC pilots don't care if Robin requires radios for HG and PG. It doesn't hurt them a bit and maybe the rule will reduce the number of HG and PG pilots flying at Torrey. That's great for them. And of course the SDHGPA is the "Torrey Puppet Club" so they go along as well. You are the only representative with any chance of looking out for HG and PG pilots ... and you've failed us again.

Again, can you please tell me what other sites require a radio to fly?

Disgusted,
Bob Kuczewski

Bob Kuczewski · **Posted:** Mon Sep 15, 2014 12:25 pm

EMail message sent to Region 3 Directors and others wrote:

Dan, Alan, and Corey (cc/bcc others),

I am writing to request USHPA's reversal of its decision to support the new mandatory radio rule at Torrey Pines.

I have attached the July Soaring Council minutes (which I just received from Ken Baier this morning) which show that USHPA voted to require radios for ALL pilots at Torrey Pines.

As Regional Directors, I would like to know which of you has approved Ken's decision to require radios of ALL pilots flying at Torrey Pines. Please let me know.

This is yet another example of Ken Baier (and USHPA) putting the concessionaire's will above that of the pilots. Both USHPA and the SDHGPA have become puppets of the concessionaire, and that leaves ZERO representation for the pilots (especially the hang glider pilots) who fly at Torrey Pines. This is another reason why we need an independent club representing hang gliding on the Soaring Council.

Finally, let me draw your attention to the following reason given for the radio rule (see Soaring Council minutes below):

"The Flight Director will call down pilots violating the rules."

We have seen far too many examples where the concessionaire selectively enforces "the rules" at Torrey Pines. This new radio rule gives them another mechanism to harass pilots they don't like. I am asking you to direct Ken Baier to protest this new rule on behalf of the pilots. If this rule is allowed to stand, then it will slowly creep into more and more sites. I am asking you to nip it in the bud right now. The Soaring Council meets 6pm tonight, so I am asking you to respond immediately.

Sincerely,
Bob Kuczewski
858-204-7499

dhmartens · **Posted:** Mon Sep 22, 2014 7:56 pm

I think carrying a $36 radio is a good idea when an emergency occurs. I have been flying with a cellphone and a vertex vx-150 for 10 years. The day Walter Bryant went down behind the ridge Chris Greblo radioed the LZ from the air as it happened and an emergency phone call was made a minute later. The helicopter arrived in minutes but Walter had hiked through some dense sharp brush and got cut up pretty bad and refused the helicopter ride as he tried to hike down the face of Kagel. He took the helicopter ride after they lowered a rescue worker to block his path. He survived about 60 days after the incident. I don't have a ham license so I only transmit in emergencies.

I posted scenes from the movie Midway (1976) on the shga forum and will post some here so you can see the value of the radio during operations.
**it may contain raciest or inappropriate language.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwLyIMqfbf0

$36 radio:
http://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-136-174-4 ... feng+uv-5r

Doug Martens
The cost savings to the city of San Diego's rescue operations could be substantial "(I'm O.K, its only a flesh wound)"

Bill Cummings · **Posted:** Mon Sep 22, 2014 9:26 pm

Doug,
I emailed the FAA and the FCC several years back and asked specifically if using a cell phone from a hang glider was legal.
Both responses were that it was not legal to use a cell phone while in flight in a hang glider.
At the time there was discussion about lifting the ban on cell phone use which I would applaud but I haven’t heard yet that the ban was lifted.
Towing would go so nicely with the use of hands free cell phones.

Even here at the Las Cruces International Airport (KLRU) radios are not required however I always flew with an Icom radio on the airport frequency and a second radio on the UShPA business band radio frequency.

At Torrey Pines I would fly with the same two radios. Once launched I would turn off the San Diego taxi frequency radio and listen to the Life Flight frequency on my aircraft radio but I would not be bothered with any transmission by Robin from the ground while I’m in the air.

The best thing to improve Torrey Pines would be to bulldoze that concession structure over the cliff.

Bob Kuczewski · **Posted:** Tue Sep 23, 2014 10:45 am

dhmartens wrote:

I think carrying a $36 radio is a good idea when an emergency occurs.

I don't disagree with that, but that assumes that the radio won't be used to single out pilots. If they wanted to reserve a channel for use by actual life guards, I would be fine with that. But that's not what's happening. It will be a channel used by the concessionaire to publicly accuse pilots of breaking rules and ground them with no due process.

Furthermore, if this is allowed to stand, it will mean that you're grounded if your battery isn't charged or your radio breaks down. It will start creeping into site after site. That's not what the sport of hang gliding was intended to be. We've been flying legally without radios for over 40 years.

Finally, I am quite certain that the rescue helicopters have a Public Address (PA) system that's more than capable of advising pilots to land. And that system will work regardless of whether a pilot has a radio, or has it charged, or has it tuned to the proper frequency. There's no better way to clear the air than having a large helicopter announcing "Rescue operation in progress, please land immediately".

dhmartens · **Posted:** Tue Sep 23, 2014 7:00 pm

I have not read the detail of the new rule. This is what was posted on facebook June 8
"Attention pilots: If you are coming to fly at Torrey Pines Gliderport, you must have a radio!
You will not be able to fly without one. It is for emergency purpose only, and it has to be on the USHPA frequency!"

It does not say it has to be turned on.
Also, is it a good idea to have P1's transmitting low to the ground?
The radio itself could cause accidents.

What do the HAM radio people have to say about this?

What happens when a modified radio is keyed the whole flight and jams the frequency?
Was there any discussion on using grms or other non ham radio?

Bob I think the argument was lost when the $3 dog whistle was forced on everyone.
Can a radio be built into the dog whistle?

Torrey Pilot Orientation video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbrGcStlKAU

Late 80s Sylmar video back when everyone hated us and we tried to clean up our act.(we spotted fires)
http://youtu.be/_uV2C9tySXk?list=PLIXUq ... I45rdEOcmf

The bigger issue for me is has the Willswing Alpha flown Torrey yet? Have its flight characteristics been evaluated?
Can this glider be flown with lower wind speeds?

Is there any plan for a hang3 crosswind landout clinic and signoff so hang 3's can fly the site?

Doug

SamKellner · **Posted:** Wed Sep 24, 2014 7:42 pm

billcummings wrote:

The best thing to improve Torrey Pines would be to bulldoze that concession structure over the cliff.

Bring back the pilot's shack :thumbup:

Bob Kuczewski · **Posted:** Fri Oct 24, 2014 10:25 am

dhmartens wrote:

I have not read the detail of the new rule. This is what was posted on facebook June 8
"Attention pilots: If you are coming to fly at Torrey Pines Gliderport, you must have a radio!
You will not be able to fly without one. It is for emergency purpose only, and it has to be on the USHPA frequency!"

Here's what was posted on June 12th, 2014:

Attachment:

IMG_0999RR.JPG [ 47.34 KiB | Viewed 10599 times ]

Here's what was posted on October 12th, 2014:

Attachment:

IMG_0450RR.JPG [ 52.03 KiB | Viewed 10599 times ]

dhmartens wrote:

Also, is it a good idea to have P1's transmitting low to the ground?
The radio itself could cause accidents.

Absolutely true. They've had several examples of students - under their "radio control" - who've flown into each other!!

dhmartens wrote:

What do the HAM radio people have to say about this?

What happens when a modified radio is keyed the whole flight and jams the frequency?
Was there any discussion on using grms or other non ham radio?

All good questions.

dhmartens wrote:

Is there any plan for a hang3 crosswind landout clinic and signoff so hang 3's can fly the site?

As far as I know, if you pay the concessionaire, they will give you "lessons" as a hang 3.

billcummings wrote:

The best thing to improve Torrey Pines would be to bulldoze that concession structure over the cliff.

SamKellner wrote:

Bring back the pilot's shack

The concession's control of our public property is clearly at the heart of the problem. It's disgusting that USHPA stands up for the concessionaire rather than supporting the pilots who fly there.

Bob Kuczewski · **Posted:** Wed Oct 29, 2014 8:30 pm

I sent those two email messages to Ken Baier and our USHPA Directors on September 15th, 2014. Anyone want to guess what I've heard back so far?

Yup ... nothing.

So for the record, I just sent another request tonight (October 29th, 2014):

Quote:

Ken Baier (cc/bcc others),

The Torrey Pines Soaring Council minutes indicate that you voted to enact the new "Radio Rule". The minutes go on to state that:

"There are other sites with similar rules."

I am again asking what other HG/PG sites require a radio to fly?

USHPA's vote for this radio requirement at Torrey Pines set a new precedent, and I am also asking if this is something that you did on your own or if this is part of USHPA's ongoing effort to restrict the ability of its members to fly?

President Rich Hass and Region 3 Directors Dan, Alan, and Corey, I am again asking which of you has approved this vote by USHPA's Soaring Council representative? I am also formally asking you to direct Ken Baier to reverse his vote and protest this new restriction on our rights to fly at Torrey Pines.

Sincerely,
Bob Kuczewski
858-204-7499

USHPA sells us out ... again

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