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1. These rules are established to ensure the highest possible level of safety for spectators, pilots and personal property while providing the maximum enjoyment and utilization of the site for everyone.
2. You are expected to use this site in a courteous manner, demonstrate respect for others and support the letter and spirit of these rules. Use of the Gliderport is a privilege and not a right. The Flight Director has the authority to enforce these rules as per San Diego City Municipal Code Section 63.02.32. Violation of these rules will jeopardize your flight privileges.

Back to the rules page.

1. This is a Gliderport. Only motorless, un-tethered flight is permitted.
2. Unauthorized spectators are not permitted in take off or landing areas or along the cliff edge.
3. All pilots must have all required waivers on file, show proof of rating and sign-in at the Flight Operations Center each day prior to flying.
4. Anyone under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants is prohibited from flying. No alcohol or intoxicating substances may be consumed prior to or while flying.
5. All flight operations will be litter free.
6. Flying is prohibited when the site is posted as being closed. When the black ball flag, smoke or flares are used to indicate an emergency, all aircraft in the air must land immediately.
7. All pilots must be USHGA members
8. Hang glider pilots must have a USHGA Advanced or equivalent foreign rating. Paraglider pilots must have a USHGA Intermediate or equivalent foreign rating. Intermediate rated paraglider pilots must have at least 50 hours of air time, proveable in the form of a log book.  Tandem flights require a USHGA Tandem Rated pilot and permission of the Flight Director.
9. Preflight your glider and harness and lock in. Due to the convenience of the launch this is easy to forget.
10. Helmets, reserve chute and whistle are required on all flights.
11. The "Window" (See map for Nortnd immediately.
12. There shall be no low altitude flying (less than 50ft) over the RC pit area, the launch area, or other pilots or spectators. There will be no flying within 100ft of any public, commercial or residential building.
13. Any accidents, incidents or disputes between pilots shall immediately be brought to the attention of the Flight Director.
14. No flight shall go above 1500ft from launch altitude (300ft above Mean Sea Level). Controlled airspace (Class B) begins at 1800ft MSL.

1. All pilots must be USHGA members
2. Hang glider pilots must have a USHGA Advanced or equivalent foreign rating. Paraglider pilots must have a USHGA Intermediate or equivalent foreign rating. Intermediate rated paraglider pilots must have at least 50 hours of air time, proveable in the form of a log book.  Tandem flights require a USHGA Tandem Rated pilot and permission of the Flight Director.
3. Preflight your glider and harness and lock in. Due to the convenience of the launch this is easy to forget.
4. Helmets, reserve chute and whistle are required on all flights.
5. The "Window" (See map for North and South Window boundary flags) extends from the beach upward with no altitude limits and East and West with no limits. It is primarily for Radio Controlled aircraft flying.
   • a) Only one Hang glider or Paraglider shall be in the Window at a time.
   • b) Fly straight through the Window. No turning or loitering while in the Window.
6. Sounding a whistle communicates your location to the RC pilots, other pilots and spectators. Sounding a whistle and announcing your intentions is for your safety and the avoidance of accidents.
   • Immediately prior to launch, announce your intended direction and sound your whistle loudly.
   • Prior to entering the Window announce your flight direction and sound your whistle loudly. Sound your whistle several times while transiting the Window.
   • Prior to landing, announce your intended landing and sound your whistle loudly.
7. Standard right-of-way rules apply:
   • Head-on: Stay to the right. Northbound glider has the right-of-way.
   • Converging: Glider on right has the right-of-way.
   • Overtaking: Pass on the Cliff side. Slower glider has the right-of-way.
   • On approach or landing: Lower glider has the right-of-way.
8. Launch and land only in designated areas.
9. No "touch and goes" or flying through the landing area.
10. Do not loiter, kite or park your glider in the launch or landing areas.

Back to the rules page.

1. Radio Control pilots must be AMA members. Before soloing each pilot must demonstrate their ability to safely fly their aircraft to the Flight Director or his designated representative.
2. Beginning pilots are permitted to fly only with the assistance of an experienced pilot.
3. Radio Controlled aircraft must be operated in accordance with the AMA safety codes. An experienced pilot must check new aircraft before they're first flight.
4. All transmitters must meet current FCC and AMA guidelines.
5. Only Torrey Pines Flight Authorization Cards are allowed on the frequency board (one card per frequency, the transmitter being turned on only while the card is posted on a proper frequency). Limit flight time to 15 minutes if another pilot requests your frequency.
6. Radio Controlled Sailplanes may be flown anywhere along the cliff, but have primary use of the Window area. Always keep "Blue Sky" between your aircraft and all other aircraft. Listen for whistles from Hang gliders / Paragliders. Give man-carrying aircraft the right-of-way. Do not fly at or near man-carrying aircraft.
7. All RC pilots must have a spotter/observer to monitor and inform the pilot regarding air traffic during full-scale glider operations. During times of heavy Hang glider / Paraglider operations the Flight Director may require RC pilots to have a spotter/observer. The requirement for having a spotter/observer must be conspicuously posted near the RC frequency board.
8. When there are pilots (or spectators) near the cliff edge, all launches must be from the cliff edge except for test glides or hi-start/winch launches remote from the RC pit area. RC pilots shall fly their aircraft from a position where they can observe the Hang glider launching area, except when landing their aircraft in the eastern RC landing area. Hi-start/winch launches must be coordinated with other flight operations.
9. RC models will NOT be launched or flown from any other location within two miles of the Torrey Pines Gliderport. This includes the UCSD Biological Reserve and North Face.

1. Gliders will be operated according to the rules prescribed in the Torrey Pines Flight Manual. A copy of this document is on file with the Flight Director. Sailplanes always operate with a designated Flight Leader.
2. Hold daily pilots meetings to identify and establish user group contacts and communications techniques between all user groups when full-scale operations are in effect.
3. The runway and flight operations areas shall be cordoned off from the public during all flight operations.
4. Prior to launching, a flag near the winch will be waved and the horn on the winch will be sounded. Both signals will continue until the aircraft is released from the cable.
5. Standard ridge right-of-way rules apply.
   • Head-on: Stay to the right. Northbound glider has the right-of-way.
   • Converging: Glider on right has the right-of-way.
   • Overtaking: Pass on the Cliff side. Slower glider has the right-of-way.
   • On approach or landing: Lower glider has the right-of-way.
6. Light wind landings will be a left-hand pattern from the north to a down wind final from over the ocean. The high wind-landing pattern will be a standard downwind, base and final into the wind.
7. Aircraft will signal their entry into the landing pattern by rocking the wings several times on the north bound pass. The flag will be raised and the horn will be sounded as on launch to indicate a landing aircraft.