Home › Forums › Non-CSS Sites › Elsinore protocols update for calling the DZ if you plan to cross the Lake on XC

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  • November 6, 2024 at 9:35 AM #21235
    Steve Rohrbaugh

    The DZ Pilots and Glider tow operations have asked us to call the Drop Zone if we plan to cross the lake before launching.

    The SDHGPA / Eteam Site Guide hosted in the SDHGPA Site Guide section has been updated: https://www.sdhgpa.com/elsinore.html

    See the protocols for calling the DZ if you plan to cross the Lake on XC. The airspace is very congested, and they would appreciate knowing if we will be floating around so they can take an extra careful look out for us. There are also three other drop zones within 20 miles.  To the northeast is restricted airspace for March Field.  If flying XC, be sure to study all airspace along your route.

    Protocal#10 added:

    *** If planning to cross the lake XC, Call the Elsinore DZ at +1 (951) 245-9939 ***.  Before launching, call the above DZ number and ask them to let the DZ pilots know you will be flying in the Elsinore area and plan on crossing the lake. The DZ will pass that information on to the DZ pilots and the glider tow operation and air traffic control. This would alert all pilots in the area to paragliding and HG operations. Or, if you have an aviation band radio, transmit it on 122.9 to let the drop zone safety officer know that HG & PG pilots are launching with plans to cross the lake.

    November 6, 2024 at 4:52 PM #21240
    Nathan Santee

    <p style=”text-align: left;”>We’ve been seeing regular groups of SD pilots typically with the aim of leaving the area and hitting soboba. So it’s understandable skydive elsinore is now requesting communication, with large numbers of PG’s traversing their approach.</p>
    Locals take this route too from time to time.. but most of us stay back in the mountains with the aim of top landing or hitting one of the usual LZ’s.

    November 7, 2024 at 10:41 PM #21257
    Alan Coffield

    A little “community notes” for the OP.   The Sailplane/Glider club (Lake Elsinore Soaring Club) has not requested these notifications.  The Glider Club sub-leases the land we operate on and access to the Skylark runways from the Skydive Operation and we do report to them on the days we are operating.  I am not aware of any legal requirement (FAA or otherwise) requiring foot launched gliders from Elsinore checking in with the skydive operation, but as stated, with the oftentimes increasing aerial congestion, it would be prudent to comply with their request.  I would say anyone flying the Elsinore area and out to Soboba (and beyond) should have their head on a constant swivel for sky dive planes (Elsinore and Perris and even HMT airports), for sky dive planes and skydivers, power planes (especially ones following the freeways), military planes, sailplanes, hang gliders, paraglider, ultralights (and even fresh water pelicans at times😮).  If you have an air band radio you should monitor 122.9 around Elsinore airport, 122.775 at Perris airport, and 123.0 around Hemet airport.  Those frequencies are not for idle “chit chat”.  Most sailplane pilots going XC out of Elsinore or Hemet will be on 123.3 or 123.5 once they get away from the airports.  Traditionally the few HG and PG pilots that actually use radios and flew out of Elsinore have used 144.120 on the 2 meter or Ham radio frequency.  Of course visiting groups of foot launched pilots may be using their own group frequencies or often frequencies from their home flying site, so it can be “hit or miss” (pardon the term)  trying to reach folks on the radio.  Additional fun fact:  if you want a sailplane to buzz you around Elsinore look for a SGS 1-34 or a Pilatus and make it obvious that you are filming with a Go Pro  🙄.  That may apply to an all white fiberglass CZ-304 glider now that Smoking Joe has one.   By the way anyone interested in learning more about the Elsinore Sailplane Club,  here is a link to their website:

    http://www.soarelsinore.org    Or   http://www.lescsoaring.com

    see you in the air, Alan

    November 8, 2024 at 6:27 PM #21265
    Steve Rohrbaugh

    This requested courtesy call protocol results from efforts initiated by Mateo Caicedo, a DZ and PG pilot. He is requesting to make the shared air space a bit safer for all and this was formulated just this week.

    Yes, the FAA does not require it, and we typically all avoid the DZ cylinder. However, the DZ approach and takeoff are in shared air space. Depending on winds and other factors, they sometimes drop outside of the cylinder.

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