Thanks David. To be clear, please state the club’s position on…

1. If vehicles are prohibited from using dirt roads to 750/Marshall launches, and if the access gates are closed/locked.
2. If 750/Marshall/Crestline launches are not to be used, regardless of vehicle or hiking access. If the club position is “use your judgement” or “it would be a good idea to“, then launches are open and school instruction can proceed.

If there is no clear club position to use the launches or not, the more responsible pilots and schools will avoid using the site, while a reduced number of less responsible pilots and schools, will continue. It is best for pilots and schools to present a uniform response through club leadership, and avoid conflicts between pilots and between schools.

>>AJX is not on forest service land, so if people want to use the training hills or kite, I don’t see any issue with that.<<

Be a good time to break out a scooter-tow !

Bille

I get it that for safety reasons the USFS has closed the forest and access to all remote areas so the 750 and Marshal are obviously closed, but the Crestline launch has a public road to it and is surrounded by private houses whose residents are obviously exempt from any travel restriction, nor is there is any other restriction of public travel on the road to launch. AJX is not on Forrest Service property and therefore not affected. The restricted activities on the USFS website says nothing about HG or PG activity (see: https://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf).

I don’t want to be a radical about this, but thinking rationally, why can’t we fly from Crestline? We don’t use sources of ignition (certain exceptions in the LZ), carry no flammable fuels and pose no risk of creating a fire. As to causing stress on emergency services, I suppose this is a valid consideration, but many of the services required in the remote chance a rescue is needed are not the same services fighting forest fires. In addition, the fire fighting TFR is well to the east of most of our flying activities and can be easily avoided.

We’ve had so many restrictions placed upon us this year I’m getting weary of the blanket remedies. I’m not going to be a radical about this, but come on. This is just getting ridiculous.

But Tom, that isn’t fair to the people who can’t launch Crestline! We all have to suffer equally!

Actually, I applaud Tom’s clear-headed appraisal.  Using Crestline launch should be considered OK.

Just keep your tobacco in your cheek and your gender concealed.

I don’t think that forecast takes smoke into account.

I’ve seen lots of days where the wind gram overcalls the day. Usually when it’s good, it will be great visibility over the valley.