REVISED December 2000

BAY AREA PARAGLIDING ASSOCIATION (BAPA)

MT. DIABLO STATE PARK SITE PROCEDURES

MT. DIABLO STATE PARK IS AN ADVANCED-ONLY PARAGLIDING SITE
PILOTS MUST HAVE AN ADVANCED RATING TO FLY THIS SITE
PILOTS MUST BE MEMBERS OF USHGA
PILOTS MUST HAVE A VALID DIABLO/BAPA STICKER

IN AN EMERGENCY, CALL CENTRAL DISPATCH FOR STATE PARKS (800) 548-1431

Landing

Launching

Helmet Sticker

Waiver

1. Site Operation: The Bay Area Paragliding Association (BAPA) is designated by the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation through a special use permit to administer paragliding activities within the Mt. Diablo State Park.

2. Launch and Landing Areas: Mt. Diablo currently has two approved takeoff areas and three approved landing areas (in addition to "top landing" on the Juniper launch areas). Pilots are restricted to these areas within the boundaries of the park. Landing out is prohibited, unless it is an emergency or otherwise unavoidable. Landing on paved areas is also prohibited. Particulars for each takeoff area and the landing area are as follows:

LANDING AREAS

(a) 1,000 Foot Landing Area (Burma Fire Road Trail): Aside from "top landing", when conditions make it possible, this is the main approved landing zone for paragliders, and is located at the 1,000 foot elevation point on Northgate Road. As you are driving up the access road from Walnut Creek (Northgate Road), you will see a 1,000' elevation sign and a trail head on the right side of the road. There is a gate and fire road which is used to access the landing zone. It is advisable to check the landing conditions prior to heading up to launch, and you should also mount a windsock or other directional device toward the middle of the landing zone. Please bear in mind that turbulence is known to occur (even in very light breezes), so be aware.

(c) South Landing Area: This is an alternative landing zone and should be used only when it is determined that you cannot safely reach the main 1,000 Foot Landing Area. It is located approximately 5.3 miles up the Northgate Road from the entrance, and 2.2 miles from the 1,000 foot landing area. Its approximate elevation is 1,600 feet. This landing area consists of an unfenced field due North of the Turtle Rock Ranch buildings. At the West end of this field, the Northgate Road makes an abrupt hairpin turn. Pilots are requested not to land at the Southeast end of this field, near the hairpin as it may distract traffic in the turn. Instead, they will land mid-field, and that chase vehicles pick them up at the turnout located next to the speed limit sign also located mid-field along the Northgate Road. Pilots should be aware that this landing zone can be extremely turbulent in South and Northwest/North wind conditions.

(c) Helicopter Landing Area: This also is an alternative landing zone. It is located approximately one mile down the Southgate Road from the midpoint Junction Ranger Station. This landing area is situated at the dirt helicopter pad on the East side of the road. It is an established hang glider landing zone. This area is to be used by pilots flying the South side of Mt. Diablo, or who are attempting to fly cross-country and have determined that they are unable to leave the Park. Pilots should be aware that this landing zone can be turbulent in Northwest/North wind conditions. In addition, helicopters DO USE this landing pad on occasion. If any helicopters are noticed in the area, use another landing area if necessary.

LAUNCHING AREAS

(d) Juniper Camp Launch: This is a large, grassy, nicely sloping ridge facing Southwest that is used as the primary launch. There are camping facilities adjacent to this launch site. This site should only be used in West to Southwest wind conditions. Launch altitude is 2,900 MSL and the 1,000' landing area is basically straight out from launch. This launch can be soarable at times, making it possible to top-land. Only gliders with a 6:1 or above glide ratio should be flown. Making the landing zone can be difficult if wind is present, so please use your Advanced rating judgment and do not launch if you feel conditions will prevent you from reaching the landing zone. The alternative landing areas described above may be used; otherwise, landing out is prohibited, unless it is an emergency or otherwise unavoidable.

(e) Lower Summit Parking Lot South Launch: This is a launch which is also used by the hang glider pilots. It is directly South and opposite the restroom facilities located on the lower summit parking lot. Its use is limited to days in which wind conditions are Southeast/South.

3. Pilot Registration/Waiver: All pilots must read this document and sign the registration and "Assumption of Risk and Release" forms. All forms may be obtained from a sponsoring pilot. It is required that a pilot's first flight from mt. Diablo be sponsored by a BAPA/Mt. Diablo stickered pilot who has previous flying experience at this site.

4. USHGA Membership: All pilots must be current members of the United States Hang Gliding Association (USHGA), and hold the required Advanced rating, and have their current USHGA rating card in possession. Foreign pilots with an equivalent rating to a USHGA Advanced rating must fill out the appropriate forms, and pay the requisite fees to become a USHGA member before being permitted to fly the site.

5. BAPA/Mt. Diablo Helmet Sticker Identification: All pilots must display current BAPA/Mt. Diablo helmet stickers on their helmets while using the site. The sticker will identify the pilot as being authorized to fly at Mt. Diablo. When first obtained, the sticker will display the date of issue, written on the sticker by the sponsoring pilot. Later, when the paperwork has been processed, the pilot is sent a small sticker displaying the valid year for the main sticker.

You may obtain helmet stickers by:

• registering according to paragraph 3 above,
• including a copy of your valid USHGA card displaying the required rating, and
• making an annual $12 donation to BAPA for purposes of maintaining USHGA site insurance and costs of printing and mailing stickers.

Your sponsor will have the necessary forms to mail everything back to BAPA at:

Bay Area Paragliding Association
P.O. Box 1809
Pacifica, CA 94044-9998

From time to time, the rangers will visually inspect stickers affixed to helmets. They will only permit pilots to fly if they have:

* a Mt. Diablo sticker with a valid, unexpired, "year" sticker, or
* a Mt. Diablo sticker with an issuance date that is no older than 30 days.

Guest Pilots: No pilots are allowed to fly unless they have a BAPA/Mt. Diablo sticker.

6. Vehicle Operations: Pilots arriving at Mt. Diablo must sign in at the Park Headquarters building located at the junction of Northgate Road and Southgate Road. Vehicles may only park in the designated parking areas. All drivers must hold a valid driver's license and all vehicles must carry appropriate insurance. Mt. Diablo State Park requires all entrants to pay day use fees or obtain annual passes. If the ranger stations at the gates are closed, pilots should stop at the main ranger station to pay the fee. Pilots are asked to identify themselves to the rangers at the gates as being paraglider pilots if they intend to fly. Parking in the Juniper campground is reserved for registered campers. The Rangers will cite all other vehicles parked in the campground. Vehicles may not be left in the park overnight. If a flight takes the pilot out of the park, it is the pilot's responsibility to remove their vehicle before the park closes. If the pilot cannot make it back to the park, the rangers must be notified to prevent ticketing of the vehicle.

7. Safe Practices:

(a) IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, CALL CENTRAL DISPATCH FOR STATE PARKS (800) 548-1431. Please keep this number with you, it is a better number to dial from a cell phone than 911. Dialing 911 from a cell phone connects you to the CHP. CHP will then have to relay your information on to other agencies. By calling the Central Dispatch number you bypass the delays.

(b) All landings within the park shall be restricted to the designated Landing Areas except for landings dictated by obvious safety considerations. (Pilots must notify a ranger in case of a landing out, see below).

(c) All pilots shall fly with a reserve emergency parachute and a helmet AT ALL TIMES.

(d) Pilots shall not use the park for testing experimental gliders, unnecessary parachute deployments, or any hazardous operations.

(e) Pilots shall not fly over houses at lower than 500 feet altitude for any reason and must not fly close to paved roads to avoid causing any possible vehicular accident by distraction of the driver.

(f) Never land out on paved roadways.

(g) Motorized paragliders are not permitted in the area.

(h) Pilots should be aware of hang gliders, powered aircraft, and sail planes in the area.

(i) Pilots should be aware of horses and horseback riders, and must always yield the right-of-way to them. Horses have been known to react violently to paragliders launching or flying by. Delay your launch if a horse is near, and if flying, try to avoid getting too close.

(j) No launching from one hour before sunset to 8:00 AM.

(k) Once again, it is required that a pilot's first flight from Mt. Diablo be sponsored by a BAPA/Mt. Diablo stickered pilot that has previous flying experience at this site.

(l) Flying alone is not recommended. You must at the very least have one assistant with you to monitor your flight(s).

(m) There is a metal lock box next to the pay phone with a combination lock. Only BAPA/Mt. Diablo stickered pilots are to be given the combination. Inside the box is a folder with sign-in forms. All pilots must sign-in every time they fly this site.

(n) The Rangers try to monitor the 2-Meter HAM frequency 146.415 megahertz. In the event of a landing outside the designated landing zones, it is a good idea to transmit a generic message, such as: "The paraglider pilot who just landed in the vicinity of ________ at a time of ________ o'clock is OK. There is no emergency." The Park Rangers monitor this frequency when their work load permits. They monitor using a scanner and do not have the means to acknowledge the radio call. Due to the varied terrain and because the Rangers are often busy with other situations, there is a good chance that they may not receive the transmission. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the pilot who landed out to let the Rangers know as soon as possible via telephone, fellow pilot or in person that an out-landing has occurred and there is no emergency. Possibly the most efficient way would be to radio to a fellow pilot who is going back up the mountain to stop at the mid-point Junction Ranger Station and let them know. Or, if a cellular phone is available, call the Central Dispatch for State Parks (800) 548-1431. This Central Dispatch number is also the fastest way to summon emergency personnel.

(o) Pilots are encouraged to call various "Wind Talkers" to get wind info before coming to Mt. Diablo. The Diablo wind talker is located on the tall antenna mast at the main hang gliding launch. This wind talker, like many others, is not always accurate, and should only be used in conjunction with other weather reporting sources, and your own observations. Mt. Diablo Wind Talker 925-838-9225 The Concord airport ATIS can give you important information such as ground level wind speed and direction. This information can help in determining the conditions at the 1000 foot LZ. Keep in mind that the wind speed and direction at Juniper launch and at the 1000 foot LZ are often vastly different. Concord ATIS 925-685-4567

(p) Paragliding is still evolving as a sport. Safety awareness and knowledge are vital components for avoiding accidents. If you sustain a paragliding injury, please help raise the awareness of your fellow pilots by submitting an Accident Report to USHGA and a copy to: BAPA Safety Director, PO Box 1809, Pacifica, CA 94044-9998. Contact the BAPA Safety Director to obtain an Accident Report form.

8. Park Environment:

(a) Due to potential fire hazard, smoking is NOT permitted in the launch or landing areas or on the access roads AT ANY TIME.

(b) The Park Rangers, Site Committee members, or BAPA officers may close the site at their discretion due to adverse flying conditions. Notice of the site closure will be posted at the entrance stations and/or the junction locker box. Pilots should check for such notice before going to a launch.

(c) Please obey and be courteous to the Park Rangers, observe the park rules handed to you at the gates and DO NOT LITTER. Violations should be reported to Site Committee members or BAPA Club Officers in order to preserve our site.

(d) Also, keep in mind that sound travels, let's keep it peaceful.

(e) All wind indicators ie. Flagging tape/wind socks etc must be removed at the end of each flying day.

9. Violations: Each qualified BAPA/Mt. Diablo pilot is responsible for ensuring that site procedures are followed. Violation of these procedures will result in the suspension or revocation of flying privileges of the offending pilot. Repeated violations may result in the closing of the site to all pilots. It is the responsibility of all pilots and their guests to follow all rules and regulations.

10. Procedure Changes and Information: The Mt. Diablo State Park Paragliding Site Procedures are revised and updated as required by the BAPA Site Committee subject to approval by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Information about the procedures and the site may be obtained from the Site Committee members or BAPA club officers. (http://www.sfbapa.org)

FLY SAFE!

Diablo Sticker Application