South Side Safety - Key Takeaways

September 2, 2026

The club held a zoom meeting (with 38 attendees) to discuss safety and sharing airspace at the South Side Point of the Mountain. Here's a recap of what was discussed:

Share the airspace

• HGs, PGs, and speedwings have different needs and typically fly at different levels of the hill.

• Give HGs consideration when they are launching or landing, especially in high winds.

  • Watch for the red HG flag. When it’s up, clear the HG area.

  • Don’t kite or top land in the HG area.

  • Beware of HG overshooting a top landing—avoid frequent turns in front of their launch. Extend your passes and make them full-length when possible.

• Listen for the air horn—it may signal an HG launch/top landing or that the area is too crowded.

Manage traffic

• Follow the 15-minute / 15-pilot guideline: if you have been flying 15 minutes, and there are 15 pilots in the air, go land and give someone else a chance to fly with less traffic

• If you can’t easily count the pilots in the pattern, there are probably too many.

• Be predictable; avoid tailgating and unnecessary turns in the pattern.

• Not every pilot should fly in traffic. Choose your aircraft and timing to avoid congestion when possible.

• A turn in the middle of the hill can sometimes be strategic, but avoid ditching into the hill when there are better collision-avoidance options.

• Be especially alert during sun-blind moments.

• If the air becomes crowded or unpredictable, land or wait for clearer air.

• Suggest slowing the trailer flow to manage congestion.

Leave yourself an out

• Every mid-air collision involves shared responsibility. Don’t put your safety—or someone else’s—entirely in the hands of an unknown pilot.

• Know who you’re flying with and consider whether the risk is worth it.

• Don’t fly yourself into a situation where you have no options.

Communicate constructively

• Encourage friends and other pilots to use a helpful tone that raises awareness rather than blaming or demonizing others.

• Yelling at pilots in the air is generally counterproductive, except for an immediate emergency.

• Prefer calls like “Heads up,” “Look around,” or “Hi, I’m right here.”

  
  

South Side is a means to an end

• The South Side is a busy shared-airspace environment, where pilots are learning and practicing skills—not the place to maximize airtime.

• Think of it like walking through an airport: people have different goals and levels of awareness. Be predictable, pay attention, and be willing to dance out of the way.

• Make sure the flight is worth the risk.

Action Items

• Club: 

  • Renew/improve visibility of HG boundary markers.

  • Update bathroom-kiosk signage with current procedures + Risk of the Day.

  • Organize some Club Coffee mornings to encourage pilots to take breaks and chat about current conditions and safety

  • Explore ways to reach non-club pilots through the trailer, parking-lot signage, school vehicles, and simulator area.

• Ted: Leave the red HG flag under the bench near the HG area.

• Chris: Consider a trailer whiteboard/sign for updates and Risk of the Day.

• All pilots: Reinforce the 15/15 guideline, HG priority, predictable flying, and constructive communication.

Finally, here's the AI quick recap:

The meeting focused on addressing traffic flow and safety concerns at the south side flying site, particularly regarding pattern flying, interactions between hang gliders and speedwingers, and communication among pilots.

Participants discussed the challenges of multiple overlapping flight patterns, the difficulties hang gliders face when landing due to speedwingers loitering near the ridge, and the need for better awareness and consideration among all pilots.

The group debated the use of flags and air horns to signal hang glider launches and crowded conditions, and emphasized the importance of clear, non-aggressive communication. There was consensus that yelling at pilots in the air was counterproductive and should be avoided, with the exception of emergency warnings.

Ideas were shared about improving signage, using the club trailer for communication, and promoting a culture of sharing the airspace without prioritizing any one type of aircraft.

The discussion also covered the unpredictability of traffic patterns, the need for pilots to maintain situational awareness, and the value of being predictable and considerate in crowded conditions. The conversation ended with a reminder that safety and cooperation should take precedence over maximizing airtime.