CHGPA Pandemic No-fly Recommendation

[eggzkitz]

CHGPA Members-

The club officers met (remotely) to discuss safety and flying issues this evening.

Out of respect for our community, our landowners, and our public health system, and a desire to not add burden to this system, we recommend that club members forego flying CHGPA sites for the time being as we all work through this COVID-19 public health crisis.

Thanks for your understanding and hope you stay safe and healthy through this period.

Best,
Jeff

[silverwings]

First of all, we the club officers want to say thank you to all of you that have followed club recommendations to not fly our sites. Our actions help to minimize the chances of spreading the COVID-19, and maintain a healthy relationship with our land owners and the community. The club officers continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in order to provide sound recommendations to our club members given these extraordinary times.

As the COVID-19 situation begins to level out in the mid-Atlantic region, we hope to reevaluate and provide an update on our recommended restrictions in the middle of May. We intend to stay in touch with our landowners as part of our plan to gradually lift our restrictions. We envision a situation where some sites will open earlier than others in order to continue to respect the wishes of our landowners as well as for the safety of our community.
When we do return to flying, we expect pilots to minimize risks by flying in conditions that are well within the operating limits of your USHPA rating. Consider ground handling or going to a training hill before going back to the mountains. Also consider adding an extra margin of safety such as by flying in lighter winds that you can normally handle and flying earlier/later in the day when thermal strength is lower.
Thanks for your understanding and hope you stay safe and healthy through this period.

Please note the following about our training sites:
Taylor Hill is still closed by request of the landowners.
Smithsburg is open (though will close the moment crops are planted so please double check with the sign posted at the site before flying.)
Long Hill is open but requires calling the landowner before arriving.

Regards,
-Felix

[silverwings]

CHGPA Members-

At this point, the club cannot make a recommendation to fly. The number of COVID-19 cases appear to be leveling out (i.e. not growing), but there seems to be a long way towards recovery and normalcy ahead of us.

USHPA still discourages flying at this time. https://www.ushpa.org/member/coronavirus-updates

If you need to fly, our less technical sites Woodstock and Daniels would be the more prudent option. We do not have any landowner issues regarding flying these two sites at this time. If you choose to fly, consider conditions that are well within the operating limits of your USHPA rating. Also, consider adding an extra margin of safety such as by flying in lighter winds that you can normally handle and flying earlier/later in the day when thermal strength is lower. We still want to comply with all CDC, federal, state, local, and landowner restrictions, and the link above can provide some guidance about what may or may not be acceptable.

As always, consider ground handling or going to a training hill before going back to the mountains.

Please not the following about our training sites:
Taylor Hill/Farm is now open for flying but social distancing is requested. Also, the grass may be getting high and probably will not be hayed until mid/late June.
Smithsburg is closed (please double check with the sign posted at the site before flying).
Long Hill is open but requires calling the landowner before arriving.

Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy through this period.
-Felix (on behalf of the Board)