Greetings Pilots!
This is not a full list of guidelines, and new ones may be introduced before the list below is updated. All out-of-town pilots are advised to contact a local pilot or guide in order to get an introduction to fly the Santa Barbara sites.
Elings Flight Park
Hang gliding and paragliding activities are permitted only when at least one of the local schools has opened the park. A site coordinator must also be present. Eling’s is a private park, and the park will call the sheriff and press charges if anyone kites or flies their glider when no site coordinator is present. All those engaged in hang gliding and paragliding activities must:
- Check-in with an on site coordinator
- Show current proof of USHPA rating
- Show proof of current SBSA membership
- Complete Elings Park free flight waiver
- Wear a helmet anytime they are attached to their hang glider/paraglider
Approval for all activities must be obtained daily from a site coordinator prior to hang gliding and paragliding activity. This includes ground handling (kiting).
If you want to know if the flight park is open please refer to these school channels or check in on the SBSA telegram chat.
Eagle Paragliding
Elings flight park is suitable for P2/H2 rated pilots and above. Advised parameters for flight are 0-15mph with a gust factor of 5mph. Between 120 degrees SE and 240 degrees SW.
The flight park is suitable for kiting in all directions from 0-18mph.
Eling’s Flight Park is private property, and only approved flight schools have access to instruct and coach students and certified pilots. All paragliding schools and instructors must have approval before using the Elings Park Training Hill for instruction. CNC or non commercial instructors do not have permission to use Elings flight park nor non-commercial tandems.
Student pilots with less than novice hang gliding rating (H2) or novice paragliding rating (P2) must have direct supervision by their USHPA certified, Eling’s Park Flight Park approved, instructor.
A safe physical distance must always be maintained between moving gliders, people, and/or vehicles. Paragliding and hang gliding pilots have the right of way over RC gliders. If a RC glider is operating during free flight, please find a site coordinator and have them address the issue.
Vehicles are not allowed in landing or launching areas – they are to remain on the roads or designated parking areas at all times. The speed limit within the park is 10mph . Please follow all signs and one way roads. Only flight schools vehicles are permitted to shuttle pilots from the landing area back to launch
All hang gliding and paragliding activities must be in compliance with USHPA hang gliding and paragliding pilot rating and instructor certification programs, and FAR 103.
Each park user is responsible for upholding the best interests of the flight park. Any inappropriate or unsafe conduct (as deemed by any instructor or USHPA certified pilot) may result in a temporary or permanent ban from Elings Flight Park.
Welcome to Santa Barbara, and thank you for helping us protect these special flying sites
Please note that this is not a complete list of site guidelines, and additional guidance may be added over time. We encourage all pilots to review these guidelines regularly.
For decades, our club has worked hard with government agencies, neighbors, land managers, and the broader community to preserve access. Santa Barbara is an extraordinary place to fly, and it is important that all of us represent the flying community with care, respect, and good judgment.
Santa Barbara flying can be highly technical, especially for pilots who are unfamiliar with our terrain, weather patterns, and landing options. Any pilot, regardless of experience level, should receive a site introduction before flying a new site. Visiting pilots should do the same. The only exception is the training hill, which may only be flown when an instructor is present.
Pilot Guidance and Safety
Flying in Santa Barbara is technical. H2 and P2 pilots are strongly encouraged to fly under the supervision of a local instructor (or ambassador) when flying for the 1st time at any site.
Pilots are expected to follow USHPA’s recommended emergency procedures, available at: www.ushpa.aero
For the safety of all, pilots are expected to fly with:
- 2-meter radio
- Helmet
- Reserve parachute
- A certified glider (or an open-class competition paraglider deemed acceptable by local instructors)
Meeting Times and Places
Pilots typically meet near the Parma Park entrance. Usual meeting times are between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Please help us maintain a good relationship with the neighborhood:
- Be courteous and respectful of neighbors
- Do not park in front of driveways or mailboxes when retrieving vehicles or packing up in upper Parma Park
- Do not gather in the middle of the street
If you are looking for a site introduction, it is best to arrive about 20 minutes before the meet time and ask around.
East Beach is also a common meeting location. Please note that it is an H4/P4 landing zone.
Know the No Landing Zones
Before flying, please familiarize yourself with the No Landing Zones in our area. It is every pilot’s responsibility to understand these restrictions and help preserve our privilege to fly in this community.
Guides
Eagle Paragliding: 805-968-0980
Fly Above All Paragliding: 805-965-3733
Fly Away Hang Gliding: 805-957-9145
John Greynald: 805-682-3483
Before flying More Mesa, all pilots must contact a Local Site Guide and ask the guide to call the SBA Tower for permission to fly within this Tower regulated air space.
Procedure
Call the ATIS recorded message at (805) 967-0283
If hang gliding activity is not mentioned, please contact local pilots through the Telegram chat and ask that the Coastal Window be opened with the airport.
Someone will contact the airport and report back in the chatx`
Confirmation can also be established by tuning into 132.650 or calling 805.967.0283 and listening for the ATIS that refers to gliders flying in the More Mesa bluffs area.
ALL pilots are restricted from flying east of the undeveloped More Mesa area to respect the privacy of the homeowners on the bluff.
The Santa Barbara Soaring Association Directors along with local flight instructors have established guidelines for flying More Mesa.
Pilot Rating — H4/P4
The Douglas Family Preserve, also referred to as Wilcox, is only open to pilots with an H4 and P4 USHPA rating, or H3 or P3 pilots who have secured signed authorization from a local Advanced USHPA Instructor.
No flying allowed beyond trees east of launch.
Pilots cannot land their paraglider or hang glider west of the slough that is east of the Boat House restaurant. Additionally, pilots are not to fly west of the slough along the ridge into the Hope Ranch area.
Pilot Rating — H4/P4
All landings occur on the ocean side of the bike path. Do not cross the path on approach and land on the grass! Walk (don’t kite) your glider from the sand to the grass to pack up.
Choose an approach and touch down spot far enough away from all other users to avoid conflict or the perception that there could be conflict.
When carrying a glider across the bike path, yield to other traffic.
Pilots shall NOT:
Make sure East Beach is comfortably on glide, and aim to arrive with at least 500 feet AGL.
Do not attempt to squeak in low. If you are unsure, land at Parma Park LZ.
Please remain aware of local airspace and other traffic as you approach the beach, especially westbound aircraft heading toward Santa Barbara Airport.
Pilots must be below 1500 feet south of the 101 freeway.
All other beaches within Santa Barbara city limits are No Landing Zones. Our agreement only allows landings within the designated area shown on the map.
However, if that area is too crowded for a safe landing and an adjacent area outside the marked boundary is clearly safer, safety should come first.
Know where the local air space is restricted and be aware of other air traffic, especially as you get closer to the beach. The most likely encounters would be from west bound traffic—in route to Santa Barbara Airport.
The Roundhouse is located on the SW point of the front ridge on your way from Eliminator/Skyport to Parma LZ
The owners of the Round House live there as a primary residence. They insist that we respect their privacy. They don’t want the perception that pilots may be peeping through their windows. In the interest of being good neighbors, we have agreed upon the following guidelines.
When possible, stay 500 feet horizontally and 200 feet vertically clear of the Round House.
Any pilot who attempts to abide by guidelines should prioritize their safety. We are aware that it is not always possible to fly according to recommended procedures. We appreciate your efforts to protect our flying areas and show respect for private landowners while keeping safety as your top priority.
