It's cold outside, east winds are here - the year is coming to a close and we will need new BAPA Officers for 2007.

This year our only contested position is Treasurer - be sure to log in and cast your ballot!

The list of nominees is available in the electronic ballot, or in the "More" complete version of this article.

After you log in to sfbapa.org and you'll find a link to "BAPA Election Ballot" at the top of the page in the global navigation.  Or, log in and follow this link:
http://www.sfbapa.org/links/renew_form.html

All ballots must be received by noon Wednesday, 6 December (prior to the December BAPA Meeting) in order to be counted. The Bylaws also provide for in-person voting at the December meeting.  However, in order to verify each member has only voted once, you can not vote in-person at the meeting if you submitted an electronic or paper ballot prior to the meeting.

While you're logged in, it's an excellent time to also renew your BAPA membership!

I met Jerome over the summer while visitng friends in Southern California. Jerome offered to give me a tour of Torrey Pines. We flew from one end of the site to the other...Del Mar to Scripps Pier...it was a great treat!

Jerome's speed bar intrigued me. Since I was thinking of changing the system that came with my harness I began asking Jerome some questions. Some of them appear in this article.

First, a little bit about Jerome. 

Education: Mechanical Engineer. Ph.D. 
Job: Finite Element Analysis software development 
Years Paragliding: Since 1989, so 17 years. 
Rating: Master (P5) 

Website: http://www.ExpandingKnowledge.com  

Jerome is also a frequent contributor to www.ParaglidingForum.com and enjoys sharing his experiences for the benefit of other pilots. Jerome review things he is considering purchasing for himself. Reviews are posted on www.ExpandingKnowledge.com 

The year is almost over, which means it's time to renew your BAPA membership (technically due January 1, 2007).  Don't wait until the
last minute - our online renewal form is available now.

Log in to sfbapa.org and you'll find a link to "Membership Renewal" in the User Menu.  Or, log in and follow this link:

http://www.sfbapa.org/links/renew_form.html

While you're logged in, please be sure to check your membership information (under "My Member Info" in the User Menu).  Remember that
now all your member information is stored in the website system, so you can update it directly.

And if for some reason you haven't yet joined BAPA, now's a great time to do that, too.  You'll find the Membership Application on sfbapa.org
and your dues will support all of the sites, activities, clinics and information that BAPA provides for paraglider pilots.

Meeting Minutes for October 

Submitted by Tom Moock for Alex Koorkoff  

Site issues

The GGNRA Fort Funston hanggliding permit allows non-commercial tandems.  Dave Sondergeld asked GGNRA rangers if we can add non-commercial thandems to the GGNRA  Stables permit.  This will be allowed when we next renew the permit.  There will be a sticker or other identifier for tandem pilots who meet the qualifications to fly at the Stables. 

A few months ago, Ann Sasaki and Dan Byrne went to a GGNRA meeting that included discussion of GGNR plans for Mori Point.  At the GGNRA meeting paragliding looked less feasible because the GGNRA  intended to put some ponds in the LZ for the endangered red-legged frogs.   

However, after Dan submitted some comments during the public comment period, the GGNRA put paragliding back on the list of possible activities.  Now there is a better chance of negotiating a permit.