Torrey Pines Gliderport
Encyclopedia
The Torrey Pines Gliderport is a city-owned private-use glider
airport located 11 nautical miles (20 km) northwest of the central business district
of San Diego
, a city in San Diego County
, California
, United States
.
It was first established as a soaring site in 1930 and is the home to hang gliding, paragliding
, radio-controlled model sailplanes, and full-scale man-carrying sailplanes. It is listed as a National Landmark of Soaring
of the National Soaring Museum, a San Diego City Historical Site (#315), a Model Aviation Landmark of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (#1 in the nation), and is listed on the California Register of Historic Places, and the National Register of Historic Places. It is considered by glider enthusiasts of all types to be the "Kitty Hawk of the West."
Operated by the Associated Glider Clubs of Southern California (AGCSC), the full-scale sailplanes fly only between February and April, while models, hang gliders, and paragliders fly any time the wind permits. The local Flight Director and Concessionaire maintains and enforces safety rules to protect both pilots and spectators.
Many aviation pioneers flew at Torrey Pines. Charles A. Lindbergh flew along the coast from Mt. Soledad to Del Mar in a Bowlus sailplane on February 24, 1930. Woody Brown was the first to launch from the top of the Torrey Pines cliff and come back to land at the same place when he did so in 1936. Other notables include Hawley Bowlus, Bud Perl, Bill Beuby, John Robinson, Dick Essery, Bill Ivans, Helen Dick, Richard Johnson, and Paul MacCready
.
During World War II, the gliderport and its surrounds were transformed into U.S. Army Camp Callan
, an anti-aircraft artillery training facility.
The site has been the location of several national and international soaring records since 1946.
, next to the Salk Institute for Biological Studies
. From the gliderport you can see spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean
and La Jolla, San Diego, California
. Nearby is the Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course, Torrey Pines State Beach
, Torrey Pines State Reserve
, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
and the University of California, San Diego
. The popular trail to the clothing optional Black's Beach
begins on the cliffs just south of the gliderport.
designated 9/27 with a 1,500 by 30 ft (457 x 9 m) asphalt surface.
The Torrey Pines Gliderport offers paragliding and hang gliding lessons and tandem flights.
Sandwiches, snacks, and drinks can be purchased from the Cliff Hanger Cafe.
Glider aircraft
Glider aircraft are heavier-than-air craft that are supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against their lifting surfaces, and whose free flight does not depend on an engine. Mostly these types of aircraft are intended for routine operation without engines, though engine failure can...
airport located 11 nautical miles (20 km) northwest of the central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
of San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, a city in San Diego County
San Diego County, California
San Diego County is a large county located in the southwestern corner of the US state of California. Hence, San Diego County is also located in the southwestern corner of the 48 contiguous United States. Its county seat and largest city is San Diego. Its population was about 2,813,835 in the 2000...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
It was first established as a soaring site in 1930 and is the home to hang gliding, paragliding
Paragliding
Paragliding is the recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure...
, radio-controlled model sailplanes, and full-scale man-carrying sailplanes. It is listed as a National Landmark of Soaring
National Landmark of Soaring
The National Landmark of Soaring program acknowledges people, places and events significant in the history of gliders and motorless aviation in the United States.It is administered by the National Soaring Museum. The program was established in 1980....
of the National Soaring Museum, a San Diego City Historical Site (#315), a Model Aviation Landmark of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (#1 in the nation), and is listed on the California Register of Historic Places, and the National Register of Historic Places. It is considered by glider enthusiasts of all types to be the "Kitty Hawk of the West."
Operated by the Associated Glider Clubs of Southern California (AGCSC), the full-scale sailplanes fly only between February and April, while models, hang gliders, and paragliders fly any time the wind permits. The local Flight Director and Concessionaire maintains and enforces safety rules to protect both pilots and spectators.
History
The Torrey Pines cliffs have featured soaring aircraft since the 1930s with many famous aviators earning their wings on the strong ocean breezes.Many aviation pioneers flew at Torrey Pines. Charles A. Lindbergh flew along the coast from Mt. Soledad to Del Mar in a Bowlus sailplane on February 24, 1930. Woody Brown was the first to launch from the top of the Torrey Pines cliff and come back to land at the same place when he did so in 1936. Other notables include Hawley Bowlus, Bud Perl, Bill Beuby, John Robinson, Dick Essery, Bill Ivans, Helen Dick, Richard Johnson, and Paul MacCready
Paul MacCready
Paul B. MacCready, Jr. was an American aeronautical engineer. He was the founder of AeroVironment and the designer of the human-powered aircraft that won the Kremer prize...
.
During World War II, the gliderport and its surrounds were transformed into U.S. Army Camp Callan
Camp Callan
Camp Callan was a United States Army anti-aircraft artillery replacement training center that was operational during World War II. It was located in La Jolla, California, but was closed after WWII ended. Few traces of the former base can be seen today....
, an anti-aircraft artillery training facility.
The site has been the location of several national and international soaring records since 1946.
Location
The Torrey Pines Gliderport is located on the scenic cliffs above Black's BeachBlack's Beach
Black's Beach is a secluded section of beach beneath the bluffs of Torrey Pines on the Pacific Ocean in La Jolla, San Diego, California, United States. It is officially part of Torrey Pines State Beach...
, next to the Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Salk Institute for Biological Studies
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is a premier independent, non-profit, scientific research institute located in La Jolla, California. It was founded in 1960 by Jonas Salk, the developer of the polio vaccine; among the founding consultants were Jacob Bronowski and Francis Crick. Building...
. From the gliderport you can see spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
and La Jolla, San Diego, California
La Jolla, San Diego, California
La Jolla is an affluent, hilly seaside resort community, occupying of curving coastline along the Pacific Ocean in Southern California within the northern city limits of San Diego. La Jolla had the highest home prices in the nation in 2008 and 2009; the average price of a standardized...
. Nearby is the Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course, Torrey Pines State Beach
Torrey Pines State Beach
Torrey Pines State Beach is a coastal beach located in the San Diego, California community of Torrey Pines, and is located south of Del Mar and north of La Jolla. Coastal erosion from the adjacent Torrey Pines State Reserve makes for a picturesque landscape. It is a local favorite among surfers and...
, Torrey Pines State Reserve
Torrey Pines State Reserve
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a coastal state park located in the California community of La Jolla, San Diego, California, off North Torrey Pines Road . Although it is located within San Diego city limits, it remains one of the wildest stretches of land on the Southern California coast...
, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California, is one of the oldest and largest centers for ocean and earth science research, graduate training, and public service in the world...
and the University of California, San Diego
University of California, San Diego
The University of California, San Diego, commonly known as UCSD or UC San Diego, is a public research university located in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California, United States...
. The popular trail to the clothing optional Black's Beach
Black's Beach
Black's Beach is a secluded section of beach beneath the bluffs of Torrey Pines on the Pacific Ocean in La Jolla, San Diego, California, United States. It is officially part of Torrey Pines State Beach...
begins on the cliffs just south of the gliderport.
Facilities
Torrey Pines Gliderport has one runwayRunway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
designated 9/27 with a 1,500 by 30 ft (457 x 9 m) asphalt surface.
The Torrey Pines Gliderport offers paragliding and hang gliding lessons and tandem flights.
Sandwiches, snacks, and drinks can be purchased from the Cliff Hanger Cafe.
See also
External links
- FlyTorrey.com – Torrey Pines Gliderport
- The Torrey Pines Gliderport Historical Society
- National Park Service - Historical Place of Torrey Pines Gliderport
- Torrey Hawks Torrey Hawks Hang Gliding Club, founded April 11, 2007.
- Associated Glider Clubs of Southern California - Torrey Pines Gliderport History
- Google Map Black’s Beach and Torrey Pines Gliderport