2006 News Archives

Membership cards rarely have a use beyond proving a rating or scraping crumbs from the table. We decided to change that.

For one thing, they're laminated now that USUA is processing memberships. More importantly, we decided to put the three most basic memory checklists on the back. There are, of course, others such as for landing but these are the most important items.

Members who have joined or renewed in December and beyond should start receiving the new card.

Lastly, member packets now include a copy of the information brochure so you can offer friends a quick glance at the sport. These brochures are available from USPPA for $15 per hundred plus shipping for those planning on handing them out.

We're pleased to welcome new USPPA schools in Florida where pilots can train. In addition to Aerolight and South Florida PPG, pilots can now train in southwest, FL near Cape Coral using experienced, qualified instructors that provide their students with industry standard training materials and programs. They will be offering PPG1 and PPG2 ratings to those who complete the respective course. Welcome www.UCanFly2.com.

See the complete schools list here.

We are closer to establishing an insurance program than we have ever been before. Of course things can change but it looks promising. The underwriters, through the efforts of First Flight Insurance, have now indicated that they are willing to write the policy based on a proposal by the USPPA that will guarantee a minimum number of participants. We will be staking a large percentage of our bank balance in order "seed" this program so as to give the sport two years to establish a viable participation rate. Many of the details remain to be worked out and the start date is tentatively planned for March 1, 2007. 

The insurance is similar to USHPA's including an allowance for clubs or individuals to have their site owners listed as additional insureds. Since it would be a part of USPPA membership, the processing would be done by USUA which is now processing ratings and membership applications. A minimum of a PPG1 rating or instructor supervision would be required.

In order for a program to be developed, we must balance the need for the insurance company to make a profit and our desire to have a useful program that helps pilots. Most importantly, the insurance will help open up new sites by allaying the property owners' fears. We will keep you posted as it develops.

After over a year of effort, the USPPA has been granted status as a 501c(3) Public Charity. The IRS recognizes our effort to benefit the public by providing training materials and information for participants in the sport of powered paragliding, both members and non-members. We will, of course, work hard to carry out our mandate.

This means that tax-deductible donations can be made although we are not currently soliciting for these.

We will also continue to work closely with the USUA in ways that improve our collective ability to improve this beloved activity and preserve it for generations to come.

Beginning with memberships submitted on or after Sept 12, USUA will be doing member processing. materials and questions should still be sent to our current addresses (physical and email) but member packets will be coming from Pennsylvania. The number of memberships and especially ratings have grown enough to warrant the change and USUA has been a leader in this area for years. 

This will free up our volunteers to better respond to member needs and concentrate on generating helpful material and services for the powered paragliding community.

USPPA Testing Goes Online! Aug 21, 2006

After many, many hours of work, Jerry Starbuck has completed the programming necessary to get most USPPA tests available to be taken online. Instructors will give students the special address in member services then the student will take the test. Results are e-mailed to the instructor and can be printed for review. 

Testing is a tool. After review, the instructor goes over missed areas and makes sure the student can pass with an 80% score. The tests have been improved for relevance and to address the actual accident areas where knowledge is critical. This also allows us to rapidly change the tests.

Paper testing is still available and will frequently be preferred but this is one more tool to help make the instructor's job easier. Usage information will be sent to all USPPA/USUA Instructors in the next two days.