U.S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association

Videos: Discover Hang
Gliding & Paragliding
Click here for more videos

Region 2 Run-off Special Election - Feb 1-15th: Patrick Hajek and Mike Jefferson will be the run-off choices for the 2012-2013 Regional Director Election. Click Here to Vote Securely Online Feb 1-15th.

Chelan XC Open 2012 (PG) added to Sanctioned Comps: Click here for changes to the Sanctioned Events including the July 8-14th addition as well as updates to the dates of other national and regional events.

UPDATE*** 2012-2013 term Regional Director Elections: Region 1 - Mark Forbes; Region 2 - Josh Cohn and a run-off election will be scheduled for Patrick Hajek and Michael Jefferson after a tie (see full results in the news section); Region 3 - Rob Sporrer and Corey Caffrey; Region 4 - Ken Grubbs; Region 5 - Don Lepinsky; Regions 6/11 - David Glover; Region 9 - Dan Tomlinson; Region 10 - Matt Taber and Bruce Weaver.

Thanks to all the candidates who participated, and to all of the members who took the time to fill out and send in a ballot. We're moving toward having on-line elections for next fall, which should make it even easier to cast a ballot. Thanks also to Robin and Beth at the office, who counted and cross-checked the results. Full results will be emailed to the members shortly. - Mark G. Forbes, USHPA Elections Committee Chairman

2011 USHPA Award Winners Announced: 2011 Best Promotional Film - Ryan Voight; 2011 Bettina Gray Photography Award - Sanders Crater; 2011 Chapter of the Year- Hawaii Paragliding Association; 2011 Commendations - Greg Babush, George Baskette, Dan Buchanan, Carl DiPiero, John Gallagher, Greg Gillam, Dan Gravage, Harold Johnson, Larry Jorgensen, Ty McCartney, Robert Reynolds, Keith Riemersma, Jason Shapiro, David Wheeler; 2011 Exceptional Service - Ken Howells; 2011 Hang Gliding Instructor of the Year - Andy Torrington; 2011 Newsletter / Website of the Year - NASA Flyer (Northeastern Air Sports Association / Mountain Wings); 2011 Paragliding Instructor of the Year - Pete Michelmore; 2011 Presidential Citation - Lisa Tate; 2011 Presidential Citation - John Dickenson (special additional award)

Oregon Field Guide Covers the Rat Race: The Oregon Field Guide put together this great video on the Rat Race and paragliding. From great interviews, to understanding what competitions are really about, paragliding has its day in this well-crafted short film that ends with an experience by the narrator, who was really well informed on how to talk free flight. Great job and congratulations to Gail and Mike Haley for having such a great piece to add to the legacy of the Rat Race Competition. Watch it here: Watch the video starting at the minute 10:40s or this link may work too

Fall 2011 BOD Meeting Summary: Please join us in welcoming the 2011/2012 Board Elected Members - At-Large Members: Mike Haley (R1), Dennis Pagen (R9), David Broyles (R11), Jamie Shelden (R10), Bill Bolosky (R1)

The Executive Committee: Rich Hass (President R1), Ken Grubbs (Vice President R4), Bill Bolosky (Secretary R1), Mark Forbes (Treasurer, R1)

Committee Summary quick list: Elections: Steve Rodrigues named Region 2 Director to serve out the remainder of the term held by Dave Wills. Requested research process to include using an outside independent company to continue the online voting exploration process. Finance: Added funding for Marketing and Development projects for 2012 and approved the 2012 budget. Awards: Presidential Citation Award SOP will now state that the President will choose from suggested candidates instead of the Awards committee. Chapter Support: Adopted the Mentor Program from the Membership and Development committee. Tandem: Tandem Administrators approved: Bill Heaner (clinic completed), Dave Hanning, Ben Dunn, Ryan Taylor pending clinics. Towing: Approved Ron Peck as a Tow Supervisor. The committee will do further discovery into Exemptions and towing rules regarding insurance. The MOU support document outlining operations of HG/PG at airports was adopted as a document of USHPA.

Competition: The following Sanctioned Events: Rat Race R2G (PG National Championship) approved; Sun Valley (PG Open Distance Nationals) approved; Lone Star PG OD Nationals application declined, comp to be reevaluated after resubmission; Chelan PG Nationals (R2G) application declined, comp to be reevaluated after resubmission; Big Spring HG OD Nationals and R2G comp approved; Santa Cruz Flats HG Nationals (R2G) approved; King Mountain HG Championships (Open Distance) approved; Rob Kells Memorial HG Competition (R2G) approved; East Coast HG Championships (R2G) approved; Flytec Race & Rally HG (R2G) approved; Midwest HG Comp (R2G) with rain dates of 7/02-07/2012 approved; Texas Single Surface ShootOut HG (R2G) approved, as the single surface Nationals. The Comp Schedule for 2012 is here: http://www.ushpa.aero/compcalendar.asp

All competitions will be required to report accidents. National reporting process has been reevaluated. Improved paragliding towing safety information and requirements will be made for towing competitions. Competition class gliders will be allowed in sanctioned competitions unless CIVL permanently bans them, policy to be reevaluated at that time.

Safety and Training: Speed Wings were incorporated as a separate wing type and the special skills and ratings associated were hashed out in committee. Accident reporting was renegotiated and will be reported to all members in the coming week. The change to the Observers Appointment was dropped that omitted Intermediate/3 ratings. Changes to Master rating were also dropped. There are several changes to include changes to 360 and Assisted Windy Cliff Launch for paragliding. Definitions of Ratings, Special Skills, and Appointments were accepted for the Standard Operating and Procedures (SOPs). More in the coming week of summaries.

Membership and Development: Agreed to free up funding to promote HG/PG in the US using various external and internal outreach programs including continued funding for NorCal Free Flight Film Festival and other opportunities with good cause (to be determined by the Executive Director and EC between meetings). Progress toward Member Retention and Chapter/Instructor development is being considered. A new emphasis on youth being able to have the sport become accessible is being developed. The RIO film promotion was presented and it was agreed that a magazine article is to be written to break down successes and failures for the members. A process to reorganize this committee is underway by new Chair Greg Gillam. Publications: Committed to one sanctioned competition magazine ad for the 2012 calendar year. Funding was allocated toward a redevelopment mock website for the current member and non-member that will create one site that promotes the sport and serves the current membership. The magazine remains a strong program for hang gliding and paragliding in the US - Nick Greece and Greg Gillam were congratulated in their efforts.

Thank you to all of the visitors, members that gave feedback on the agenda, the Board and Committees, and to the staff of USHPA that made this a very productive meeting. A very special thanks to Bruce Weaver and John Harris for hosting the location (which was not a hard sell) and inviting us to partner and sponsor with the Soaring 100 event at Jockey's Ridge and the Wright Brothers Museum (First Flight Foundation).
It proved to be a fantastic way to commemorate the historic Soaring Flight of the Wright Brothers and the weather even held out. The living legends of hang gliding and paragliding joined for this amazing display of free flight and we are honored to have been a part of this celebration along with some of our new friends in the SSA!

New York Times features Able Pilot Military Veterans Paragliding Camp: Watch it here or check out the Sunday, September 4th edition of the NY Times.

FIXED Safari 5.0 users UPDATE: Apple's Safari 5.0 browser and above seem to now be able to access SSL/the USHPA Members Only section with no incident. If you're still experiencing this problem, please contact tech@ushpa.aero to let us know. NOTE: Always click refresh to make sure your cache is clear from your last visit.

USHPA Hang Gliding Training iPad App (FREE): June 1, 2011-Announcing the development of a mobile hang gliding safety iPad app available worldwide through Apple's App store. The new app focuses on pre-flight safety, skill development and flight techniques for all levels of hang gliding pilots. More on the news section: http://www.ushpa.aero/news.asp?id=171

US Winners at Paragliding World Cup Comps in 2011: Nick Greece took home the Columbian PWCA USA Champion in early 2011. See his profile page with videos here: http://www.paraglidingworldcup.org/user/17368

Jack Brown, took home the first place at the Korean World Cup in Mun Gyeong, South Korea in May. Learn more at: http://vimeo.com/24255208.

Emergency Procedures - The best way to handle an emergency is to be prepared before one occurs. To learn more read Gary Trudeau's article Being Prepared or read Recommended Emergency Procedures or print the credit card-size flowchart.