USHPA - How to Become an Instructor

How to Become an Instructor

Instructors are vital to the future of the sports of Hang Gliding and Paragliding, and the USHPA has designed an instructor certification process to help pilots become instructors. If you are interested in becoming an instructor, here's a brief description of the certification process that can help you become a Basic Instructor (solo) or a Tandem Instructor. If you have any questions about this process, please contact one of the administrators listed in the links in item #4 below. Administrators are responsible for running the certification process and they will be able to answer any questions you may have about it.

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How YOU Can Open a Flight School

1. Verify that you meet the experience requirements to become a Basic Instructor (Intermediate or higher rating, plus for paraglider pilots a minimum of 200 flying days and 300 flights and completion of a reserve clinic and two additional clinics from the following list: Thermal/X-C, Ridge Soaring, Tandem, and Towing) or a Tandem Instructor (Advanced rating, Turbulence sign-off, AND minimum 200 hours of logged air time OR 100 hours with 500 flights of at least 500 ft. vertical descent OR 100 hours with 500 flights of 2 minutes duration or longer).

2. Obtain a Standard Red Cross First Aid Card or equivalent by taking a first aid class.

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American Red Cross Courses

3. Complete an FOI (Fundamentals of Instructing) test which can be administered by a USHPA Instructor Administrator or a USHPA Tandem Administrator or any FAA authorized testing center.

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Study Guide for FOI test

4. For Basic Instructor candidates: Contact an Instructor Administrator to schedule a three-phase IP (Instructor Training Seminar, apprenticeship, Instructor Evaluation). For Tandem Instructor candidates: Contact a Tandem Administrator to schedule a Tandem Clinic and perform a minimum of 25 flights with other rated pilots prior to taking the Tandem Instructor exam.