Bob, I admire the hell out of you for standing up for your rights.
You are in the spotlight. You provide a tremendous example.
But the soaring parachutists who run the U$hPA and Torrey Pines have no respect for you.
They want all members to believe it is not a paragliding vs. hang gliding issue,
then they outlaw hang gliding at Torrey on certain days
and outlaw you forever.
The U$hPA has become a form of mob rule.
If every hang glider pilot spoke out on your behalf, it would make no difference.
You represent a just minority against a mob.
Hang glider pilots need to vote with their feet before the U$hPA will listen.
And if enough hang glider pilots walk out and refuse to pay their dues,
the corporate mob will be crippled.
All it takes is a bunch of rebel chapters united behind one rebel
who will petition government under the law for equal treatment.
U$hPA has no lock on anything.
In the eyes of the law, they are just another group of people.
They have no special privilege.
And in this case: they are another group of people behaving badly.
They can fall out of favor very quickly.
Quote:
Our USH"P"A chapter (#57, 1974 - 2014) chose to discontinue [our] association with them this year
That is how it will happen.
That is the first step.
Walk away.