[US Hawks]

  How to Apply for a US Hawks Rating  

If you would like to apply for a US Hawks Rating please read the topic titled "Official US Hawks Rating System and Issued Ratings" ( Board index / U.S. Hawks Hang Gliding Association / US Hawks Ratings / Official US Hawks Rating System and Issued Ratings ). That topic describes the US Hawks Rating System, and you should use that description to determine the rating you'd like to request.

Once you know the rating you'd like to request, please add a post to this topic. Your post should include your full name, the rating you are requesting, and a statement of justification.

For example, an HGP rating may be obtained through a reasonably detailed self-declaration:

My name is Joe Pilot, and I am applying for an HGP rating based on my 45 years of experience in the sport of hang gliding. I have accumulated approximately 3000 hours of hang gliding flight time. I have flown 27 different models of hang gliders. I have flown at least 32 different sites in the United States and 5 sites abroad.

My name is John Q. Pilot, and I am applying for an HGP rating based on my first day of training at Dockweiler last week.

Numbered ratings may be obtained through reference to a current or expired USHGA/USHPA rating which will be subsequently verified by a US Hawks Board member if possible. Here are some example numbered rating applications:

My name is Peter Pilot, and I am applying for an H5 rating based on my current USHPA H5 rating.

My name is Bob Kuczewski, and I am applying for an H4 rating based on my USHPA rating prior to my recent expulsion without cause.

A US Hawks Board member will contact you via the US Hawks Personal Messaging system (PM) requesting the appropriate documentation for the rating you've requested. If a vote of the Board is required, that vote will take place and you will be notified of the result. You can always check the status of your rating application in the "Official US Hawks Rating System and Issued Ratings" topic.

Note that these instructions are subject to change as the Board reviews and updates the US Hawks Rating System.
 

[Bill Cummings]

Application for HGP rating H-4
Currently (8-15-2015) rated through USHPA pilot # 30448
Bill Cummings, rated H-4, expires 4-16-2016.
Other ratings and special skills:
AT FL PL ST PA AWCL CL FSL RLF TUR X-C
First flight January 1978
Total weight shift flights (HG) 4,080 (mostly tow)
Other flight experience:
Part 103 motorized, and “N” numbered (sport pilot trikes) solo flights, weight shift, approx., 900.
“N” numbered hours, 14 -1/2 (log book sign off by, CFI John Q Olson)
 
 
 

Administrative Note:  HGP and Hawk 4 Ratings Awarded as of August 15th, 2015

[Bob Kuczewski]

My Name is Bob Kuczewski and I have held an H4/P4 rating from USHPA.

My H4 rating was issued by Steve Stackable on September 13th, 2005 and it included the following special skills:

       FL    AWCL    CL    FSL    RLF    TUR

I was unjustly expelled from USHPA in the spring of 2015 based on my continued work to obtain oversight at the Torrey Pines Gliderport and for starting he US Hawks Hang Gliding Association.

I would like to apply for an HGP rating and a Hawk 4 rating. Please contact me by PM for any additional information you need to verify my ratings.

Thanks,
Bob Kuczewski
 
 
 

Administrative Note:  HGP Awarded as of August 15th, 2015

Administrative Note:  Hawk 4 Rating verified and approved by Board decision.

[JoeF]

My name is Joe Faust; I self-declare being a Hang Glider Pilot within and outside US Hawks. Please list me as HGP rated. I flew solo HG from Ortega Highway at Elsinore, from 1500' over Sylmar, off beach restroom building, from old and new Dockweiler, from Torrance Beach bluffs, from Palos Verdes cliff launch at Malaga Cove, from the site that John Joseph Montgomery flew Evergreen, from several sites in Simi Valley, CA; from hills in San Clemente, from hill in Newport Beach, CA; from desert slopes, from Venice Beach sand berm, from public streets, and more. I have been hang gliding since 1954. I have a HG-Mentor rating from Self-Soar Association. I have been a HG manufacturer and HG test pilot. I assigned USHGA #1 to Dick Eipper with his agreeing to accept such, and chose USHGA #5 for myself, as "5" poetically means "family" to me, the body of Otto Lilienthal self-soar members of the world. My first mentored HG flight was by mentor Richard Miller with late Bruce Carmichael witnessing. I launched into flight over-20 distinct hang gliders. Specialist pilot also in the area of micro-moment-hang-gliding. My flight in Waterman-Seagull biplane hang glider was witnessed by Waldo Waterman. Spearheading special Safe-Splat studies (5S).

Administrative Note:  HGP Awarded as of August 15th, 2015

[Rick Masters]

My name is Rick Masters, USHGA #30816.
All USHGA special skills for free flight were signed off by Carlos Miralles, USHGA #25518, by October 1980.
I logged 4412 miles XC by October 1987.
I request the equivalent of my USHGA H4 and the Special Observer designation awarded to me by USHGA President Steve Hawxhurst in 1984 for world record attempt sign-offs and advanced XC training.

 
 
 

Administrative Note:  HGP Awarded as of August 15th, 2015

Administrative Note:  Hawk 4 Rating pending verification. Board vote not required.

[Bill Cummings]

My Name is Bob Kuczewski and I have held an H4/P4 rating from USHPA.

My H4 rating was issued by Steve Stackable on September 13th, 2005 and it included the following special skills:

       FL    AWCL    CL    FSL    RLF    TUR

I was unjustly expelled from USHPA in the spring of 2015 based on my continued work to obtain oversight at the Torrey Pines Gliderport and for starting he US Hawks Hang Gliding Association.

I would like to apply for an HGP rating and a Hawk 4 rating. Please contact me by PM for any additional information you need to verify my ratings.

Thanks,
Bob Kuczewski
 
 
 

Administrative Note:  HGP Awarded as of August 15th, 2015

Administrative Note:  Hawk 4 Rating cannot be verified. Board review is required.

Bill Cummings (TBM) has in the past accessed the USHPA membership record of Bob Kuczewski while doing background research before joining the US Hawks. I can verify that Bob was rated H-4 by Steve Stackable with the usual AWCL, CL, FSL, TUR, ratings/skills.
As of today 8-15-2015 his information shows no change with the exception of the word “EXPIRED” after April of 2015.
  Bob meets the requirement of having, in the past, been rated as H-4.  
.
  Is there a second as to meeting verification?  
If there is a second my vote is:   YES TO THE VERIFICATION  
(I need no further verification.)

[JoeF]

  Second the motion.  
  Yes: Verified.  
I too had explored his online rating and saw the H4 posting.
Verified here. But tonight I will again see the H4 on his card.

[MikeKoman]

Michael D. Koman name as #71 of USHGA, legal name now Madhava Dasa. Request HGP rating. Built 1st Rogallo hang glider in Alamogordo NM in 1969. Flew at Playa del Rey, and Torrance Cliffs starting in 1971. Helped Joe Faust build Dial Soap commercial glider. First hang glider drop from a hot air balloon east of the Rockies using Eipper Formance supplied balloon release. Built double-taper fixed wing hang glider flown by myself in Pennsylvania and once each by Dave Cronk and Pat Conniry (spelling?) from the lower ice plant area of Torrance Beach. Fixed wing glider was donated to Russ Valderain. Built and sold to Dr Paul MacCready group bowsprit hang glider for their inspection and testing. Holder of 3 model glider patents. Private pilot.

 

Administrative Note:  HGP Awarded as of August 16th, 2015

[Rodger]

Dear US Hawks BOD,

Please consider my application for US Hawks 5 rating.
Below is a partial list of my experience:

Rodger Hoyt
USHPA Master (H5) Rating #37302
(withdrew from USHPA Aug 2015 due to profound ideological disagreements)
Hang glider pilot since 1982
Former President Rogue Valley Hang Gliding Association
Former Staff Writer Hang Gliding magazine
Former USHPA Special Observer
Multiple site Open Distance Record Holder
Multiple XC Contest Meet winner
Avid Atos flier

Thank you!

Rodger Hoyt

 

Administrative Note:  HGP Awarded as of August 16th, 2015

Administrative Note:  Hawk 5 Rating awarded based on USHPA rating cards.

[jaybird78]

Finally, this is the best news I've heard in a long time. Congrats And thank you Bob for making this a reality.

My name is Jonathan Yonetani and I have been flying almost two years and have yet to get my rating, because I choose not to be under the bureaucratic control of USHPA and its minions. My instructor says I am a H2 so that is the rating I will be applying for. I can provide his contact information as needed. I actively assist my instructor in growing this sport in the form of marketing and assisting on the training hill with new students. Which leads me to my next question. Will you be administering tests or certifications for those who wish to become instructors? For me I really enjoy assisting those who want to learn this sport.

 

Administrative Note:  HGP Awarded as of August 16th, 2015

Administrative Note:  Hawk 2 Rating is pending verification.