[Bob Kuczewski]

Super job Sam and Bill.

Brian's rating has been issued.   

[Bob Kuczewski]

By the way, there's been some questions about our rating process, so let me explain how I interpret what we've passed. If anyone has any other views, please let me know and we can discuss it among the Board.

My understanding is that we really have 3 ratings processes.

1. The first (and easiest) case is if someone has an existing USHPA rating (or equivalent from any other ratings organization) that hasn't been revoked or expelled and is still current. In that case any one of us can confirm it, and it's done. We don't really need to vote in that case. Whichever board member confirms the rating (by card or the web or any other knowledge) can just post the source of the verification and issue the rating. There's no vote needed ... although we may all endorse it as a show of good will and as an additional show of support (it never hurts).

2. The second case is when a rating isn't currently active (in other words, it has expired, or the member has been expelled, etc). In that case the Board needs to vote to confirm that the expired/expelled status wasn't justified or due to legitimate safety concerns. That's what happened in my case. That's the case that needs judgement and that's why we need to vote. It takes a 2/3 vote of the Board to confirm a rating in this case.

3. The third case is the biggest problem. That's when someone has never had a rating. That's where I think we're currently stuck because we haven't established the procedures (skills required, curriculum, tests, standards, etc) to issue new ratings. That's what we need to work on yet, but it's a big job. So for now we're better off to simply not issue new ratings and only honor existing ratings or ratings that have been revoked for non-flying (political) reasons. We don't want to get a reputation for giving out substandard ratings or we'll have a hard time getting insurance or credibility. In fact, I'd really like our standards to be higher with regard to flying skills and safety. The US Hawks ratings will be valued and revered if they are not just equal to USHPA's, but above. For now we can settle for equal, but we certainly don't want to be lower.

How does that sound?

[JoeF]

The rehearsal of "3" seems short. What might turn out to be the strongest and most effective rating process is the HGP rating.
In about five decades of hang gliding, the HGP rating has sufficed here. And public land use challenge involves the theory of HGP rating; the other ratings may end up hurting HG in several ways.

[Bill Cummings]

There used to be more observers that could give hang gliding pilots a Hang Rating.
The method by which pilots could demonstrate their hang gliding abilities, to receive a hang rating, is posted at the USHPA.

The FAA, today, hasn’t seen the need to step in any further than the basic guidelines of Part 103. Our sport is self-regulated.

USHPA has not been appointed by the FAA as the only means by which hang gliding pilots must align themselves to remain self-regulated.

In recent years, the USHPA has allowed the safety envelope to be pushed by allowing some entities too much leeway with regard to tandem exemptions.
This should have been corrected years ago. Since it has not been corrected a movement toward safer standard operating procedures or at the very least following closer the intent of the granted FAA exemptions must be pursued.

The US Hawks Hang Gliding Association intends to meet and exceed the standard operating procedures that are now in place for the sport of hang gliding.

[Bob Kuczewski]

The rehearsal of "3" seems short. What might turn out to be the strongest and most effective rating process is the HGP rating.
In about five decades of hang gliding, the HGP rating has sufficed here. And public land use challenge involves the theory of HGP rating; the other ratings may end up hurting HG in several ways.

I stand corrected Joe. The HGP rating does indeed deserve to be included in our process. The HGP is self-awarded, and it will be given to anyone making the claim to be a hang gliding pilot. The "rating official" for all HGP ratings should be the pilot themselves, so please correct me if I ever mess that up. I'll check it after I finish this post. Thanks for catching my omission Joe!!!

The US Hawks Hang Gliding Association intends to meet and exceed the standard operating procedures that are now in place for the sport of hang gliding.

  YES!!  

[Rick Masters]

USHPA has not been appointed by the FAA as the only means by which hang gliding pilots must align themselves to remain self-regulated.

Absolutely true. Good point.

[JoeF]

More emphatically:
1. Self-Soar Association lives out the meaning of self-regulation with respect to the F.A.A.
2. Soaring Society of America lives out the meaning of self-regulation with respect to the F.A.A.
3. U. S. Hawks, a national HG-focused org (the only such in the US) lives out the meaning of self-regulation with respect to the F.A.A.
4. A responsible HGP rated individual who is respectful of F.A.R. Part 103 and other airspace regulations lives out the meaning of self-regulation with respect to the F.A.A.

[Harry]

Applicant: Harry Martin
Applying for US HAWKS H4 (Advanced)

USHGA #15705
Expired: Not renewed in time due to prolonged illness

Rated H4 by BURDICK 9/9/1977
Ratings and Special Skills: FL AWCL FSL RLF TUR X-C

USHPA Insurance is Current, but rating expired.

Been flying since 1975. Lost count of gliders flown over the years.
Currently flying a WW Sport 150 and Fledge 2A.
AWARDS: Otto Lilinthal BRONZE and SILVER
Over 600 logged flights, countless non-logged.
Well over 400 logged hours.

Most recent flight logged, Sandturn Wyoming, labor day weekend 2015.

Trying get signed off where I live is like squeezing blood from a rock. I would have to spend a day or two on the road to track down an observer, or bump into one next season, if I'm lucky, and weather permits flying.

[Bill Cummings]

I see your USHPA expiration date is 7-31-2016.
Do you have an old card scan to put at ease all others that might like to see verification of H-4 in the past?
<<< That's me for asking.

[Bill Cummings]

Received a PM from Harry M. with a link that verified USHPA H-4 so Bob please add him to the roster.