When we formed the U.S. Hawks, we established a rating system that followed the FAA tradition of being good for life.
But USHPA had a rating system that was based on regular payments to USHPA. Under the U$HPA model, a pilot's ratings would disappear if they didn't pay up for three years in a row.
USHPA's rating expiration practice was abusive, and it was clearly intended to force pilots to renew at least every 3 years ... whether they needed any of USHPA's services or not.
I suspect that USHPA's abusive ratings expiration practice eventually backfired on them. Under USHPA's abusive policy, pilots out of USHPA for more than 3 years had little incentive to return since their ratings were already gone.
The current USHPA Board seems to have realized the stupidity of their policy and reversed it. The following email quote was sent to me by one of our U.S. Hawks members:
USHPA wrote:Ratings no longer deactivated after 3 years of expired membership!
USHPA ratings and special skills remain active with your membership. Returning members will have ratings reinstated upon renewal.
Whenever you chose to renew your membership those ratings will be reinstated as well.
This only applies to ratings and special skills.
Certifications and appointments are not included and expire on their designated three-year cycle.
The reversal of this policy by USHPA is good for all pilots, and it's another example of the U.S. Hawks leading the way. Thanks to all U.S. Hawks Board Members whose vision has been so clear for so long!