4 6 or possibly $8 million dollars loss to Lloyds of London profits.
But only time will tell if conversion to the RRG was a good idea. Wait and see.

I just sent this email message to the new Region 3 Director Ken Andrews.



There's more to today's events than I've posted here, but it will take some time to compile it all. It will be interesting to see what USHPA does differently now that they're really "getting serious" about safety problems.   

Any predictions about what will happen to Gabe Jebb's instructor/tandem certification?

My research indicates a probability of lip service with a chance of crocodile tears.
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lip service -
Verbal expression of agreement or allegiance, unsupported by real conviction or action; hypocritical respect
Insincere support or respect expressed but not put into practice
insincere profession of friendship, admiration, support, etc.; service by words only.
An expression of agreement that is not supported by real conviction
hypocrisy, dissembling, feigning, pretense, pretence - pretending with intention to deceive

crocodile tears -
a hypocritical display of sorrow; false or insincere weeping

Crocodiles were once thought to shed large tears before devouring their prey. This belief, which dates to ancient times, comes from the fact that crocodiles have small ducts in the corner of their eyes which release “tears” when the crocodile opens its jaws wide. Obviously, a cold-blooded reptile has no real feelings of sympathy for its prey.
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The "prey" in this instance seems to be the RRG.
You paid for it.
Now you get to watch the soaring parachutists destroy it.
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Is there hope? Yes! Become a Friend of Bob.
Strategies that can help change bad behavior

Precontemplation
If you’re in the precontemplation stage of change, it means that you’re not yet ready to change because you haven’t acknowledged there is a problem and you’re in denial. If you are reading this, it may be because another person — such as a family member, friend or therapist — has directed you to do so. At this stage you need factual information about the problematic behavior. It will help you understand real and actual consequences and be better equipped to make an informed decision about whether to quit the behavior.

Contemplation
At the contemplation stage of change you’re thinking about the pros and cons of continuing the problematic behavior vs. quitting, but you’re still undecided. Talk to a professional about what you think would have to happen to lead to change. Use that person to bounce off the relative merits of continuing or quitting the behavior and they will help you come to an informed decision. Clinical psychologists are well trained in getting you to think through these sorts of issues in a productive way while remaining nonjudgmental and accepting of who you are. They can assist you to make changes quicker than if you were left unaided.

Preparation
In this stage of change you have decided that quitting is the way to go and you are preparing yourself for taking action on your decision. Gather information on behavior change programs or therapists specializing in the kind of behavior change you wish to make so you can choose which one would best suit your needs.

Action
In this stage of change, you are already changing. You will need support and encouragement along the way by people who can facilitate your attendance in the program of your choice, e.g., by organizing transport, discussing issues raised in group, helping with homework tasks and reinforcing your efforts to change. Engage your family and friends in facilitating change by attending individual or groups sessions with you. Get them to help you make records of your progress.

Maintenance
In this stage of change you need to continue to reinforce, support and encourage the behavior changes you have already made. It’s still early days and temptations may still loom, although probably not with the same strength they used to. Enlist support to help you to continue on your recovery path and to consolidate and internalize the changes. Your new healthy behavior may not have taken root just yet and like a young sapling, could be easily trampled underfoot.

Termination
Congratulations, the behaviour is no longer a problem for you!

This morning, I sent a follow up message to the newest USHPA Region 3 Director Ken Andrews:



Let's see what happens ...

What should I do?
Should I pin my decision to renew $150.00 membership in USHPA or not on whether or not Gabe Jebb's instructor rating undergoes at least a short suspension? (Maybe even just a verbal smack down at least.)
Why is it that I think if I did do that - I wouldn't be sending money in for membership renewal.

I could stay in for one more year writing more emails to RD's, coming from a paid up member, (as if that has worked for me in the past.)
Or follow Rick Masters advice and realize that USHPA is confident with their monopoly and secure in their feeling that they hold all the cards.

Anyway, I'll be looking closely for some type of a response immediately and not after the next quarterly meeting.

Bill Cummings #30448, HG pilot since my first flight January 1978. Most recent flight 3-11-2016.

My advice to hang glider pilots is to form a national recreational hang gliding association.
Rather than attempt to change the USHPA, walk away and start over.
That corporation is dominated by paragliding and business interests antithetical to recreational hang gliding.
Realize that an alternative association will stand on equal footing with the USHPA in the eyes of the FAA.

My displeasure with the USHPA is a result of recreational hang gliding being forced into a destructive marriage
with the most dangerous forms of parachuting - paragliding and speedflying - and rampant joyriding for profit disguised as instruction.
Did hang glider pilots really ask for this?
The ones who did not ask for it need to form a national recreational hang gliding association.
There is none, right now.
Wasting time arguing with USHPA is pointless but it works in their favor because nothing gets accomplished in forming the new association.

What were the exact wind conditions at the time? where on the grass did it take place? for how long? we need exact details. If he is too fat to get airborne there is no risk to the sport. If the RRG which is a separate corporation doesn't prosecute, we can sue the RRG as being a fraudulent paraglider front money laundering company.

I don't think anyone needs to put forth any effort getting details the SOP language looks like a slam dunk.

D.H.M, you are correct. If the RRG doesn't respond to the infraction pictured it would look suspicious to pilots funding the RRG. Good Point