USHPA meeting March 22-24

[Dan T]

I'll be attending the USHPA meeting in Colorado Springs March 22-24. I've received advance word that one of the significant topics of discussion will be on the pending substantial increase in insurance costs. One likely outcome is that our association fees are going to increase by a few dollars/month.

A significant contributor to the increase in insurance costs has been a number of "unusual" incidents involving spectators. USHPA is appealing to all its members to redouble our efforts to assure that spectators are kept well away from potentially hazardous areas.

I probably wasn't supposed to release this information before the meeting in Colorado Springs, but I wanted to give you all an opportunity to bring it up at tonight's session. Please commit to redoubling our efforts to make sure that spectators are well out of the way at our launch sites.

Also please feel free to send me any items for discussion that you would like brought up at that session.

Dan Tomlinson
Co-Director
Region 9

[sailin]

"Also please feel free to send me any items for discussion that you would like brought up at that session."

Dan , thank you for representing our region.

I was reading on another HG forum a post by an USHPA Instructor and Flight School Operator about a proposal he submitted to USHPA Safety and Training that would help improve the amount of instructional information available to instructors. This seems like a great idea. Could you keep us posted on this following the upcoming meeting?

thanks,
Jon

[hang_pilot]

I've received advance word that one of the significant topics of discussion will be on the pending substantial increase in insurance costs. A significant contributor to the increase in insurance costs has been a number of "unusual" incidents involving spectators. USHPA is appealing to all its members to redouble our efforts to assure that spectators are kept well away from potentially hazardous areas.

That means High Rock to me. We haven't discussed this in the Forum in a while, so here's a well said reminder by Danny Brotto:

"It takes nothing to request that all spectators get behind the wing prior to moving into launch position; crouching down between pillars is not acceptable either. If the spectator balks, then politely announce that for their safety you can not launch until all spectators are clear. Peer pressure from the other spectators will then remedy the sticky wuffo. If you are too shy to ask a spectator to position himself in a manner to ensure safety, then get one of your wire crew to take care of it. If the pilot is new to HR, then please inform him of the need to clear the pillars completely. Commanding a clear flight path to effect launch is something we need be absolutely diligent about in all cases. HR lends itself to flight path incursion by spectators who want to sometimes get a little too close for a better view. We need to particularly diligent at the Rock."

http://chgpa.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2831

I probably wasn't supposed to release this information before the meeting in Colorado Springs

Not to worry, this was mentioned in USHPA's e-newsletter "The Landing Zone".

Cheers,
Daniel