USHPA insurance emergency

[mcelrah]

I presume we all got this. Here's my question, and it is a question: has USHPA created a requirement for insurance, which is now in jeopardy, and so now USHPA is moving to fill that artificial requirement? Does the existence of a pot of insurance liability money only serve to invite lawsuits? Would we really lose our sites without the insurance (which ones?)? I am not an anti-insurance crank - I cheerfully pay for the Rogallo insurance so I can fly tandems. But I'm starting to think USHPA is a self-licking ice cream cone... - Hugh


USHPA Logo
--- The Future of Free Flight ---
CRITICAL Update on Insurance Situation and Dues Increase
Some of the best advice in flight training involves rehearsing what to do in an emergency. Preparation is invaluable when things go sideways. Our present insurance situation is just such an emergency.

The insurance landscape changed in recent years, with increased premiums and an August notification that all of our schools and instructors will no longer be insured. We expect that in March we will see a huge increase in premiums and the loss of all coverage for commercial instruction for both individual instructors and flying sites. Many of our sites, our schools, and our members depend on this protection. The loss of insurance would devastate free flight in North America.

USHPA has identified self-insurance as the only viable option, and has begun the process of forming a self-insurance entity called a Risk Retention Group (RRG). In order to capitalize the RRG and sustain the increased premiums, USHPA will be instituting a dues increase, effective immediately, in addition to launching an unprecedented campaign --- Free Flight Forever --- to raise the necessary capital to form the RRG. WE MUST RAISE $930,000 FROM MEMBERS BY MARCH 1ST, 2016, TO PROTECT THE FUTURE OF OUR SPORT.

We want to update you with progress since our membership email on 10/22, announcing the probable dues increase. This email contains important information to help you understand the situation and your role in creating a solution.
Free Flight Forever -- $930,000 Needed by 3.1.2016
AN UNPRECEDENTED CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT OUR SITES, SCHOOLS, AND MEMBERS, AND ENSURE THE FUTURE OF FREE FLIGHT
Letter from USHPA leadership

Fellow pilots,
These are extraordinary times. The future of free flight in our country is at risk, and we must make bold and unprecedented moves to protect it. For most of us, flying is more than a sport --- it is a passion and a lifestyle. It has given us our greatest memories, our wildest adventures, our best stories, and our closest friends. We’re asking you today to consider all that free flight means to you, and to consider your role in contributing to our future through the Free Flight Forever Campaign --- a critical initiative.
READ THE REST OF THIS LETTER →
(from the December magazine)

FAQs

This is a complex situation with information evolving daily. USHPA leadership has undergone extensive research and received an overwhelming amount of support and questions from members, most of it positive. To ensure you’re as informed as possible, we’ve set up a substantial Information Center and FAQ section of our website, which we’ll keep updated with the latest information.

You can also read the Info Sheet Insert from the December magazine.
Map of at-risk sites


USHPA currently insures approximately 200 sites.

Without site insurance, many of these flying sites could be lost!

WHICH SITES ARE AT RISK?

Membership Dues

This situation affects the entire membership. We notified members via email on October 22nd of a possible dues increase. We received an influx of questions and comments, most positive. The board did not take this lightly. The discussions among the board were virtually identical to those comments from the general membership. Some were very sensitive to any dues increase. Others wanted much greater increases to prepare for the uncertainties we’ll face in the transition. Sadly, there was no choice. We need to increase our dues to cover the insurance premium increase and ensure the future of free flight in North America.

The updated dues schedule can be found here, effective immediately.
Donate Now
$1,070,000 Raised So Far -- Donate Now
If we are going to successfully preserve free flight in our country, it will require investment from all of us. USHPA is contributing all available assets, including the sale
 of USHPA headquarters and moving to a bimonthly magazine. We’ve received major contributions from schools nationwide and the Foundation for Free Flight. We are still left with a deficit of $930,000, which must be raised by March 1st to launch the RRG before our current insurance expires. We need to raise this capital amount just once, to start up the RRG. Every dollar helps, and we ask you to consider giving as generously as you are able. We will need donations ranging from $10--- $10,000 and beyond. An anonymous donor has issued our membership a challenge grant, pledging $100,000 to complete the campaign once $830,000 has been raised.
We know that this is an unprecedented initiative and a major ask of our members. We also know that free flight will not continue as we know it in North America if we don’t all take ownership of this challenge. We are committed to navigating this situation with humility, excellence, and leadership, and to keeping you apprised every step of the way. In the short term, we will be sending a weekly update to inform you about our latest progress.
Sincerely,
Martin Palmaz signature
Martin Palmaz
Executive Director

Paul Murdoch signature
Paul Murdoch
USHPA President

[mingram]

Most of the county and state owned property requires insurance. Privately owned sites may or may not require it. National Forest and Park do not require it.

Sites we insure:
High Rock - Launch: Baltimore County, LZ: Emma Jane
Taylor Farm
Oregon Ridge State Park - requires it
Bills Hill - Launch: Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, LZ: Veryl Nennemaker (can be removed since we no longer have permission)
Pulpit - Launch, and the two LZs
Accomack Flight Park (Accomack County requirement) - Insurance was way too expensive for them to purchase without USHPA and without sponsorship from some club (we agreed to help). It's ridiculously cheap - $100/year!

Sites we DO NOT insure:
Daniels (privately owned)
Woodstock & Ediths Gap (National Forest) - no official LZ
Dickeys/Hogback (National Park) - LZs require written permission only

[Danny Brotto]

At one point, insurance was $1,000,000 liability per event. I can't seem to recall the rationale to go from $1M to $2M (which happened a number of years ago.)

With dues going up by $50 and we have 10,000 members, then to fund the ongoing $2M kitty, we expect $500,000/year worth of liability payouts?

I don't believe that HR launch is Baltimore county. I think it should be Washington County.

Danny Brotto