OK. So we had an alleged P2 go into the trees at Woodstock a few weeks back under the supervision of a pilot claiming to be an Observer. This weekend I had to stop a pilot claiming to be a P2 launching in hazardous conditions at the Pulpit by someone claiming to be an Observer. Apparently there is some confusion as to what constitutes a P2 rating and what constitutes an Observer. A P2 rating means having fulfilled all of the P2 skill requirements plus taking the USHPA P2 test and filling out the P2 rating form, including signing the waiver. At this point the student pilot is issued a temporary USHPA P2 rating card and is, in fact, a P2. If the student does not fill out the USHPA forms and receive the temporary rating card, then that student is not yet a P2. To be an Observer, you need to be at least a P3 and then contact the region 9 examiner and request to be appointed as an Observer. Watching someone launch is not being an Observer. At the Pulpit, the pilot did not have P2 rating and the person claiming to be an Observer wasn't even a USHPA member. In addition, neither had bothered to join the club or even purchase a Pulpit Sticker, which is reqired to fly the Pulpit and Bill's Hill as noted below. Had the student pilot attempted the forward launch only a couple of steps back from the bottom of launch in the extremetly light and cross winds, the student would have crashed into the rocks below.
I also have numerous reports of unrated paraglider pilots flying at Daniel's.
So here are the Site Regs again.
Pulpit/Bill's Hill
P3 or P2 with USHPA Observer PRESENT at launch. Must be a member of CHGPA ($40 per year) or purcahse a Pulpit Sticker for $15.
Daniel's Mtn-- PRIVATELY OWNED BY A HANG GLIDER PILOT!!!!
P3 or P2 with and Observer PRESENT at launch. Observer must have also flown the site at least 10 times (10 times, not 10 days). Piltos must also be a member of CHGPA or one of the Virginia HG clubs.
Woodstock
P3 or P2 withh USHPA Observer PRESENT at launch. No club requirements.
Fisher Road is closed to Hang Gliding and Paragliding because we have no LZ.
Dickey's-- P3 only. (NO P2s). Must purchase a pass from the the Shenadoah National Park Service and have the pass with you when flying.
To fly at the sites in Shenandoah National Park, you must complete a Liability Release Form and a Special Use Permit Application. The release is available in PDF format, while the permit is available as a MS-Word file and in HTML format:
Liability Release (PDF format)
Special Use Permit Application (MS-Word)
Special Use Permit Application (HTML)
A PDF reader is needed to view and print the release. If you don't have one, you might want to download Adobe Acrobat from adobe.com
The Special Use Permit requires details about the LZs for the Shenandoah National Park sites. Just write "ON FILE" in large letters across the three areas where this information is requested. You must send the release, the SUP application, a photocopy of your USHGA membership card, and your check to the address listed at the bottom of the permit application. After processing, the National Park Service will send you two copies of your permit; you must then sign and return one of those copies.
Both the launches and the LZs for the Shenandoah sites are fairly technical. Do not fly them without the guidance of a pilot who knows them well.
There is no permission AT ALL to fly paragliders at Hogback.
Failure to comply with site regs may cause forfeiture of flying privileges at the site, loss of rating, fines and/or confiscation of equipment.
Site Regs Again
Moderator: CHGPA BOD
Re: Site Regs Again
Thanks Matthew.
As nobody knows yet, I think, a while back I volunteered for and was recently appointed (at a meeting I missed) the new "Keeper of the Site Guide." I will endeavor to ensure that the on-line version of the site guide is kept up to date with all the information such as what Matthew has outlined above.
If anyone has any questions about any of the sites in the guide please reach out to me. If I don't know the answer I'll work until I find someone that does.
I'm remiss in sending out a message to both paragliding and hang gliding forums soliciting inputs on the guide -- please look for that soon.
Charlie
As nobody knows yet, I think, a while back I volunteered for and was recently appointed (at a meeting I missed) the new "Keeper of the Site Guide." I will endeavor to ensure that the on-line version of the site guide is kept up to date with all the information such as what Matthew has outlined above.
If anyone has any questions about any of the sites in the guide please reach out to me. If I don't know the answer I'll work until I find someone that does.
I'm remiss in sending out a message to both paragliding and hang gliding forums soliciting inputs on the guide -- please look for that soon.
Charlie