US Hawks Hang Gliding Association

I just received my first USHPA magazine, April 2014 issue, after several years out of the association. For comparison, I randomly picked an old Hang Gliding magazine from my collection, the November 1998 issue. Coincidentally, this issue had some spirited discussion in the editorials regarding combining the magazine with Paragliding. Some salient facts:

November 1998: The Association was named USHGA.
April 2014: USHPA

November 1998: Annual dues: $54.00
April 2014: $99.00

November 1998: Editor: Gil Dodgen, HG pilot
April 2014: Editor: Nick Greece, PG pilot

November 1998: TWO FULL PAGES of new hang gliding ratings.
April 2014: less than one column.

November 1998: 63 pages, 100% hang gliding.
April 2014: 66 pages total (ostensibly half hang gliding) = 33 pages HG.

November 1998: Letters to the Editor column
April 2014: No Letters

Summary: Dues have nearly doubled, relevant magazine content has been halved. Is it any wonder they have discontinued the Letters to the Editor column?

Rodger,

Good to hear from you.

Is it any wonder they have discontinued the Letters to the Editor column?

No. No wonder.

I read a couple of sentences in last month issue. Then it started in with Martin and others attending some PG manufacturer's show of the latest PG gear................Too many of ushPa insiders are into mfg. PG.

Again. No surprise. That's what I have realized after returning to HG in '02 after not flying for 10+ yr. USHGA has a parasite.

Sam
#16016

SamKellner wrote:Rodger,

Good to hear from you.

Ditto!!!          

SamKellner wrote:USHGA has a parasite.

Rodger wrote:November 1998: The Association was named USHGA.
April 2014: USHPA

November 1998: Annual dues: $54.00
April 2014: $99.00

November 1998: Editor: Gil Dodgen, HG pilot
April 2014: Editor: Nick Greece, PG pilot

November 1998: TWO FULL PAGES of new hang gliding ratings.
April 2014: less than one column.

November 1998: 63 pages, 100% hang gliding.
April 2014: 66 pages total (ostensibly half hang gliding) = 33 pages HG.

November 1998: Letters to the Editor column
April 2014: No Letters

Summary: Dues have nearly doubled, relevant magazine content has been halved. Is it any wonder they have discontinued the Letters to the Editor column?

Great comparisons Rodger!!!      I suspect most people know that I'm an H4/P4, so I'm not against paragliding at all. But we wouldn't want an HG/Golfing association for the simple reason that the number of golfers would dwarf the number of hang gliding pilots and make us irrelevant in our own association. That's pretty much what's happening at USHPA.

Hawks,

My June issue arrived today.

A great cover picture, but where is the glider

How convenient USHPA puts Jonny Durand under the shipping label.