Personal Journals about Hang Gliding

Re: Suicide of the USHPA

Postby Rick Masters » Sat Dec 12, 2015 3:08 pm

At 2:43PM on Friday March 27, 2015, Master rated hang glider pilot, Advanced Instructor and Tandem
Instructor Kelly Harrison perished with his 11 year old student during a tandem hang gliding flight.
-- Jean Dry Lakebed Accident Report and Analysis, USHGA

I also have this:

JOHN HARRISON
USHPA #: 9979
Membership Class: Pilot
Membership Exp Date: 12/31/2016
Division: HANG GLIDING
Pilot Rating: ADVANCED (H-4) By: A. HOFFMAN Date: 4/15/1977
Other Ratings and Special Skills: FL AWCL CL TUR X-C

I have neither suspected nor looked to see if this has been "removed."
It would be unwise as the ambulance chasers would have a field day.
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Re: Suicide of the USHPA

Postby brianscharp » Sat Dec 12, 2015 3:38 pm

My mistake, he's still there.
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Re: Suicide of the USHPA

Postby SamKellner » Sat Dec 12, 2015 3:50 pm

brianscharp wrote:My mistake, he's still there.


I have noticed that in the past the names/members have been removed soon after..................
Southwest Texas Hang Gliders
US Hawks Hang Gliding Assn.
Chapter #4
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Re: Suicide of the USHPA

Postby brianscharp » Sat Dec 12, 2015 10:01 pm

I've read that.
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Re: Suicide of the USHPA

Postby Bob Kuczewski » Sat Dec 12, 2015 10:47 pm

Not everyone sends me everything that goes to USHPA, but once in a while someone adds me to their blind copy list. This one was sent to "insurance@ushpa.aero" (with minor changes to protect identity):

USHPA Backstabbers

Tell me why we should support you guys after the Torrey Pines Gliderport Scandal. You haven't backed up recreational hang Gliding. Only your personal Gain & profit...

You're a disgrace to our sport. You're about to lose your business...
You have split us up in conflict.
At the same time you indirectly - directly back stab a whole group of pilots . Allowing gliderport management, instructor's & tandem pilots, protection & support to continue.

Ya failed to take advice.
You're begging pilots for money...
While keeping the same agenda...

Don't blame anybody but yourself ...
Better think things over & give us back our sport... Before you lose it All ...

[name removed]
Pilot # 5xxxx a member for many years


I know this pilot, and believe me that he knows what he's talking about.
Join a National Hang Gliding Organization: US Hawks at ushawks.org
View my rating at: US Hang Gliding Rating System
Every human at every point in history has an opportunity to choose courage over cowardice. Look around and you will find that opportunity in your own time.
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Re: Suicide of the USHPA

Postby Rick Masters » Mon Dec 14, 2015 3:40 am

Image
There's no telling how this will turn out.
One thing that should at least be tried in parallel with the formation of the RRG is for each club with a local managed site to form a committee to approach the landholder, be it private or government, and lay their cards on the table.
"One form of liability insurance may be lost but our individual liability and responsibility and rights remain intact."
Present the state code section of exclusion from the landholder's liability, explain how this has changed the liability landscape and offer to alter or dissolve the formal club arrangement to meet the new code requirements.
This will work for some, possibly most.
Others may be able to return to fly the sites as individuals after group liability is lost.
And nothing prevents individuals from continuing to provide good works - sanitation, clean-up or road maintenance - exclusive of flying.
The USHPA won't like this because it will inevitably remove some "cheapskate" participants from the insurance money pool.
But to carry on the old way of operation in the face of the insurance debacle may not work for anybody.
Why place recreational hang gliding at risk for the supposed benefit of joyriding, paragliding and commercial training?
It seems to me that USHPA should be diligently readying legal assistance packages for every club and pilot to assert their rights instead of focusing on a risky RRG as the only solution.
It's time to pull back and reassess for the survival of the sport.
In my opinion: Caveot emptor - buyer beware.
Hang glider pilots did not form the USHGA to drown under the weight of all the extra baggage demanded by USHPA and its definition of "free flight."
But please notice that, even with a successful negotiation, nothing is preventing anyone from going ahead and buying into the USHPA RRG scheme anyway, even if you have already opted out of the RRG.
The worst that can happen then is you lose the RRG and your money.
You may also lose the USHPA (thanks to the RRG).
But you will keep on flying as free men.
Last edited by Rick Masters on Mon Dec 14, 2015 5:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Suicide of the USHPA

Postby brianscharp » Mon Dec 21, 2015 11:45 am

RickMasters wrote:
At 2:43PM on Friday March 27, 2015, Master rated hang glider pilot, Advanced Instructor and Tandem
Instructor Kelly Harrison perished with his 11 year old student during a tandem hang gliding flight.
-- Jean Dry Lakebed Accident Report and Analysis, USHGA

I also have this:

JOHN HARRISON
USHPA #: 9979
Membership Class: Pilot
Membership Exp Date: 12/31/2016
Division: HANG GLIDING
Pilot Rating: ADVANCED (H-4) By: A. HOFFMAN Date: 4/15/1977
Other Ratings and Special Skills: FL AWCL CL TUR X-C

I have neither suspected nor looked to see if this has been "removed."
It would be unwise as the ambulance chasers would have a field day.

Oops.
http://www.kitestrings.org/post8831.html#p8831
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Re: Suicide of the USHPA

Postby Rick Masters » Mon Dec 21, 2015 8:37 pm

Oops.

I see. So Kelly was not John.
Kelly's membership ran out in June.
When your membership dues are late, you are expunged from the active list.
I wouldn't think that was unusual.
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Re: Suicide of the USHPA

Postby brianscharp » Tue Dec 22, 2015 9:00 am

RickMasters wrote:I have neither suspected nor looked to see if this has been "removed."

Or when, so who cares?
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Re: Suicide of the USHPA

Postby brianscharp » Sun Dec 27, 2015 3:00 pm

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