For My final blog I decided to go more in depth with the
aviation organizations I researched. The two organizations I researched were
the United States Hang-Gliding and Paragliding association (USHPA) and United
States Parachute Association (USPA). Both organizations were fun to research
and could be pivotal in my future career choices. I wanted to do more research
on what specific requirements for ratings in USHPA and how the organization was
founded and evolved.
“The United States Hang Gliding Association began as the
Southern California Hang Gliding Association in 1971 and shortly afterwards, on
December 18, 1973, became the United States Hang Gliding Association (USHGA),
headquarted in southern California. It was incorporated in March of 1974.” (USHPA.org 2017) According to other hang-glide instructors
these “early days” of hang-gliding were some of the most dangerous for the
sport. Anyone could order and hang-glide “kit” in the mail and attempt to jump
off a cliff with no experience. Many people did this and unfortunately lost
their lives. Also during this time people in the aviation community were less
concerned for pilot’s lives than today.
“In 1989, the Association was moved from Southern California
to its present home in Colorado Springs, CO and in 2006, became the United
States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA). Shortly after the name
was adapted to explicitly include paragliding the logo was also revisited to
better reflect the contemporary organization.” (USHPA.org 2017) The merger of
these organizations brought two communities together that had previously fought
over the same flying sites. After this organization was formed both sports were
finally promoted in a safe and fun way to learn the free-flight of hang-gliding
and para-gliding.
“USHPA, as a private membership organization, has no
governmental authority, does not own any flying sites, does not negotiate nor
enter into any permits for flying sites, does not control any flying sites or
the flying that takes place at them. The sports of hang gliding and paragliding
are not controlled by the USHPA; anyone that wishes can fly. (The only
regulatory authority for flight in the United States is the Federal Aviation Administration.)
However, we encourage all those who wish to fly, whether it be hang gliders,
paragliders, or both, to join the USHPA as members, because together, as an
Association, we can ensure the flying we enjoy today will be around tomorrow.
USHPA's purpose is to provide benefits to its membership,
which include but are not limited to:
- A
pilot rating program.
- A
structured instructor certification program.
- A
training structure for tandem flight and aero towing.
- Local
club affiliation for the benefit of negotiated site insurance coverage.
- A
national magazine for flying, product and safety information.
- Third
party and participant liability insurance coverage for members.” (USHPA.org
2017)
“At the national level, the USHPA is a non-profit business,
designed to service its membership and forward the core purposes of USHPA. In
1996, our audited financials show that USHPA exceeded one million dollars in
revenue. The policies of the Association are governed by its bylaws and SOP's
(standard operating procedures).” (USHPA.org 2017) Basically this organization is here to help
and make everyone safe while complying with the FAA. Its members are some of
the most diverse and caring people in the country.
This organization has changed the lives of many people
including my own. They have created a cheap and relatively easy way for the common
person to fly. Acquiring your first two hang-glider ratings is much cheaper by
comparison to your first airplane rating. Also hang-gliders cost anywhere
between $500 to $10,000, small airplanes can easily run upwards for $20,000 not
including maintenance and other fixed costs that airplanes require. Overall
this organization that keeps this sport alive in the US has done a great job to
provide adequate training and safety.
References
US Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. (n.d.).
Retrieved from https://www.ushpa.org/
United States Parachute Association > Home. (n.d.).
Retrieved from http://www.uspa.org/
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