Certifications and Appointments

The USHPA pilot proficiency program rely on responsible pilots stepping up to administer the various programs. Contact the appropriate USHPA committee chair to become an administrator. Instructor Administrator candidates should contact the Training and Certification Committee, while Tandem Administrator candidates should contact the Tandem Committee.

Administrators lead instructor certification programs on behalf of USHPA. They are responsible for conducting Instructor Training Seminars (ITS) and certifying instructors within their assigned disciplines. Below is an overview of the responsibilities and appointment process.

Types of Administrators and Requirements

• Instructor Administrators
  • Appointed by the Training & Certification Committee
  • Must be a current Rogallo member
  • Must hold a current Advanced Instructor Certification in their chosen wing type
  • Responsible for certifying and renewing Basic and Advanced Instructors
  • Responsible for appointing Observers
  • Appointments are valid for up to three (3) years expiring on December 31

 

• Tandem Administrators
  • Appointed by the Tandem Committee
  • Must hold a current Tandem Advanced Instructor Certification
  • Must be a current Rogallo member
  • Responsible for certifying and renewing Tandem Basic and Advanced Instructors
  • Only appointed for hang gliding or paragliding
  • Appointments are valid for up to three (3) years expiring on December 31

How to Become an Administrator

• Submit the request to the appropriate committee with two (2) letters of recommendation from the following officials; Advanced Instructor, Instructor Administrator, Tandem Instructor (if tandem), Tandem Administrator (if tandem), or Director
• Successfully complete co-administration of an ITS with a current Instructor Administrator or tandem clinic with a current Tandem Administrator.
• Candidates are approved based on majority vote from the relevant committee. 

Instructors teach and evaluate pilots to grant new ratings and special skills. Consider becoming an instructor to help bring new pilots into the sport! Follow the steps below to become certified:

Step 1

Verify that you meet the experience requirements.
To become a Basic Instructor: H3, P4 or S4 flight rating, plus for paraglider pilots a minimum of 200 flying days and 300 flights and completion of a reserve clinic and two additional clinics from the following list: Thermal/X-C, Ridge Soaring, Tandem, and Towing.
To become a Tandem Instructor: H4 or P4 Advanced rating, turbulence (TUR) special skill, AND a minimum 200 hours of logged airtime OR 100 hours with 500 flights of at least 500 ft. vertical descent OR 100 hours with 500 flights of 2 minutes duration or longer.

Step 2

Complete a first aid and CPR training with in-person instruction. Any first aid and CPR class certified by the Red Cross or American Heart Association and which includes a classroom training component satisfies this requirement. Licensed physicians, EMTs, wilderness first responders and paramedics are exempt from this first aid/CPR requirement.
*Note: Online first aid and CPR certifications are acceptable only when renewing. A hands-on training is required for an initial certification.

Step 3

Complete the Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) test which can be administered by an Instructor Administrator, Tandem Administrator or any FAA authorized testing center.

Step 4

For Basic Instructor candidates: Contact an Instructor Administrator   to schedule a three-phase ITP (Instructor Training Seminar, apprenticeship, instructor evaluation).
For Tandem Instructor candidates: Contact a Tandem Administrator   to schedule a Tandem Clinic and perform a minimum of 25 flights with a current Tandem Advanced Instructor prior to taking the Tandem Instructor exam.

Observers can sign off on intermediate and advanced ratings and skills in the absence of a local instructor. If there are no instructors in your area, you become an observer to assist with the tests and observed tasks required for pilots to earn new ratings and skills

Overview

Observers are authorized to:

• Issue Intermediate (H3/P3) and Advanced (H4/P4) pilot ratings
• Issue special skills that they personally hold
• Administer required tests and optional oral tests
• Make Master rating (H5/P5) recommendations
• Assist with establishing site proficiency ratings in their region

Observers may not:

• Rate themselves
• Issue special skills they do not personally hold
• Issue tandem or towing ratings unless they are separately certified in those roles

Requirements

• Must be a Pilot or Rogallo member
• Must hold an Intermediate (H3/P3) or higher rating for at least one year 
• Basic Instructors may not also serve as Observers

How to Become an Observer

• Observers are appointed by Instructor Administrators (if previously appointed by an Examiner, that Examiner can issue a recommendation to an Administrator for approval)
• Eligible candidates may contact a current Instructor Administrator to request approval. 
• Candidates will submit their completed paperwork with the appropriate sign off to USHPA here .