Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

How do I get a 10-Day Temporary membership?

Temporary memberships for visiting pilots may be obtained from a USHPA certified school or instructor, an authorized representative of a USHPA chapter, or an event organizer at a sanctioned or ACE event. They can be purchased by instructors here .

 

When can I renew my USHPA membership?

Members may renew online beginning 90 days before the expiration of their current membership. If your membership has already expired, you may still renew online. As of August 1, 2023 all renewals must be completed through the online portal. The only exception to this rule is for minors who must still complete their membership applications via the paper process.

 

How do I join USHPA?

New members may join USHPA online. After completing the application, waiver and payment, members must have their memberships activated by a current USHPA instructor. The sign up and activation process can be reviewed in this video tutorial. *Those with international addresses and minors wanting to join and renew must currently renew on paper and mail forms into the USHPA office.

 

Why am I getting the error "Your email exists multiple times?"

This error appears when more than one USHPA member has an account linked to the email address you are trying to use. This is not allowed in our system as members require unique identifiers. A new email will need to be entered in your account in order to proceed.

 

Where is my physical membership card?

We no longer issue a physical copies of membership card. Membership cards are fully digital and available in your member account.

 

What is the difference between the Rogallo membership level and the Pilot membership level?

The Pilot level is intended for the average recreational pilot and includes third-party liability insurance. The Rogallo level is for instructors and includes insurance when the instructor is either a Certified Non-Commercial (CNC) instructor (those instructors who NEVER receive any compensation), or a commercial instructor (those instructors who receive any amount of compensation) working for PASA-certified flight schools.

 

How much does it cost to upgrade from Pilot to Rogallo membership?

An annual Pilot membership is $199 and Rogallo membership is $425. Upgrading is prorated at $18.83/month for the remainder of the membership cycle (including both the current month and expiration month).

 

What is the $15 rating fee for?

This one-time fee is for registration of your ratings with USHPA. It supports the interface in which ratings are stored and managed. The fee is not related to your member card or issuance of those ratings by instructors.

 

Why is my rating listed as 'Pending'?

This means you have not logged into your USHPA account and accepted and paid for your rating yet, please do so here.

 

Where is my magazine?

USHPA magazines are published on Jan 1, April 1, July 1, Oct 1. Please allow two weeks to receive the physical copy. If you have not received it by mid-month, please email us your current address. You can also view it digitally here.  

 

Where is my test?

Tests can be viewed and taken, once assigned by your instructor here.

 

My account is locked!

Please email us stating your first and last name and USHPA number and let us know you are locked out, we will get you unlocked promptly!

 

I want to upgrade/downgrade my membership level.

For upgrades: Please submit membership upgrades through the form linked here.
For downgrades: Send us an email stating your wish to downgrade your membership with your name and USHPA number for processing.

 

What happens if I am expired for a long time and want to come back?

Please reach out to us stating your name and member number if you remember it, we may be able to reactivate your old account.

 

Are memberships refundable?

No. 

Can I transfer my membership to someone else or to another year?

No. USHPA memberships are non-transferable and cannot be deferred to a future period or reassigned to another individual.

I was previously a USHPA member and want to renew!

If you were previously a USHPA member, we’re happy to help reinstate your account if your records were included in our original digitization. Inactive membership records prior to the year 2000 may no longer be available.
If we’re unable to find your record, you’ll need to create a new account. Please note that if a new account is created and a previous record is later found, the two cannot be merged. Your new account and member number will remain active.
Please reach out if you’d like help checking for an existing record.

 

How do I become a USHPA-certified instructor?

Basic instructor: Hold an Intermediate rating (H3) or above for hang gliding or an Advanced rating (P4/S4) for paragliding or speed flying, complete 40 hours of apprenticeship with a USHPA-certified instructor, attend and pass a clinic put on by an instructor administrator, complete the Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) test, hold a current CPR/First Aid certification, submit a copy of your curriculum/syllabus, and upgrade to the Rogallo membership level.

Advanced Instructor: Hold an Advanced rating (H4/P4/S4) or above for your wing, hold a Basic Instructor certification for at least one (1) year, show a log of at least six (6) students taught and rated to the novice (H2/P2/S2) level, and hold a current CPR/First Aid certification.

Tandem Instructor: Hold an Advanced rating (H4/P4) plus the turbulence (TUR) special skill for your wing, show a log of at least 200 hours of air time or 500 flights, be at least 18 years of age, complete a written test, and attend and pass a clinic hosted by a Tandem Administrator. This will get you to the intermediate step of a Tandem Basic Instructor (previously T1) rating that is necessary to become an Advanced Tandem Instructor. Next, successfully complete a two day tandem instructor clinic with a Tandem Administrator and log at least 25 tandem flights with a tandem instructor either during or after the clinic. Hold a current CPR/First Aid certification, submit a copy of your curriculum/syllabus, and upgrade to the Rogallo membership level if you haven’t already.

 

Why does my instructor certification expire at a different time than my yearly membership?

Instructor certifications are valid for three (3) years from the time they are issued with a year-end expiration. Memberships are annual and expire on the last day of a month (i.e. if you renew in October, your expiration will be October 31).

 

Can instructional tandems take place on non-USHPA-insured sites?

Yes. Site insurance is not required for tandem flights, but the site must have the following: a suitable LZ, with ample wind indicators, within a safe glide margin from the take-off area, that also affords ample clearance from hazards along the way including within the LZ itself. Per USHPA’s FAA tandem exemption, both occupants of the flight must also be current USHPA members (either full members or 10-day temporary members). When flying at uninsured sites, please keep in mind that there is no insurance support available for landowners in the event of an accident. Recreational Instructors (per the definition above) have professional liability coverage at all sites. For Hire Instructors do not have coverage unless they work for a PASA-certified school or have purchased insurance separately.

 

Does everyone have to fill out a 10-day form for each flight, even friends and family?

Yes, unless they’ve signed a 10-day form within the previous 10 days. Per USHPA’s FAA Tandem Exemption, both occupants of a tandem flight must be current USHPA members. Flying with waivered members is also a condition of the RRRG insurance policy. NOTE: USHPA's FAA Tandem Exemption does NOT provide an exemption for recreational flights with friends and family. It provides an exemption ONLY for instructional flights.

 

Can I be a USHPA instructor and live and teach outside of the US?

At the moment, USHPA is unable to administer any programs internationally. USHPA instructors must live in the US. Instructors can conduct clinics or tours abroad, but must verify compliance with local regulations. Please click here for more information.

 

Do I need to become certified by the Professional Air Sports Association (PASA) to instruct?

You are required to be affiliated with a PASA-certified school if you are a For Hire Instructor (those instructors who receive any amount of compensation for instructional activities) and you are providing instruction at a USHPA-insured site.

You are not required to be affiliated with a PASA-certified school if you are a Recreational Instructor (those instructors who NEVER receive any compensation), even if you provide instruction at a USHPA-insured site.

Note: Only schools can become PASA-certified. Individual instructors can be considered a school if they have created it as a business entity.

 

Where am I allowed to teach?

Please see the chart below.

Note: Instructors operating non-commercially MUST apply for CNC status  with USHPA to be eligible for coverage. 

 

	Can teach at USHPA-insured sites	Can teach at non-USHPA-insured sites	Can receive compensation for instructing	Is covered by an RRRG insurance plan for schools	Is covered by Rogallo Membership insurance
Instructor employed by a PASA-certified school	Yes, if the site is listed in the school’s insurance coverage	Yes, if the site is listed in the school’s insurance coverage	Yes	Yes	Yes, in addition to the school's RRRG policy (if limits are less than $500k)
Certified Non-Commercial Instructor	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes
Commercial Instructor NOT employed by a PASA-certified school	No	Yes	Yes	No	No

 

 

How long is my instructor certification valid?

When you renew prior to your expiration, your renewal date will show as January 1st and be valid for a full three years as now all certifications and appointments expire on December 31st of a given year.

When you first receive your instructor certification, your expiration will be up to three years from your issuance date. For example, if you are certified on August 1, 2024, your certification will expire on December 31, 2026 as certifications are only valid for a maximum of three years.

 

How is USPHA's board elected?

USHPA’s board is made up of 10 members: 8 elected directors with staggered 2-year terms, and 2 directors appointed annually by the board with 1-year terms. Any member can nominate another member between June 1 and September 1 each year. Each USHPA member can vote for up to 4 candidates. A candidate must receive at least 50 votes or win votes from at least 5% of the voters (whichever is greater) to move on to the second stage of the election process, the diversity algorithm. The algorithm uses a combination of number of votes and needed diversity characteristics to select the 4 election winners.

 

Who can run for the board?

All current USHPA members are eligible to run for the board, unless they have reached the 10-year term limit of sitting on the board (the counter resets after a 2-year absence from the board, after which time they may run again). Note that candidates are required to disclose any USHPA-related revocations or suspensions on the questionnaire..

 

 

Why do we have to incorporate as a non-profit?

Incorporation protects chapter officers and members by making lawsuits less costly and easier to defend. Without incorporation, rates would be higher. For example, a site was recently lost because a nearby landowner sued an unincorporated chapter. Since it lacked incorporation, the landowner could sue individual members instead of just the chapter as an entity.

 

Do we have to update our risk management plan every year?

Yes. Risk management plans must be updated yearly to reflect accidents and/or incidents from the past year and any lessons learned.

 

Do we need a risk management plan/site guide for every site we fly? Even uninsured ones?

Yes. A risk management plan/site guide is helpful for the pilot community. It also allows for the chapter and its officers to be defended if a suit is brought against them for an incident at a site without insured landowners.

 

How much does insurance cost?

That answer varies depending on the number of sites, landowners, and insurance limit requirements. You can find a brief breakdown of these costs at: https://www.ushpa.org/chapters or contact [email protected] for more information.

 

Can my partner who doesn’t fly/isn’t a USHPA member be an officer for our chapter?

Yes, as long as at least 60% of chapter officers are current USHPA members.

 

Why can’t we let non-USHPA members fly at our insured site?

Each USHPA member signs a liability waiver and carries insurance through their membership, which combines with the landowner's coverage to ensure protection. However, if an uninsured or non-waivered pilot flies and causes an incident, the landowner’s coverage may not apply as expected, putting the site at risk.

 

When does our insurance expire?

All chapter and landowner coverage expires at the end of February. Even if coverage was obtained mid-year, it will still expire at the end of February.

 

Can a chapter officer issue a USHPA temporary (10-day) membership to a visiting pilot?

Yes. Chapter officers can order forms here and sign off as the issuing official.

 

Why can’t we offer one-day chapter memberships?

The shortest chapter membership period is one month because chapters are insured as non-profit entities. Offering daily fees or one-day memberships is generally considered a commercial practice in court.