Allows PPG Pilots To Train Under USUA Guidelines
The missions of the
United States Ultralight Association and the United States Powered
Paragliding Association are very similar. They both have the task
of supporting, promoting and representing powered ultralight
aviation -- and, both organizations have been at the forefront of
powered ultralight training and safety issues.
With that in mind, it seems a natural fit for both entities to
join forces to promote those common goals... and that's what
happened this week. The agreement will allow both the USUA and
USPPA to achieve their individual objectives, and provide
additional benefits to members of each organization.
Representatives with both organizations tell ANN the cooperative
effort will provide powered paraglider pilots the advantage of the
resources of the oldest powered ultralight organization in the US
-- while providing USUA members the opportunity to participate in a
truly unique and exciting form of ultralighting.
Since 2001, USPPA has developed and implemented PPG pilot and
instructor training programs. The success and safety of these
programs is evidenced in the demand for a growing number of PPG
flight schools in the US, servicing the fastest growing facet of
ultralight aviation: Powered Paragliding.
USPPA attributes a
large part of this growth to its promotion of the sport through its
website, videos and other educational activities and resources. But
while providing these exceptional benefits to its members, the
resulting rate of growth has been taxing to the all-volunteer
USPPA.
USUA has been promoting, protecting and representing ultralight
aviation in the USA for over 20 years, and has been quite
successful in providing much needed benefits to its members such as
liability insurance, legal guidance in resolving airport access
issues and other matters, as well as offering additional money
saving member programs. The organization also conceived and
developed the industry standard for training and registering fixed
wing, trike and PPC pilots, instructors and ultralight
vehicles.
USUA has also been able to serve its members effectively by
providing a full time office and staff in support of these, and
other member programs.
By combining resources, this arrangement provides the method in
which PPG pilots and instructors can register, train and operate
under USUA's FAA recognized programs. The full time USUA
headquarters staff will be able to process and maintain all
registrations, and provide assistance when needed. Tandem PPG
instruction can be authorized under the USUA training exemption,
and related training materials and supplies will be provided
through the USUA Online Flying Store. Liability and commercial
insurance can now be available for PPG pilots and flight schools.
Representation and guidance by USUA's aviation attorneys can now be
available to the PPG community as well.
Additionally, USUA represents microlight aviation (which
includes PPGs) to the Federation Aeronautique International (the
international aviation contests and records federation). USPPA/USUA
member competitors will have the option and availability to
participate in national and international sanctioned events, which
allows for international recognition of their record setting
accomplishments.
USPPA representatives
will also be added to existing and future USUA committees. In this
way, representation of PPG issues would be included in all relative
discussions, thus providing the needed input and direction required
by USUA to effectively represent PPG interests to FAA, as well as
to the general public. USPPA officers have already been included in
the USUA Competition Committee, and plans are being laid to
incorporate this same level of expertise into the USUA Safety and
Training and Awards Committees. As the development of the
cooperative arrangement progresses, complete integration of PPG
interest within USUA will be afforded.
By combining efforts and resources, both organizations hope the
powered ultralight (fixed wing, trike, PPC and PPG) pilot can be
served in ways that have never before been possible.
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