Over Regulation: FAA? DMV? ... or USHPA?

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Bob Kuczewski
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Over Regulation: FAA? DMV? ... or USHPA?

Post by Bob Kuczewski »

Sometimes things that should be obvious take a little while to sink in ...

We like to think that our sports of hang gliding and paragliding are less regulated than general aviation or even driving on our streets. But is that really true?

- Could you lose your driver's license for publicly criticizing the DMV? No.
- Could you lose your FAA pilot's license for publicly criticizing the FAA? No.
- Could you lose your USHPA "license" for publicly criticizing USHPA? Sadly, yes.

- Could you lose your driver's license for testifying in court against another driver? No.
- Could you lose your FAA pilot's license for testifying in court against another pilot? No.
- Could you lose your USHPA "license" for testifying in court against another USHPA member? Sadly, yes.

- Could you lose your driver's license for testifying in court against a driving school? No.
- Could you lose your FAA pilot's license for testifying in court against a flight school? No.
- Could you lose your USHPA "license" for publicly testifying in court against a paragliding school? Sadly, yes.

- Could you lose your driver's license for speaking before your local City Council? No.
- Could you lose your FAA pilot's license for speaking before your local City Council? No.
- Could you lose your USHPA "license" for speaking before your local City Council? Sadly, yes.

The only clause that USHPA (and now Ken Andrews) can slimly try to use to justify my expulsion is this one:

"engaged in conduct materially and seriously prejudicial to the purpose and interests of USHPA"

If you think about that, it's essentially a "loyalty" oath. Even if USHPA does something very very wrong, we are bound by that clause to not oppose them or risk expulsion. Neither the FAA nor the DMV have such a clause. That is essentially an "anti-whistle-blower" clause and it helps explain why USHPA has been unable to correct its problems in both safety and politics ... not to mention insurance.

That clause should be repealed and it should NEVER be used as a basis for expulsion of any pilot.
Join a National Hang Gliding Organization: US Hawks at ushawks.org
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Every human at every point in history has an opportunity to choose courage over cowardice. Look around and you'll find that opportunity in your own time.
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