Gregg Ludwig <<email>>, Tow Committee chairman, writes:

The current edition of the Scooter Tow Clinic Funding program was actually designed and authored by Tracy Tillman. Tracy is of course in contact with Scooter Tow experts and is an expert himself. All of the information concerning the program is included in that one page article you refer to.

Not anyone can put on a clinic, but one of the program goals was to make this teaching method more common and have more "providers" around the country. Clinic approval requires a "credentials check" which is usually just a look at the applicant's member profile. The requirements come from the SOP (USHPA Standard Operating Procedures manual) which include an instructor appointment and tow qualifications. The clinic approval comes from the EC (executive committee).

USHPA is not really "running the clinics" but trying to entice experts to put on more clinics. The providers are permitted a lot of leeway on what they do, but they are required to outline the program. The funding is paid directly to them. They can use it to provide discounts or just make more money. The funding is based on participants rather than a flat fee.

Steve Wendt's photo was not intended to provide an endorsement. I asked Steve for a few photo's that I sent to the USHPA and they picked that one although I don't recall forwarding that particular photo.

Syllabus. The provider is required to submit a syllabus with his clinic approval request. Our lawyer will not permit a standard approved syllabus to be posted on-line because apparently that presents a liability to the USHPA. I assist providers with a syllabus if they need help with meeting this requirement.

Broyles has nothing to do with this program and has not requested a funded clinic.

The original requirement was to submit the syllabus with post clinic paper work but we now ask for the syllabus with the approval request.

I expect this same program to be approved for 2009 as I have already submitted a budget request.

We will probably have a few changes after next weeks BOD meeting. I think the program should specify ONLY WW Condor hang glider, but the BOD has a beef with mandating a particular manufacture. I am going to resolve this by requiring "a glider of 225-330 sq. ft and not weighing over 53 pounds".

Broyles has been influential in BOD general meeting discussions with his opinion that using Falcons are safe equipment for this teaching method and this is where I (and most experts) disagree.

I am open to any ideas you may have that can be included for 2009. One thing that slipped through was that the program does not specify hang gliders. Should paragliders be including in such a program?

I answer Gregg on the Oz Report forum.