RGSA Site Rules

Anyone (including visitors and drivers) present within operating areas including launch, landing, and setup must sign the USHPA waiver.  Please give the executed waiver to any RGSA member or officer.  Thank you.

1.    All participants in setup, launch, flight and landing activities must be current members of USHPA, having signed the current USHPA Release, Waiver and Assumption of Risk Agreement.

2.    All participants must comply with all FAA Rules and Guidelines applicable to the setup, launch, flight and landing activities at the site.

3.    All pilots must wear appropriate Safety Helmets during launch, flight, and landing.

4.    All HG pilots should perform a harness connection check before launching.

5.    Before flight operations are first conducted at a new flying site, the local FAA Branch and local general aviation operators should be notified of the operational area.

6.    In the event that other exempt air space uses are present in the vicinity of the flying site (ex: Radio Controlled Aircraft, Model Rockets, Kite Flying, etc.) coordination with those other uses should be made to minimize the risk of interference or possible mid-air collisions.

7.    All flight activities should be in compliance with USHPA Pilot Proficiency System -- Standard Operating Procedures 12-2.

8.    Launch Areas – Launch Areas should be clear of personnel (other than current USHPA members directly involved in flight operations), structures, and vehicles 50 feet forward and 30 degrees either side of center of anticipated take off course and 30 feet rearward of starting point target. (Distance is 75 feet forward for tandem flights.)

9.    Designated Landing Zones and Targeted Landing Areas – Spots designated or targeted for landings should be located at a minimum of 100 feet from overhead power lines and 50 feet from ground personnel, vehicles, structures, in-use roads and spectators.

10.  Clearance from Overhead Power Lines, Trees and Towers - Planned flight path should remain clear of overheard power lines, trees and towers by 75 feet. Launch points should be clear of overhead lines, trees and towers by 50 feet.  Landing target spots should be clear of overhead lines, trees and towers by 100 feet.

11.  No planned flight should take place within 50 feet of spectators on the ground.

12.  When spectators are present or at organized events in areas where weather conditions exist that increase the chance of a glider inadvertently lifting-off, tie downs or other methods of securing the aircraft should be employed for unattended gliders, in the set-up and disassembly areas.

13.  Demonstration equipment at organized events should be manned and secured by authorized personnel until disassembled. Signs should be placed in front of all such equipment at events, cautioning the public not to attempt to utilize the equipment without supervision.

14.  At organized events the designated Safety Director will be responsible for designating a spectator and vehicle parking area clear of gliders in a manner reasonably calculated to separate spectators and vehicles from glider operations.

15.  At organized events, signs should be posted and/or personnel should be assigned at launch and landing areas to warn spectators and competitors to stay clear of launch and designated landing areas.

16.  At organized events, only USHPA pilots and approved competition staff who have signed a USHPA waiver should be allowed in the designated launch area.

17.  At organized events, only photographers approved by the event coordinator who have signed the USHPA waiver should be allowed in launch area or below launch area.