Tandem Policies

REV DATE 4/27/2025

Brace welcomes tandem flying following the guidelines below. The requirements for tandem flying are justifiably more complex than for solo piloting. All tandem pilots must be current Brace Club members, must possess an appropriate, current Tandem Pilot USHPA administered rating, and must strictly follow all USHPA tandem rules. In addition, all tandem pilots must annually receive advance permission from the land owners (Paul Hogan), and the Brace Club Board to hold any tandem flights at Brace (including training flights). Such permission can be rescinded at any time. Please continue reading for complete information.

Definitions

In a NON-COMMERCIAL tandem flight:

The Tandem Pilot may NOT accept ANY form of remuneration for their flight services. Receiving any form of direct or indirect compensation (including profits from gear sales, gifts in kind, tips, etc.) radically alters the insurance coverage and leaves the Pilot, Participant/Student/Passenger, Land Owners, State Park, etc. open to liability that jeopardizes the flying site.
As long as no compensation is paid to the Tandem Pilot, the Tandem Pilot is appropriately certified, and the flight is following all relevant guidelines, USHPA General Liability insurance policy protects eligible members, chapters, and flying site landowners against third party liability claims and lawsuits.
USHPA Process for requesting Certified Non-Commercial (CNC) Status
USHPA FAQ on becoming a Certified Non-Commercial Instructor and Insurance Coverage for Recreational (non-commercial) Rogallo Members
Apply for Certified Non-Commercial Status

In a COMMERCIAL tandem flight:

The Tandem Pilot may accept remuneration for instructional services.
The Tandem Pilot must be fully insured under USHPA Standard Operating Procedures (an approved Recreation RRG instructor working for a PASA-certified school) and list the Mt. Brace Outdoor Club and all of the Mt. Brace landowners as listed in the chapter waiver as additional insured. The USHPA General Liability insurance policy does not apply. Instead, the USHPA Professional Liability policy applies.

**Any tandem flights operating without the correct insurance are disasters waiting to destroy our flying sites, and our sport. If you suspect anyone of flying commercial tandems without proper PASA insurance coverage, or non-commercial tandems outside of USHPA rules, PLEASE SAY SOMETHING.**

Note for International (Visiting) Tandem Pilots

In contrast to solo flying ratings, USHPA does not recognize international tandem qualifications and certificates at all, regardless of residency, duration of stay, commercial or non-commercial character of flight, or status of passenger. If you want to pilot a tandem PG or HG at Brace, you have to have a current, official USHPA tandem rating and strictly follow all USHPA tandem rules.
In order to obtain such rating, you have to participate in a regular tandem clinic with an USHPA tandem administrator. The number of tandem flights you already have and can prove may be accepted and counted against the required number of flights.

Brace Club Policies

ALL NON-COMMERCIAL TANDEM FLIGHTS:

Must strictly abide by ALL relevant USHPA and FAR rules.
All tandem flights must be for training purposes only; no recreational tandems are permitted by the FAA.
The Tandem Pilot must possess an appropriate, current Tandem Pilot USHPA administered rating.
The Tandem Pilot cannot request or accept ANY direct or indirect remuneration for their flight services.
A T1 rated Tandem Pilot may conduct tandem flights ONLY with USHPA pilots rated H1/P1 and higher.
A Tandem Instructor (formerly T3) rated Tandem Pilot can fly with USHPA members with limited experience (Temporary or H0/P0 or higher).
The Tandem Pilot must annually receive advance permission from the land owners (Paul Hogan), and the Brace Club Board to hold non-commercial tandem flights at Brace. Such permission can be rescinded at any time.
The Tandem Pilot must sign the Brace Club waiver and must be a current club member.
The Tandem Participant (“student”/“passenger”) must sign the Brace Club waiver and must be a current club member (this is in addition to any fee paid to USHPA).
Tandem participants must have in their possession a current USHPA membership card.

ALL COMMERCIAL TANDEM FLIGHTS:

Must strictly abide by ALL relevant USHPA and FAR rules.
All tandem flights must be for training purposes only; no recreational tandems are permitted by the FAA.
The Tandem Pilot must possess an appropriate, current Tandem Instructor (formerly T3) USHPA administered rating.
The Tandem Instructor can fly with USHPA members with limited experience (Temporary or H0/P0 or higher).
The Tandem Pilot must be fully insured under USHPA SOPs (an approved Recreation RRG instructor working for a PASA-certified school).
The Tandem Pilot must present proof of insurance to the land owners (Paul Hogan), and the Brace Club Board well in advance of any tandem flights.
The proof of insurance must list the Mt. Brace Outdoor Club and all of the Mt. Brace landowners as listed in the chapter waiver as additional insured.
The Tandem Pilot must annually receive permission from the land owners (Ciaran Egan, Paul Hogan), and the Brace Club Board to hold commercial tandem flights at Brace. Such permission can be rescinded at any time.
The Tandem Pilot must sign the Brace Club waiver and must be a current club member.
The Tandem Participant (“student”/“passenger”) must sign the Brace Club waiver and must be a current club member (this is in addition to any fee paid to USHPA and/or to the Tandem Pilot).
Tandem participants must have in their possession a current USHPA membership card.