By accessing or using the USPPA website (usppa.org), becoming a member of the United States Powered Paragliding Association, purchasing products or services, or participating in any USPPA activities, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions (“Terms”). If you disagree with any part of these terms, you may not access our services or participate in USPPA activities.
These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and the United States Powered Paragliding Association, a Delaware corporation operating as a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization.
The United States Powered Paragliding Association (USPPA) is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and enhancing the sport of powered paragliding in the United States. As a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in Sanford, North Carolina, USPPA serves approximately 7,500 members through education, training programs, safety initiatives, and regulatory advocacy.
USPPA operates under the unique authority of FAA Exemption #9751, which permits tandem instructional flights for powered paragliding training purposes. This exemption represents the only authorization of its kind in the United States and carries specific compliance requirements for all participants.
USPPA offers several membership categories to serve different needs within the powered paragliding community:
Regular Membership – Access to all standard member benefits including training programs, safety resources, member directory access, and voting rights for full members.
Student Membership – Limited-term membership for individuals actively engaged in initial training programs, with access to educational resources and progression through rating systems.
Instructor Membership – Enhanced membership for certified instructors including additional resources, listing in instructor directories, and authorization to provide training under USPPA standards.
Affiliate Memberships – Discounted rates available for current members of partner organizations including EAA (25% discount) and USHPA. Proof of current membership in partner organizations required.
Active members in good standing receive access to the following benefits, subject to membership category:
By maintaining USPPA membership, you agree to:
Memberships are valid for one year from the date of initial registration or renewal. Memberships will automatically renew annually unless you cancel at least 30 days before your renewal date. Renewal charges will be processed using your payment method on file at current membership rates. You may update your payment information or cancel automatic renewal at any time through your member portal or by contacting USPPA directly.
Members who allow their membership to lapse for more than 90 days may be required to reapply and may lose accumulated benefits including rating recognition after three years of non-membership.
USPPA maintains a comprehensive pilot proficiency rating system designed to promote safe progression in powered paragliding skills:
All ratings require current USPPA membership, completion of specified training requirements, passing written examinations, demonstration of practical skills, and instructor endorsements. Specific requirements include:
Ratings remain valid only with continuous USPPA membership. Ratings expire three years after membership lapse and require re-examination and instructor endorsement for reinstatement. Instructor ratings require annual currency through active instruction or flight review. Tandem instructors must log 10 tandem flights annually or complete evaluation flights to maintain currency.
Tandem instruction operates exclusively under USPPA’s FAA Exemption #9751. All tandem operations must comply with exemption requirements including:
Violation of exemption requirements may result in immediate suspension of tandem privileges and potential FAA enforcement action.
You may use USPPA websites and services only for lawful purposes consistent with these Terms. Permitted uses include accessing member resources, participating in educational programs, communicating with other members through approved channels, purchasing USPPA products and services, and contributing to the powered paragliding community.
You agree not to engage in any of the following prohibited activities:
When posting content to USPPA platforms, you agree that all content will be relevant to powered paragliding, respectful of all community members, factually accurate regarding safety information, free from commercial promotion unless authorized, and compliant with all applicable laws and regulations.
You retain ownership of content you post but grant USPPA a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, modify, and display such content for organizational purposes including safety education and promotion of the sport.
USPPA offers various products and services including memberships, training materials, event registrations, merchandise, and educational programs. All prices are in US dollars and subject to change without notice. Sales tax may apply based on your location.
We accept major credit cards and other payment methods as indicated during checkout. By providing payment information, you authorize USPPA to charge the total amount including any applicable taxes and fees. Payment processing is handled by secure third-party providers, and USPPA does not store complete credit card information.
Memberships: Pro-rated refunds available within 30 days of purchase for new memberships only. No refunds for renewals or after 30 days.
Training Programs: Full refunds available if cancelled more than 14 days before program start. 50% refund if cancelled 7-14 days prior. No refunds within 7 days of program start or after commencement.
Events: Refund policies vary by event and will be specified at time of registration. Generally, refunds decrease as event date approaches.
Merchandise: Unused items in original condition may be returned within 30 days for refund less shipping costs.
Digital Products: No refunds once downloaded or accessed.
Any billing disputes must be reported within 60 days of the charge. Contact USPPA with your member number, transaction details, and nature of dispute. We will investigate and respond within 30 business days.
All content on USPPA websites and platforms, including text, graphics, logos, images, audio, video, training materials, curricula, and software, is the property of USPPA or its content suppliers and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.
The USPPA name, logo, and related marks are trademarks of the United States Powered Paragliding Association. Use without written permission is strictly prohibited.
Current members receive a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use USPPA educational materials for personal training purposes only. This license does not include rights to reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works, publicly display, or commercially exploit any USPPA materials without written permission.
Certified USPPA instructors receive additional license to use approved training materials in their instruction of students, provided they maintain current instructor status and comply with USPPA training standards. This license terminates immediately upon loss of instructor status.
Your privacy is important to us. Our collection, use, and protection of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference into these Terms. By using USPPA services, you consent to data practices described in our Privacy Policy.
Key privacy principles include:
You acknowledge that powered paragliding involves significant inherent risks that cannot be eliminated regardless of care taken. These risks include but are not limited to equipment failure, weather hazards, pilot error, mid-air collisions, hard landings resulting in serious injury or death, burns from engine components, propeller injuries, and environmental hazards.
By participating in powered paragliding activities, you accept personal responsibility for your safety and the safety of others. You agree to maintain appropriate skill currency, use proper safety equipment, exercise conservative judgment, comply with all regulations and guidelines, and seek additional training when needed.
You represent that you are in adequate physical and mental condition to safely participate in powered paragliding activities. You agree to discontinue participation if your medical condition changes in ways that could affect flight safety.
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, USPPA AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, VOLUNTEERS, AND AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, WHETHER INCURRED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES.
IN NO EVENT SHALL USPPA’S AGGREGATE LIABILITY EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO USPPA IN THE TWELVE MONTHS PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO LIABILITY.
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless USPPA and its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from your use of USPPA services, violation of these Terms, violation of any rights of another, your powered paragliding activities, or any content you post or submit.
We prefer to resolve disputes informally. If you have a concern, please first contact USPPA directly at [contact information]. Most issues can be resolved through direct communication.
If informal resolution fails, any dispute arising from these Terms shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the American Arbitration Association rules. Arbitration shall occur in Delaware. Each party bears its own costs unless the arbitrator determines otherwise.
You agree to resolve disputes with USPPA on an individual basis only. You waive any right to participate in class actions, class arbitrations, or representative actions against USPPA.
These Terms are governed by Delaware law without regard to conflict of law principles. Any legal proceedings not subject to arbitration shall be brought in Delaware courts.
We may update these Terms periodically to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, or business practices. We will notify members of material changes via email or website notice at least 30 days before the effective date. Your continued use of USPPA services after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of revised Terms.
For minor changes that do not materially affect member rights or obligations, we may implement changes immediately upon posting.
You may terminate your membership at any time by submitting written notice to USPPA. Termination takes effect at the end of your current membership period unless you request immediate termination. No refunds are provided except as specified in our refund policy.
USPPA may suspend or terminate your membership for cause, including but not limited to violation of these Terms or bylaws, safety violations or reckless behavior, non-payment of dues or fees, misrepresentation of qualifications or ratings, conduct harmful to USPPA or the sport, or violation of the Code of Conduct.
Except in cases requiring immediate action for safety, we will provide notice and opportunity to cure violations before termination.
Upon termination, your access to member-only resources ends immediately, rating privileges are suspended, and listing in member directories is removed. However, USPPA retains records as required for regulatory compliance, your obligations for any outstanding fees remain, and certain Terms provisions survive termination including liability limitations and dispute resolution.
These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, Code of Conduct, and any additional terms for specific services, constitute the entire agreement between you and USPPA regarding use of our services.
If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force and effect. The unenforceable provision shall be replaced with an enforceable provision that most closely reflects the original intent.
USPPA’s failure to enforce any provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provision. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by an authorized USPPA representative.
You may not assign or transfer your rights under these Terms. USPPA may assign its rights and obligations to a successor organization that continues USPPA’s mission.
USPPA shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, pandemic, government actions, or labor disputes.
Notices to USPPA should be sent to:
United States Powered Paragliding Association
500 Westover Dr. #2384
Sanford, NC 27330
Email: [email protected]
Notices to you will be sent to the email address associated with your membership account. You are responsible for maintaining current contact information.
By using USPPA services, you consent to receive electronic communications from us. These communications may include membership notices, safety bulletins, newsletters, and other information related to your membership or the sport of powered paragliding.
BY CLICKING “I AGREE,” CREATING AN ACCOUNT, OR USING USPPA SERVICES, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
Questions about these Terms? Contact us at [email] or [phone].
The United States Powered Paragliding Association is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization. EIN: 30-0288203