Mentoring novice pilots to the wonder of free flight is truly a rewarding and joyous experience for both the Mentee and the Mentor! This union can better serve both the individual novice pilot, and the greater flying community as well. Learning sound judgement, site knowledge and further applying the training one has learned from certified instruction is the objective of our program.
When newer pilots are willing to listen and learn, and experienced pilots are willing to share, more successful flights can be achieved. With that in mind these guidelines of the NEPHC Mentor Program are presented here for both the Mentors and the Mentees.
This program is designed to provide a safe and structured mechanism that would allow QUALIFIED P2/H2 pilots to safely fly Plymouth and Mt Tom. This ever evolving program will allow qualified P2/H2 pilots to conduct flights at these two sites while being supervised by a NEPHC Plymouth or Mt Tom Mentor.
All Plymouth or Mt Tom Mentors must be pre-approved by the Plymouth/Mt Tom Mentoring Committee (this includes current USHPA Instructors). Any P3, P4 or H3, H4 pilots wishing to become a Mentor should contact any of the members of the committee. The committee will then review their qualifications and will let them know if they are approved as a NEPHC Mentor.
No pilot may act as a Mentor until he/she receives this approval notification from the committee. Approval at one site does not mean approval at both sites. Each site requires its own, separate sign-off. The mentor can accept any number of P2/H2 pilots, but the maximum number of P2/H2 pilots a mentor can take to these sites at one time is two. Mentors must interview pilots before mentoring them to assure an understanding of the pilot experience, skills and readiness for the site.
After completion of the mentoring program, the P2/H2 pilot will continue to fly under the guidance of a mentor until they attain their P3/H3 rating.
Failure to follow mentoring program guidelines or requirements will result in suspension of flying privileges until a P3/H3 is attained. Failure to follow these rules will demonstrate a pilot’s lack of willingness to follow the guidelines and may delay attaining a P3/H3 rating, or a recommendation to USHPA to rescind your pilot rating for putting the flying site in jeopardy. If a site is put in jeopardy by a mentor or a mentee, the entire Mentor program may be suspended.
Since its inception, the NEPHC Mentor Program has been exceedingly successful in matching Mentors and Mentees, resulting in safe flights, better overall comprehension of the two included sites, and a deeper understanding of the nature of our chosen foot launch community. Mentoring is a privilege and a serious responsibility. As our program evolves safety will always be our primary goal.
2021 Mentoring Committee
- Paragliding: Davidson (PG), Pete W (PG), Bianca (PG), John G (PG), Uziel (PG)
- Hang Gliding: Tom Lanning (HG), Jeff Curtis (HG), John Musto (HG), Jon Atwood (HG/PG)
Site requirements for mentorees
Plymouth
Qualifications
- P2 rating and 5 soaring flights.
- H2 rating and 5 soaring flights.
- Strong demonstrated kiting skills (PG)
Requirements
- Radio, PTT and headset
- Mobile phone
- Hook knife
- Vario and GPS (PG)
- Speed system and proper adjustment (PG)
- Logbook with flying hours and kiting hours.
- 3-5 foot streamer attached when flying. PG attach to harness and HG attach to kingpost.
Knowledge
- Site guidelines
- Parking/driving in the neighborhood
- Exit from a beach landing
- Rules of the ridge: turning, passing and right of way.
- HG and PG flying together (speed differences and giving way when needed)
- No yelling in the air or to people on the ground
- Be aware of tides and their effect on safe landings
- Required safe distance from dunes and obstacles
- Signaling your intentions to other pilots (looking before you turn, body movements and hand signals which way you plan to go)
- How to judge the wind based on wave activity
Skills to develop
- Analysis of flying conditions
- High wind launch techniques
- Top landing (PG only) under strict supervision.
- Execute expedited descent and landing
- Follow directions
Mt. Tom
Qualifications
- P2 rating and 10 soaring flights and 5 hours of soaring flights.
- H2 rating and 5 soaring flights and 5 soaring hours of flights.
- Strong kiting skills! Mt Tom is an advanced cliff launch requiring total authority of your wing!
Requirements
- Radio and PTT
- Mobile phone
- Hook knife
- Vario and GPS (PG)
- Reserve
- Speed system and adjusted
- Logbook
- A P2/H2 pilot in the program must have a 3-5 foot streamer attached when flying. PG attach to harness and HG attach to kingpost.
Knowledge
- Site guidelines
- Rules of the ridge: passing, right of way, turning
- HG and PG flying together (speed differences and giving way when needed)
- Airspace. There are two active Air Force bases close to the mountain.
- Overview of LZ and Pat’s property/parking
- Overview of ownership of launch
Skills to develop
- Analysis of flying conditions and forecast
- Analysis of winds aloft
- High wind launch skills
- Execute expedited descent and landing
- Decision making skill to know when to head out to land
- Avoiding blow back
- Follow directions