Buddy System

Effective Date: 7-18-2025

NEPHC Pilot Buddy System Protocol & Liability Disclaimer

New England Paragliding and Hang Gliding Club, Inc. (NEPHC)

1  Purpose

The Buddy System promotes shared safety and mutual accountability among pilots by encouraging pre-flight equipment checks and situational-awareness support between peers—without assigning legal liability to helpers acting in good faith.

2  Scope of Buddy Support Activities

Pilots may voluntarily assist one another by visually or physically checking—without legal responsibility for omissions—

  • Helmet & chin-strap securement
  • Reserve handle & container integrity
  • Carabiner and harness connection points
  • Line entanglements or knots
  • Canopy condition and layout
  • Speed-bar routing and attachment
  • Proper footwear, gloves, weather gear
  • Radios, varios, or other flight instruments

3  Legal Disclaimer & Waiver of Liability

By participating in the Buddy System, each pilot acknowledges:

  1. Voluntary & Informal – All assistance is peer-to-peer; no instructional or professional duty is created.
  2. No Liability – A helper is not legally liable for any incident or accident involving another pilot, provided actions were taken in good faith and without gross negligence.
  3. Personal Responsibility – Each pilot remains fully responsible for their own airworthiness, equipment, decisions, and flight outcome.
  4. No Expanded Duty – This protocol does not expand any duty of care beyond what already exists among USHPA-rated pilots under NEPHC rules and USHPA SOP s.

4  Acknowledgement & Agreement

By launching from an NEPHC-managed site and making use of the Buddy System:

  • You accept the terms above.
  • You understand that peer assistance is a safety courtesy, not a guarantee.

You affirm that mutual help never replaces proper training, rating, or personal accountability.