Welcome to the club! Whether you are a brand new P3 or an experienced pilot we are looking forward to flying with you!
Guide for new P3s
Now that you have your wings you are probably itching to spread them for flight! Mt. Tom is a challenging site. In order to foster as much safety as possible, NEPHC has organized a Observer program. The Observer’s job is to ensure safety as you learn the real-world conditions of Mt. Tom.
Please review the following before contacting Observers.
The current Observers are John Mendes and Eli Chastek.
Mount Tom Site-Specific Observer Protocol
1. Purpose
The following outlines the procedures, responsibilities, and safety expectations for USHPA-certified Observers when evaluating and signing off pilots for flight at Mount Tom — a technically challenging, confined, and hazardous cliff launch. This protocol is designed to protect Observers, NEPHC, and prospective pilots through clear risk disclosures, waiver enforcement, and process documentation and to give an overview of the process to new pilots.
2. Advance Notice and Scheduling
Pilots requesting an Observer evaluation at Mount Tom must notify NEPHC at least 24 hours in advance. The request must include:
- Full name, USHPA and NEPHC number
- Intended date and time of evaluation
- Current rating and flight log summary
- Emergency contact information
Observer Acknowledgment:
The Observer will confirm availability or propose rescheduling. The pilot must acknowledge in writing that:
- They may not fly, regardless of distance traveled
- All flight decisions are subject to wind, weather, and Observer discretion
- No expectations of flight or sign-off are guaranteed
3. Legal Waiver Requirement
Upon arrival, the evaluating pilot must complete and sign a site-specific waiver that:
- Acknowledges Mount Tom is an advanced and hazardous site
- Releases NEPHC and the Observer from liability
- Affirms the Observer is a volunteer acting under club guidance and not an instructor
No evaluation may begin without this waiver on file.
4. Site Orientation Requirements
A. Landing Zone Orientation
Observer will escort the pilot to the designated LZ and brief them on:
- Power lines, homes, barns, and stables
- Wind gradients and terrain interference
- Landing approach path and no-fly zones
B. Launch Orientation
Mount Tom’s launch is confined by trees on three sides and is roughly the size of a baseball pitcher’s mound. Hazards include snagged wings and falls off the cliff edge.
Observers will:
- Require pilot to observe others launching first
- Discuss typical pitfalls and safety-critical techniques
- Ensure pilot understands rotor zones and terrain-induced lift/drop
5. Observer Responsibilities
- Provide comprehensive site orientation (Section 4)
- Cancel or postpone evaluations for any weather safety concern
- Submit a brief evaluation summary to NEPHC for recordkeeping
- Report all incidents to the Flight Safety Officer
- Refrain from coaching or instructional activity beyond USHPA Observer scope
6. Pilot Acknowledgments
Evaluated pilots must understand and agree that:
- They may be turned away without a flight
- The Observer is not responsible for performance outcomes
- Their skills may not meet Mount Tom’s minimum requirements
- Their waiver will remain on file with NEPHC
7. Final Notes
This protocol helps ensure Mount Tom remains open, safe, and responsibly managed. The Observer role is a privilege granted by USHPA and supported by NEPHC. Adherence to this process is mandatory for all first-time flyers being observed at Mount Tom.
All elements herein are based on USHPA SOP 12-02 and NEPHC Board safety directives.