Steve Rodrigues <<steve>>,
who is in charge of the USHPA SOP's, writes:

A USHPA Tandem Instructor's responsibilities to insure the student
is a USHPA member only applies to tandems done by other USHPA certified tandem
instructors. In other words, if the tandem is being done by a USHPA tandem
instructor, then yes, another USHPA tandem instructor would want to make sure
the students have USHPA membership. But, if the operation is being done by an
ASC tandem instructor who is *not* USHPA certified, then no, a USHPA tandem
instructor would not need to confirm the students USHPA membership.

Paul Murdoch <<pmurdoch>>,
USHPA President, writes:

You have made the leap from being the instructor to observing the
instructor. Theoretically, you might be observing someone flying with the ASC
exemption who is not a USHPA tandem instructor. In that case you would not be
obligated to correct them – they are not a USHPA instructor and as such are not
violating USHPA SOPs.

I remind them that the SOP's state:

2. d. When present at a flying site, a Tandem Instructor pilot
shall personally ensure that all tandem flying requirements and the site
requirements are being strictly followed. The Tandem Instructor pilot shall
personally inspect the USHPA ratings of tandem passengers and certification of
tandem pilots, and shall have the authority to halt those tandem flights that
are in noncompliance. Noncompliance shall be reported to the Regional Director

Perhaps there should be a rewording of the USHPA SOP?