The USHPA mentor program
Let's get with the program. The Mentor program: http://www.ushpa.aero/info_mentors.asp http://www.ushpa.aero/faq_mentors.asp
What is the USHPA Mentor program? The USHPA Mentor program supports advancing pilots by pairing them with more
experienced pilots who can introduce them to the local flying community,
introduce them to new sites, help them evaluate weather and other local
conditions, develop flight plans and help them have safe and successful flights. What is the purpose of the USHPA Mentor program? The Mentor program helps advancing pilots progress their flying and decision
making skills while introducing them to new sites. Also, the USHPA Strategic
Plan recognizes there is a large loss of members after they achieve their Novice
and Intermediate ratings. The Mentor program attempts to keep pilot interest so
they remain in the sport longer, and hopefully, permanently. Why do we need a Mentor program?
As explained above, the Strategic Plan addresses the problems associated with
the erosion of our pilot population. The Mentor program helps USHPA retain
pilots by keeping them connected with other more senior pilots and exposing them
to the camaraderie and pleasure of free flying. Who is a USHPA Mentor?
A USHPA Mentor is a USHPA pilot appointed by an Examiner. Hang gliding pilots
are appointed as hang gliding Mentors and paragliding pilots as paragliding
Mentors. What are the requirements of a Mentor? A Mentor is an Intermediate or Advanced rated pilot. A Mentor does not need to
be a rating official (Instructor or Observer), though a Mentor has many of the
same qualities as a rating official and therefore rating officials may be good
Mentors. A Mentor must be practiced at judging pilot skills and provide advice to help a
pilot stay within safe boundaries. A Mentor must be able to easily communicate and have a friendly and supportive
demeanor. How do we identify pilots to be Mentors? USHPA chapters are encouraged to nominate pilots as Mentors to support their
local flying community and help pair Mentors with advancing pilots.
This program has been going for two years now. Only seven pilots
are signed up as mentors. That would indicate that the program has failed to
meet its objectives. Can you help redesign the program so that it can meet those
objectives? In order to grow the hang gliding membership the USHPA needs to retain members,
and they have indentified an area where there is large membership loss. We all
know that the transition from student in the care of an instructor to a hang 2
on your own is difficult, dangerous and lonely. This is a weakness that this
program is trying to address. It is my understand that Wayne Michelsen <Wmichelsen> is the architect of the program. You can contact him
with your suggestions. Here are a few of mine: 1) Identify a personal incentive for the mentor and provide it. 2) Talk to successful instructors and ask how they deal with this issue. Contact
Matt Taber, Joe Greblo, Rob and Diane, Pat Denevan and Steve Wendt, for example,
and see what they think. 3) Look at the balance between burdens, sticks, and carrots. Put in more
carrots.
http://OzReport.com/1259600405
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