Many of you will have seen Gordon's excellent piece on the damage being
done to UK Hang Gliding by the BHPA attitude to glider certification. We
are, indeed, very fortunate to have a quadruple British Champion who can see
the Big Picture with such clarity.

What Gordon didn't say is that pilots flying uncertified gliders are no
longer covered by the BHPA 3rd party insurance policy, despite the member
having paid the premium. Although claims resulting from accidents involving
uncertified gliders flown outside schools are absolutely minimal, the
underwriters are declining to cover uncertified gliders, and the BHPA have
failed to persuade them otherwise.

Of course, if you have the requirements to qualify for a development Pilot
Endorsement (XCPC and 500 hours) and the money to pay another £50 per annum
into BHPA coffers, then you can have a special keel sticker to render your
uncertified glider suddenly safe and insurable.

Alternatively, you may prefer to just pay £25 per annum to
www.snowcard-online.co.uk who will give you £2m cover for Personal
Liability, £5000 Personal Accident and £1000 Hospital Benefit. Any hang
glider, anywhere in the UK.

Of course, this isn't exactly the same cover the BHPA offer, but if you
aren't covered by the BHPA (or can't be sure that you are) then it will
help. Also, there seem to be fewer exclusions - you just get 12 months
cover for flying hang gliders, which is what we want.

These people obviously know what they are doing - they charge £40 for
paragliding because, they say, it represents a much greater risk! And they
just won't cover commercial schools at all.

We are lucky that policies like this are available at a time when the BHPA
can't, or won't, cover all their members.

Simon Murphy.

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