Inquiries Concerning a Recent Accident: 7/3/2013 The United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, Inc., (USHPA) has received a number of inquiries concerning a paragliding fatality that occurred recently at Imperial Beach, California, specifically asking what we know about Dell Schanze and any paragliding operations he may have been conducting. 

The news reports of that incident indicate that the family of the student, Henry Ho, believes that he was under the instruction of Dell Schanze at the time of the fatality. According to news reports, Dell Schanze denies that he was instructing at the time. 

USHPA extends its sincere condolences to the family of Henry Ho. 

Dell Schanze has not been a member of USHPA since June of 2012, when USHPA made a determination that because of his conduct he was no longer eligible for membership in USHPA. Refusing membership to Dell Schanze came in response to a number of incidents demonstrating a disregard for the rules governing safe flying practices, and conduct determined to be materially and seriously prejudicial to the purposes of USHPA to promote the sport of paragliding and to promote safety and safe flying practices. Dell Schanze remains ineligible for membership in USHPA. 

Prior to June of 2010, Dell Schanze held a USHPA appointment as a Tandem Instructor. That appointment lapsed in June 2010 due to non-renewal, a process which includes demonstration of proficiency and currency. He has never held any USHPA Basic Instructor or Advanced Instructor appointments. He has held no USHPA appointments since June of 2010. 

News reports indicate that Henry Ho was not wearing a helmet at the time of his fatal accident. USHPA regulations require that paragliding students under the instruction of USHPA appointed instructors wear helmets at all times. 

USHPA chapters are reminded that Dell Schanze is not a USHPA member and as such he should not be permitted to fly or instruct at USHPA insured sites. 

USHPA supports chapters using all legal means to prevent non-members from endangering USHPA insured sites by flying or offering instruction at those sites. USHPA supports officials investigating situations where actions of pilots are in violation of USHPA SOPs, have caused site closures, or constitute other conduct materially and seriously prejudicial to the sport. 

People interested in learning to fly hang gliders or paragliders are encouraged to seek out trained instructors holding valid USHPA Instructor Appointments. You can check whether an instructor holds a USHPA Instructor Appointment by consulting the USHPA website at http://www.ushpa.aero