Paraglider pilots who are visiting the San Francisco Bay Area can fly the BAPA regulated sites provided that they fulfill certain criteria and that they are in possession of appropriate proof of proficiency.

Foreign pilots can show an IPPI (International Pilot Proficiency Information Card) issued by their paragliding association instead of the USHGA rating. Additionally, the visiting pilots need to acquire USHGA (United States Hang Gliding Association) liability insurance. This can be accomplished by contacting one of the Bay Area's site administrators, instructors or tandem instructors and buying a temporary 30-day USHGA membership.

Specific procedures for local sites:
With USHGA rating	Without USHGA rating (foreign pilots)
Mt. Diablo (East Bay Area)	Mt. Diablo (East Bay Area)
Review site information.	Review site information.
Read site regulations.	Read site regulations.
Provide current USHGA membership with P4 rating to the site administrator (Bob Clem) to obtain site sticker for your helmet.	Provide IPPI card level 4 as well as the temporary USHGA membership slip to the site administrator (Bob Clem) to obtain site sticker for your helmet.
Receive a site introduction from the administrator (Bob Clem).	Receive a site introduction from the administrator (Bob Clem).
Display the helmet sticker and follow the guidelines when flying at Mt. Diablo.	Display the helmet sticker and follow the guidelines when flying at Mt. Diablo.
The Stables (Coast)	The Stables (Coast)
Review site information.	Review site information.
Read site regulations.	Read site regulations.
Provide current USHGA membership with P3 rating to the site administrator (Dave Sondergeld) to obtain site sticker for your helmet.	Provide IPPI card level 3 as well as the temporary USHGA membership slip to the site administrator (Dave Sondergeld) to obtain site sticker for your helmet.
Receive a site introduction from the administrator (Dave Sondergeld).	Receive a site introduction from the administrator (Dave Sondergeld).
Display the helmet sticker and follow the guidelines when flying at the Stables.	Display the helmet sticker and follow the guidelines when flying at the Stables.
Mt. Tamalpais (North Bay)	Mt. Tamalpais (North Bay)
Review site information.	Currently, the site regulations do not allow foreign pilots to fly this site. Hopefully this will change soon.
Read site regulations.
Provide current USHGA membership with P4 (P3 with sponsor) rating to the site administrator (Wally Anderson) to obtain site sticker for your helmet.
Receive a site introduction from the administrator (Wally Anderson).
Display the helmet sticker and follow the guidelines when flying at Mt Tam.
The Dump(Coast)
The "Dump" (Mussel Rock) is a self-regulated flying site. To prevent accidents and surprises while you fly which could compromise the site, it is strongly recommended to receive a site introduction from an experienced pilot. You can also contact the informal site administrator (Phil Neri). You are strongly encouraged to read the site information, including the various guidelines and checklists.

 

Information for Site Administrators

For legal backup of insurance and IPPI card use, please refer to: http://www.ushga.org/documents/sop/sop-12-03-03-04.pdf.

6.02 OPERATION BY FOREIGN PILOTS HOLDING IPPI RATINGS
Foreign pilots holding IPPI cards may operate in the US as if they held the equivalent USHGA rating provided that the pilot presents him/herself to the site director at all sites to be flown and receives the local and national regulations, and obtains a USHGA membership. Thirty (30) day temporary USHGA memberships are acceptable for this purpose. Pilots operating with an IPPI card will not be issued a USHGA rating. Foreign pilots wanting a USHGA rating should apply using the procedure outlined in 12-6.01.