PRD 420-4 Instructor Certification Program

This version will supercede PRD 420-3

Purpose of this Policy and Regulatory Directive

1. The purpose of this Policy and Regulatory Directive (PRD) is to:
   1. state the aims of the HPAC/ACVL Instructor Certification Program;
   2. describe the HPAC/ACVL Instructor Certification Program; and
   3. specify the requirements to hold an instructor certification.

Aims of the Instructor Certification Program

2. The aims of the HPAC/ACVL Instructor Certification Program are to ensure that individuals teaching hang gliding and paragliding:
   1. are proficient with the sport they wish to teach; and
   2. have adequate knowledge of instructional techniques.

Disclaimer

3. To promote effective and safe instruction in Canada, the HPAC/ACVL manages an instructor certification program which ensures that its certified Instructors have met the qualification requirements set forth below. The HPAC/ACVL has no formal association with schools and instructors, other than to certify that they have met qualifications stated herein. The HPAC/ACVL does not specify, regulate or inspect the content and the delivery of instructor courses. The HPAC/ACVL makes no warranty or representations as to the competence, expertise or aptitude of any HPAC/ACVL-certified instructor, although such qualities are informally assessed when an Instructor's Rating is first applied for.

Types of Instructor Certification

4. There are two levels of instructor certification: Instructor and Senior Instructor. Instructor ratings are issued separately for hang gliding and paragliding. An individual can hold instructor certifications for hang gliding and paragliding at the same time.

Requirement to Obtain a HPAC/ACVL Instructor Certification

5. In order to qualify for a HPAC/ACVL Instructor certification for hang gliding or paragliding, candidates must meet the following requirements:
   1. be a member in good standing of the HPAC/ACVL;
   2. be 18 years of age or older;
   3. hold a valid HPAC/ACVL Intermediate rating (or better) and 25 hours airtime (or more) in the desired activity (hang gliding or paragliding);
   4. have a valid first-aid certificate (note: First aid courses must be taken in person the first three times, thereafter it can be renewed online);
   5. have completed successfully an Instructor Certification Course of 24 hours duration over a minimum of three days given by a Senior Instructor certified in the desired activity;
   6. have assisted a certified Instructor or Senior Instructor in the desired activity for a minimum of 25 hours, after having successfully completed an Instructor Certification course;
   7. have the recommendation of a Senior Instructor certified in the desired activity;
   8. have successfully passed the HAGAR examination;
   9. sell only safe gliders to properly trained individuals;
   10. use helmets, back protectors (paragliders) and safety wheels (hang glider) at all times; and
   11. use certified gliders of a suitable size and carry reserve parachutes for high flights.

6. In order to sustain their Instructor certification, Instructors must continue to meet the above requirements 5(a), 5(c), and 5(d). In addition, Instructors must:
   1. re-certify every three years:
   1. The month and day of the instructor's initial certification as an instructor shall establish the Recertification Anniversary Date for that instructor. If an instructor's certification has been withdrawn or has expired, the Recertification Anniversary Date shall be re-established upon renewed certification.
   2. Instructors may apply for an extension or grace period of 6 months after their third Recertification Anniversary Date in which they may satisfy the recertification requirement to attend an HPAC/ACVL Instructor Seminar. (This is intended to provide maximum planning flexibility and choice among available Instructor Courses for instructors.) Applications for this extension must be routed through the Executive director to the CSI (HPAC Council of Senior Instructors) and should be received two months prior to the instructor's recertification date. In this case the recertification will be pre-dated to become effective as of the original Recertification Anniversary Date.
   3. Instructors wishing to re-certify during a period of up to six months prior to their recertification date may do so. In this case the recertification will be post dated to become effective as of their original Recertification Anniversary Date.
   4. If an instructor has not successfully met the requirement for attending an Instructor Course within the allowable time window, then automatically it shall be deemed that, as of the following day, the instructor has failed to meet that particular recertification requirement.
   5. The HPAC/ACVL has a policy intended to assist instructors working in isolated areas to attend re-certification courses. Application for such assistance must be made to the Board of Directors through the Executive director.
   2. report all accidents to which they are witness to the HPAC/ACVL Safety Chair(s);
   3. sell only safe gliders to properly trained individuals;
   4. use helmets, back protectors (paragliders) and safety wheels (hang glider) at all times;
   5. use certified gliders of a suitable size and carry reserve parachutes for high flights.

Requirement to Obtain a HPAC/ACVL Senior Instructor Certification

7. In order to qualify for a HPAC/ACVL Senior Instructor certification for hang gliding or paragliding, candidates must meet the following requirements:
   1. Be a member in good standing of the HPAC/ACVL;
   2. have a HPAC/ACVL Advanced rating and 100 logged hours of airtime in the desired activity;
   3. have held a valid HPAC/ACVL Instructor rating for a minimum of three years in the desired activity;
   4. have taught a minimum of 100 students that have obtained at least a Student Certificate in the desired activity;
   5. have a valid first-aid certificate (note: First aid courses must be taken in person the first three times, thereafter it can be renewed online);
   6. have assisted a Senior Instructor in conducting an Instructor Certification Seminar for the desired activity;
   7. have the recommendation of a Senior Instructor certified in the desired activity; and
   8. Submit a letter of application to the board of directors. As this letter is also a letter of introduction to some of the board, it is recommended that it contain any relevant information the applicant would like the board to know and state why the candidate would like to attain this rating.
   9. obtain the approbation of the HPAC/ACVL BoD.

8. In order to retain their Senior Instructor certification, Senior Instructors must continue to meet the above requirements 7(a) and 7(e). In addition, Senior Instructors must:
   1. Conduct at least one HPAC/ACVL Instructor Seminar every three years.
   2. report all accidents to which they are witness to the HPAC/ACVL Safety Chair;
   3. report the number of student taught by them during the year to the Executive director by 31 December of every year;
   4. sell only safe gliders to properly trained individuals;
   5. use helmets, back protectors (paragliders) and safety wheels (hang glider) at all times; and
   6. use certified gliders of a suitable size and carry reserve parachutes for high flights.

Application for Instructor Certification

9. The Senior Instructor recommending an instructor or senior instructor candidate is responsible to forward the recommendation and supporting documentation to:
   HPAC Council of Senior Instructors
   c/o Executive director
   (obtain current address here)

10. The BoD will appoint new Senior Instructors upon receipt of the documented evidence of full compliance with the stated requirements.

Loss of Instructor Rating

11. An instructor will automatically lose his/her certification when he/she stops meeting any of the requirements for sustaining that certification.

HPAC/ACVL Apprentice Instructor

12. An Apprentice Instructor is an individual that can act as an Instructor while under the supervision of a Certified Instructor or Senior Instructor. Apprentice Instructors may be appointed by certified Instructors or Senior Instructors without the involvement of HPAC/ACVL, provided that they meet the qualification requirements stated herein.
    Apprentice Instructors are recommended to take an Instructors course.
    While assisting an Instructor or senior Instructor, they must at all times be in visual and audible contact with the Instructor.
13. In order to qualify as a HPAC/ACVL Apprentice Instructor for hang gliding or paragliding, the candidate must meet the following qualification requirements:
    1. Be a member in good standing of the HPAC/ACVL; and
    2. hold a valid HPAC/ACVL Novice rating (or better) in the chosen activity.

Responsibilities

14. The Board of Directors is responsible for appointing new Senior Instructors.
15. The Executive director is responsible for appointing Instructors upon the recommendation of a Senior Instructor.
16. Instructors and Senior Instructors are responsible for appointing Apprentice Instructors.
17. Senior Instructors are responsible for recommending the appointment of Instructors and senior instructors.

Footnotes:

(1) "Sell only safe gliders to properly trained individuals" means that instructors must not sell paragliders rated higher than DHV/LTF 1-2 or EN B to anyone unless that person has at least a PG Novice rating and has completed at least 100 PG flights.

(2) If a member applies for a rating requiring first aid, he (she) can present a self-declaration stating that they are a health care professional (Nurse, Md or Emergency Technician) and that first aid readiness and currency are part of the requirements of their profession (occupation). The onus is on the applying member to make sure that they continue to meet this requirement as long as they hold that HPAC rating.

Revision history:
• 2013-04-10 MN: CSI updates
• 2012-06-23 SL: first aid requirement footnote (2)
• 2010-08-21 GG: added footnote(1)
• 2009-08-16 : added 5h, "HAGAR"
• 2009-01-15 : revised
• 2006-11-12 : issued
• 2003-04-02 : Drafted