PRD 430-1 Tandem Endorsement Program

Date of Issue: April 16, 2005

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 tandem endorsement program;
   2. describe the HPAC/ACVL tandem endorsement program; and
   3. specify the requirements to hold a tandem endorsement.

Aims of the Tandem Endorsement Program

2. Hang gliding and paragliding tandem flights can only be conducted for the purpose of instruction in Canada as specified in Canadian Air Regulation 602.29. The aim of the HPAC/ACVL Tandem Endorsement program is to ensure that instructors conducting instructional tandem flights have some prior experience as pilots in command of tandem flights.

Disclaimer

3. To promote effective and safe instruction in Canada, the HPAC/ACVL manages a tandem endorsement 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 tandem endorsement courses. The HPAC/ACVL makes no warranty or representations as to the competence, expertise or aptitude of any HPAC/ACVL-certified tandem instructor, although such qualities are informally assessed when a tandem endorsement is first applied for.

Types of Tandem Endorsements

4. There are two tandem endorsements: Tandem 1 and Tandem 2. A certified instructor can hold one of the two tandem endorsements for hang gliding and one of the two tandem endorsements for paragliding.

Requirement to Obtain a Tandem 1 Endorsement

5. In order to qualify for a HPAC/ACVL Tandem 1 endorsement, candidates must meet the following requirements:
   1. hold a HPAC/ACVL instructor or senior instructor certification;
   2. have a HPAC/ACVL advanced rating in the desired activity;
   3. have a minimum airtime of 100 hours and 50 flights or 50 hours airtime in the past 12 months in the desired activity;
   4. successfully completed a Tandem 1 seminar;
   5. conduct five flights with a Tandem 2 instructor and 15 flights with a rated pilot; and
   6. have the recommendation of a Tandem 2 instructor.
6. In order to retain a Tandem 1 endorsement, instructors must:
   1. log at least 50 flights or 50 hours air time in the desired activity per year;
   2. log 10 tandem flights or five tandem-hour per year;
   3. use a certified tandem glider and reserve parachute (plus safety wheels for hang gliders);
   4. use tandem flight only for instructional purposes.

Requirement to Obtain a Tandem 2 Endorsement

7. In order to qualify for a HPAC/ACVL Tandem 2 endorsement for hang gliding or paragliding, instructors must meet the following requirements:
   1. hold a current HPAC/ACVL Instructor or Senior Instructor certification
   2. have logged at least 100 tandem flights as pilot-in-command (submit a list of names & dates)
   3. assist a Tandem 2 instructor in conducting a Tandem 1 seminar
   4. have the recommendation of a Tandem 2 instructor (in the same activity: HG or PG)
   5. write a letter of application to the HPAC/ACVL Board of Directors
   6. be approved by the HPAC/ACVL Board of Directors
8. In order to retain a Tandem 2 endorsement, instructors must:
   1. log at least 50 flights including 10 tandems annually;
   2. use a Certified tandem glider and reserve parachute (plus safety wheels for hang gliders);
   3. use tandem flight only for instructional purposes; and
   4. conduct at least one Tandem 1 Seminar every three years.

Application for Tandem Endorsement

9. The Tandem 2 Instructor recommending Tandem 1 and Tandem 2 endorsements is responsible for forwarding the recommendation and supporting documentation to:

   Instructors Advisory Council Chair
   c/o Business Manager
   Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association of Canada (HPAC)
   7 Windal Ave., Toronto ON, M9N 2C2, Canada

10. The BoD will appoint new Tandem 2 endorsement.

Loss of Tandem Endorsement

11. An instructor will automatically lose his certification when he stops meeting the requirements for that endorsement.
12. A Senior Instructor can remove a tandem endorsement.

Responsibilities

13. The BoD is responsible to endorse Tandem 2 pilots.
14. The Business Manager is responsible to endorse Tandem 1 pilots upon the recommendation of a Tandem 2 pilot.
15. Tandem 2 pilots are responsible to recommend the appointment of Tandem 1 and Tandem 2 pilots.