In1990 the United States Powered Parachute Association (USPPA) was formed for the purpose of creating an open forum for everyone with an interest in Powered Parachutes and promoting safety in the sport. In April 1996 the USPPA was reorganized as The North American Powered Parachute Federation (NAPPF). The object of NAPPF is to promote safety; quality of instruction; enhancement of competency in pilot skills; dissemination and exchange of information regarding powered parachute aviation to its membership, to other aviation associations, to the public, and appropriate governmental agencies. Technological advances and safety concerns in training, operation and in the manufacture of powered parachutes are of major interest of this organization. NAPPF is dedicated to serving powered parachuting by fostering and encouraging individual participation, high standards and access to the world of flight. The Federation exists to serve its membership and is open to all who wish to participate. The NAPPF is governed by a Board of Directors and is in the process of being charted as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in the State of Delaware. As a respected leader within the sport aviation community, NAPPF is recognized by government agencies and individuals alike as a highly informed organization, knowledgeable in all aspects of the powered parachuting sport. NAPPF educates and supports powered parachute enthusiasts at all levels of experience.

The name "North American Powered Parachute Federation" was selected since it defines our membership and because FAA rules and regulations are not valid in other countries like they are in the United States and Canada. If NAPPF can get the approvals being worked for, other countries can then use these same rules under the ICAO bilateral agreements.

Tne purpose of the NAPPF is to work with the Federal Aviation Administration for rules and regulations that will considerably expand the allowed use of powered parachutes. In order to accomplish this effort, standards needed to be developed which would allow the FAA to produce regulations that would be approved for use by powered parachutes.

In 1996 NAPPF members developed the "Recreational Pilot Practical Test Standard for Powered Parachutes" which was accepted and published by the FAA in June of 1997 and is available from the government printing office. ( pub # FAA-S-8081-19)

NAPPF members have been working closely with the FAA for several years now to produce the Powered Parachutes Airworthiness Standards.

The manufacturing members of the NAPPF have made considerable safety and operational improvements as a result of the standards for manufacture that NAPPF is working on with the FAA.

Since 1993 when the FAA formed the ARAC part 103 working group to look into possible changes to part 103 and how to handle two place and fat ultralight operations, NAPPF has been there to protect the privileges that part 103 has given us ( virtually unrestricted flying of 103 legal vehicles ). NAPPF has been working for reasonable changes to the ultralight rules and to avoid any adverse changes.

Currently, NAPPF is involved in developing standards with the FAA which would allow the unrestricted usage of powered parachutes up to four seats and a maximum of 2700 pounds empty weight with a standard FAA pilot certificate specifically for powered parachutes. These changes would allow the use of powered parachutes for commercial purposes as well as unrestricted passenger carriage. In order to accomplish this NAPPF must prove to the FAA that these standards are as safe as FAR Part 23 standards for general aviation aircraft. As an update - the standards for powered parachute pilots have been prepared by the FAA and are ready for release as soon as the standards for the vehicle are approved. The current schedule from the FAA is that the vehicle standards will be published for public comment in July of this year.
 

NAPPF’s relationship to ASC:
The agreement between NAPPF and ASC establishes the basis for the NAPPF and the ASC to develop and maintain joint activities and programs by which the two organizations and the ultralight community may mutually benefit through the use and sharing of capabilities and for the provision of services which contributes to both organization’s goals and missions. NAPPF and ASC work jointly to improve ultralight training and safety. Also, ASC provides membership and operating services to NAPPF.
 

Some History
 

In February of 1994 Mel Blaise who had started the USPPA attended the USUA annual meeting and had been lead to believe that his request to operate two place Powered Parachutes under the USUA exemption would be received favorably and that Powered Parachute instructors could join USUA and operate under their exemption. However when it came up on the floor it was denied with the explanation that USUA was a fixed wing organization and had no knowledge concerning Powered Parachutes.

Until a year or so ago the EAA would only allow their CFI's to train in a fixed wing ultra light. Due to the efforts of a PPC manufacturer and some great EAA members, EAA now has a Powered Parachute program. They also use the Unified Practical Test Standards as published by ASC. As of this date both ASC and EAA have the same requirements of 25 hours of instruction and logged flight time before starting on the 10-hour instruction for the instructor rating. ( Yes EAA did increase the requirements for fixed wing instructors and have UFI and

UFIE ratings.) Please note, the total of 35 hours is more than is needed to produce a competent and safe Powered Parachute instructor, as those of you who teach on a regular basis know.

In October of 1994 a three-day meeting was finally arranged in Chicago with the major manufacturers and industry leaders. At this meeting various ways were discussed for operating two place units. There were two good possibilities, 1- draft a NPRM and send it to the FAA, which was agreed to and carried out, and 2- Jim Stephenson had just formed the ASC and was actively petitioning the FAA for an exemption to FAR part 103 for two place trainers.

In May on 1995 the FAA issued exemption # 6080 to the ASC. All exemptions are for a two-year period and then must be renewed by the FAA. The exemption holder is responsible for enforcement of the conditions and terms under which the exemption was issued and for reporting to the FAA every six months. ( please note that USUA recommended that the FAA grant an exemption to ASC, [per John Ballentine])

MOST OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT GOVERN US ARE FROM PART 103 AND ALL ARE MANDATED BY THE FAA, WE ARE OPERATING UNDER AN EXEMPTION TO PART 103 AND WITHIN A VERY NARROW SCOPE

The enforcement of the exemption rules is solely the responsibility of the ASC as the holder of the exemption, and if they do not enforce the rules they will lose the exemption and we all lose a way to fly two place machines! NAPPF members may be requested to serve on the peer review committee based on their being members of ASC. All powered parachute members of ASC are also considered members of NAPPF.
 

The ASC
 

The Aero Sports Connection (ASC) was founded in 1994 as a 501(c)4 Michigan corporation. ASC is dedicated to serving ultralight enthusiasts of all types by fostering and encouraging participation, training and safe access to the world of ultralight aviation. ASC support office is located in Marshall, MI. Membership to ASC is open to all who wish to join and participate. ASC is led by a Board of Directors which is elected by the membership. The ASC has developed materials and resources which helps it in attaining its mission to educate ultralight pilots and enthusiasts at all levels of experience by offering numerous seminars and training programs.

Membership dues: $40.00 annually. Distribution, $7.50 to NAPPF, $20.00 magazine subscription and $12.50 for organizational and operational expenses.