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  1. #1
    ironnerd's Avatar
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    I think the forum has been over the Insurance topic in an older thread.
    https://eaaforums.org/showthread.php...-go-you-buy-it

    What I am really wondering is if USUA provides any benefits over and above what the EAA provides and access to Insurance.

    I understand that USUA is, in some ways, like the National Association of Rocketry in that it governs its membership so the Government does not need to. But again, the EAA seems to understand this as well:
    There is a statement on the EAA Ultralight Registration page that reads as follows:
    "By offering free registration programs for ultralight vehicles, EAA is helping the ultralight community meet that commitment to self-regulation. If we don’t regulate ourselves, the FAA will be forced to do it for us."

    I can look up a lot of info on the EAA web page without being a member. With USUA, I need to join to see what I am going to get - all the links on the Home Page take you to the Home Page.
    John "J.P." Adams
    EAA 1379403

    I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things.
    – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

  2. #2
    Dana's Avatar
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    At one time, USUA, EAA, ASC (Aero Sports Connection), and USHGA (US Hang Gliding Association) all had "Basic Flight Instructor" programs, to allow a BFI to legally instruct in a 2 seat "ultralight trainer". I think even AOPA might have been involved in the very early days. The instructor needed to be a BFI and the ultralight needed to be registered with the insurance.

    EAA abandoned ULs early on, their ultralight registration program is likely vestigial. Later, when the Sport Pilot / LSA rule was passed (largely due to widespread abuse of the BFI program, so much for "self regulation"), the FAA eliminated the 2 seat ultralight training exemptions for everything except foot launched hang gliders and paragliders which USHGA (now USHPA) and ASC maintained.

    USUA continued with the UL registration program which was required to get insurance through their affiliated broker, and provided a magazine which now appears to be defunct. There were also some shenanigans and disputes involving the USUA management around that time. It appears that insurance may still be available through USUA as per the link I posted above. When I had UL insurance through USUA around 10 years ago it was $300ish.
    Last edited by Dana; 04-03-2024 at 02:50 PM.

  3. #3
    ironnerd's Avatar
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    I think I'll keep poking EAA and USUA to see what each offers. Maybe the former should absorb the latter... I dunno.
    John "J.P." Adams
    EAA 1379403

    I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things.
    – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

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