Bylaws of the Sandia Soaring Association, Inc. (The SSA)
A. Classes. The Corporation
shall have the following classes of membership. Their respective rights are
as follows:
1. Full Membership includes the right to vote on
Corporation affairs, hold office and, upon qualification, have the right to fly
at SSA controlled sites.
2. Associate members are encouraged to attend
all club functions.
3. Temporary membership is available to visiting
pilots on a monthly basis and provides a right to fly at SSA controlled sites,
but not a right to vote or hold office.
B. Admission. All applicants for
full or temporary membership must also be members of the United States HangGliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA). An
applicant shall be admitted to full membership in the Corporation only upon
making application therefore, meeting those requirements set by the officers,
and payment of dues. Applicants for
associate membership shall be accepted upon payment of dues.
C. Suspension, expulsion and removal from office. A member may be removed from elected or
appointed office, have his or her membership
suspended for a period, or be expelled from the Corporation
for cause, such as violation of any of these
Bylaws or violation of flight regulations or other rules of the
Corporation or for conduct prejudicial to the
best interests of the Corporation. Such action shall require a
two thirds (2/3) vote of all the voting members
at a regular meeting, provided that a statement of the
charges and a notice of the time and place of
the meeting have been mailed to the member at least seven (7)
days prior to the meeting, and that the member
will have an opportunity to present a defense at the meeting.
D. Transfer of membership.
Membership in the Corporation is not transferable or assignable.
E. Termination of membership.
Membership shall terminate on the death or resignation of a member or
three (3) months after expiration of the annual
dues. On such termination, any rights, titles, or interests of the
former member in or to the property and assets
of the Corporation shall cease.
Article II. Dues.
A. Annual dues. Membership shall
determine from time to time the amount of the initiation fee, if any,
and the amount of annual dues payable to the
Corporation by Full and Associate Members. Dues shall be
published each year via a newsletter or web
site.
1. Full Members: $35.00 per
year.
2. Associate Members: $17.50 per year.
3. Temporary Memberships: $15.00 for a one month membership
B. Payment of dues and fees. Annual
dues shall become payable on the first day of the calendar year.
Article III. Meetings of the members.
A. Annual meeting. An
annual meeting of the members shall be held in the month of October, at a time
announced on the web site or discussion group,for the
purposes of electing officers, and for the transaction of such other business
as may come before the meeting. If the election of officers shall not be held in
the month designated herein for any annual meeting, the officers shall cause
the election to be held at a special meeting of the members as soon thereafter
as conveniently may be done.
B. Regular meetings. Monthly
meetings shall be held on the first Thursday of each month at a time and to be
announced the week prior on the web site or discussion group
C. Quorum. Full Members
represented at a scheduled meeting, with a minimum of
five (5), shall constitute a quorum. A majority
of the votes entitled to be cast on a matter to be voted upon by
the members represented at a meeting shall be
necessary for the adoption thereof.
1. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of
incorporation or by the Bylaws, notice stating the place, day, and hour of the
meeting, and in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which
the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less than five (5), nor more than
fifty (50) days before the date of the meeting, either personally, by mail or
on the web site, by or at the direction of the President, or the
Secretary/Treasurer, or the officers or persons calling the meeting, to each
member entitled to vote at the meeting. If mailed, the notice shall be deemed
to be delivered when deposited in the
2. Attendance at any meeting by a member shall
constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except where a member attends a
meeting for the expressed purpose of objecting to the transaction of any
business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Article IV. Board of Directors.
A. Directors. The Directors of the
corporation shall consist of a President, a Vice-president, a
Secretary/Treasurer and a Newsletter or Web Site
Editor.
B. Election and terms. The
President, Vice-president, Secretary/Treasurer and Newsletter Editor shall be
elected by a majority of the voting members of
the annual meeting and shall hold office for a period of
twelve (12) months or until their successors are
elected. There shall be no limit to the number of terms
each officer may serve.
C. President. The President
shall be the principal executive officer of the Corporation and shall in
general, supervise and control all the business
and affairs of the Corporation. He or she shall preside at all
meetings of the members. He or she may sign any
deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments
that the officers have authorized to be executed.
In general, he or she shall perform all duties incident to
the office of President and such other duties as
may be prescribed by the Corporation.
D. Vice-president. The
vice-president shall be in charge of parliamentary procedure at all regular
Corporation meetings. He or she is the
co-chairperson of all Association. In the absence of the President or
in the event of his or her inability or refusal
to act, the vice-president shall perform the duties of the
President and shall have all the powers of and be
subject to any and all restrictions on the President.
E. Secretary/Treasurer. The
Secretary/Treasurer shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the members,
see that all notices are duly given in
accordance with these bylaws or as required by law, be custodian of
the Corporation records, keep a register of the
post office address of each member and, in general, perform
all duties that may be assigned by the
President. The Secretary/Treasurer shall have charge and custody of
and be responsible for all funds and securities
of the Corporation, receive and give receipts for moneys due
and payable to the Corporation from any source
whatsoever and deposit all such moneys in the name of the
Corporation in such banks, trusts, companies or
other depositories as shall be selected by the officers, and
shall perform such other duties as may be
incident to the office of Secretary/Treasurer. The
Secretary/Treasurer shall provide an annual
financial report at the January meeting. The Secretary/
Treasurer shall provide new members within the
first month of membership with a web site account and
access to the bylaws, rules, and the current
membership database.
F. Newsletter or Web Site Editor. The Newsletter or Web Site Editor shall be responsible for the
collection and compilation of any news and
information that shall be of interest to the members. This shall
include, but not be restricted to, notice of Corporation meetings, results of
elections, officers meetings,
committee meetings, club activities, applicable
Federal, State and City actions that may have bearing on the
Corporation, safety information and news from
other flying organizations around the world. In addition,
the Editor shall select articles submitted by
the members that are deemed satisfactory for publication. He
or she shall have the right and duty to edit
said articles to conform with standards of propriety, legality and
validity. The newsletter or web site shall be
updated on a schedule in accordance with Article III, Section
D of the Bylaws pertaining to notice of meetings
for the Members. Funds for the publication or site fees
will be provided from the club treasury upon
receipt of invoices or documentation meeting the
Secretary/Treasurer's approval. In absence of an
appointed “Editor” the Secretary shall assume these duties.
Article V. Contracts, Checks, Deposits, and Funds
A. Contracts. The President may
authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents of the Corporation in
addition to the officers so authorized by these
Bylaws, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any
instrument in the name of and on behalf of the
Corporation. Such authority may be general or confined to
specific instances.
B. Checks, drafts or orders for
payment. All checks, drafts or orders for payment of money, notes or
other evidence or indebtedness issued in the
name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officers or
agents of the Corporation and in such manner as
from time to time be determined by the officers.
C. Deposits. All funds of the
Association shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the
Association in such banks, trusts companies or
other depositories as the officers may select.
D. Gifts. The directors may accept
on behalf of the Corporation any contribution, gift, bequest or device
for the general purposes or special purposes of
the Corporation.
Article VI. Identification Cards
The Corporation shall provide for the issuance
of identification cards or other tokens evidencing membership in the Corporation.
These cards or tokens shall be in such form as may be determined by the
officers. Information included on the cards shall include the member's name,
corporation number, USHPA number, USHPA rating, Corporation ratings, and
expiration date. All cards or tokens shall be consecutively numbered to
correspond to the Corporation records. If any card shall become lost, mutilated
or destroyed, or if new information contained on the original is out of date, a
new card may be issued on such terms and conditions as the officers may
determine.
Article VII. Amendments and Attachments
A. Amendments. The Bylaws of this
Association may be amended, repealed, added to or new Bylaws
may be adopted by the vote or written assent of
a majority of the members entitled to vote or a two thirds
(2/3) majority of a quorum at a regular
Corporation meeting.
B. Attachments. Copies of all
current rules and guidelines as recommended by the Board of Directors
and approved by the Membership shall be
permanently attached to these Bylaws. The Secretary/Treasurer
shall be responsible for updating these copies
as the situation demands.
Article VIII. Miscellaneous
A. Controlling Law. These
Bylaws shall be interpreted, governed and construed under the laws of New
B. Severability. If any
provision of these Bylaws or any part thereof is declared invalid by any court
of
competent jurisdiction, such action shall not
affect the validity of these Bylaws, and the remainder of these
Bylaws shall remain in full force and effect
according to the terms of the remaining provisions or parts of
provisions hereof.
Attachment A.
Sandia Soaring
Association, Inc.
1. Pilot minimum qualifications to fly
A. A current USHPA Advanced (H4/P4) rating for the type of wing
flown (HG/PG).
1. HG pilots rating must include the following Special Skills: CL,
FSL, AWCL, TUR, RLF & XC
2. PG pilots rating must include the following Special Skills: CL,
FSL, TUR, RLF, XC, HA & RS
B. Be a current full or
temporary Sandia Soaring Association member.
C. have a minimum of 100
hours of logged mountain flying experience.
D. have a minimum of 150
foot launched flights.
E. Utilize a helmet, reserve
parachute, and airworthy glider.
Note: New pilots must be guided by a rated Peak
Guide Pilot for the type of wing flown for a minimum of 10 flights before becoming
eligible for a Peak Rating.
2. Qualifications for
A. A minimum of 10 logged
and guide-initiated Peak flights. For current Peak rated pilots transitioning
to a different wing type (HG/PG) a minimum of 3 logged and guide initiated
B. A minimum of two
different guide pilots used for Guide flights.
C. Be a current full Member
of The Sandia Soaring Association and USHPA.
D. Have the recommendation
and approval of all guides that the pilot has flown with.
3. Qualification to be a
A. Be a current
B. A paraglider
Peak Guide must be a current or former Hang Gliding Peak Guide or meet all
requirements in sub-section C below.
C. Either 50 Peak launched flights
over a 2 year period for non-Crest Guides or 10
flights over a 1 year period for current Crest
Guides.
D. Acknowledgment and
acceptance of responsibilities as indicated by signature
below. Said acknowledgement to be executed annually
by no later than April of current year or guide status is revoked
E. Approval of three current
Peak Guides who have flown with the pilot and
recommend that they be given the responsibility
of Peak Guide.
F. Guides must meet annually in the month of
March to re-affirm guidelines and discuss any issues
4. Guidelines for
A. Verify qualifications of
guest pilot.
B. Preview landing areas
with guest pilot.
C. Discuss Tramway rules and
etiquette with guest pilot.
D. Insure that instructions
from Tram personnel are obeyed.
E. Review weather and flight
conditions with guest pilot.
F. Review Peak Manual with
guest pilot.
G. Review terrain with guest
pilot.
H. Have guest pilot sign
Peak waiver of liability (first flight).
I. Log guest pilot and Guide
pilot with Tramway cashier.
J. Guide pilot must
preflight and hang check (HG) or verify harness buckled and risers secured to
harness (PG) and launch guest pilot.
K. Review flight with guest
pilot after landing.
5.
A. Pilot in Command must be
a full SSA member.
B. Pilot in Command must be
a Peak Guide pilot for type of wing flown (HG/PG).
C. Pilot in Command must
sign the SSA Tandem Responsibility Acknowledgement.
D. Pilot in Command must
follow all USHPA Tandem requirements.
E. Pilot in Command must
hold a USHPA Tandem rating for the passenger's skill
level.
F. Passenger must hold a USHPA
Advanced (IV) rating.
G. Passenger must sign the
SSA Tandem Liability Release. Said Tandem Liability release to be executed
annually by no later than April 1 of current year or Tandem privileges are
revoked.
Attachment B.
Sandia Soaring
Association, Inc.
Sandia Crest Pilot Guidelines.
1. Pilot Minimum Qualifications to Fly Sandia Crest
A. Current USHPA Advanced
rating (H4/P4) rating for type of wing flown (HG/PG). Exception allowed for
local SSA members with Intermediate rating (H3/P3) for type of wing flown
(HG/PG).
1.HG pilots rating must include the following Special Skills: CL,
FSL, AWCL, TUR, RLF & XC
2.PG pilots rating must include the following Special Skills: CL,
FSL, TUR, RLF, XC, HA & RS
B. Visiting USHPA
Intermediate rated pilots with:
1) 50 logged hours.
2) 150 logged foot launch initiated flights.
3) Sponsorship of a current Local Instructor,
Observer, or Crest Guide appointed for the type of wing flown (HG/PG). Sponsership
involves Local Instructor, Observer, or Crest Guide having witnessed or
verified pilot’s skills and determining them as sufficient for flying Sandia
Crest
C. Current Full Sandia
Soaring Association Membership.
D. Helmet, reserve, airworthy
glider.
Note: New pilots must be guided by a Crest Guide
pilot until qualifications have been met.
2. Qualifications for Sandia Crest Rating.
A. Minimum of 10 logged and
Guide initiated Crest flights on type of wing flown (HG/PG) for Intermediate
rated (H3/P3) pilots or Advanced rated (H4/P4) rated pilots with less than 200
logged hours. Current rated Crest pilots
qualifying towards a new wing type (HG/PG) must have a minimum of 3 guided
flights in new type of wing.
B. Minimum of two different Guide
pilots used for Guide flights.
C. Recommendation and
approval of guides that pilot is qualified.
D. Current Full member of
Sandia Soaring Association.
E. Advanced (H4/P4) pilots
with 250 logged hours of mountain flying require a minimum of 5 guided flights in type of wing flown
(HG/PG). Peak rated pilots require a minimum of 3 guided Crest flights.
3. Qualifications to be a Sandia Crest Guide.
A. Current USHPA Advanced (H4/P4)
rating for type of wing flown (HG/PG).
B. Current Full Sandia
Soaring Association Member.
C. Current Sandia Crest
rated pilot for type of wing flown (HG/PG).
D. 50 hours
E. Acknowledgement and
Acceptance of responsibilities as indicated by signature
Below Said Acknowledgement to be executed
annually by no later than April 1 of current year or guide appointment revoked.
F. Recommendation and
approval of 3 current Sandia Crest rated guides for type of wing flown (HG/PG) that
pilot is qualified.
G. Guides must meet annually
in the month of March to re-affirm guidelines and discuss any issues
4. Guidelines for Sandia Crest Guides.
A. Verify qualifications of
guest pilot.
B. Preview landing area with
guest pilot.
C. Review weather conditions
with guest pilot.
D. Review terrain with guest
pilot.
E. Guide must preflight
guest pilot's glider.
F. Guide pilot must hang
check (HG) or verify harness buckled and risers secured to harness (PG) and
launch guest pilot.
G. Review flight with guest pilot after landing.
5. Sandia Crest Tandem Requirements.
A. Pilot in command must be
a current full SSA member.
B. Pilot in Command must be
a current Crest Guide rated pilot of type of wing flown.
C. Pilot in Command must
sign the SSA Tandem Responsibility Acknowledgement.
D. Pilot in Command must
follow all USHPA Tandem requirements.
E. Pilot in Command must
hold the appropriate USHPA Tandem rating in the type of wing flown (HG/PG) for
the passenger's skill level.
1) Tandem 1 - Rated pilots for type of wing
flown (HG/PG).
2) Tandem 2 - Novice pilots for type of wing
flown (HG/PG).
3) Tandem Instructor - Student pilots for type
of wing flown (HG/PG).
F. Passenger must be a
current member of USHPA.
G. Passenger must sign the
SSA Tandem Liability release.
6Novice (Hang 2) Instructor / Guide for Hang Gliding only.
A. Instructor / Guide must
be a current full member of the SSA.
B. Instructor / Guide must
be an SSA Crest Guide pilot for hang gliding.
C. Instructor / Guide must
be a current USHPA Certified Advanced Instructor for hang gliding.
D. Instructor / Guide must
have had direct involvement in the instruction of the Novice pilot.
E. Instructor / Guide must
sign the SSA Instructor /Guide Responsibility Acknowledgement. Said Acknowledgement to be executed annually
by no later than April 1 of current year or privileges are revoked.
7. Novice Pilot must meet the following requirements:
A. Be a current SSA full
member and a current USHPA Novice rated pilot.
B. Have a minimum of 10
logged solo flight hours.
C. Pass the USHPA Intermediate
tests, both oral and written for hang gliding.
D. Sign the SSA Novice Pilot
Liability release.
E. Fly within the following
limitations:
1) Prior to or following significant thermal
activity.
2) Wind speeds at launch of less than 12 mph.
3) Maintain radio communication between pilot
and guide.
4) May not fly if there is any storm activity in
the vicinity.
Appendix A.
History of Revisions
Adopted by The Sandia
Soaring Association, Inc. at the September 1993 meeting.
Amended/Revised January 31, 1996
Peak Guide requirements revised September 4, 1996
Crest/Peak Tandem rules added September 4, 1996
Crest Instructor/Novice rules added September 4, 1996
Annual Meeting changed from June to October. Revised March 5, 1997
Redefinition of a quorum adopted November 4, 1998
Meeting and Newsletter publication schedule modified November 4,
1998
Increase of dues after 01/31 to $30.00 adopted January 3, 2001
Use of e-mail and website for Fliers adopted Jan. 3, 2001
Mountain committee eliminated Jan 3, 2001
New pilot/ guide rating process adopted Jan 3, 2001
Eliminated Mountain Committee references, added web site
references, added PG pilot
guidelines and performed minor typographical corrections, October
14, 2003.
Revised membership dues, December 1, 2004
March 2009 Revisions:
added restrictions on temporary membership
Change dues rates and eliminate dual tier rates
Change USHGA to USHPA
wherever mentioned
Change due date for dues
Revised meeting days and times to allow for officer announcements
added "In absence of an appointed “Editor” the Secretary
shall assume these duties"
added "or tokens" to Article VI to allow for helmet
stickers should the officers call for them
added language to include paragliding to the guidelines, clarify
requirements and make Peak and Crest requirements consistant
re-added special skills requirements for both wing types at both
launches
added "for type of wing flown" where appropriate and
desired by the membership
added "or verified" to observer/sponser
requirements
change language to clarify that the Novice Instructor exception
for the Crest applies only to hang gliders