Hi Cathal,
That is most unfortunate if that be the case. Though to tell the truth I'm hardly surprised! However, as much as these people like to think they 'represent' PPG pilots in Ireland, the fact remains that they DO NOT and by the tactics they use THEY NEVER WILL. The very way they go about organising such meets with diverse authorities shows just that they are acting on their own behalf and in their own interest. I personally have not asked anybody to represent me to any particular authority.

This is just one more reason why I sincerely think it's about time PPG pilots in Ireland got their arses up to the Take Off pad and got some real representation off the ground. Unfortunately, what with waiting for input from parties that won't bother to grace us with their presence when we ask them to meet us, this is proving to be very difficult to progress indeed. Personally, I think it's time for a second meet and this time no waiting around for the input of the 'interested' parties that don't even bother to show. You're correct in your statement that agreement was reached at the first meet that any representation on behalf of PPG Pilots should first be run by them. Well, if representation is once again being made without our knowledge and even by parties present at our meeting, then that in itself explains quite clearly where said individuals interests lie.

Now on a personal note: All you pilots in attendence at the 14th June meet . . . Where are ye all? Where's your input on this forum? Are ye waiting for someone to get this mess sorted for ye? Or maybe ye're quite happy with the 'representation ye have!

Over and Out . . .

Paddy.

I'd also be very disappointed to hear that approaches to the IAA have been made outside the agreement of the lastmeeting. I'd find it hard to believe that this could be the case...as it could be deemed a tad hypocritical. Honour, trust, impartiality, credability are the basic pre-requisites of leadership, if someone has done this then can they expect anyone to support them?

Hi Cathal, Paddy & Guys,

I'm not sure what Cathal is referring to in his post opening this thread on Sunday evening?? In order to ensure that there is no doubt about IHPA's position I want to clarify it for the record.

I have been critical of both IHPA and NMAI (National Microlight Association of Ireland) in still not formally responding to Kevin Swords' very positive proposal (issued to me by Kevin just before the last IHPA meeting with the IAA on 7-May-09). That IAA proposal was for a new, non-ICAO Pilot Licence to cover FLPAs and powered parachutes and it included the valuable offer to treat paratrikes as paramotors and not as microlights (as at present). NMAI had their separate meeting with IAA around the same time in early May.

Within NACI (the National Aero Club of Ireland), it is NMAI who represent powered microlights which includes paramotors and paratrikes (even though IHPA has quite a few powered HGs and PGs). NMAI and IHPA have agreed to co-operate within NACI in responding to IAA on paramotors and paratrikes with regard to our own members (but we don't claim to represent independent, non-aligned pilots - of which there are many). There has been no further contact between IHPA and IAA on paramotoring (or any other) issues apart from a short mail by me to John Swan in the IAA apologising for the ongoing delay on 16-Jun-09. In that mail I advised John Swan that we were hopeful that there would be significant developments within the paramotoring community in the future.

In the interim, IHPA pilots attended the 1st paramotoring meeting on 18-Jun-09 at which I stated IHPA's position more than once i.e. that if a new paramotoring association is formed (and applies to NACI for recognition), then IHPA will defer to it and will transfer its powered members to the new association. I can't speak for NMAI but they might well take the same approach. There was great unanimity and positivity at that 1st paramotoring meeting and it did seem that unity was imminent. However, the 2nd meeting did not take place as planned for (I think) 5-Sep and the later Cashel meeting (which I couldn't make) seems not to have borne fruit? On 6-Sep I mailed Oisin, Gordon and Jason about the importance of having that 2nd meeting and going forward in unity as planned.

NMAI and IHPA are still self-critical at not getting together to formally respond to the IAA. However, both IHPA and NMAI hoped that, by now, a new paramotoring association would have emerged and, really, that's what both associations are waiting for. I do hope to attend the meeting planned for next Sun, 11-Oct (when and where will it be held?) to (a) urge all paramotor pilots to go forward in unity and (b) to participate in that unity. If that can be achieved then paramotoring will have made real progress.

So, in response to Cathal's mail, there have been no "behind-the-scenes" meetings involving IHPA and I can only presume that, Cathal, you were referring to others (and not to myself, Jason or IHPA) or maybe you were simply mistaken. As stated above, NMAI and IHPA hoped to have met by now but we've been too busy with work, holidays other matters. Also, we're waiting for paramotoring unity to emerge!!

Please, Cathal, do clarify this for the forum as vague allegations like "agreements being overlooked" by "the people that were at the 1st paramotoring meeting" definitely do not involve IHPA. Also, they probably don't involve NMAI either as IHPA and NMAI have been trying, without success, to find a mutually agreeable date for a meeting. Specifically Cathal - who were you referring to and what mysterious "behind-the-scenes" meetings are you talking about?

Lastly, in relation to Paddy's post in the "Members' Section" about the agenda for paramotoring meeting #2 I would suggest that it should be chaired by Oisin with a similar agenda to meeting #1 and with an "Any Other Business" slot at the end to cater for any matters not covered by the agenda.

Cheers,

>>> Dara <<<

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E-Mail from: Dara Hogan E-Mail: dara.hogan@esatclear.ie
Chairman - Irish Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association

Check out our website at: www.ihpa.ie
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Home Telephone: +353-1-493-5038 Mobile: +353-86-258-5978

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A Farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.
At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quietened down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw.
With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.
Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone.
We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.
Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.
Live simply and appreciate what you have.
Give more. Expect less

NOW .......Enough of that crap. The donkey later came back, and bit the farmer who had tried to bury him.
The gash from the bite got infected and the farmer eventually died in agony from septic shock.

MORAL FROM TODAY'S LESSON:
When you do something wrong, and try to cover your ass, it always comes back to bite you.

Nice one Paddy! I hope that's a true story!!!!!!!

He He He!!! Been a while since I got a laugh from this neck of the woods! Good one Paddy.
Hope all going well in the Reich.

Mike Hastings