An email went out today to all CSS members with the policy that is copied below from the email.  The BOD is publishing it here for transparency and the opportunity for discussion and/or questions.

I won’t rehash the entire insurance saga, it’s been going on for three years and many members do already know the background and the circumstances that led us to this point.  In any case, for anyone that doesn’t know or understand and would like to learn more, I’m happy to discuss it off-line or we can post another summary and time-line of facts below.

The bottom line is that we, as a club, must maintain adequate general liability coverage for the recreational flying that we do as members.  The CSS also has to maintain separation from, but oversight of, the commercial activity that is authorized at our flying site.  The standards that are set forth in the email are pretty common sense and not complicated to understand, but if there are questions or concerns as to who, what, how, or why, please let the BOD know via this forum, by email, or in person.

Email body as follows:

To All Current or Potential Commercial PG or HG Instructors with intent to continue and/or start commercial instruction at Andy Jackson Airpark/CSS

As of September 26, 2025, Crestline Soaring Society, including Andy Jackson Airpark and all CSS managed launches has been officially reinstated as an USHPA Chapter and has successfully secured insurance coverage through the Recreation Risk Retention Group (RecRRG). This achievement represents a major step forward in ensuring that our club, our members, and our flying sites remain protected and sustainable. Maintaining this coverage not only safeguards our operations but also reduces our annual insurance costs by nearly $20,000 per year compared to any other options.

To remain in good standing with USHPA and to continue benefiting from this mandatory coverage, CSS must demonstrate clear oversight of all commercial instructional activity conducted at AJX and other CSS-managed launches. This includes ensuring a clear distinction between recreational free-flight and commercial instruction, as well as verifying that all authorized instructors maintain adequate general liability insurance for their operations.

Note that the USHPA Master Policy that provides third party liability coverage to all member pilots does NOT cover student pilots under instruction from commercial instructors/schools. The CSS’s general liability policy only covers the club for recreational activity, it does NOT cover commercial activity of any kind. The RecRRG requires the CSS to explicitly and actively keep commercial activity – which is NOT covered under our policy – separate from recreational activity, which is covered under our policy.

All commercial instructors operating at AJX and all CSS managed launches, including visiting instructors, must have an adequate commercial liability policy. The following outlines what is required of commercial instructors in terms of adequate coverage and documentation, including the deadline for submitting proof of coverage.

– The instructor’s insurance policy must provide primary coverage for all commercial flight instruction activities. In simple terms, this means that if there’s ever a claim related to instruction, the instructor’s insurance would respond first. The Crestline Soaring Society’s policy would only come into play after the instructor’s coverage has been used up. This ensures that each school or instructor is fully responsible for their own commercial operations, while still keeping the club protected.

– The instructor’s insurance policy must clearly list the specific activity insured as hang gliding instruction and/or paragliding instruction, as applicable. Policies that describe the activity only in general terms such as “adult education,” “outdoor recreation,” or other broad categories will not be accepted.

– The instructor’s insurance policy must include a hold harmless provision protecting both the USHPA and the CSS. In other words, the policy should state that neither USHPA nor the CSS—and none of their members, officers, or directors—can be held liable for claims arising from the instructor’s commercial activities.

– The instructor’s insurance policy must list all landowners and leaseholders of property used for commercial flight instruction as additional insureds. Specifically, this includes Encore University Hills, LLC (landowner), the Len Szafaryn Free Flight Conservancy (landowner), and the Crestline Soaring Society (leaseholder of the California Department of Water Resources property known as Andy Jackson Flight Park).

– Commercial insurance policies for HG/PG Instruction from the RecRRG are deemed adequate.

– Commercial insurance policies for HG/PG Instruction from Prime (dba X-Insurance) are deemed generally adequate but may still require review.

– All hang gliding and paragliding instructors who wish to continue providing instruction at AJX or any CSS-managed launch must have adequate and approved insurance coverage in place no later than January 30, 2026 and going forward must submit Certificates of Insurance and full policy details annually.

– To allow time for review, instructors must submit both a Certificate of Insurance and a complete copy of their commercial insurance policy to the CSS Board at least 10 days before the deadline. This will ensure the policy meets all requirements outlined above.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the CSS Board of Directors at info@crestlinesoaring.org. We welcome your input and are happy to clarify any part of the process.

Thank you for your continued commitment to safe and responsible flying at Andy Jackson Airpark and our surrounding launches.

Sincerely,

CSS Board of Directors