Looks like the song is in need of a little re-writing:

Mr. Banks:
With tuppence for paper and strings
You can have your own set of wings
With your feet on the ground (nope)
You’re a bird in flight (whether you like it or not)
With your fist holding tight (really tight)
To the string (tail) of your kite

Oh, oh, oh!
Let’s go fly a kite (or the kite flies you)
Up to the highest height!
Let’s go fly a kite and send it (ourselves) soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Oh, let’s go fly a kite! (or the kite flies you)

Bert:
When you send it flyin’ up there
All at once you’re lighter than air
You can dance (flail) on the breeze
Over ‘ouses and trees (and spectators)
With your fist ‘olding tight (death grip)
To the string (tail) of your kite

Londoners:
Oh, oh, oh!
Let’s go fly a kite (or the kite flies you)
Up to the highest height!
Let’s go fly a kite and send it (ourselves) soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Let’s go fly a kite! (or the kite flies you)

Jokes aside – hope that kid was unharmed. Pretty scary.

In the past month (ish), we’ve had at least one crash (with serious injury) and an approach pattern issue from non-local, non-student pilots, so that number is significant.

In the past couple of months, we have had other P2s who have broken the rules (launching unsupervised without a sign off or launching from Crestline unsupervised) – locals.

To me, that pretty clearly says that relaxing the rules even more is a horrible idea.

The variations in the sign offs is new to me, so we’re working with the local instructors to figure out what the best approach is in regards to how P2s are evaluated as good-to-go unsupervised (i.e., if there is a flight # requirement, how many if there is, etc).

Really though, the important part of all of this is that the local instructors are the best people to be making those determinations, as they are intimately familiar with the site and make their living by teaching and evaluating new pilots. We will work to get the “letter of the law” ironed out with them so that there is no ambiguity on those requirements.

Regardless of everyone’s opinions on USHPA requirements for P2s, certifications, our site ratings, or instructional protocols, I have to ask here that everyone respect the rules that are in place right now. Going rogue and choosing to put beginner pilots in the air, especially if you have no instructor rating, PASA certification, or insurance, puts pilots’ lives at risk, and jeopardizes our site, regardless if you tell them to land outside of AJX. It’s also incredibly disrespectful to the other local instructors that have jumped through all of the appropriate hoops (and I hear there are a LOT) and taken the time to follow procedure and do things properly.

If the gang here thinks there’s value in getting USHPA to re-rate some of our launches – have the discussion and try your luck (I think it’s a waste of time, but I won’t stand in anyone’s way), but please DO NOT go breaking the rules in the meantime.

I’m all for mentoring, but mentoring should be to help pilots that can already fly here on their own to improve their skills, not as a loophole to get around seeking proper instruction and USHPA ratings.

I object – Jana, Stan, and I were in the air before those pics. :)

The earlier birds!