The USUA 2007 Annual Meeting and Awards ceremony was held April 20 at the USUA exhibit tent at the Sun N Fun Fly-In, in Lakeland Florida.

USUA President Reggie DeLoach called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM. First, notable members in attendance were recognized and welcomed. These included past Board members, club representatives, past and present award winners, and other notable figures in the ultralight community. A brief synopsis of the meeting agenda was presented, and the meeting proceeded with the President's opening comments.

Reggie reported that due to the substantial increase in fees associated with holding the meeting at the airshow, it was decided to hold the meeting in the exhibit tent. He went on to describe the purpose of the annual meeting, saying that by holding this most important event in duet with a well attended Fly-In such as Sun N Fun, the possibility of increased member turnout would be available.

DeLoach went on to describe the state of ultralighting in the USA, and how it has been adversely affected by new FAA rules, the lack of new legal ultralights available from the manufacturers, and the apathy that has been created by these circumstances. He also described the state of USUA and the declining membership that the association has been experiencing over the years, and what USUA has planned for correcting these situations.

Next he went on to describe some of the issues discussed at the most recent Board Of Directors meeting, held earlier that day. From that meeting, plans to implement new programs in the coming year (most notably the restructuring of the Regional Representative Program) were described. (Read additional comments from USUA President, Reggie DeLoach, here)

Following the President's comments, Executive Vice President Dale Hooper gave the EVP report From Headquarters. Hooper described the state of USUA as not growing, and reiterated DeLoach's comments about waning membership. He encouraged all members to continue to support the organizations efforts to provide additional services, and to reach out to non-members to include them in the support of USUA.

Following the EVP report, Hooper gave the USUA Financial report for fiscal year 2006, with USUA once again closing the year in the black. Details of the report can be found in the PowerPoint presentation from the meeting.

President DeLoach closed the business portion of the meeting by announcing that the floor would be open to member comments and discussion immediately following the Awards Ceremony.

The USUA Annual Awards ceremony began by recognizing the two new Gold Colibri Pin award winners, Dan Grunloh and Igor Kolpakchi. This award, the second highest award in the Colibri Proficiency Badge Program, was previously held by only one American, Mike Brawner, and has been dormant for over 15 years. With Grunloh and Kolpakchi's accomplishments in 2006, the US has once again been recognized in this International category.

Igor Kolpakchi (left) and Dan Grunloh (right) receiving gold Colibri awards (Click on any image to view the full sized image)

This year the awards ceremony had the distinct pleasure of recognizing a World Record setting flight. USUA member Dave Rogers set both a National and World record over a Closed Course with Limited Fuel in his Powered Paraglider. Dave explained the heartaches and headaches that he and his observer Jack McCornack went through while trying to set this record; including receiving credit for only a portion of the entire flight. Even with this setback, Dave was able to get himself (and the USA) in the record books, and vowed to continue on with similar attempts in pushing the envelope of Microlight record setting activities. Dave was awarded the National Record by NAA (the National Aeronautic Association), and the World Record from FAI (the Federation Aeronautique International).

USUA member Dave Rogers is presented with the USA and World Record certificates for Distance flown in his PPG with limited fuel. (Click on any image to view the full sized image)

Next, special recognition to the current US National Microlight Champion, Steve Bensinger, was given. His accomplishments in the 9th US National Microlight Championships (that were held in Marshal Michigan last September) were revisited, and honored. Steve gave a brief talk about the importance of competition as the basis for both personal satisfaction, as well as creating an increased level of ultralight safety and pilotage by all that participate. He encouraged all to get involved at any level, and experience these attributes.

US National Champion Pilot Steve Bensinger is honored for his spectacular achievements at the 9th US National Microlight Championships. (Click on any image to view the full sized image)

Next, in lieu of presenting the Volunteer Of The Year Award, USUA chose to honor the lifetime achievement services of one of Sport Aviation's most notable and memorable celebrities- Vernon Peckham. Vernon (the voice of Sun N Fun and many other local and national events) has been the commentator calling the shots and announcing the planes at these events for many years, and has never received direct payment for his services. He did this out of his love for the sport, and the support of the industry that he loved. The new USUA Special Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Service Award was created to pay homage to just such an individual as Vernon, and it is only fitting that he should receive the first of these awards. Vernon has now retired from his endeavors, but all who love Ultralight and Sport Aviation have felt his presence and impact on the industry.

Vernon Peckham receiving Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Service Award (Click on any image to view the full sized image)

The Awards ceremony concluded with the presentation of the John Moody Award. The United States Ultralight Association established this award in 1991, and is the highest and most prestigious award honoring the history and development of ultralight sport aviation. It is named for John Moody, the father of Ultralight Aviation, and is awarded annually to a living individual, a group of individuals, or an organization for efforts over a period of years that have reflected credit upon America and themselves by having made significant contributions or advancements of enduring value in the sport of ultralight aviation in the United States. Nominations for this award are solicited from all segments of the ultralight community; including ultralight enthusiasts, industry leaders, and ultralight clubs. The John Moody Award selection committee reviews all nominations. This years recipient of this most venerable award was Brian and Carol Carpenter; Rainbow Aviation.

Brian and Carol have long been a part of Ultralight training. From their home state of California they have trained hundreds of pilots, and have been instrumental in the growth of the sport. Most recently, with the advent of Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft regulations, there was a growing need for LSA training courses, especially in the arena of aircraft maintenance certification. The Carpenter's stepped up to the plate by creating and presenting a 16 hour course for the maintenance rating for airplane, trike and powered parachutes, and made these courses available nationwide. But this was only the beginning. In order for one to be able to perform maintenance on aircraft other than your own, FAA has set requirements for a course that in some cases must last 140 hours. While many in the industry decided that the endeavor of designing, gaining FAA approval, and implementing such a course would not be financially feasible. However, this did not sway the Carpenter's from their goal of providing total and exemplary training for the many new Sport Pilots. It is this type of dedication that makes Rainbow Aviation the winner of the John Moody Award.

Rainbow Aviation receiving John Moody Award Award (Click on any image to view the full sized image)

Other Photos:

Before the meeting, Bill McClung, Jim & Deb Stephenson and USUA Director Skip Little shoot the breeze.	USUA President Reggie DeLoach calls the meeting to order.
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Reggie DeLoach	Reggie DeLoack and USUA Board Of Director member Skip Little
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Reggie DeLoach	USUA Executive Vice President Dale Hooper gives the USUA Financial report.
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Dale Hooper	Dale Hooper and Reggie DeLoach
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