2003 was one of the most eventful years in the history of USUA. It saw the rebirth of the Association, creating a new attitude reflecting the needs and concerns of all our members, and the renewed exuberance by USUA staff in fulfilling the directive of "Member Services". With our limited staff, we work very hard each day to maintain a high level of service. USUA is proud of this - our members deserve nothing less.

As part of our efforts last year, USUA Headquarters Staff took action after we received numerous reports from all over the country from pilots who could no longer obtain ultralight insurance. We were the only one of the three ultralight organizations that stepped up to the challenge. After months of negotiations, the new USUA 3rd Party Liability Insurance Program is now available. There is insurance currently available for N-numbered aircraft from many sources; however, this policy will provide coverage for ultralight aircraft. This insurance is being underwritten and administered chiefly as a result of the integrity of USUA, and the standards and overall safety of the training programs USUA created, and have administered for almost twenty years. These are the same programs that were emulated by other organizations. However, we are not stopping with liability insurance. There are plans in the works for future coverage for Light Sport Aircraft, and we hope to offer some level of insurance to USUA clubs as well. We will continue to pursue these additional insurance options.

USUA is also very proud of our newly designed website and online Flying Store. Thanks to our new web master and store manager, it is now the most comprehensive online resource for timely, ultralight oriented information, as well as for books and videos related to our sport. Along with the most popular ultralight training materials available, Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft resources and training manuals are also available. Keeping with our family oriented approach to aviation, a children's section has been recently added to our store. If you haven't visited our website recently, USUA invites you to visit it soon.

On another front, USUA has expanded its representation and services to the entire sport aviation community. This includes Powered Parachutes and Light Sport Aircraft. They will have the same responsible and aggressive representation USUA has previously provided for Fixed Wing and Trike ultralights. USUA is proud to represent all forms of ultralight and sport aviation - whether you plan on continuing to operate under Part 103, or if you choose to transition to Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft. After all, you'll still be standing next to the same people flipping burgers at the fly-in, regardless of what type of registration their plane has. We are all in the sport for the same reason - Flying For Fun.

Sport Pilot seems to be on everyone's mind lately, and for good reason. This new FAA program has the potential to open the skies to pilots of aircraft, which, until lately, were not legally accessible to many. The Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft program will also enhance the level of pilot and aircraft safety. USUA actively supports this approach, and will provide resources to aid members, should they wish, to transition to this program.

But what about Part 103? While others seem to be abandoning the ultralight community, USUA continues to embrace those who wish to continue participating in our sport. After all, ULTRALIGHT is our middle name. USUA pledges a strong commitment to ultralight safety. We will continue to support the practice of safely training pilots through available programs such as the Ultralight Ground School Program. Since all ultralight flight instruction will soon be handled by FAA registered instructors, USUA will guide potential pilots to flight instructors who have proven themselves to be earnest in their support of ultralight aviation.

As you know, USUA has gone through some hard financial times, and taken measures to correct that course. Better financial planning, a commonsense approach to the day-to-day operations, and an outpouring of donations and support from members have aided in setting USUA back on track. However, with a declining membership base, added to the increased cost of doing business, it may be necessary to increase USUA member dues in the future. This is not something USUA takes lightly. We have deliberated over this issue for some time now, and have decided to put our faith in our membership, and keep member dues at $25. This means that to maintain not only the current level of service, but to be able to service our members for the new insurance and Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft programs, we must retain you as a member. When you receive your membership renewal request, we ask you to put your faith in USUA- renew early. It also means that we will have to grow with new members as well. Encourage fellow club members and flying buddies that are not USUA members to join. Your $25 member dues has remained virtually unchanged in 20 years, and nothing would please us more than to keep it that way as long as we can.

While USUA has some control over membership dues, we have no control over the price of publications. Each Magazine USUA offers to members is sold according to prices set by the publisher of each magazine. All prices are subject to change at any time. Most recently, Ultralight Flying! Magazine has increased it's price to USUA members from $24.95 to $34.95. This price is effective immediately. Again, USUA has no control over some things.

As I have said earlier, we take your needs very seriously and we want to continue to represent your interests. We will do what we can to keep your costs down, while providing you with the highest level of service possible. Our twenty years of hard work on your behalf is proof of this. We never closed our ultralight division, and we are not about to do it now.

USUA will continue to work for you throughout the coming years. We were there for you then, we are here for you now, and we will be there for you tomorrow. Thank you for your continued support of the United States Ultralight Association.

Sincerely,

Dale Hooper
Executive Vice President, USUA

Note from Bob Comperini: Because of the increased price for Ultralight Flying magazine subscriptions, most USUA forms had to be changed. Instructors, please visit our Online Forms page, to download the latest copies of our forms, and begin using them immediately.